Christopher Bess, 32, it has been revealed, stole almost $50,000 worth of solar panels from a school in Chico, California, in order to obtain drug money. He was caught on surveillance video and may face up to over 7 years in prison.
Chris was apprehended when he was in jail for an unrelated charge and made a phone call to a friend from prison identifying the stolen goods. The police used this information to locate the missing stolen panels to be returned to the school.
All this is indicative of a drug habit gone bad. In support of this, a storage shed of his, rented by his girlfriend, showed numerous items; including cold weather gear which he stole from a not-for-profit organization that was trying to use these funds to help military veterans. Also included were other stolen goods including bicycles and lawn care equipment.
Police mention that this illustrates a drug addiction which is controlling this man’s life. Christopher Bess was held without bail and will receive sentencing next month after pleading guilty to these charges.
The school in Chico, California has realized the strange path their solar panels have taken. Perhaps they also have a lesson to tell their students in order to keep them away from drugs.