BARSTOW — A Knights of Columbus janitor posted bail Saturday after Barstow police arrested him and his girlfriend on suspicion of staging a burglary and stealing close to $35,000, authorities said.Maurice Michael Lessard posted $25,000 bail after police arrested him on suspicion of grand theft of an employer, burglary and conspiracy to commit a crime, booking records show. His girlfriend Dayna Leimomi Harris, 29, also posted $25,000 Saturday after being booked on the same charges, booking records show.Police arrested the couple after finding a large black duffel bag containing two cash lock boxes reported stolen from Knights of Columbus on Friday night.Police responded to Knights of Columbus, 580 Victor St., just after 9:30 p.m. regarding a commercial burglary, police said. Police contacted Lessard, 27, who said someone broke into the business and stole approximately $35,000 in cash kept in two lock boxes.
Lessard told police he and his girlfriend locked themselves out of the business while working and left to retrieve another set of keys, police said. Lessard claimed somebody broke in and stole the boxes containing the cash while the couple was gone, police said.
But as Lessard recounted details of the events surrounding the burglary the officer became suspicious, police said.
An evidence technician responded to process the scene. Police learned the couple lived together in the 200 block of North Yucca Avenue and officers conducted a search of their home. Officers found two lock boxes inside the duffel bag that matched the descriptions of the boxes stolen from the Knights of Columbus, police said.
Approximately $35,000 was found inside the boxes, authorities said.
Police said Harris admitted to helping Lessard stage the burglary to steal the money. Police also said Harris told them the couple attempted to burglarize the business days priors but were unsuccessful. Police said officers responded to a call for service for a burglary alarm at Knights of Columbus approximately one week before the staged burglary.
Possible charges are pending following an investigation by the San Bernardino County District Attorney’s office, authorities said.
The investigation is ongoing and anyone with information is asked to call officer Jimmie Walker at 760-256-2211.