A group of teenage burglars, accused of breaking into nearly 80 homes and vehicles in the Bay Area, faces charges after a months-long investigation. Their crimes included stealing firearms, engaging in high-speed chases, and operating a fencing operation that reportedly handled about $250,000 in stolen items.
Crime Spree Unveiled
Concord police released a video showcasing these burglaries, emphasizing the teamwork that led to arrests. The footage captures suspects breaking into cars during early morning hours and using stolen garage door openers to access garages for additional theft of valuables.
One particularly daring incident involved suspects pointing a firearm at a home’s interior door, seemingly anticipating a homeowner’s emergence. Another burglary saw 14 firearms stolen from a single garage.
Investigation Findings
Detectives connected the suspects to 37 burglaries in Concord, with approximately 40 more in nearby counties. Multiple vehicles were stolen by the group to aid their crimes. Officers often lost track of the suspects during pursuits, prioritizing public safety.
In May, an attempted traffic stop of a suspect vehicle led to a pursuit that was abandoned for safety reasons. June saw similar incidents, including a case where suspects crashed a vehicle and escaped on foot, although police recovered a firearm.
Suspects Identified and Arrested
A major breakthrough occurred in late June when four juveniles were identified as main suspects. One was already in juvenile hall for another offense. Arrest and search warrants were obtained for the others, leading to arrests executed with regional law enforcement’s help.
Searches at the suspects’ homes resulted in the recovery of two stolen firearms, while a third was previously found by Richmond Police during another inquiry.
Fencing Operation Revealed
The investigation also uncovered a fencing operation. Authorities identified 37-year-old Wuillian Cordova-Cubias of Oakland as a key buyer of stolen goods. He allegedly purchased power tools from the juveniles shortly after burglaries.
Authorities executed a search at Cordova-Cubias’ residence, finding 500 suspected stolen power tools, a stolen ATV, a stolen forklift, an unregistered firearm, and more. The total estimated value of these goods is $250,000.
Legal Actions
The Contra Costa County District Attorney charged Cordova-Cubias with several offenses, including receiving stolen property and unlawful firearm activity. Sentence enhancements were added to increase potential penalties if convicted.
Diana Becton, Contra Costa County District Attorney, emphasized the importance of coordinated efforts between her office and law enforcement to address organized theft. This case highlights successful collaboration in holding individuals accountable.
Cordova-Cubias remains in custody and will face arraignment in Contra Costa County Superior Court. The juvenile suspects face charges, but their identities remain confidential under California law.
Stepheny Price is a writer at Fox News, covering extensive topics including crime stories and regional news.