Pendleton Marine Held in the Vandalizing of S

SAN CLEMENTE —  A Camp Pendleton Marine has been arrested in connection with the Thanksgiving night break-in of a local savings and loan, where as many as three vandals tore through the lobby, smashing furniture and computer equipment, police said Friday.

Marine Cpl. Erick L. LaFleur, 21, was released to his unit several hours after his arrest at 9 p.m. Thursday on charges of felony vandalism and burglary, Marine and police officials said.

The break-in forced the unexpected closure of Hawthorne Savings and Loan on Friday while employees cleaned up the ransacked interior, San Clemente Police Sgt. Nelda Gonzalez said. Hawthorne officials estimated damage at $10,000.

Police do not believe that the suspect was trying to steal money, but detectives were still hard-pressed to come up with a motive, Gonzalez said.

“Who’s crazy enough to enter a bank, knowing it has a full security system and they will get caught?” Gonzalez wondered.

Gonzalez said that a 12-year-old boy called the police station at 8:45 p.m. to report that his father--who spoke no English--saw someone smash the front glass doors of the thrift, located in the 900 block of El Camino Real, and disappear inside.

The private alarm company reportedly was alerted to the break-in but did not inform the Police Department, Gonzalez said. Instead, the company telephoned the savings and loan’s manager.

When police arrived, about three minutes after they were tipped off by the witness, Gonzalez said, officers noticed that the front and rear glass doors and the front window had all been smashed.

Suspecting that the vandals already had fled, the six officers nevertheless cordoned off the area and called for Police Officer Frank Becerra and his canine partner. Becerra sent his dog into the darkened lobby, but the dog found no one.

Suddenly, Officer Andrew Ferguson heard a rustling in the bushes near the saving and loan’s rear entrance, Gonzalez said.

Police then flushed out LaFleur, who was barefoot, wearing civilian clothes and had blood on his hands and feet. Police then entered and discovered the damage.

Gonzalez said that not only had furniture, documents and lamps been thrown around and broken, but also wall paintings were damaged, all the office’s computers and typewriters were lying on the floor, the front desk and counter area was covered with chemicals from a fire extinguisher and blood was smeared throughout the area.

While police held LaFleur, an interpreter was called to the scene to interview the father of the boy who had alerted police.

The witness apparently identified LaFleur’s clothing as similar to that worn by the man he saw crawl through the broken glass door, but the witness did not recognize the suspect’s face. Police said LaFleur told them that he was one of three men who entered the building, but the witness did not corroborate that story, saying he saw only one person, according to Gonzalez.

Gonzalez said that LaFleur, who lives on base, might have been drinking, but he did not appear to be intoxicated. She said that police have not had a chance to determine if he had any connection with the thrift, including whether he might have been a disgruntled customer.

“I’m sure they will probably investigate that angle,” Gonzalez said, “but that won’t be until Monday.”

LaFleur was turned over to military police at 1:05 a.m. Friday, said Pfc. Bryan Snow, a Camp Pendleton spokesman.

Snow said that the suspect is not facing military charges but will be prosecuted in a civilian court. LaFleur was released Friday morning to his unit, 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division.