Aerial view of the Mesa Arts Center in downtown Mesa, Arizona, showing the arts complex, surrounding plaza, palm trees and nearby buildings.

An aerial view of the Mesa Arts Center in downtown Mesa, Arizona. Mesa Police say a man and his 10-year-old son burglarized the arts center on August 19, 2026, stealing thousands of dollars worth of property. Photo: iSkyNews.com

Mesa Police Arrest Man Accused of Burglarizing Mesa Arts Center with 10-Year-Old Son

By Ciara Perez, Senior Multimedia Correspondent

iSkyNews.com (ISN) – Published August 24th, 2026

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MESA, Ariz. – A man is behind bars after Mesa Police say he burglarized the Mesa Arts Center with his 10-year-old son, stealing thousands of dollars worth of property before returning to the scene the following day.

According to Mesa Police, 31-year-old Jean Zintz and his son unlawfully entered the Mesa Arts Center at approximately 2 p.m. on August 19, 2026.

Investigators say Zintz forced open a locked door leading into the Mesa Contemporary Arts building, damaging the door in the process.

Once inside, police say Zintz’s 10-year-old son stole approximately $7,350 worth of jewelry. Zintz is also accused of taking a Bluetooth speaker and even a piece of cactus from City of Mesa property.

Police Say Father
and Son Returned the Next Day

The investigation took another turn on August 20 when police say Zintz and his son returned to the Mesa Arts Center.

According to investigators, Zintz had left a water bottle behind during the alleged burglary and returned to retrieve it.

When the two learned officers were responding to the area, police say they ran from the Arts Center and left in Zintz’s vehicle.

Detectives later located the vehicle and conducted a traffic stop, detaining both Zintz and his son.

Police say Zintz admitted their involvement in the burglary while speaking with detectives. Investigators also learned that Zintz allegedly planned to take the stolen property with him to Washington, where he was scheduled to fly later that same day.

Stolen Property Recovered

Detectives obtained a search warrant for the Mesa residence where Zintz and his son had been temporarily staying.

During the search, investigators recovered the stolen property along with clothing believed to have been worn during the burglary.

Police say the stolen property was recovered as part of the investigation.

Zintz was arrested and booked on the following charges:

Three counts of Burglary in the Third Degree, Class 4 Felony

Three counts of Theft, Class 3 Felony

One count of Criminal Damage, Class 1 Misdemeanor

One count of Contributing to the Delinquency and Dependency of a Minor, Class 1 Misdemeanor

Zintz remains in custody on a $40,000 bond.

The allegations against Zintz have not been proven in court, and he is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Stay tuned to iSkyNews.com for updates as additional information becomes available.

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