Police believe three may be connected to recent rash of auto
burglaries; Twice as many break-ins this month over last year
It’s becoming an all-too-common scenario: Residents return to their vehicles to find the windows smashed and their stereos and personal items gone.
Within a 48-hour period Thursday, thieves broke into 10 vehicles, stealing four stereo systems, CDs, two laptop computers, two bags and an iPod.
However, police arrested three suspects who may be responsible for the recent surge in auto burglaries.
A 911 caller reported a group of suspicious individuals in a light-colored car smashing car windows in a neighborhood on Church Street just after midnight Thursday.
When police arrived they pulled over a stolen car matching the witness’s description. Police searched the vehicle and discovered narcotics, as well as stereo equipment, backpacks, and CDs they believe to be stolen.
Gilroy residents Noe Garcia Alarcon, 24, Arturo Herrera Mariano, 21, and a 17-year-old male were arrested for possession of a stolen vehicle and possession of methamphetamine. Additional charges are pending, should the confiscated items turn out to be stolen.
Police believe the three suspects are connected with an auto burglary at 7251 Camino Arroyo Wednesday afternoon and are working to determine whether they can be linked with others.
“There’s a very (strong) possibility that they could be one and the same,” Svardal said. “We’re trying to determine who the owners are of the personal effects (that) have been collected … We’re trying to determine if it is in fact the property stolen from the others.”
A review of police records found that at the current pace, the number of auto burglaries in February will more than double over last year.
As of Thursday, there were 33 reported vehicle burglaries this month. At the same time last year, there were 14.
If the three men are connected with the burglaries, police predicted the recent rash should be quelled for now.
“Frequently, if they are on a little bit of a spree, if you catch one, it stops,” Svardal explained.
For the past two years, the number of auto burglaries peak in December, with numbers dropping off after February. Police attribute the rise in winter months to the holiday shopping season where valuables decorate car seats and trunks.
However, crimes of opportunity are committed throughout the year, and police are warning residents to be vigilant about their property.
“Try to be proactive about not leaving valuables in sight,” Svardal said.
Thieves have learned to smash out windows and pull the lever to gain access to the trunk and any valuables hidden inside.
Police recommend that residents take valuables with them when they leave their cars.
Vehicles may be targeted when parked at apartment complexes and parking lots at shopping centers because of the high concentration of cars, Svardal said.
A review of the burglaries from the past two years revealed that the crimes often occur in clusters of time frames and nearby addresses.
Police urge residents to be wary of suspicious individuals and call police if they notice something is awry.
“Don’t assume we know what’s going on,” Svardal said. “Someone called us last night to report suspicious activity and it helped us out a lot.”
