Orange man charged in Covina business burglary; also faces weapons and drug counts

An Orange man who has a previous burglary conviction was out on bail Wednesday morning following his arrest while armed at a Covina business on suspicion of a new burglary.

Officers responded to a call of a burglary in progress at NPI Enterprises at 1174 East Edna Place about 10:30 a.m. Monday and found the suspect, Keith Laurent, at the scene, armed “with a manufactured Glock style handgun, multiple suppressors and ammunition,” according to a statement from the Covina Police Department.

The suspect forced his way into the building, breaking through a locked door, said Covina police Sgt. David Rodriguez.

Laurent used to work at the business and has a previous conviction for another burglary. Because of his felony conviction, he is prohibited from possessing any weapons and was arrested at the scene, the statement said.

The suspect told police that he was looking for machinery equipment that he felt belonged to him, Rodriguez said. The owner of the business, which closed several weeks prior to the incident, disputed this claim and said Laurent had no business being there.

Police notified the Department of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms and representatives of both agencies served a search warrant at Laurent’s home in Orange and recovered more ammunition, body armor and drugs, the department said.

Laurent was booked on suspicion of burglary, being a felon in possession of a firearm, ammunition, body armor and drugs for sale. He posted bond and was released from custody, police said.