A three-man crew was reportedly paid $10,000 to steal blank vehicle titles from a Mesa motor vehicle business.
Mesa Police report that on August 25, Michael Earl Stewart, 30, was detained outside a motor vehicle business near Stapley Drive and Southern Avenue.
Police say Stewart served as a lookout while two others used a baseball bat to break the window and enter the business. Inside they allegedly stole blank vehicle titles.
Stewart reportedly told police that he and one other burglar met with 42-year-old Jason Edward Malone who gave them $10,000 to take titles, even loaning them a truck to commit the crime.
Police located and searched the vehicle used in the burglary and reportedly found evidence of five other thefts. Police say they also found evidence, in Malone’s home, of burglaries from other title companies. Police reportedly found, “altered stolen vehicle title copies,” in paper and electronic form.
Stewart was released from prison in 2015 after serving four years for burglary and sex offenses. He has now been charged with burglary.
Malone was arrested for burglary, theft and financing a criminal syndicate.
