NCIS investigators are building a federal theft case against an Imperial Beach resident law enforcement sources said.
William Calvin Lanum, 48, works as a foreman for a private company at a shipyard at Naval Base San Diego, his neighbors told NBC 7 San Diego.
During his 10-year career as a civilian worker he has repaired and installed boilers on several Navy ships including USS Bonhomme Richard.
Sources say that for the past year, the military has been investigating Lanum for allegedly stealing tens of thousands of dollars in equipment from the Navy including copper wiring, welding equipment, generators and at least one vehicle.
Sources say officers arrested Lanum as he walked out of Home Depot in Imperial Beach on Sunday.
He is now charged with stealing a truck and providing false vehicle documents to police.
Court records show Lanum has a long criminal history that includes a felony and convictions for DUI, drug possession and petty theft.
Local
On Monday, NBC 7 San Diego was the only media outlet there, as military investigators served search warrants on two Imperial Beach homes connected to Lanum.
Investigators used flatbed trucks to collect evidence from Lanum's home on Royston Drive and also a family members home two blocks away.
Some of the evidence included rubber pipes, large amounts of some kind of wiring and at least one generator.
Lanum's family declined our request for an interview.
He will be arraigned at the Chula Vista Courthouse on Wednesday on the vehicle theft charge.
Sources say he will likely face federal charges once the military investigation is complete.
