Monterey PD’s new theft team makes 17 burglary arrests

In response to an uptick in burglaries, a newly formed Burglary and Theft Team (BaTT) has helped the Monterey Police Department arrest 17 burglary suspects.

“The MPD believes there are two categories of subjects committing these crimes; a roving group that travels throughout the Bay Area and Monterey County and local criminals,” said Lt. Michael Bruno.

According to MPD, the roving burglary groups target wealthy areas in Bay Area cities and Monterey County. The groups have traveled from San Francisco, Oakland, Richmond, and other Bay Area locations.

Lt. Bruno said, “Their tactics are to drive to communities and engage in residential, commercial and vehicle burglaries and take laptop computers, other technology, purses and anything of value.”

BaTT was created in April and has officers working overtime to arrest suspects that commit property crimes in Monterey.

The department said BaTT has conducted several operations and made the following arrests over the past three weeks:

On May 04, 2018, an officer took a report of a vehicle burglary in the 2100 block of North Fremont. The suspects stole credit cards and used them at various places on the Monterey Peninsula. The investigation identified Eric Watts, 27, of Stockton, as one of the suspects. On May 09, Watts was arrested and charged with, possession of stolen property, vehicle burglary, theft by access card, conspiracy, committing a felony while out on bail, and violation of Post Release Community Supervision.

On May 05, 2018, officers arrested Daniel Riggs, 27, of Seaside, in the 400 block of Casanova, Monterey, for commercial burglary, conspiracy, identity theft, and theft by access card. Riggs also had a no bail felony arrest warrant.

On May 10, 2018:

Officers located Jeremy Cronk, 43, of Seaside, in the 400 block of Hannon, Monterey, and arrested him for two counts of misappropriation of found property, possession of a controlled substance, six counts of possession of stolen property, two counts of commercial burglary and conspiracy.

Officers arrested Anthony Enders, 30, of Marina, in the 2100 block of North Fremont, Monterey, for three counts of possession of stolen property.

Officers arrested Michal Rios, 33, of Seaside, for commercial burglary. He was additionally charged with possession of heroin and drug paraphernalia. Rios also had an outstanding arrest warrant for shoplifting.

On May 14, 2018:

Officers arrested Michael Bledsoe, 44, of Salinas, for possession of marijuana for sales, possession of a controlled substance for sale, possession of a narcotic for sale, and resisting arrest in the 1400 block of Munras, Monterey. He also had a felony arrest warrant.

Officers arrested Arnulfo Picazo, 33, of Salinas, in the 2000 block of North Fremont, Monterey, for a felony arrest warrant.

Officers arrested Chad Cullen, 30, of Sand City, for possession of a controlled substance for sale, possession of a narcotic for sale, and possession of drug paraphernalia in the 2000 block of North Fremont, Monterey.

Officers arrested Latoya Chappellee, 30, of Seaside, for possession of drug paraphernalia and Lauren Johnson, 21, of Monterey, for possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of a controlled substance in the 2000 block of North Fremont, Monterey.

On Friday, May 18, 2018, at approximately 2:47 p.m., citizens called to advise MPD that two suspects were engaging in vehicle burglaries in the New Monterey area (100 block of Irving Ave.). MPD located the suspects in a vehicle and they drove the wrong way on a one-way street and then sped down Lighthouse. A motorcycle officer was waiting for the suspects at the tunnel where traffic had backed up. The officer had both subjects in the car at gunpoint and they said they were giving up. As soon as the traffic cleared the subjects drove around the officer and fled. The officer was able to trail the subjects after he got through traffic, without actually catching up to them, but citizens kept pointing the way the subjects were traveling because the suspects were driving so erratically. The officer located the suspect’s abandoned car in a driveway in the 300 block of El Dorado Street. Every police officer in the city assisted in searching for the suspects. The Del Rey Oaks Police Department assisted with a K9 and Seaside PD handled several high priority calls that were occurring in Monterey at the time of the search. The MPD arrested 33 years old Donnell Bruce, of San Francisco for Burglary, Delaying a Peace Officer, Conspiracy and Possession of Stolen Property, after he attempted to get into an Uber.

On May 21, 2018, Monterey PD, with the assistance of the Seaside Police Department, arrested Zachary Thomas, 31, of Pacific Grove, in the 1100 block of Fremont, Seaside, for commercial burglary, possession of stolen property, and possession of a controlled substance.

On May 23, 2018, officers arrested Julia Natale, 51, of Monterey, in the 800 block of Archer, Monterey, for possession of a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance for sale, transportation of a controlled substance, being under the influence of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, and smuggling drugs into the jail.

Officers also arrested Ashley Beck, 30 of Pacific Grove, in the 800 block of Archer, for possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, and being under the influence of a controlled substance.

On May 25, 2018, MPD officers arrested Harlan McGinnis, 33 of Monterey, in the 400 block of Ramona, Monterey, for two counts of commercial burglary.

Also on May 25, 2018, Monterey Police Officers, with the assistance of the Peninsula Regional Violence and Narcotics Team, Pacific Grove PD, Marina PD, Carmel PD, and the Drug Enforcement Agency served a search warrant in the 900 block of McClellan, Monterey. Officers arrested John Spataro, 47, of Monterey, for possession of heroin and possession of methamphetamine. Officers also arrested Gary Russo, 43, of Monterey, for possession of methamphetamine.

MPD wants to remind people to lock their cars and to keep items of value out of sight.

Anyone with information regarding burglary cases should call MPD at 831-646-3831.