Have You Seen This Alleged Hardware Store Burglar?

Long Beach police Monday asked for help in identifying a man with a Luigi moustache who allegedly broke into a hardware store and can be seen climbing up a ladder right before his close-up.

The man in the backward baseball cap has been up and down a ladder once, and then it moves and he climbs it again right before he stares into the surveillance camera at the Long Beach ACE Hardware store. (Note: it was not LBPD that mentioned the Nintendo Mario Bros. character resemblance, and granted the sidekick's cap is usually green).

The brazen burglary happened July 21, 2012, at about 8 p.m., when the suspect got in by cutting a hole in the back wall of the store at 2720 E. Anaheim Street, the Long Beach Police Department said Monday.

"Once inside, he spray painted the security cameras lenses, however, was captured on video during the process. The suspect stole several thousand dollars worth of tools, power equipment, and other miscellaneous items, prior to fleeing in a white 1980's Ford pick-up truck," the police department announced in a news statement, which did not mention why the months-old video was re-released now.

"Anyone with information regarding the suspect's identity or whereabouts is urged to contact Long Beach Police Burglary Detective Jennifer Valenzuela at (562) 570-5592.  Anonymous tips may be submitted by calling 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), texting TIPLA plus your tip to CRIMES (274637), or visiting www.lacrimestoppers.org."