Elk Grove Police Locate, Arrests Rooftop Bandit With Help of Witnesses

July 1, 2016 |

A suspected burglar who hid on the rooftop of an Elk Grove retailer was apprehended after he initially alluded police and was seen leaving the rooftop by witnesses hours later.

The incident started early yesterday morning when Elk Grove Police responded to an alarm at the Cold Stone Creamery on West Stockton Boulevard. Responding officers observed 56-year old Kenneth Alan Basnett fleeing from the back of the business. 

Officers gave chase but lost sight of him. Officers also confirmed that the business had been burglarized and that the suspect had gained entry into the business through the roof. 

A perimeter was established and officers began searching the area (parking lot and rooftops) for the suspect. After several hours, the perimeter was broken down and officers cleared the area. 

At 12:41 p.m., EGPD responded to the Best Buy located across the street after employees had observed the suspect climbing down from the roof of the building. The employees chased Basnett through the parking lot towards the Holiday Inn Express. 

Officers arrived at the hotel and located Basnett hiding inside an exterior room next to the boiler room. Basnett was arrested, processed at EGPD, then transported to the main jail where he is being held on $2.56 million bail for four felony burglary charges and will be arraigned on July 5.