Richmond Police Department

Alleged Cannon Thief Identified by Richmond Police

Richmond police have identified, but not found, a man they say stole a WWI-era cannon outside the Veteran's Memorial Hall earlier this month.

Police say they have "compelling evidence" that Dezi Adsuara, 44, of Vallejo is the man who was caught on surveillance video allegedly taking the cannon on May 11. He is 5 foot 7 inches tall, weighs 210 pounds, has black hair, brown eyes and wears glasses. He also goes by Roland Joseph Garcia, police said, adding there is an $80,000 warrant for his arrest.

NBC Bay Area first reported the story of the stolen cannon.

The next day, a man who bought the cannon called police to say he saw the story on the news, and realized he had unwittingly bought the stolen merchandise.

"He felt absolutely terrible that this happened. He did not want any part of this," Richmond Police Lt. Felix Tan said. "He thought it was a legitimate purchase. Unfortunately it wasn't."

Surveillance video at the scene shows two people in a truck pulling into the lot, cutting the cannon's chain and towing the one-ton brass and iron weapon away. The theft took place in under a minute. Police said that only one suspect sold the cannon, and if he talks, police may get the identity of the second.

Anyone with information should call Richmond Police Property Crimes Detective T. Kaiser at (510) 672-0764.

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