Suspect's true identity revealed after Phoenix school burglaries

PHOENIX - Police have arrested a 21-year-old man suspected of burglarizing a central Phoenix elementary school several times.

Louis Elmer Epperson III faces three counts of burglary and one count of probation violation after he allegedly broke into classrooms at Solano Elementary School near 15th Avenue and Bethany Home Road.

Phoenix police say the school had been burglarized three times over the past four nights and Epperson was caught just before 3 a.m. Friday when he activated a burglary alarm and a maintenance man called police.

According to police, Epperson broke into classrooms and took electronic equipment, including projectors, computers and other teaching aids.

Police set up a perimeter around the school and an officer spotted Epperson walking from a classroom carrying about $2,000 worth of equipment. He saw police and ran, but was taken into custody after a short foot chase, police said.

Epperson reportedly admitted to all three burglaries. During the interview Epperson apparently gave investigators a fake name and date of birth, saying he was 16 years old and had recently moved to Phoenix.

While he was being booked into jail Epperson's true identity was discovered, along with a warrant for a probation violation.