Lakers security guard arrested for stealing championship rings

Dec. 13 (UPI) -- El Segundo police have arrested a security guard who worked at the Los Angeles Lakers headquarters on felony charges of burglary and grand theft for stealing two NBA championship rings and $20,000 in gift cards that were supposed to be handed out at upcoming holiday events.

According to Lt. Jaime Bermudez, 23-year-old Eddie J. Monterroso already spent $15,000 worth of the gift cards on televisions and iPads. Monterroso was arrested on Tuesday and police were able to recover the rings and cards at his home in Inglewood.

The championship rings were from 2009 and 2010. The rings apparently were extras that were not owned by players or employees. The Lakers defeated the Orlando Magic in 2009 and the Boston Celtics in 2010.

“He was able to get into some of the offices and was able to take gift cards that the Lakers had purchased for upcoming Christmas parties and charity events for the holiday season,” Bermudez said.

It’s unclear how Monterroso became a suspect in the case.

“Our detectives did a great job in finding out who he was,” Bermudez said. “It wasn’t easily apparent who it was. We caught a couple lucky breaks.”

[The Daily Breeze]