Police nab two suspected of 35 garage thefts


By: North County Times -
ESCONDIDO, CALIFORNIA
December 5, 2007 6:05 PM PST

ESCONDIDO -- Police Wednesday added 35 counts of felony theft against two people alleged to have broken into garages throughout Escondido and North County in September, October and November.

The two suspects, Salvador Martinez Saavedra, 29, and Estrella Maria Bautista, 24, also are accused of at least six thefts of exotic birds, police Lt. Craig Carter said.

The garage break-ins occurred between Sept. 12 and Nov. 27, Carter said, and happened in neighborhoods throughout Escondido, with a few elsewhere in North County. The suspects are alleged to have stolen a wide variety of personal property, Carter said, including at least one car.

Saaverda and Bautista were arrested Nov. 27. Police, working in conjunction with the Regional Auto Theft Task Force, tracked them down using tips from victims about the car used in the thefts.

Carter said police believe they were involved in more than 35 break-ins, but so far have haven't gathered enough evidence in other suspected incidents to press charges.

The pair is alleged to have targeted detached garages associated with apartment complexes, Carter said. Police have been able to track down very little of the stolen merchandise, Carter said, and believe the suspects may have sold it on the street instead of at pawn shops.

The investigation is ongoing and police are asking that anyone with information on these cases call (760)839-4722 or Detective Bode Berreth directly at (760)839-4773.

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