While Morgan Hill police were outside a residence checking out a stolen motorcycle, another jacked street bike pulled into the driveway last weekend, authorities said.
Morgan Hill officers on patrol saw a red 2007 Suzuki motorcycle – which had previously been reported as a “suspicious vehicle” – parked in the carport of the residence on the 100 block of La Crosse Drive Friday, according to MHPD Sgt. Troy Hoefling.
Officers tried to find the motorcycle at the same address the previous day, but it was not present at the home, Hoefling said.
On Friday after checking the vehicle’s license plate, officers determined the motorcycle had been stolen out of Gilroy April 30, police said.
And while the officer was checking the plates, another suspicious motorcycle – a black Honda – was ridden into the driveway, police said. A records check on that motorcycle revealed it was also stolen. The Honda had been reported stolen out of San Jose May 9.
Officers approached the man driving the Honda as he parked the motorcycle, and he “immediately ran from officers,” Hoefling said.
After a foot pursuit the man, Mario Santiago, 33 of Gilroy, was detained, Hoefling said. He was arrested on suspicion of stolen property, resisting arrest and a parole violation. Santiago was on parole for being an ex-felon in possession of a firearm and burglary. He was later booked into Santa Clara County Jail.
Police continued to investigate the stolen Suzuki that initially brought them to the west Morgan Hill residence, and found it was associated with a resident of the apartment complex, Hoefling said.
The resident, Douglas York, 42 of Morgan Hill, had an active felony warrant for his arrest on suspicion of possession of a controlled substance and for being under the influence, Hoefling said.
Police found York a short time later that day down the street at Paradise Park, and gained a search warrant for his home, Hoefling said.
During the search of the residence, police found nearly a quarter-pound of marijuana, four immature marijuana plants, prescription pills, methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia, police said.
York was arrested and booked at the Morgan Hill police station on suspicion of possession of stolen property, cultivation of marijuana, possession of marijuana for sales, possession of a controlled substance, possession of prescription drugs that were not his own, and the outstanding felony warrant, Hoefling said.
Anyone with information about this case can contact Morgan Hill Detective Mario Ramirez or Detective Jason Broyer at (408) 779-2101 or the anonymous tip line at (408) 947-7867.
