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Organization: Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff's Station
Date: November 26, 2008
SCV Neighborhood Watch Does It Again
Wednesday, November 26, 2008 — 2:45 a.m. — Canyon Country:
Commit Crime? Not in the Santa Clarita Valley — An apparent crime spree came to an end in Canyon Country early this morning thanks to an alert resident and a quick response by deputies. A resident in the 17000 block of Canvas Street spotted at least two males dressed in dark clothing acting suspiciously and looking into vehicles. The resident called the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff's Station and provided the precise information deputies needed regarding the men, including the fact they were now hiding in the bushes.
Deputies poured into the area and began searching, ultimately locating two suspects hiding deep underneath several shrubs. Additional investigation led the deputies to a vehicle parked in the street which belonged to the suspects. Deputies discovered that an expensive SUV, parked on a side yard of a nearby residence, had been lifted off the ground with hydraulic jacks and the suspects were apparently in the process of stealing the rims and tires, with a value estimated at more than $20,000. Deputies determined the suspects could not fit the rims and tires into the vehicle they were apparently driving, so they began scouring the entire neighborhood. The deputies located a GMC Yukon Denali parked nearby with paper license plates. The deputies checked the vehicle and found a third suspect hiding underneath a blanket in the back cargo area. A check of the GMC Yukon Denali revealed it had been stolen from the North Hollywood area. Deputies recovered other evidence at the scene, including tools and electronic equipment, they believe may have been stolen during other incidents.
Detectives will be checking similar theft cases to determine if these suspects are responsible for other crimes in the Santa Clarita Valley. All three suspects were taken into custody without incident. They were each booked at the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff's Station on felony charges of Grand Theft, Taking a Vehicle Without the Owners Consent, and Conspiracy to Commit Burglary. Two of the men, Adan Estrada, MH/21, and Juan Salas, MH/20, both of Los Angeles, are each being held in lieu of $25,000 bail pending future court proceedings. The third man, Ricardo Esquer, MH/23, of Los Angeles, was also on probation for vehicle theft. He is being held without bail pending future court and probation proceedings.
The investigation is ongoing and there is no further information at this time. Anyone with information regarding these suspects or this case is asked to immediately contact the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff's Station at (661) 255-1121 or report tips anonymously as indicated below. -ref 21087
If You See Something, Say Something! Report non-emergency crime anonymously by visiting the following link: Crime Tips or calling (661) 284-2-TIP / (661) 284-2847.
