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Richmond Police Arrest Man Who They Say Stole WWI-Era Cannon

Richmond police said they have arrested a man they say stole a WWI-era cannon outside the Veteran's Memorial Hall.

Lt. Felix Tan said officers took Dezi Adsuara, 44, of Vallejo into custody on Tuesday night, after detectives said they had "compelling evidence" against him. They had been looking for him since the cannon was stolen on May 11, a story first reported by NBC Bay Area.

Adsuara also goes by Roland Joseph Garcia, police said.

The cannon was returned a day after NBC Bay Area aired the story of the stolen cannon by a man who bought the ancient piece and called police to say he saw the story on the news, and realized he had unwittingly bought the stolen merchandise.

Surveillance video at the scene of the crime shows two people in a truck pulling into the lot, cutting the cannon's chain and towing the one-ton brass and iron weapon away. The theft took place in under a minute. Police said that only one suspect sold the cannon, and if he talks, police may get the identity of the second.

Anyone with information should call Richmond Police Property Crimes Detective T. Kaiser at (510) 672-0764.

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