An Oct. 21 trial date has been set for a Bonita man who is accused of burglarizing vehicles belonging to La Mesa firefighters outside the #12 Dallas Street fire station in La Mesa and stealing a gun.
Leubrent Bernard Edwards, 30, has been ordered to stand trial for auto burglary, grand theft firearm and petty theft in the July 28 incidents. He has pleaded not guilty in El Cajon Superior Court.
La Mesa Police said firefighters from station #12 reported they found a man burglarizing their vehicles around 5:51 p.m. Their cars were parked in a locked gated lot that was surrounded by a fence but a prosecutor said Tuesday Edwards could have climbed over the fence.
Edwards fled after seeing La Mesa police and he hid inside an open garage at a residence. Edwards allegedly began to collect items from the garage to take, but the occupant called police and he ran away.
The San Diego Police helicopter was used and announcements of what the suspect looked like were broadcast from the air. Edwards ran into another residence’s backyard and police found him hiding underneath a vehicle.
He eventually complied with officers’ commands and gave up. The stolen gun and other items taken were recovered. Edwards remains in the central jail on $25,000 bail.
