Phong Thanh Tran
Following a several month investigation, Morro Bay police detectives arrested a man Wednesday for burglarizing businesses and stealing checks out of mailboxes, which he then forged to his name.
Morro Bay resident Phong Thanh Tran, 44, allegedly burglarized the Dutchman Restaurant on May 26, as well as the Antiques Etc. on Oct. 31. Tran caused a loss of more than $5,000 to the restaurant and damaged both businesses by forcing entry, according to Morro Bay police.
When detectives arrested Tran, he was in possession of personal checks forged to his name. Investigators believe Tran stole checks out of mailboxes throughout Morro Bay.
Police charged Tran with multiple counts of commercial burglary, forgery and possession of stolen property and fraudulent checks. He is also implicated in other acts of larceny over the last few months, and authorities are considering additional charges.
An investigation into Tran’s act is ongoing. The Morro Bay Police Department asks that anyone who may have been the victim of recent mail theft contact detectives at (805) 772-6225.
