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SANDY — All the signs were there — cameras, security warnings, even a Neighborhood Watch sign. But whoever stole packages from the top step of Randy Bathemess's either didn't see them or didn't care.
"There are cameras out front right in his face," Bathemess said. "America's stupidest criminal is this guy."
Bathemess owns Sentinel Systems and has more than 20 years of experience in surveillance technology. The thief probably had no idea who he was stealing from, or the quality of the cameras that recorded him.
"We have great high-resolution images of him," Bathemess said. "Somebody is going to recognize him. I mean, somebody is going to hate this guy from high school and turn him in."
In a slight twist of irony, the boxes the thief stole had security cameras in them.
"He grabbed some stuff he can't use. It's all registered product. ... he can't use it, can't pawn it," Bathemess said.
He also said this crime proves having a high-quality video surveillance system could be the difference between catching a criminal or not.
"We started getting into megapixel technologies and IP technology and we brought some of the products to Utah," Bathemess said.
Late Friday night, Sandy police detectives said they have a suspect in custody who admitted to the crime as well as several other similar thefts in the area.
Bathemess had offered a $1,000 reward for the capture of the alleged burglar.
"Well, I'm taking it serious because I heard through the holidays about people getting ripped off," he said. " I mean, how many Christmases this guy must have ruined for other families?"
