Crime & Safety
Serial Bay Area Burglar Took $300K In Property From Homes: Cops
Detectives were working to identify the items stolen and return them to their rightful owners.
CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CA — A suspect in burglaries at several homes in Central Contra Costa County was being held in a Tehama County jail, the Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff announced late Friday.
Total losses exceeded $300,000 in the string of local burglaries, with jewelry, purses and weapons among items stolen from Central Contra Costa homes, sheriff's Spokesman Jimmy Lee said.
Sheriff's detectives identified the suspect as Gilberto Ramirez, 26, of Merced County, and obtained an arrest warrant for him, his home and his cars.
Other Bay Area law enforcement agencies were also working to determine whether Ramirez was connected to burglaries in their communities.
As part of the continuing investigation, detectives on Jan. 25 located Ramirez driving north on Interstate 5 near Corning. They requested that the Tehama County Sheriff's Office conduct a traffic stop on the car but it is alleged that Ramirez did not yield and instead led the deputies on a pursuit.
As the pursuit continued, the California Highway Patrol also gave chase. When Ramirez eventually crashed the car, he tried to take off on foot but was found and arrested, Lee said.
Ramirez remained in custody Friday in Merced County jail on suspicion of charges including burglary, felony evasion and weapons violations. His bail was set at $250,000, jail records showed.
A female juvenile was in the car with Ramirez and was also taken into custody. Her identity was not being released.
Property believed stolen during the Central Contra Costa burglaries was found as search warrants were served at various locations. Detectives were working to identify the items and return them to their rightful owners, Lee said.
The investigation was ongoing Friday and the sheriff's office asked anyone with any information regarding the case to call 925-313-2600 to reach the Investigations Division or 866-846-3592 to leave an anonymous voice message. Information can also be sent via email to tips@so.cccounty.us.
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