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San Jose Police Arrest Nine, Including Three Juveniles, in Smash-and-Grab Burglary and Vehicle Break-In Spree
Nine suspects were arrested after a months-long investigation into three vehicle-ramming commercial burglaries and roughly 50 vehicle break-ins across San Jose, with automated license plate readers playing a key role in identifying the alleged perpetrators.
San Jose police have arrested nine people, including three juveniles, in connection with a string of commercial burglaries and approximately 50 vehicle break-ins across the city, authorities announced Sunday.
The commercial burglaries took place between June 3 and June 24 at three businesses located in the 1600 block of Capitol Avenue, the 400 block of Blossom Hill Road, and the 1900 block of Camden Avenue, according to the San Jose Police Department.
Investigators said the suspects used vehicles to ram through the storefronts, forcing entry before stealing merchandise and fleeing before officers could arrive.
Detectives from the department's Burglary Unit later linked some of the same suspects to roughly 50 vehicle burglaries reported across San Jose on June 27 and June 29.
Using automated license plate reader cameras, investigators identified nine suspects â six adults and three juveniles. Police made arrests over a span of several months, from June 17 through Oct. 15.
The most recent arrests included suspects Diego Frias and Moises Nava, along with two juveniles, police said. Joshuah Villela, who had been arrested earlier in connection with the commercial burglaries, was rearrested in connection with the vehicle break-ins.
The adult suspects were booked into the Santa Clara County Main Jail, while the juveniles were booked into Santa Clara County Juvenile Hall on suspicion of burglary.
The case highlights the growing role of automated license plate reader technology in local investigations, a tool that has expanded across Bay Area law enforcement agencies in recent years even as privacy advocates have raised questions about data retention and surveillance.
Anyone with information about the cases is asked to contact Detective Corini of the San Jose Police Department Burglary Unit at 408-277-4401 or 5029@sanjoseca.gov. Tips can also be emailed to burglarytips@sanjoseca.gov.