Watsonville Police catch serial rooftop burglar with surveillance video

A man wanted for a string of burglaries in Watsonville is behind bars after surveillance video helped police catch him.

According to Watsonville Police, 32-year-old Fermin Sanchez was arrested on February 26th. He’s now facing several felony charges.

Police said his arrest comes after a month-long investigation where detectives connected Sanchez to five out of six rooftop burglaries. The majority of them happened late at night and Sanchez got away with cash and electronics from stores in the Overlook Shopping Center on Main Street.

Police said the first burglary happened on January 22nd at GNC. About three weeks later, Sanchez broke into La Buena Taquería. He then hit Wing Stop and the Tutoring Club of Watsonville on February 14th. He broke into all of these businesses by climbing them and getting in through the roof.

Officers were able to bust Sanchez after he broke into the AT&T on Rodriguez Street because someone saw him on the roof and called police.

The department’s K9 Axel found Sanchez hiding on top of a storage cabinet on the third floor.

He was arrested, later released and ordered to wear a GPS ankle bracelet. According to police, on February 26th, Sanchez managed to cut off his ankle monitor and broke into an office building on Main Street. Police said he stole a TV from the fourth floor.

Officers familiar with Sanchez immediately recognized him on surveillance footage and officers spotted Sanchez a short time later in the area of West Lake and Walker Street. Officers recovered the TV and Sanchez was taken back into custody.

Police said it is possible Sanchez is connected to other rooftop burglaries under investigation.

Anyone with information should call (831) 768-3356.