Photo: Jonathan Bradley Searl
BURNEY – Early on Monday morning, the Shasta County Sheriff’s Office received a call about a burglary that had occurred in the maintenance shop at Burney High School. Over one thousand dollars worth of hand tools were missing from the school located at 37585 Mountain View Road.
The ensuing investigation began with the viewing of video surveillance, in which a suspect was captured on film rifling around.
The suspect dropped a Tripling Bonus Crossword scratch-off lottery ticket while he was on the school site, and this little piece of paper became the ticket to his identification.
Deputies, using the serial number on the lottery ticket, were able to locate the gas station where the ticket was purchased. Two days before the burglary, Jonathan Bradley Searl bought the unlucky ticket.
Even worse for the suspect, he left behind a jacket that he wore when he bought the ticket.
As deputies ramped up their search for Searl, reports of his sighting near McDonald’s came in. In fact, he was in the bathroom of the fast-food joint.
Once in custody, Searl admitted to the burglary. He led deputies “to the stolen property hidden in suitcases around the Quebec Street Apartments.”
The suspect was charged with 2nd degree burglary, vandalism and grand theft.
