NEWARK POLICE DEPARTMENT MAKES MULTIPLE ARRESTS IN HIGH-END AUTO THEFT CRIME RING
Newark, California (Friday, January 20, 2023)
Over the past several months, the Newark Police Department has been investigating a high-end auto theft ring affecting Newark and several other Bay Area cities. Approximately 25 stolen vehicles were identified in relation to this auto theft ring. On November 26, 2022, a shooting occurred in San Pablo involving a suspect vehicle, which resulted in Newark and the San Pablo Police Department working together.
On Thursday, January 19, 2023, at approximately 6:05 a.m., several felony arrest and search warrants were served during a multi-agency operation in Newark, Union City, Hayward, Oakland, and San Leandro. As a result, three suspects were taken into custody, without incident.
Axel Martinez, a 21-year-old male residing in Newark, was arrested for possession of stolen property and various weapons related charges, including possession of a “ghost gun”. He was booked at Santa Rita Jail. Alexander Echeverria, a 20-year-old male residing in Newark, was arrested for conspiracy to commit murder and a variety of vehicle theft related charges. Jose Flores Torres, a 26-year-old male residing in Union City, was arrested for conspiracy to commit murder and a variety of vehicle theft related charges. Both were booked into the Martinez Detention Facility.
At approximately 5:05 p.m., two related subjects were located and arrested in Newark. Alexander Martinez, a 21-year-old male residing in Newark, was arrested for conspiracy to commit murder, a variety of weapons charges, possession of stolen property and various vehicle theft related charges. Eduardo Garcia-Perez, a 22-year-old male residing in Newark, was arrested for conspiracy to commit murder, numerous counts of evading the police and various vehicle theft related charges. Both were booked into the Martinez Detention Facility.
As a result of this multi-agency investigation, which spanned several counties, the following items were recovered: 17 stolen vehicles, 12 firearms, two ballistic body armor vests, thousands of rounds of ammunition, including armor piercing rounds, and auto-theft technology & equipment.
If you have any information regarding this investigation or believe you were victimized, please contact Newark Police Lead Detective Andrew Musantry at [email protected] or 510.578.4956.
Information can be left anonymously on the "Anonymous Tip" hotline at 510.578.4965.
We would like to thank our community members for their continued support. We also would like to thank San Pablo Police, Fremont Police, Hayward Police, Union City Police, Pittsburg Police, California Highway Patrol, the Southern Alameda County Major Crimes Task Force and the Alameda County Regional Auto Theft Task Force for their assistance in this case.
Community Engagement Manager Jada Chiu will be the point of contact for media inquiries. She can be reached via email at [email protected] or contacted by phone at 510.578.4929.
