14406 area of Union Avenue in San Jose, where Barker was ultimately apprehended
SAN JOSE — 31-year-old Michael Aaron Barker of Los Gatos appeared in court on January 5 to face charges of felony vehicle theft. He was found to have been driving a stolen car after RATTF detectives noticed him driving erratically and using a paper license plate to disguise the vehicle as newly purchased.
According to court records, Barker was found in possession of a stolen black Hyundai Elantra. He was seen driving into a parking lot at 3235 Calvin Avenue in San Jose after driving erratically through several parking lots, observing detectives quickly determined that the vehicle had likely been stolen. They’d first noticed a white male in his 30s entering the vehicle and drive through the area of Woodard Road, passing through several streets and reaching Bascom Avenue.
Barker was eventually discovered near Alicia’s Cafe at 14406 Union Avenue moving items from the trunk. He was handcuffed and taken into custody by RATTF detectives, to whom he said, “I don’t steal cars, man. I just break into houses and steal stuff from stores.”
Then he finally admitted to stealing the vehicle’s key from his friend, although it’s believed that the vehicle’s owner had left the doors unlocked. Detectives believe Barker found the spare key in the center console and made off with the car.
His next court date has been scheduled for Jan 12, 2016, at 1:30PM in Dept. 38.
