Search at homeless camp yields two arrests

Two transients were arrested on Monday for possession of stolen property by officers from the San Luis Obispo Police Department.

Neighbors of the El Toro Motel complained of noise from the nearby homeless camp

According to SLOPD, officers responded to a call around 11 a.m. to the 600 block of Toro Street regarding a nuisance complaint at the homeless camp in the area. The person who called, according to SLOPD, said the occupants of the camp continually fight and cause disturbances, which are a constant nuisance to the surrounding neighborhood. Officers found the camp behind the El Toro Motel at 625 Toro Street.

Police say transients Jesse Daniel Maciel, 20, and Shawn Phillip Robbins, 35, were found sleeping in the camp with drug paraphernalia next to them in plain view. A search of the camp revealed numerous items of electronics, including laptop computers, cellular phones, and satellite radios. Officers also found construction equipment and methamphetamine.

Jesse Daniel Maciel was arrested just recently for auto burglary

Shawn Phillip Robbins was arrested with Maciel

According to SLOPD, officers discovered that several of the items found in the camp were stolen from various locations in the city. Police say the stolen property was taken from locked and unlocked vehicles in the 500 block of Hathway, the 1500 block of Oceanaire, the 1800 block of Lima, the 900 block of Fuller, and the 1200 block of Sawleaf.

Police say they are continuing to investigate the matter and are trying to identify additional victims.

According to Captain Chris Staley, there are a number of identified areas the police track each year to ensure camps do not develop. He said police are often called to these areas to respond to fights. “In the last five years, calls to these camps have doubled,” said Staley.

Maciel and Robbins were arrested for possession of stolen property, possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia. Maciel was also arrested on a warrant for a probation violation. Both suspects were booked into the San Luis Obispo County Jail. Robbins bail was set at $60,000 and Maciel’s was set at $35,000.

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