A 43-year-old Martinez man is in custody after his arrest Sunday after police received reports someone appeared to be stealing property from a home as well as from several vehicles in the neighborhood of Sherree Drive and Sherree Court, according to a department statement released Monday by Lieutenant Steve Gaul.
The first call came about 7:45 a.m. Sunday from a homeowner in the 600 block of Sherree Drive. The caller said someone had entered three vehicles and might be stealing property, Gaul’s statement said.
Officers found and apprehended a suspect in the side yard of a home in the 600 block of Sherree Court.
While officers were investigated the reported vehicle burglaries, another homeowner, also in the 600 block of Sherree Drive, said she had interrupted someone who was stealing property from her living room, according to the statement.
She told police she called for her husband, at which time the apparent burglar fled her home, Gaul’s statement said.
The man taken by police was identified as the person who was found in the living room as well as the one entering the vehicles, Gaul’s statement said, and the suspect apparently entered the house after taking a house key from a vehicle parked in front of the house.
All the taken property was recovered, the statement said.
The man taken into custody has been identified by Martinez Police as Christopher Blake, who has been on parole from a robbery conviction. He was placed under arrest and accused of residential burglary, possession of stolen property, petty theft and violating parole. He was booked into the Martinez Detention Facility, the statement said.
No photograph of Blake was available by press time.
Those who may have information about the incidents may call Corporal Ryan Baillie, 925-372-3440, the statement said.
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From the Benicia Police Department:
With the holiday season just around the corner, let’s remember to not give thieves a reason to shop on your porches.
A vigilant community member called 911 today to report someone acting suspicious this morning looking into cars on Southampton Road. Officers arrived at the scene and located the suspect, who was also associated to a vehicle. After a quick check, officers discovered that the vehicle was reported stolen earlier in the morning from Benicia. Officers searched the vehicle and the suspect and found stolen packages belonging to residents on Hastings Drive and Orchid Court. She was also caught on a security video of one of the residents, and officers were able to match her to the footage.
Stefanie Sarian, 34, of Martinez was arrested and transported to Solano County jail. The stolen items were returned to the rightful owners.
