Two Oakland Men Arrested in Auto Burglaries Spanning Lafayette, Orinda, and Alamo

Arrests Made in Series of Regional Auto Burglaries

Two men from Oakland were arrested this week in connection with a string of auto burglaries reported in Lafayette, Orinda, and Alamo. Police identified the suspects as Joel Hernandez-Lobatos, 23, and Urubiel Hernandez-Lobatos, 31. Both were booked into jail facing charges of grand theft, conspiracy, and possession of stolen property, among other counts.

Initial Report of Tool Theft in Orinda

The investigation began on Tuesday when the Orinda Police Department responded to a report of an auto burglary at approximately 11:15 a.m. According to police, suspects driving an Acura RDX had stolen tools from a work truck parked in the area. Authorities noted that this Acura had been previously linked to a series of similar burglaries in the broader region in the preceding weeks.

Lafayette Police Involved in Pursuit

Approximately 30 minutes after the initial report, an officer with the Lafayette Police Department spotted the same Acura RDX. When officers attempted to make a traffic stop, the driver refused to yield, initiating a police pursuit. Police reported that the pursuit was discontinued when the suspect vehicle drove westbound onto the eastbound onramp of Highway 24 at Acalanes Road, creating unsafe conditions. Despite conducting an area search, officers were unable to immediately locate the vehicle. Shortly after, Lafayette officers responded to another report of grand theft involving the theft of tools from a construction worker’s vehicle.

Acura RDX Located in Oakland with CHP Helicopter

The search gained momentum when a California Highway Patrol helicopter crew located the Acura RDX in Oakland. Police allege that the car was being driven recklessly before it stopped in front of a residence on the 7200 block of Fresno Street. Oakland Police Department officers joined the investigation and successfully apprehended the two suspects.

Recovery of Stolen Property and Ongoing Investigation

After detaining Joel and Urubiel Hernandez-Lobatos, authorities conducted a search of the Acura RDX. Officers discovered items taken from the earlier auto burglaries in Lafayette and Orinda. The investigation also led to the recovery of additional evidence related to the thefts.

Charges and Next Steps

The two men now face several charges, including grand theft, conspiracy, auto burglary, and possession of stolen property. Police departments from Lafayette, Orinda, and Oakland, along with the California Highway Patrol, coordinated efforts throughout the investigation.

Authorities Continue to Investigate

Officials are continuing to investigate the full extent of the auto burglaries and any additional related offenses. Anyone with relevant information about these incidents is encouraged to contact local law enforcement agencies.

Source: kron4.com.