Palo Alto Police: Suspects connected to at least ten auto burglaries
BOOKING PHOTOS: Palo Alto PD
Palo Alto police have arrested two individuals in connection to a series of auto burglaries at a parking garage on Bryant Street.
A woman called the 24-hour dispatch center just before 2 PM on Saturday, February 15, about a man who she said approached her vehicle while she was sitting inside and whacked the driver’s side window with a flashlight, attempting to break in. He then walked away when he saw there was someone inside.
The woman got out of the car and watched as the man and a second suspect walked down the stairwell to the next level of the garage. As she called police, she said she heard the sound of glass breaking. Moments later, she saw the first suspect peering into more vehicle windows.
Police arrived and soon spotted two men of similar description on the 400 block of Florence Street. While one of them surrendered, the other fled. Officers gave chase on foot and finally tackled him on the 300 block of Lytton Avenue, during which police say he sustained a laceration to the back of his head and side of his mouth. He was treated for his injuries and booked the following day.
Officers located the suspects’ vehicle at Lytton and Florence and, when the searched it, discovered a loaded .40 caliber handgun, prescription drugs, and stolen property such as electronics, purses, and wallets.
Police believe the two suspects — identified as 24-year-old Francisco Manolo Fuentes and 20-year-old Christopher Joshua Mejia — are connected to ten different auto burglaries throughout Palo Alto.
Both suspects, who are already on active probation for weapons charges, have since been booked on suspicion of possession of stolen property, auto burglary, attempted auto burglary, attempted auto burglary, conspiracy, and numerous other charges.
