On May 26, 2014 at approximately 7:35 p.m., the Los Banos Police Department received a report of a residential burglary in the 1800 block of Place Road. The victim told police his vehicle was stolen along with firearms, electronic equipment and other household goods.
The following day, a relative of the victim spotted the stolen vehicle in a parking lot in the area of Washington Avenue and 6th Street and alerted police. Officers Todd Pricolo and Christopher Borchardt arrived moments later and found the 23-year-old suspect, James Fransham inside the stolen vehicle.
The officers found Fransham in possession of one of the two firearms taken during the burglary.
“This is another example of citizens and police working together to battle crime in our community. Most importantly, a weapon was taken out of the hands of criminals.”
- Jason Hedden, Police Commander
Fransham was booked into the Los Banos Police Department Jail Facility, charged with burglary, grand theft auto, grand theft, possession of stolen property and possession of methamphetamine.
Fransham was later transferred to the John Latorraca Correctional Facility, where he remains in custody in lieu of $150,000.00 bail.
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
