Box of Legos leads to arrest of school break-in suspect

A box of Legos turned in by a resident led police to make an arrest in a series of break-ins at Talofofo Elementary School, according to a magistrate’s complaint filed in Superior Court. Paul Anthony Cruz, 40, was charged with theft of property and theft by receiving stolen property, both as second-degree felonies. He was also charged with one count of theft as a third-degree felony and misdemeanor theft, according to the complaint.

At 7:30 a.m. Sept.



12, school staff reported the third break-in at the school in a week. A pressure washer valued at $1,350 had been taken. At 2 a.

m. Sept. 14, officers stopped by the school and noticed a rock on the sidewalk and a broken window in the school office.

An air conditioner valued at $350 was reported stolen. Officers found rooms unlocked and rummaged through at the school during a similar check at 12:41 a.m.

Sept. 16. A circuit-maker machine, a circuit-express machine, nine Lego education sets, two cases of crayons and an Acer laptop were missing.

The total value was $7,739. At 9 a.m.

Sept. 18, police learned that a resident had turned in a box of Legos belonging to the school to the Talo'fo'fo' Mayor’s Office. Another person had purchased the Legos from Cruz, and the resident was suspicious because he had seen a similar box of Legos in the jungle behind the school.

Later that morning, police interviewed Cruz, who said he received four boxes of Legos from his friend. He said he sold one box and hid the rest in the jungle, according to the complaint. Cruz told officers he had driven his friend to Talo’fo’fo’ Elementary School on several occasions, and he said he thought his friend was responsible for the theft of a pressure washer, an air conditioner and other items, the complaint stated.

No charges had been filed against Cruz’s friend as of Thursday. Cruz was released on a $5,000 personal recognizance bond. If he is found guilty of the charges, he could face 12 years in prison, according to documents provided by the Office of the Attorney General.

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