Suspect in Turlock VFW break-in identified

Police have identified one of two suspects in the burglary of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5059 early Tuesday.

Ricky Dean Beets Jr., 32, is wanted on suspicion of burglary and possession of stolen property. The Turlock Police Department identified him from leads that developed from surveillance video. The second suspect in the video remains unidentified.

Shortly after 3 a.m. Tuesday, two thieves rammed the locked gate and pried open a metal door to break into the VFW building at 1405 E. Linwood Ave.

Surveillance footage shows that once inside the post’s canteen, the two men tried to use a pickup truck to pull out a bolted-down ATM. Failing that, they returned minutes later with more tools and continued to damage the machine. Unable to crack it, the men took two World War II bolt-action rifles. The guns’ bolts had been removed, so neither is operable. The thieves also took some bottles of alcohol.

Police are asking for the public’s assistance in locating Beets. “If Beets is located, do not approach but contact our dispatch center at 209-668-1200 for immediate assistance,” reads a news release from Officer Steve Rodrigues, department spokesman.

Anyone with information about the case is asked to call Detective Jason Tosta at 209-668-5550, ext. 6624. Callers also may leave an anonymous tip by calling Crime Stoppers at 209-521-4636 and may be eligible for a reward.

This story was originally published April 7, 2016 at 12:33 PM with the headline "Suspect in Turlock VFW break-in identified."