Burglar Caught After Stealing Guitars From Chino Hills Music School

CHINO HILLS (CBSLA) – A man suspected of breaking into a music school in Chino Hills last week and making off with several guitars has been caught after trying to sell the instruments online, authorities said.

Joe Adrian Perez, 43, was arrested at his San Dimas home Wednesday by Chino Hills police on charges of burglary and possession of stolen property.

Officers served search warrants at Perez's home after receiving a tip that he had posted the stolen guitars for sale online, police said. Two of the stolen guitars were found in the home.

In the early morning hours of Dec. 7, a suspect was caught on surveillance video smashing the glass of the front door of the "Rockstars of Tomorrow" music school located at 4200 Chino Hills Pkwy. The suspect entered the school and stole several guitars.

Along with the guitars, officers also found methamphetamine in the home.

Michael Anderson, who owns "Rockstars of Tomorrow" said one of the stolen guitars was intended to be a special gift.

"I know that student had his eyes on that guitar. I know that he wanted that specific one, he'd played it, touched it, all that good stuff. to see it go like that, someone just take it without any care, it's sad," said Anderson.

Perez is being held on $25,000 bail. Anyone with information on the case should call detectives at 909- 364-2000.