2 "prolific" burglary suspects arrested in string of property thefts in Santa Clara
Two suspects described by police as "prolific burglars" responsible for a string of property crimes in Santa Clara were arrested this week following a months-long investigation, police said.
The Santa Clara Police Department said in a press release that the two suspects were linked to multiple burglaries of storage units within an apartment complex in the city, beginning in October 2024. The suspects used sophisticated methods to access the locked units without any signs of forced entry, stealing thousands of dollars worth of personal property, police said.
The property stolen included laptops and tablets, gaming systems, drones, e-bikes, power tools, handbags, clothing, and personal identifying information such as passports, credit cards, and birth certificates. Victims reported multiple burglaries between October 2024 and January, with some victims reporting losses exceeding $10,000, police said.
In several instances, the storage unit locks were picked or bypassed, and security footage showed the suspects using a key fob to access the buildings. Stolen credit cards from one of the burglaries were later used at a gas station in San Jose, police said.
During the investigation, detectives tracked some of the stolen property using surveillance footage, which led them to a specific area of the city where additional surveillance confirmed the suspects' involvement, police said. One of the suspects is a Santa Clara resident and the other a San Jose resident.
On Tuesday, plainclothes officers and property crime detectives executed warrants at two apartments and five storage units in San Jose and Santa Clara, arresting both suspects. Police said the search of the properties yielded dozens of the stolen items.
No other information was disclosed about the suspects or the charges each is facing.