One of what is likely a pair of suspected burglars allegedly
responsible for a string of six commercial burglaries was arrested
early Thursday on a tip from a downtown business owner.
One of what is likely a pair of suspected burglars allegedly responsible for a string of six commercial burglaries was arrested early Thursday on a tip from a downtown business owner.
A 17-year-old Morgan Hill male was taken to juvenile hall, charged with attempted burglary and possession of burglary tools.
Morgan Hill Police Lt. Joe Sampson said officers responded to a 1 a.m. call from a business owner in the office complex at 17415 Monterey Road.
“He called the police when he heard noise outside his business,” Sampson said. “When officers arrived, they found the minor inside the complex with burglary tools. Also at the scene, officers were able locate some additional attempts to break into other businesses.”
Sampson said several things about the scene could possibly link the suspect, who probably had a partner, to the rash of commercial burglaries this month.
“The M.O. (modus operandi) is similar to the other burglaries,” he said. “The method of entry, prying windows, targeting businesses with either no alarms or alarms not set. And based on the things that were stolen, we were anticipating a juvenile criminal: loose cash, toe rings, small amounts of alcohol. A seasoned burglar typically goes for high end items that can easily be sold or pawned.”
It is not yet clear whether the suspect and perhaps a partner are also responsible for burglaries to offices in a professional complex on Hale Avenue earlier this month.
“We are still investigating the Hale Avenue burglaries,” said Sampson. “Again, the M.O. is similar, with windows smashed or prying doors to gain entry, trying places that are not alarmed, and cash and small items stolen. We would hope that it is same person, but there things outstanding and the investigation is continuing.”
Earlier in the week, local business were warned to take extra precautions to guard against burglars.
Morgan Hill Police Chief Jerry Galvin issued a warning to businesses reminding them to set alarms and double check doors and windows.
Morgan Hill Downtown Association Executive Director Dan Craig and Morgan Hill Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Sunday Minnich also sent out notices to their members.
“Burglaries are up citywide 11 percent since August, so this is not strictly a downtown problem,” Craig said Thursday. “We will continue to urge businesses, as the chief did, to take all the precautions. We sent out an alert, and I don’t know if the cooperation between the Downtown Association and the police made a huge difference, but I certainly think it helped.”
Craig said downtown businesses that didn’t get the email alert can contact the association at 779-3190 or da******@****ic.com to get on the distribution list.
Sampson said community awareness can play a large role in apprehending suspects.
“We had been working on various undercover-type operations to address the issue, and we went out to the community to spread the word,” he said. “The community was our greatest partner in this. It’s great we can get a crime tip from a community member who’s on the alert.”
