By Shari Kaplan
Los Gatos police Detective Jim McBrayer recently arrested 18-year-old San Jose resident Jeffrey Roger Puckett, charging him with burglary and forgery in conjunction with several thefts that took place in July and August at the George Brown Fitness Center on Los Gatos Boulevard.
According to LGPD Sgt. Tricia Friedrich, police detectives believe Puckett and an accomplice are responsible for five of seven recent incidents at George Brown's in which patrons' lockers were broken into and personal effects stolen, including credit cards and wallets. Bicycles were taken also--"things they could get out the door with," Friedrich said. Some victims told police that the thieves charged purchases with the stolen credit cards.
McBrayer got new leads for his investigation when a George Brown employee noticed two suspicious males in a vehicle and was able to describe them and give police the license plate number. After obtaining a search warrant, McBrayer arrived at Puckett's house on Aug. 30 and discovered stolen items and other evidence, Friedrich said. He was booked at the County Jail and is now out on his own recognizance. He has not yet been arraigned, according to the Santa Clara County Municipal Court.
Last week, Los Gatos police were waiting for a search warrant from the district attorney's office so they could search the house of the individual they believe was Puckett's accomplice.
This article appeared in the Los Gatos Weekly-Times, September 18, 1996.
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