Livermore Residents Two of Four Arrested When Stolen Car Discovered in Pleasanton

PLEASANTON, CA — Four people were arrested Thursday night in Pleasanton's Valley Trails neighborhood after police discovered a stolen vehicle parked on the street, police said. At 8:30 p.m. an officer was patrolling on South Valley Trails Drive near Yellowstone Court when he identified a vehicle that had been stolen late last month from Hayward.

After the two officers watched the car, they conducted a probation search on a nearby house believed to be associated with the car, and eventually arrested four on suspicion of a variety of offenses, according to police.

Officers arrested Pleasanton resident Antonio Ortega, 27, who was on probation, was wanted on suspicion of possessing drug paraphernalia and for allegedly possessing a methamphetamine smoking pipe. Livermore resident Robert Maynard, 27, was wanted on suspicion of stealing a vehicle, was on probation and allegedly was carrying some methamphetamine.

San Jose resident Joseph Murphy, 25, was allegedly carrying cocaine, according to police. Livermore resident Mariana Coons, 26, was allegedly carrying stolen credit cards and was on probation.

All four were taken to the county jail. Police said they are still investigating the vehicle theft. They have not identified a suspect in the theft of the vehicle.

"The Pleasanton Police Department also emphasizes that thieves are opportunistic and prey on people who leave their property unsecured and valuables visible in their vehicles," police said in a statement. "A very high percentage of thefts are from vehicles that are unsecured."

By Bay City News and Autumn Johnson

Photos courtesy Pleasanton Police Department