DATE: May 22, 2018
LOCATION: Executive Inn, 95 Dempsey Road, Milpitas, CA 95035
CASE #: 18-141-005
VICTIM: 36 year-old female, Union City, CA
SUSPECT #1: Kenneth Dale Stepp, 27-year-old, Union City, CA resident
SUSPECT #2: Celina Marie Hernandez-Verdugo, 29-year-old, San Jose, CA resident
VEHICLE: 2003 Toyota Corolla, white 4-door
On May 22, 2018, Tuesday, at approximately 1:00 p.m., Milpitas Police officers located a stolen Toyota Corolla driving away from a local hotel located at 95 Dempsey Rd. The Toyota Corolla was reported stolen to the Union City Police Department, on May 11, 2018, and was occupied by two people. Detectives from the Milpitas Special Investigations Unit followed the car and initiated a high-risk stop in the parking lot located at 57 South Park Victoria Drive. Both the driver, Kenneth Dale Stepp, and passenger, Celina Marie Hernandez-Verdugo, were arrested and taken into custody without incident.
Further investigation revealed Celina Marie Hernandez-Verdugo had a no bail felony arrest warrant for possession of stolen property out of Santa Clara County. Kenneth Dale Stepp was booked into the Santa Clara County Jail for auto theft with priors, possession of a stolen vehicle, and possession of burglary tools. Celina Marie Hernandez-Verdugo was booked into the Santa Clara County Jail for her outstanding warrant only.
If you have any information regarding this investigation involving Kenneth Dale Stepp or Celina Marie Hernandez-Verdugo; please call the Milpitas Police Department at (408) 586-2400. Additionally, the information can be given anonymously by calling the Crime Tip Hotline at (408) 586-2500 or via the Milpitas Police Department website at: http://www.ci.milpitas.ca.gov/crimetip
Press Release By: Lieutenant Raj Maharaj
Date/Time: May 23, 2018; 12:00 PM
