Prowling Suspects Arrested – Caught with a Stolen Vehicle and Burglary Tools
By Jim Emerson
OAKLEY, CA — An alert resident prompted police to arrest prowlers driving a stolen car while carrying
burglary tools. The police got flagged down near Ponderosa Drive and Ponderosa Way on October 1,
shortly after midnight.
Officers arrested San Leandro resident Arthur R. Rico, and Abraham Mendoza who lives in Hayward.
The two suspects were soon separated. Rico remains in custody at the Martinez Detention Facility in
lieu of $40,000 bond. Mendoza remains in custody in lieu of $40,000 bond at the West County
Detention Facility.
The resident reported seeing two men “casing” the neighborhood. Officers stopped the car associated
with them. Suspicions increased further because both men were wearing ski masks, bulky clothing
and work gloves.
Officers searched the vehicle. Inside they found a backpack full of burglary tools, including a window
punch tool. Further investigation revealed the car was reported stolen by its owner in Martinez.
The two 18-year-olds had in their possession a key chip programmer. Oakley police said in a prepared
statement. “The two men had just attempted to reprogram a key to steal a car in proximity to where
they were contacted.”
Rico and Mendoza were each booked for possession of a stolen vehicle, conspiracy to commit crime,
and possession of burglary tools. The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information
can contact Oakley police at 925-625-8060.
