Mosque thief caught in Seaside

SEASIDE, Calif. (KION-TV)- Seaside police have arrested a man who has stolen from mosques around the Bay Area, and here on the central coast.

Police say 50-year-old Ashraf Hegazy entered the Islamic Society of Monterey County Mosque in Seaside earlier this week, claiming to be observing the mosque, but he soon attempted to break into a charity box to steal donations before being chased off by witnesses.

Police identified him using flock cameras, finding that he is as serial thief targeting mosques around the Bay Area, and tracked him to San Bruno, where he lives.

He was arrested in San Bruno last night with the assistance of the local police department and is now booked in the San Mateo County jail.