Here’s your latest digest of criminal happenings in Gilroy, including a commercial burglary that was caught on tape, two incidents of domestic violence and an unsolved case of theft from a sunglass store.
Motel surveillance camera leads to arrest
On Jan. 19 at 1:54 p.m., the GPD responded to a call from a Monterey Street motel employee about a commercial burglary captured on surveillance video. A staff member discovered that the burglar had stolen a flat screen LCD television, valued at $400, and the attached TV mount.
The motel employee later saw the suspect walking down the street and called police. Luis Vasquez, 27, was arrested on Jan. 19 at 4:21 p.m. near the intersection of Swanston and Casey lanes for felony first-degree burglary, felony false personation, resisting arrest and possession of a dirk or dagger.
Domestic dispute ends in violence
On Jan. 18 at approximately 12 a.m., 37-year-old Hector Sanchez was arguing with his wife while driving home from a Gilroy restaurant. According to the Gilroy Police Department, the argument became physical and Sanchez allegedly broke his wife’s finger. Both Sanchez and the victim have five children in common. Sanchez was arrested at his home on the 100 block of Ervin Court at 12:57 a.m. and was charged with felony infliction of bodily injury on a spouse or cohabitant.
Sunglass thief still at large
At 7:16 p.m. on Jan. 18, a woman entered the Solstice Sunglass Boutique located at 684 Leavesley Road and tried to leave with 10 pairs of sunglasses in hand. According to police reports, someone inside the store yelled at the woman to stop while a witness grabbed the woman and caused her to drop the shades she hadn’t paid for.
Multiple witnesses saw the unknown suspect try to punch someone while leaving the store before the woman fled on foot to a waiting vehicle – a red 2014 Chevy Cruz with California plates. All but one pair of sunglasses were recovered, police say, while the thief remains at large.
Police witness spousal abuse
Juan Jose Avila Lopez, 49, was arrested at 1:37 p.m. on Jan. 19 for battery after police witnessed him hitting a woman on her head on the 7400 block of Monterey Road. Both Lopez and the victim have lived together for the past three years, according to police reports, as a couple.
