Lakers Security Guard Accused of Stealing Championship Rings

Detectives say they found two rings at the suspect's home

A security guard is accused of stealing Lakers championship rings and nearly $20,000 worth of gift cards from the team’s training facility in El Segundo, authorities said.

Eddie J. Monterroso was arrested outside the training facility Tuesday as he left work, according to the El Segundo Police Department.

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The Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office on Thursday filed felony charges of burglary and grand theft against the 23-year-old security guard.

Investigators on Dec. 5 began probing a theft from the Lakers training facility including championship rings from the Lakers’ 2009 and 2010 wins, and $20,000 in gift cards, police said.

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Detectives said they found "evidence of the theft" and two championship rings at Monterroso’s Inglewood home.

"The person who did steal is probably a Laker fan and wanted to keep it for himself," Sgt. Mike Gill, with the El Segundo Police Department, said. "I would imagine stealing a Laker ring would be very difficult to pawn or sell off."

Monterroso had worked as a security guard at the Lakers' training facility for about a year when he was arrested, police said. He was third-party contractor hired by Anschutz Entertainment Group (AEG).

Police are also investigating a photo posted to what is believed to be Monterroso's Facebook page showing the Los Angeles Kings' Stanley Cup championship on a finger, possibly the suspect's.

The Kings also practice at the facility where Monterroso worked.

NBC4's Kate Larsen contributed to this report.

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