School computer burglary suspect arrested

Burglaries at two Santa Barbara-area schools are now linked to a string of gang-related thefts at other campuses across Southern California, investigators said.

Andre Clayton, 26, from Hemet, was arrested at his home on Sunday and is being detained in the Riverside County jail on a $1 million bond. Clayton is accused of burglary and also faces gang-related charges.

On two occasions, investigators from the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office searched Clayton’s vehicle and home in Hemet, where evidence was found linking him to burglaries at Vieja Valley and Laguna Blanca schools, the Sheriff Officials said.

Both were robbed in late January, with an estimated $15,000 in computer equipment taken from classrooms. Dozens of computers, including laptops and iMacs, were stolen.

SBCSO released a statement Wednesday that also links Clayton to a Riverside County gang suspected of similar school burglaries across Southern California.

The statement said Clayton did not act alone, and the investigation for other suspects is ongoing.

Clayton will be extradited from Riverside County to Santa Barbara County to face the charges filed against him.