Chicago Cubs players victims in burglary case

Three Chicago Cubs players were victims of a burglary suspect who is accused of stealing from several Mesa businesses over almost a four month span, police said.

Todd Robert Smith, 44, was arrested Saturday and accused of taking items from a number of locations including the Chicago Cubs training facility at 160 E. 6th Place, according to a police report.

The Cub players were pitcher Jeff Samardzija, catcher Jake Fox and outfielder Tyler Colvin. Police said all three players had personal items stolen, which included checkbooks, cell phones and credit cards.

The report also stated that Samardzija’s credit card was used at a Wal-Mart that was close by just minutes after it was stolen.

Smith is accused of taking more than $10,000 worth of property and personal items from four different locations including the training facility between Oct. 19, 2007 and Feb. 8., according to the report.

Witness John Legal told police that he noticed Smith in two locker rooms and an office inside of the training facility. He said neither location is open to the public.

Smith was also accused of stealing from the Save the Family Foundation at 450 W. 4th Place in Mesa on Oct. 19, 2007, police said. A witness told police that the suspect smiled at her when he walked by. Three other employees discovered they were missing electronics, cash, checks and credit cards, the report stated.

One victim later reported to police that her credit cards were used.

The report said other items were taken from AT&T at 1355 W. University Drive on Dec. 26 and Jan. 31. The items stolen included two laptops, one valued at $4,000 and the other at $2,000. The building is secured and employees use electronic badges to get in the facility, police said. It is not known how Smith entered the building.

The report said Smith also took a laptop and camcorder from Landmark Restaurant at 809 W. Main St. on Friday. Employees told police when they approached Smith, he told them he was looking for employment. One employee saw Smith run off through a back door with a laptop, the report stated.

All witnesses described the suspect as a bald, white male who weighed about 150 to 160 pounds, and 5 feet 7 inches tall, according to the report.

Smith later admitted to police that he has committed “hundreds” of burglaries because of his addiction to methamphetamine. The report stated Smith was arrested previously for criminal trespassing.

Mesa police Det. Chris Arvayo described Smith as a transient burglar who is well-known to authorities.

“This is an individual that wasn’t new to this,” Arvayo said. “We’re hoping this will put him away for awhile.”