A suspected burglar in Pomona, California got more than he bargained for when he broke into a Boost Mobile Store owned by Miguel Ceja and his business partners. Little did the intruder know that Ceja had devised a cunning plan to catch burglars red-handed with his entry-only trap, as captured in surveillance video footage that has since gone viral.
According to Ceja, who spoke with reporters, the store had not yet opened to the public and was not stocked with any merchandise at the time of the incident. But that didn’t deter the determined burglar, who gained entry through an air-conditioning duct and triggered an alarm.
The video footage shows the alleged thief realizing his mistake as he runs through what he likely thought was an exit door. Instead, he finds himself in an inescapable hallway with reinforced steel doors, specifically designed to prevent break-ins. Ceja revealed that he had installed the secure area in response to previous burglaries at their other stores, which had resulted in significant losses of inventory.
The suspect’s attempts to escape were captured on video, and they were nothing short of comical. Desperate to break free, he kicked the doors, tried to use a hammer and other tools to break through, and even attempted to squeeze through the small gap between the doors. However, all his efforts were in vain, as he remained trapped for approximately 45 minutes.
Ceja, who had been alerted to the break-in by the store’s CCTV alarm system, promptly notified the police. Officers arrived at the scene and took the hapless burglar into custody, ending his futile bid for freedom.
The incident has since been widely shared on social media, with many netizens finding humor in the alleged burglar’s misfortune. Comments flooded in, with some jokingly suggesting that the suspect should have brought a snack and a good book to pass the time, while others praised Ceja’s creative and effective security measures.
In an interview, Ceja couldn’t help but chuckle as he recounted the bizarre turn of events. He expressed relief that the suspect was caught and that his store remained secure, while also acknowledging the absurdity of the situation.
As for the alleged burglar, he learned the hard way that crime doesn’t pay and that not all exits lead to freedom. His ill-fated escapade serves as a cautionary tale for would-be criminals, and a reminder to business owners to think outside the box when it comes to protecting their establishments.
In the end, the Boost Mobile Store by 20/20 Mobile emerged victorious, thanks to Ceja’s DIY security system and the timely arrival of law enforcement. The suspect may have thought he could outsmart the store owner, but instead, he found himself trapped in a comical and inescapable predicament, with his foiled break-in becoming a viral sensation.