Burglars Targeted SF Homes Under Construction To Steal Equipment: Police

SAN FRANCISCO, CA — Three men have been arrested in connection with a series of burglaries targeting San Francisco homes that were under construction, police said.

The burglary crew is accused of going to the homes in the middle of the night and stealing thousands of dollars in construction equipment.

The investigation began in mid-September after police became aware that the burglary suspects were selling the stolen equipment, police said.

Officers then conducted a surveillance operation on Oct. 3, where they saw the suspects switching license plates on a vehicle suspected of being used during burglaries across several San Francisco neighborhoods, police said.

That night, the burglars hit four houses on the west side of San Francisco, police said.

While surveilling suspects, officers witnessed them meeting a person known to buy stolen items, police said. There, they saw the suspects transferring a large number of tools from one car to another, police said.

As a result of the operation, officers took two men into custody on suspicion of several crimes, including burglary, receiving stolen property, grand theft, conspiracy and possession of burglary tools, police said.

A third was taken into custody on suspicion of receiving stolen property, police said.

Officers recovered more than $4,000 worth of construction equipment that had been stolen across the Bay Area during the operation, police said.

The SFPD asks that anyone who may have more information about these burglaries contact the department at 1-415-575-4444.