Witness Helps Catch Suspects In Martinez Vehicle Burglary: Police

MARTINEZ, CA -- Police say two suspects in a vehicle burglary Sunday in Martinez were apprehended thanks in large part to a witness of the alleged crime.

Officers responded at 2:15 p.m. Sunday to the parking lot of a Rite Aid in the 1100 block of Arnold Drive, where the reporting party said they saw a man -- later identified by police as Victor Hernandez -- break the window of a vehicle and take a briefcase containing a laptop, according to a statement Monday from Martinez police.

The witness told officers the suspect fled the area in a vehicle driven by a female -- later identified by police as Danielle Mowers.

As officers contacted the burglary victim, the reporting party decided to follow the suspect vehicle without the occupants' knowledge, giving periodic updates to MPD Dispatch while safely following the vehicle on the highway, police said.

MPD officers proceeded to stop the vehicle on the westbound Highway 80 off-ramp to Pinole Valley Road.

Hernandez and Mowers were detained, reportedly without incident.

Hernandez was arrested on suspicion of burglary, possession of stolen property, possession of a controlled substance and a felony probation violation.

Mowers was arrested on suspicion of possession of a controlled substance, possession of stolen property, identity theft and a felony probation violation.

"This is a good reminder to either take your valuables with you when you leave your car, or hide them in your vehicle so your items are not targeted by thieves looking into car windows for things to steal," Martinez police said. "This is also another case of MPD working with an alert community member who immediately contacted the police department to report suspicious activity."

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