Man wanted for burglary in two counties caught in Modesto

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Eric Swartz faced arrest in Placer County and Alameda County, but Stanislaus County was where he landed in jail.

Swartz, 26, was arrested on burglary charges early Sunday morning after leading Modesto police officers on an extended foot chase, said Lt. Scott Blom.

Police saw the suspect going door to door, trying to break into homes as he ran, leaping fences and at one point the canal along Briggsmore Avenue. Police used the HipLink automated call system to alert homes in the area of Merle and Roselle avenues. "We notified residents, first to lock their doors, but also to be aware we were chasing a suspect and there might be guys running through their yards," Blom said.

Police caught up with Swartz in the 3000 block of Ivory Court, about a half-mile from Paramount Way and Merle, where the chase began.

Officers responding to a tip of auto burglaries at Merle and Roselle noticed a car nearby. In the car were Swartz, two women and property from earlier car burglaries, Blom said.

The women, Heather Tucker, 25, and Erika Rizo, 30, both of Modesto, were arrested on suspicion of burglary and receiving stolen property. Swartz faces those charges plus possession of methamphetamine, and warrants on burglary charges from the other counties, Blom said.