Police looking for suspect in string of office thefts

BURLINGAME, Calif. -- Police are searching for a suspect in a series of office burglaries in Burlingame, San Mateo and Palo Alto who has been posing as an I.T. or construction worker.

The suspect carries a laminated badge or ID card that he wears on a lanyard or clips to his clothes in order to gain access to the offices, police said.

When confronted, he has told people he is there to check Internet lines, according to Burlingame police Sgt. Don Shepley. Detectives have nicknamed the suspect the "IT Poser."

The suspect has stolen computers and wallets from office buildings on the east side of Burlingame and in San Mateo and Palo Alto, Shepley said.

The suspect wears his hair in a ponytail and has tattoos on his arms and torso, Shepley said. He may drive a white Ford Taurus, according to Shepley.

Police have released a photo of the suspect taken from a security camera. They ask anyone with information about the suspect's identity to call the Burlingame Police Department at (650) 777-4100.