31-year-old Gabriel David Lozano appeared in Dept 23 this week facing grand theft auto charges. Officials are calling him a serial car thief, and asked that his bail be increased to $20,000. Lozano looked on unfazed by their request as he faces additional charges of auto theft at the Superior Court Hall of Justice in Dept 35.
Lozano’s original bail was set at $20,000 which was granted at the time of his release. Lozano however, also faces increased penalties under PC 666.5 for the theft of a 2011 Black Chevrolet Impala while he was previously convicted under VC 10851, in which a person “drives or takes a vehicle not his or her own, without the consent of the owner.”
According to authorities assigned to the Regional Auto Theft Task Force or (RATTF), Lozano was located in Campbell, near San Jose, where he was stopped by Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Deputies. Investigators from the RATTF were contacted and were able to confirm that the car was stolen. The San Jose Police were also contacted regarding the stolen vehicle, and officials confirmed that the vehicle was stolen and it was taken off the Stolen Vehicle System or (SVS). Lozano was then detained and arrested. The stolen Chevy Impala was then taken to a tow yard where the owner will be able to claim their vehicle at no charge.
Lozano is accused of stealing a black Chevy Impala
When investigators asked Lozano where he had gotten the car, he said he had borrowed it from a friend, who told him that it was a rental. A yellow and red paper license plate was placed on the back of the vehicle to try and hide the identification. Lozano said that he believed it when his friend told him it was a rental car. He said, “It’s not my position to question anyone’s doings.” When asked why he was driving the car Lozano said, “If he drives a car it has to be ‘a fully legit car’”.
Lozano’s next court appearance for the car theft has been scheduled for February 6, 2014 in Dept. 35 at 9:00 AM. According to the District Attorney’s Office, when a suspect commits a second offense while facing additional charges, quite often the defendant will face additional fines and penalties for the same act.
