SAN FRANCISCO — A California man suspected of stealing a football autographed by former San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Jerry Rice has turned himself in and returned the ball.
The San Francisco Chronicle reported Sunday that 45-year-old Patrick Van Lam went to a San Jose police station Saturday after seeing viral photos of himself on social media taking the ball at a charity auction.
The ball went missing after it was purchased for $3,500 at an April 9 fundraiser to benefit Chinese orphans with special needs.
The newspaper reported that Van Lam was arrested on suspicion of burglary and grand theft.
Police say a second man helped Van Lam take the ball.
