An unknown suspect caused thousands of dollars of damage to a
residence at 4 p.m. Christmas Eve near the 200 block of Gurries
Drive, according to a Gilroy Police Department press release.
Suspect ravages home, steals valuables on Christmas Eve
Gilroy
An unknown suspect caused thousands of dollars of damage to a residence at 4 p.m. Christmas Eve near the 200 block of Gurries Drive, according to a Gilroy Police Department press release.
The burglary involved a trail of destruction throughout the home as the suspect poured bleach over clothing, bed, drapes and a couch. The suspect also used a kitchen knife to tear up the home’s freshly painted drywall and couch cushions.
The report also listed theft, including video game equipment, a $2,000 Sony projector, a $2,000 authentic sports jersey replica and a DVD player.
GPD Sgt. Chad Gallacinao said the victim may know who committed the crime.
Suspects wielding knife and ax threaten motel employee
Gilroy
Two suspects in their late 20s, a male and a female, threatened a hotel clerk with an ax and a knife at 5:45 p.m. Dec. 23 at the Oaks Motel on 8065 Monterey Street, according to a Gilroy Police Department press release.
The two approached a service window, brandished a knife and an ax at the employee inside the office and attempted to rob the business of $500, according to the GPD. When two civilians passed by, the suspects fled in a black Lexus SUV.
According to GPD Sgt. Chad Gallacinao, the case is under investigation and no arrests have been made, but the victim knows the suspects and has identified them.
Forty-four vehicle break-ins reported this month
Gilroy
Vehicle theft is on the rise in Gilroy.
Forty-four vehicle break-ins were reported so far this month. And it’s not just Gilroy; car burglaries are increasing nationwide, according to a GPD press release.
To be safe, police recommend taking items such as briefcases, phones and iPods when locking up.
The GPD says mail, vehicle registration, jackets, gym bags, garage door openers and other personal information found in vehicles can lead to identity theft.
According to the GPD, most car burglaries are preventable, and it takes only a few steps to avoid them.
First, don’t leave valuables in a vehicle. Cars are broken into when thieves see items in plain sight, according to the GPD.
It’s safest to leave valuables at home. If needed, police say transfer belongings to the trunk. Lock up the car, and don’t leave windows down or cracked. Doing so makes it much harder for thieves to break in. Notice surroundings as an observant onlooker might notice a passenger leaving a car without a purse.
Lastly, park in well-lit areas where others can see the car. Don’t park behind a work building or behind large vehicles and shrubbery.
GPD Sgt. Justin Matsuhara said while the GPD has police cars patrolling as often as possible, citizens can help police prevent break-ins by not leaving items in plain view.
“It’s a crime of opportunity. If they see it, they’re going to grab it,” he said.
Gang-related graffiti spikes, aimed at public buildings
Hollister
A recent rash of extensive gang-related graffiti aimed at city buildings has caused thousands of dollars worth of damage, public works official Juan Lopez said.
The graffiti damage, which covers Dunne Park, Park Hill, the Community Center and City Hall, costs the city at least $1,500 per day, Lopez said. In addition, the clean-up takes workers away from other things such as preparing the city’s streets for winter storms.
“Because of this, we had to pull them from cleaning up the gutters and clearing the street,” Lopez said.
Costs include worker’s time and supplies for clean up.
The graffiti, which police are considering gang related, started appearing Dec. 14 at Rancher’s Feed on the corner of First and San Benito streets, police Sgt. David Westrick said.
The following day, police reported another series of graffiti in the “realm” of gang related at the Hollister Community Center, Westrick said. On Dec. 16, more graffiti was discovered at the 1000 block of San Benito Street.
And on Dec. 17, graffiti was discovered at Hollister City Hall, and the bathrooms of Dunne Park and Park Hill, Westrick and Lopez said.
The graffiti is being treated as if it was gang related, but the tags are not the same or similar at each location, Westrick said.
The spike seems to be following a trend that is flowing from South San Jose, Westrick said.
Morgan Hill has seen a similar spike in the past few months. Two alleged Sureño gang members were arrested Dec. 10 after they were seen tagging brick walls behind the Dollar Tree.
Hollister police are investigating the incidents and a possible connection between the taggings, Westrick said.
– Staff Reports
