Thieves strip electrical wiring from Modesto airport runways

Girl's puppy among the items deputies recover in investigation

By ROSALIO AHUMADA
rahumada@modbee.com

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Authorities arrested three people on suspicion of stealing electrical wire from the Modesto Airport runway lighting system after detectives found stolen items from other burglaries, including a 4-year-old girl's puppy, a Stanislaus County sheriff's spokesman said Wednesday.

Deputy Royjindar Singh said the Chihuahua had been missing since it was taken last month during a burglary at the girl's Salida home. Deputies returned the puppy to the girl unharmed Wednesday, he said.

Peter Moreno Sr., 41, his son Peter Moreno Jr., 19, and a 17-year-old girl, all from Ceres, were arrested in connection with the thefts.

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Singh said Moreno was arrested on suspicion of grand theft, receiving stolen property and burglary. He said Moreno Jr. was arrested on suspicion of grand theft, receiving stolen property, driving with a suspended license and fleeing from an officer.

The girl was arrested on suspicion of grand theft and receiving stolen property, Singh said. Sheriff's officials did not release her name because she is a minor.

Authorities began investigating July 28 after thieves stole the wire from electrical boxes, disabling part of the airport lighting system along the runway, Singh said.

Stolen wire can be stripped and sold to recyclers.

Sheriff's officials helped Modesto police with the investigation and surveillance of the airport.

Tuesday, sheriff's and police detectives tried to make a traffic stop on Moreno Jr. after detectives saw him leaving the airport area, Singh said.

He said Moreno Jr. slowed long enough for his father to get out of the car and run away, but detectives caught up to the elder Moreno soon after.

At the same time, Moreno Jr. continued driving slowly for a short distance, but then he stopped the car, Singh said.

The detectives questioned, then arrested the Morenos and the girl, who also was in the car.

The detectives later went to the Morenos' home in the 1300 block of East Whitmore Avenue in Ceres and found the items stolen from homes, evidence from commercial burglaries and the puppy.

The Sheriff's Department asked anyone with information about this case to call Modesto police Detective Mike Freudenthal at 572-9541 or sheriff's detective Mike Myers at 525-7084. Callers also can leave an anonymous tip by calling Crime Stoppers at 521-4636 and be eligible for a cash reward. Tipsters also can e-mail tips through the Crime Stoppers Web site, www.modestopolice.com/CrimeStoppers, or text tips to CRIMES (274637) by typing "Tip704" plus your message.

Bee staff writer Rosalio Ahumada can be reached at rahumada@modbee.com or 578-2394.