On November 12, 2012, the Department of Parks and Recreation at Apollo Park (4555 West Avenue G, Lancaster) was the victim of a burglary. Miscellaneous equipment and items used to maintain the park were stolen from the storage containers. Parks deputies, investigating the crime located blood drops in and around the storage containers that had been burglarized. The blood drops were preserved and submitted to the Crime Lab for the DNA to be analyzed.
The results of the DNA check from the blood evidence recovered at the crime scene returned to that of Joseph Hopper, 48 year-old Male, resident of Palmdale; identifying him as the suspect. It was found that Mr. Hopper is currently located in Wasco State Prison on an unrelated charge. However, he was not in custody at the time of the crime. Parks Bureau detectives contacted Suspect Hopper at Wasco State Prison and interviewed him concerning the burglary.
The District Attorney’s Office has filed one count of Commercial Burglary on Joseph Hopper.
Parks Bureau, Providing Public Safety for Parks.
