Oakland men arrested in string of vehicle burglaries at downtown Modesto business
Two Oakland men were arrested Thursday morning in connection with a string of burglaries over the past four months at a downtown Modesto business and are suspected in similar thefts throughout the state.
Detectives said the men are responsible for at least nine vehicle burglaries in the parking lot of Smart Food Services, previously called Cash and Carry, at 1217 Tenth Street. The business sells food to restaurants.
As its former name suggests, some business owners shopping there are making large cash purchases. The suspects got away with thousands of dollars in cash that was left in the vehicles, said Modesto Police Department spokeswoman Sharon Bear.
She said detectives identified the suspects, 23-year-old Maceo Obrera-Bolds and 28-year-old Johnathan Lee, with the use of surveillance footage and were watching the store when they showed up around 7:20 a.m.
“Lee was seen looking into a vehicle in the parking lot ... while Obrera-Bolds waited in a car nearby as the getaway driver,” according to a press release. “When MPD Detectives moved in to take the suspects into custody, Lee and Obrera-Bolds attempted to flee in their 2008 dark blue Infiniti G37. The vehicle high centered over a concrete island near the edge of the parking lot allowing detectives to take them into custody immediately.”
In addition to the burglaries at Smart Food Services, detectives say the suspects are also the subjects of multiple burglary investigations in several Bay Area cities, Chico and Sacramento.
The men are facing multiple burglary charges with enhancements as well as looting charges. Lee will also be charged with a parole violation.
Anyone with information about the case is asked to contact Crime Stoppers at 209-521-4636.
This story was originally published July 23, 2020 at 3:19 PM.
