Geoffry Randall Brister, 33, is being held on $60,000 bail for allegedly burglarizing the Holcomb Valley Boy Scout Camp. (File Photo)
By G. T. Houts
Holcomb Valley, CA -A 33-year-old man – Geoffry Randall Brister — is in custody after he was found near several buildings that had been burglarized at the Holcomb Valley Boys Scout Camp.
Deputies from the Big Bear Sheriff’s Station responded to the camp in the 34000 block of Holcomb Valley Road at 11:15 a.m. on Monday, February 23, to a report of a burglary in progress.
THE INCIDENT
The deputies arrived at the camp complex and contacted a male subject — later identified as Brister — who did not have permission to be on the campground, according to a media release issued by the Big Bear Sheriff’s Station.
Brister was armed with a .32-caliber rifle at the time he was contacted by officers.
THE INVESTIGATION
During the investigation, deputies determined the suspect had broken into several buildings on the property and was in the process of stealing numerous items belonging to the Boy Scouts of America (San Gabriel Valley Council).
The items included firearms used by the campers at Holcomb Valley Camp for target practice.
Deputies also found Brister to be on felony probation for carrying a loaded firearm in public during a wants and warrants check.
THE ARREST
Brister was taken into custody without incident and booked into the Big Bear jail at 12:11 p.m. on felony charges of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, burglary, and vandalism, as well as misdemeanor charges of being in possession of methamphetamine.
The suspect is being held in lieu of $60,000 bail with an arraignment hearing set for Wednesday, February 25, at 12:30 p.m. at San Bernardino County Superior Court.
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