Father arrested after allegedly burglarizing Mesa Arts Center with his 10-year-old son

MESA, Ariz. — A Mesa father was arrested on Monday after allegedly involving his 10-year-old son in a burglary at the Mesa Arts Center, according to a release from the Mesa Police Department.

Police said Jean Zintz, 31, forced open a locked door at the Mesa Arts Center on Wednesday around 2 p.m., damaging the door in the process. Zintz and his son allegedly stole roughly $7,350 worth of jewelry, a Bluetooth speaker and a piece of cactus from the city's property.

The pair later returned to the museum to retrieve a water bottle Zintz had left behind. When he learned police were already on site, the two fled, according to police.

Detectives pulled Zintz's car over and detained both the father and the son. Police said Zintz admitted to the burglary and said he had planned to take the stolen property to Washington. He reportedly had a flight to the state scheduled later that same day.

Zintz was booked on eight charges: 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.

Authorities recovered the stolen property during the investigation. Zintz is in custody on a $40,000 bond.