Burglary Arrest: Local Hand Sanitizer Maker Hit With $12K Theft

WATSONVILLE, CA — The Watsonville Police Department has arrested a man on suspicion of burglarizing a local company that has started producing hand sanitizer amid the coronavirus outbreak.

Dustin D. Davis, 47, was booked on charges related to burglary, burglary during a state of emergency, vandalism, violating parole, drug possession and receiving stolen property, jail records showed Friday night.

Smith & Vandiver, a Watsonville-based skin and body care company, had produced thousands of bottles of hand sanitizer, but their West Beach Street building was hit by burglars, police said. The company lost $12,000 in equipment.

Police said they found most of the stolen equipment and identified a burglar. Detectives canvassed a homeless encampment near Ohlone Parkway and Manabe Ow Road on Thursday and arrested Davis.

The investigation is ongoing and anyone with information is asked to call Detective Tyler Wildey at 831-768-3356.