LOS ANGELES, Feb. 1 (UPI) -- A former security guard was sentenced to 180 days Friday for stealing three Los Angeles Lakers championship rings from the practice facility where he worked.
Los Angeles prosecutors said Mejía Eddie Monterroso, 23, also stole gift cards the team planned to donate to non-profit groups, the Los Angeles Times reported. He pleaded no contest to grand theft of personal property.
In addition to the jail time, Monterroso must spend three years on probation and pay $14,000 in restitution.
Investigators said the gift cards and rings, worth a total of $20,000, disappeared between October and December last year while Monterroso was on the night shift.
Lt. Jaime Bermudez of the El Segundo Police said the rings were replacements in case any championship rings were lost. They were found at Monterroso's home in Inglewood, outside Los Angeles.
Monterroso used the gift cards to buy video games, Bermudez said.
