Stolen iPad Leads SCPD to Arrests

Residential Burglary, Theft and Fencing Operation Stopped

Two suspects who fenced thousands of dollars worth of stolen items including electronics, high-end bikes and jewelry were arrested by Santa Cruz Police. A stolen iPad led Officers directly to the 76 Gas Station on Mission Street and Walnut Avenue where the fencing operation was discovered.

On Friday, January 16, 2016 the Santa Cruz Police Department received a call from the victim of a residential burglary who believed he had located his stolen iPad. The victim activated the “Find My iPhone” app and was able to trace his iPad to a location near the corner of Mission Street and Walnut Avenue.

An SCPD patrol officer met with the victim and confirmed that the app signal was emanating from inside the 76 Gas Station at 904 Mission Street. The Officer gave instructions to the victim to sound the alarm on the iPad when the officer was inside the gas station. While the Officer was speaking with the store manager and an employee standing behind the counter, the iPad alarm sounded. Initially, both suspects claimed not to hear it and tried to ignore the alarm. The stolen iPad was located inside a bag on the counter next to the 76 Gas Station manager Felipe Chavez 46 years old from San Jose, and employee Angel Guzman. The bag contained two iPads.

Chavez claimed that he had found the bag outside the business in the bushes. Officers searched Chavez’s truck parked at the business and discovered additional stolen items including property stolen from the victim. Officers also searched gas station employee Angel Guzman’s car parked at the business. Guzman, 19 years old from Watsonville, also had additional items believed to be stolen in his car.

Officers also discovered a backroom at the business that contained additional property including high-end bicycles and construction tools believed to be stolen. Based on this discovery, the business was closed and secured as detectives were called in and a search warrant was obtained.

Chavez resides in San Jose on Flinthaven Drive and is the domestic partner of the business owner. Detectives conducted a search of their home in San Jose and seized 19 mid to high-end bicycles, jewelry and electronics. So far, over $10,000 in stolen property has been matched to previous burglary cases. Detectives believe stolen items were likely traded for goods or resold at the gas station. They may have also have offloaded the stolen products at flea markets in the Bay Area.

Police believe the suspects were involved in the distribution of stolen property known as a fencing operation. Felipe Chavez was arrested for receiving and possession of stolen property. Angel Guzman was arrested for conspiracy to commit a crime and possession of stolen property.

SCPD Investigative team believes the stolen property came from home and auto break-ins in Santa Cruz and the San Jose area. Police also think that the arrested suspects are part of a larger theft and stolen property operation.

SCPD encourages people to enable such security features in their portable electronic devices whenever possible, and to familiarize themselves with how to use them. If your portable electronic device is stolen or lost and you are using a remote application to track its location, notify your local law enforcement agency immediately. Do not take independent action to attempt to recover your property.

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Anyone with information relative to this investigation is encouraged to contact the Santa Cruz Police Department Investigation Unit at (831) 420-5820. Anonymous tips can be sent to the police department through the Tip Line (831) 420-5995, or from the Website; www.santacruzpolice.com or via the SCPD smartphone app or send a text message. Visit the SCPD Website, www.santacruzpolice.com for instructions.