CHULA VISTA, Calif. (KGTV) — Police say they have made an arrest in connection with a series of tip jar thefts at several businesses in the South Bay.
Chula Vista Police said on Feb. 18, employees at Novo Brazil Brewery reported a man trying to steal a tip jar just before 4 p.m. Witnesses told police that the man entered the business, grabbed the tip jar, and forced his way past employees on his way out. Employees chased after him and held him until Otay Ranch Mall security arrived to help.
Officers arrived to find employees and security had detained the man, before he was turned over to police.
RELATED: VIDEO: El Pollo Grill restaurant workers take down would-be tip jar thief in Chula Vista
The man was identified as 32-year-old Toree Dwaynn Simpson, of San Diego. Simpson was arrested for robbery and booked into county jail.
Simpson is now being investigated for his possible connection to more than a dozen similar thefts in Chula Vista, police added.
"Thankfully nobody was injured during the incident and the Chula Vista Police Department would like to thank the community and especially Novo Brazil for their tips, their awareness and assistance in helping us solve this crime," CVPD said.
CVPD is continuing to investigate the tip jar thefts, including reported thefts from other businesses in the Otay Ranch and Eastlake area, including El Pollo Grill and L&L Hawaiian BBQ.
Anyone with information about the thefts is asked to call the Chula Vista Police Department.
