Officers still search for accomplices
The arrest of a Hollister burglary suspect earlier this month
may not be the end of a spate of local thefts.
Officers still search for accomplices
The arrest of a Hollister burglary suspect earlier this month may not be the end of a spate of local thefts.
Officers arrested 18-year-old Luis Giovanni Perez Feb. 1, a suspect in three home burglaries, according to Carlos Reynoso, a detective sergeant for the Hollister Police Department.
Perez is charged with six felony counts, three for burglary and three for possessing stolen property, Reynoso said. If convicted, Perez could get from two to six years in state prison, Reynoso said.
Two other suspects in the burglaries have not been found, he said.
“There are two people that were with him that we haven’t been able to identify, Reynoso said. “Hispanic males ranging from 17 to 20 years of age. He is not cooperating as to identifying who they are.”
Between Jan. 1 and Feb. 18, there were 46 burglaries and seven attempted burglaries, said Rosie Betanio, personnel and community service officer.
“It’s pretty much equal to last year, but it is an increase [compared] to 2006,” Betanio said.
In the same period in 2006, burglaries were in the mid-30s, she said.
“We don’t think these are the only people doing these burglaries,” Reynoso said. “This person is just one of them.”
There is no solid evidence connecting Perez to any of the other burglaries, he said.
Burglaries have occurred in the Anderson Homes area and in the KB Home area, he said.
“We believe, based on the rash of burglaries, and the way they’re being conducted, that there are people responsible for multiple burglaries,” Reynoso said. “Whether [Perez] committed those other burglaries there is no way to know at this point.”
Perez was charged in connection with three burglaries that were committed Jan. 25, Reynoso said.
The burglaries occurred on Parkview Circle, Glarner Street and Las Brisas Drive, according to a press release.
A witness to a burglary on Parkview Circle gave police officers a vehicle description and partial license plate, according to a release.
Police found Perez in Pecan Court with the suspected vehicle and stolen property.
“All the items that were found on his person, and in his vehicle, have been already identified as belonging to those three burglaries,” Reynoso said.
The recent burglaries have occurred throughout Hollister, he said.
“We’ve become a bedroom community,” Reynoso said. “They know a lot of the homes are vacant during the day. People are away at work or school.
Residents are encouraged to contact the police if they see anything suspicious, he said.
“One of these burglaries, a neighbor was watching the whole thing and didn’t think anything of it,” Reynoso said.
The stolen items were not visible, he said. The suspects took jewelry from the house.
“For the knock and notice, if they knock on the door and nobody answers they assume nobody is home,” Betanio said.
The thief will then go to the back of the house and break in through a window, Reynoso said.
This type of burglary is common, Reynoso said.
“They’re really in and out very quick,” he said. “They get a lot of iPods. A lot of games and Play Stations and stuff like that.”
A lack of police presence is a factor in recent burglaries, he said.
“We’re grossly understaffed,” Reynoso said. “If we have more officers on the street, there would be more of a chance of catching these people on the street or in the act. I think, the answer is, for people to be more vigilant in the neighborhood.”
A lot of the burglaries occurred in houses with unlocked doors and windows, he said.
Alarm systems are a deterrent, he said.
“They walk up to a window, they see an alarm sticker on there, maybe an alarm box outside, they might choose an easier target,” Reynoso said.
Both officers encouraged residents to report suspicious activity.
“Call us,” Betanio said. “That’s what we’re here for.”
