On April 7, a burglar stole eight computers from community cultural and arts center Bayview Opera House. Police arrested a suspect six days later, but when a court released him, Bayview Station's police captain shared his frustration publicly.

“The guy that we arrested for three burglaries is a lifelong burglar," said Capt. Raj Vaswani in an email received by Hoodline. “The District Attorney charged him with felony burglary, but the court let him go on [his own recognizance] awaiting trial."

"Sorry, that is crazy and just plain wrong!" Vaswani continued. "He stole computers from a homework center at [Bayview Opera House]. So he is back in business to break into more stuff.”  

Bayview Opera House executive director Barbara Ockel said the thief has stolen "from the entire Bayview/Hunters Point community." To date, the seven PC laptops and an Apple iMac taken from the nonprofit's offices on Third Street have not been recovered.

Albert Brown, 52, was arrested at the corner of Crisp Road and Palou Avenue on April 13 in connection with the break in. A city resident, he was booked into County Jail on four counts of second-degree burglary and one count of possession of burglary tools.

“The computers have not been returned,” Ockel told us. "There have been other burglaries in businesses on Third Street. I have a feeling this man is connected to them, but who knows?”

Brown's booking photo has yet to be released, as the incident is still being investigated. SFPD is asking anyone with information about the burglary to contact police anonymously at 415-575-4444 or text-a-tip to TIP411 with "SFPD" at the start of the message.

The Bayview Opera House is still accepting computer donations. To find out how to help, visit their website.