Full Notification

On November 19, 2013 Los Banos Police Detectives served a search warrant at a residence in the 2300 Block of South Rock Creek Drive. During the service of the search warrant Officers arrested 32-year-old Angelina Martinez and 34-year-old Roberto Martinez of Los Banos. A large amount of property believed to have been stolen over a several month period from locked and unlocked vehicles in the Los Banos area was recovered at the residence.

The investigation which led Detectives to this residence began on October 28, 2013 when Officer Vanus Warren responded to a residence in the 800 Block of Del Rio Drive to investigate a report of a theft from an unlocked vehicle. During the investigation, the Officer learned that a bank debit card stolen from the vehicle had been used at a local business on Pacheco Boulevard. Video surveillance was recovered showing a male and female, now identified as Angelina and Roberto Martinez, purchasing goods with the stolen card.

In a second incident Officer Bill Westbrook responded to a residence in the 1600 Block of Maidencane Way on November 11, 2013, to investigate a report of a theft from an unlocked vehicle. During the investigation, the Officer was notified that the victim’s bank card, which was stolen from his vehicle, had been used at a business on Pacheco Boulevard. The Officer responded and located video surveillance of a female, now identified as Angelina Martinez, and a young male purchasing items with the card. The store video surveillance recorded the suspects leaving the area in a Jeep Cherokee.

On November 19, 2013 at approximately 4:00 a.m., Officer Marcelino Cortez was off-duty when he observed a 16-year-old male looking inside of vehicles in the 2400 Block of South Mountainside Drive. The Officer contacted the Police Department and detained the juvenile as he was attempting to steal items from an unlocked vehicle parked in the driveway of a residence. The juvenile was wearing a backpack containing suspected stolen property. The juvenile was identified as the same male Officer Westbrook viewed in the store video surveillance footage related to the November 11, 2013 theft.

The juvenile was interviewed and provided information regarding several thefts and vehicle burglaries in the Los Banos area. The juvenile also identified the South Rock Creek address as Martinez’ residence and a location where he would deliver stolen property. A search warrant was obtained and Officers located a large amount of stolen property at the residence. Officers also located approximately 15 grams of Methamphetamine, digital scales and drug packaging material.

“We believe this group was responsible for several of our vehicle burglaries and we are in the process of linking the property recovered to our open cases. Some of the property included: computers, ipods, car keys, firearms, vehicle registration forms, check books, tools, electronics, and the list goes on. The majority of these cases involved valuable property that was left in unlocked vehicles. It’s very important to remove valuables from vehicles and always lock your doors.”
-Ray Reyna, Police Commander

The juvenile is currently in custody at the Merced County Juvenile Hall facility charged with a juvenile probation warrant and possession of stolen property. The Department will be pursuing additional theft and unlawful use of a credit card charges against the juvenile.
Angelina Martinez is currently in custody at the John Latorraca Correctional Facility, pending $139,000.00 bail, charged with burglary, possession of stolen property, forgery, possession of personal credit information of another, possession of a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance for sales, conspiracy to commit a crime, and contributing to the delinquency of a minor.

Roberto Martinez is currently in custody at the Merced Main Mail, pending $119,000.00 bail, charged with possession of stolen property, burglary, possession of a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance for sales, conspiracy to commit a crime, unlawful possession of personal credit information of another, and contributing to the delinquency of a minor.

To leave an anonymous crime tip call 209-827-7070 Ext. 288. If you have access to a computer and the internet you can also leave an anonymous tip at the Police Department’s web page at www.losbanos.org. At the bottom of the “Contact” page simply click on the “report graffiti and other crime” link or visit the Merced Area Crime Stoppers by telephone at 1-855-725-2420, or at www.mercedareacrimestoppers.org