The Lakers and Los Angeles Kings share a practice facility in El Segundo — basically near LAX — and a security guard at that facility has been arrested for allegedly stealing two NBA championship rings plus $20,000 in gift cards.
The Daily Breeze newspaper, which covers this part of L.A., has the details.Eddie J. Monterroso, 23, of Inglewood allegedly spent $15,000 worth of the gift cards, buying televisions and iPads, El Segundo police Lt. Jaime Bermudez said.
Police arrested Monterroso on Tuesday as he left work at the Toyota Sports Center on Nash Street near Mariposa Avenue. Police recovered the rings and other property at his Inglewood home.
So, not exactly a criminal mastermind here. Why not take one of the Larry O’Brien trophies the Lakers keep at the facility and take it home, too? Who is going to notice?
Monterroso worked for a private security company hired to patrol the building after business hours. The gift cards were ones the Lakers planned to give out at upcoming holiday charity events.
The rings were “extras” that did not belong to a specific player or member of the organization, according to the team. They were rings from the Lakers two most recent titles.
