Father accused of stealing thousands of dollars from Mesa Arts Center with 10-year-old arrested

A father accused of involving his 10-year-old son in a burglary last week has been arrested, according to a Monday release from the Mesa Police Department.

Jean Zintz, 31, allegedly forced open a locked door at the Mesa Arts Center on Wednesday around 2 p.m., damaging the door.

Police said the duo stole around $7,350 worth of jewelry, a Bluetooth speaker and a piece of cactus from the city’s property.

Zintz and his son came back to the museum to retrieve a water bottle he had left behind. When he learned police were there, they fled, according to police.

Detectives pulled Zintz’s car over, detaining both father and son. Police said Zintz admitted to the burglary and planned to take the stolen property to Washington. He had a flight to the Evergreen State scheduled later that day.

Father accused of burglarizing Mesa Arts Center booked on 8 charges

Zintz was booked on three counts of burglary, three counts of theft, one count of criminal damage and one count of contributing to the delinquency and dependency of a minor.

During the investigation, authorities recovered the stolen property.

Zintz is in custody on a $40,000 bond.

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