Burglars caught in the act, Modesto police say

MODESTO -- Modesto police arrested two people authorities say were found burglarizing a south Modesto home Friday morning.

A neighbor called authorities at 9:25 a.m. after seeing two people park a white Mazda minivan in a driveway, then head into the back yard of another home in the 1900 block of Cielito Drive.

Arriving officers saw the van and set up a perimeter. They saw one person coming out the window and a second at the scene, police said.

Officers took the suspects, later identified as Cristian Zamora, 18, and a 17-year-old, both of Modesto, into custody. The suspects told officers they belonged to a criminal street gang, police said.

Both had jewelry and cell phones from the home in their pockets, with more items piled up near the door of the home, police said. Their projected haul included two flat-screen television sets, a laptop computer, a safe, a PlayStation game console and several video games. Police returned the property to the owners.

Officers credited the neighbor with having a watchful eye and reporting suspicious activity.

Police ask anyone with information regarding this incident to call Crime Stoppers at (209) 521-4636. Callers to Crime Stoppers can remain anonymous and may be eligible for a cash reward. Tipsters can text information to Crime Stoppers by sending a message to 274637. Type "TIP704" along with the message.