http://www.mercedsunstar.com/2011/05/09/1883650/suspicious-driving-a-tip-off-to.htmlSuspicious driving a tip-off to victim of burglary
.Items recovered; brothers in police custody
By AMEERA BUTT
abutt@mercedsun-star.comATWATER -- The third time wasn't a charm for two men arrested Friday afternoon after Atwater police responded to a call of a possible residential burglary in progress in the 600 block of East Clinton Avenue. Ricky Thao, 20, and Johnny Thao, 19, were arrested on suspicion of possession of stolen property estimated to be worth $1,300 to $1,400. Investigators said the car they were driving came by the house three times after the alleged burglary.
"The homeowner, on her arrival, noticed some open doors and heard some noises inside the residence," said Atwater Police Detective Armando Echevarria. "Upon the officers' arrival, the residence was checked and there was no one found inside."
Atwater police officers Dale Richards and Shaun Kramer responded to the scene.
"During the course of the investigation it was learned that the victim, upon exiting the home and hearing the noises, attempted to call for help by utilizing neighbors and while doing so, attempted to flag down a 1994 red Honda Civic," Echevarria said.
The car was driving at a low rate of speed in front of the victim's house, but the driver looked at the victim and continued driving without stopping to help, he said.
"While awaiting the officers' arrival, she noticed the same vehicle again passed in front of her residence. This was relayed to the officers on the scene, and the victim looked at the vehicle that was passing again, a third time, and told the officers she had observed this vehicle passing by the residence," he said.
The officers followed the car and got the driver to pull over on Ashby Road at Bu-hach Road. It was determined the driver, Ricky Thao, was driving on a suspended license, Echevarria said.
"As the officers conducted an inventory of the vehicle, property that had been described by the victim had been located inside," he said. The property consisted of collector coins and assorted jewelry.
"During further questioning by detectives, both suspects acknowledged wanting to carry out a burglary with the driver agreeing to drop off his sibling so that the burglary could be carried out," he said.
Echevarria said the driver told investigators he thought something was awry when he saw the victim flagging him down.
Later, the next-door neighbor was caring for some pets in the 1400 block of Meadows Avenue when she noticed some items at that residence that she believed belonged to the victim. Officers Richards and Kramer responded Saturday morning and were able to recover what is believed to be the rest of the victim's property, he explained.
"During the follow-up interview by detectives, that's when it was learned both parties had talked about committing a burglary. This residence was chosen at random," Echevarria said.
Reporter Ameera Butt can be reached at (209) 385-2477 or
abutt@mercedsun-star.com.
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