Recovered Equipment Was Valued Over $25,000.00
SOLEDAD—Deputies from the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office arrested a Soledad man of suspicion of burglary after they found evidence of the crime at his home on Metz Road on Monday July 20. Mariano Romero Botello, 49, was arrested at the scene and charged with grand theft, vehicle theft, and possession of stolen property.
On July 20, Monterey County Sheriff’s Office patrol deputies responded to Schied Vineyards, who have been making fine wines for over 40 years, on a report of a burglary. The Vineyard reported that a new 2015 Kubota RTV 900 utility vehicle and several pieces of agricultural equipment had been taken.
Not many people have a vehicle like this in their driveway. (Kubota.com)
Members of the Agriculture Crime Unit and general detectives responded to assist in the investigation. About three miles away, Deputies found a new Kubota RTV 900 valued at about 17,000.00 dollars in a driveway of a home on Metz Road.
Deputies began to investigate the home and they learned that Mariano Romero Botello and Ana Narvaez Salazar had recently begun to rent the home. After finding the utility vehicle on the property, deputies began to look around and they were able to find additional evidence – other items belonging to Scheid Vineyard.
Botello was arrested at the scene for burglary, grand theft, vehicle theft, possession of stolen property and conspiracy. He was lodged at Monterey County Jail. The investigation has been forward to the Monterey County District Attorney’s Office, and charges will be likely also be filed against Salazar.
The stolen property that was recovered was returned to the Vineyard.
