Benicia Police Say Local Burglaries May Be Connected To Organized Gangs

BENICIA - Benicia Police believe the three individuals arrested recently in a Benicia neighborhood while allegedly burglarizing homes are likely part of a larger Bay Area web of organized gangs.

Police say during the course of their investigation, they discovered through arrests both in Benicia and in other cities that several organized gangs are allegedly committing burglaries throughout the Bay Area.

Also on Patch: Suspicious Benicia Neighborhood Activity Brings 3 Arrests

On Saturday, Benicia Police announced the arrest of 20-year-old Bobby Williams of Antioch on a parole violation.

At the time, police say Williams was accompanied by two of the suspects arrested April 14 for fleeing from officers on Andrew Court. According to Benicia Police, the suspects were seen in the same open space area where one of them ran the day they were arrested.

Saturday evening, police say they found the car that Williams and the others drove to Benicia. Inside, police say they found an illegal firearm with a loaded large capacity magazine.

With the help of a Travis Air Force Base K-9, officers did a search of the area in which the suspects were seen. In that search, Benicia police say a second firearm was located, and believe it may have been thrown there on April 14 during the chase.

Benicia Police say a number of local home burglaries have occurred recently. Police are urging residents to protect themselves by using the following suggestions:

• 1. Keep your property maintained and your trees and shrubs well-trimmed to allow for natural surveillance.
• 2. Insure your home looks occupied even if you are not home. Leave a light on, insure newspapers and mail are picked up.
• 3. Install motion lights around the perimeter of your home.
• 4. Have a working alarm system and use it!
• 5. Communicate with your neighbors and consider establishing a neighborhood watch
• 6. Report suspicious cars, individuals or occurrences. A popular trick used by suspects is to first ring/knock at the door to see if anyone is home. If someone answers they pretend they are looking for someone else or make up a story for being at the wrong home.

The Benicia Police Department also wants to remind residents that they are available to assist you with a home or business security survey, or conduct vacation checks.

Benicia Police also offer to help you organize a neighborhood watch program.

If you're interested, please call the Benicia Police Department at 707.745.3412.

-images via Benicia Police