Here's why it's wise to tip The Bee's carriers: A Bee delivery driver is being credited with helping Folsom police bag two suspected burglars early Saturday morning.
Here's David Richie's report:
The driver is one of the people regularly out and about during the late night and early morning hours and police say they count on these folks for help. Those late night workers give the police important "eyes and ears" out on the street, said Lt. Sheldon Sterling, Folsom police investigations unit supervisor.
The Bee carrier "is pretty good at calling in things," Sterling said. "He knew there was no reason for a car to be parked at a construction site that early in the morning."
Officers were called in to investigate the white 1998 Ford Mustang at the custom home construction site on Avalanche Peak Way. They spotted it leaving the area and stopped the car a few blocks away at Cascade Falls Drive and Oak Avenue Parkway. The Mustang was being driven by a man police say they identified as Brian James Blanchard, who was due to celebrate his 46th birthday on Sunday. Officers also determined that Blanchard is a parolee. His passenger, Jerry Lee Johnson, 50, was on probation, Sterling said.
A search of the car turned up a pile of galvanized metal earthquake braces. A contractor later identified the pieces as missing from the home under construction on Avalanche Peak Way. The braces were of varying sizes ranging in cost from 84 cents up to $120. Flashlights and bolt cutters also were missing from the construction site.
Both men remain in Sacramento County Jail, facing charges that include burglary, grand theft and receiving or possessing stolen property.
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