Orinda Senior Center Baffled by Puzzle Piece Thefts, Suspect Inside Job

Orinda, CA – The Orinda Senior Center has become the unlikely scene of a series of perplexing thefts, leaving both residents and local authorities scratching their heads. An elusive thief, dubbed the "Puzzle Piece Pilferer" by the center's community, has been targeting jigsaw puzzles, specifically those boasting high piece counts, and removing one to two pieces from each box.

The thefts, which began several weeks ago, have progressively disrupted the leisurely pastimes of the center's elderly residents, many of whom find solace and joy in the meticulous assembly of these intricate puzzles. "It's maddening to get to the end of a 1000-piece puzzle only to find pieces missing. It feels like our efforts are in vain," shared Martha Jennings, an 82-year-old avid puzzler at the center.

Orinda Police, called in to investigate the unusual thefts, report no leads in the case thus far. The absence of security cameras in the puzzle room, combined with the seemingly trivial nature of the stolen items, has made the investigation particularly challenging. "We're doing everything we can, but the thief leaves no trace, and the value of the stolen items doesn't warrant a full-scale investigation," stated Officer Dan Ramirez.

Suspicion among the residents has turned to one of their own, 73-year-old Todd Shluter, known for his competitive streak and frequent complaints about the communal puzzles being "too easy." When approached for comment, Shluter, who typically revels in the center's social dynamics, offered only silence, further fueling speculations.

The situation has taken a toll on the center's harmonious atmosphere, with residents feeling a mix of frustration, confusion, and betrayal. "Puzzles are a big part of our daily life here. They keep our minds sharp and our community together," explained John Park, the center's director. "To think that someone among us could be jeopardizing that camaraderie over a few puzzle pieces is disheartening."

In response to the thefts, the center has instituted a "puzzle check-out" system, requiring residents to sign puzzles in and out in an effort to track the missing pieces more systematically. Additionally, discussions are underway to potentially introduce surveillance measures, albeit with mixed feelings from the community concerned about privacy.

As the Orinda Senior Center grapples with this peculiar predicament, the residents hold onto hope that the missing pieces will be returned and the puzzles—and their peace—can once again be made whole. The case of the Puzzle Piece Pilferer remains open, with the community eagerly awaiting a resolution that restores trust and order to their beloved gathering place.

Police initially suspected local teen Chris Daltman, and dispatched a car for his arrest. Last month, Daltman, wearing a rudimentary disguise, attempted to steal doughnuts left for the Senior Dealing with Grief group that meets every Wednesday. After being informed that the Russians had recently abducted Daltman for espionage, Orinda Police have removed him as a prime suspect for both the puzzle piece theft and the OCC pickleball coach murder.

Residents are concerned that the Orinda Police may be overly distracted by the Pickleball murder investigation and that they are not paying the proper attention to crimes happening at the Orinda Senior Center. Laura Newman, who used to keep her yogurt in a shared fridge at the center while doing decoupage, stated, " I clearly write my name on the container. Someone is eating my yogurt." "We are spread thin. The community has to be patient. I want the residents of the Orinda Senior Center to understand that we have divided our forces equally between the murder and the puzzle thefts," stated Officer Ramirez, who focuses on crimes against the elderly and pets under 50 lbs.