Four men arrested in East Bay auto-theft ring; police say group also linked to 2022 shooting
SAN PABLO — Four of five men suspected of being involved in a stolen-vehicle ring and of shooting a person last year have been arrested following a nearly two-month investigation, police said.
The four suspects were arrested Thursday when authorities served warrants at locations in Newark and Union City, according to a statement from San Pablo police spokesman Capt. Brian Bubar.
They are suspected of attempted homicide, vehicle theft, weapons violations and conspiracy, Bubar said.
Police identified the fifth suspect who’s still on the loose as 19-year-old Yoaxsi Alberto Garcia, of Hayward, and said he is considered armed and dangerous. Police urged anyone who knows about his whereabouts to contact them at 510-215-3150.
The investigation began on Nov. 26, when San Pablo police officers responded to a ShotSpotter activation in the 1700 block of Bush Avenue about 3:10 a.m. Bubar said an 18-year-old man had been shot after confronting several suspects as they attempted to break into his vehicle in front of his home. One of the suspects fired at the victim as they fled from the scene in a Jeep, he said.
The man recovered from his injuries.
According to Bubar, detectives used images from public safety cameras within San Pablo and several weeks of surveillance to identify five men they said were involved in that shooting. Bubar said the investigation also uncovered the stolen-vehicle ring, which targeted high-end Jeeps and Dodge Chargers throughout the Bay Area.
Detectives served warrants Thursday in the 6200 block of Noel Avenue, the 36000 block of Cherry Street and 6300 block of Baine Avenue in Newark; the 300 block of Riviera Drive in Union City; and separate storage units in Oakland and San Leandro, Bubar said.
Subsequently, Bubar said, investigators found 17 stolen vehicles with an estimated value of more than $1 million; 12 guns; thousands of rounds of ammunition; ballistic body armor vests; high-capacity magazines; gun silencers; and other evidence of vehicle theft.
All four of the suspects were in custody Thursday, police said. They continue to search for the fifth.
Bubar said police in Newark, Union City and Fremont and investigators with the California Highway Patrol all were involved in the investigation.