Police say suspect broke into 10 homes
| Friday, Jan 11 2008 01:09 AM
Last Updated Friday, Mar 27 2009 09:02 PM
A 31-year-old man was arrested Wednesday in connection with about 10 burglaries that resulted in about $60,000 worth of stolen property.
Phillip James Quezada of Bakersfield was arrested on suspicion of burglary and attempted burglary, according to a Bakersfield Police Department news release. He was being held on $35,000 bail.
Police received a report of a residential burglary in progress in the 4000 block of Crosswind Way at 1:31 p.m., the news release said. The victim had just returned home and noticed several items out of place. She also heard noises coming from other parts of the house.
The victim left and called 911. Officers arrived and checked the residence but no one was there. There were, however, tracks leading from the residence to a nearby canal, and witnesses reported seeing someone in the canal bed.
A brown Toyota Tacoma pickup truck that didn't belong to the victim or any of her neighbors was parked in front of the victim's residence, the news release said. Believing this was the suspect's vehicle, police decided to watch it and see if anyone turned up.
At 4:30 p.m., Quezada returned to the vehicle, according to the news release. Detectives determined he was responsible for the burglary and arrested him.
Quezada also was determined to be responsible for an attempted residential burglary Wednesday at 12:30 p.m. in the 4400 block of Sun Devils Avenue, the news release said. The resident in that incident saw Quezada in her backyard at a rear sliding glass door. He left after the resident spotted him.
Detectives searched Quezada's home in the 600 block of Douglas Street and found suspected stolen property such as flat screen televisions, computers, jewelry and DVDs, said BPD Sgt. Greg Terry.
Police were able to connect the suspect to multiple burglaries because victims had provided serial numbers of their stolen property to detectives, Terry said. Others made markings on the items.
Anyone who may think their property was stolen from the suspect can call 326-3846.
