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Suspects arrested for residential burglaries and Craig’s list sale of stolen property
July 30, 2014 (La Mesa) – Two separate incidents kept local police officers busy in the wee hours on July 26.
At 12:05 a.m., La Mesa Police Department (LMPD) received a call from a resident on McRae Avenue who reported waking up to see two unknown men in his home. The men fled out a backdoor after stealing a Glock 23.40 handgun, cash, credit cards, an iPhone and prescription medicines. A search of the area with the Sheriff’s helicopter and canine crew did not locate the suspects. However, officers were later able to track the suspects down using the Find-My-iPhone application.
Officers tracked the phone to a Chula Vista address. At 1:45 a.m., LMPD notified Chula Vista Police Department (CVPD) that they were en route. Soon after, CVPD advised that wo suspicious males left that area in a dark colored late model BMW. LMPD Officers then saw the iPhone was moving again, back toward La Mesa. Following the track to the area of Eastridge Drive and Seattle Drive in La Mesa, officers set a perimeter and confirmed there was a dark blue late model BMW parked on Seattle Drive.
As officers closed in, the vehicle drove off. Officers initiated a felony stop at Murray Hill Drive and Yale Avenue with assistance from the Sheriff’s canine and ASTREA helicopter. Both occupants were taken into custody without incident. The iPhone, medication, credit cards, cash, and the firearm were all recovered.
Luis Pelayo and Luis Gallardo, both 21 years old from San Diego, were booked on charges of residential burglary, theft of a firearm and possession of a controlled substance.
The second incident occurred starting at 1:38 a.m., when LMPD received a call from a victim stating that he had found his stolen camera on Craigslist and was going to meet the suspects at Grossmont Center at 2:00 a.m. The victim’s camera had been stolen in a vehicle burglary that occurred in San Diego on July 25th.
The victim was advised that it was not safe to meet the suspects and to wait in the area for officers. Due to other priority calls, the officers were not immediately able to meet with the victim.
While officers were handling a separate felony vehicle stop, LMPD received another call from the victim stating that the suspects had arrived and the victim attempted to buy his stolen camera back from them. The victim told police that the suspects pulled a gun on him and fled the area in a beige Ford Explorer. The victim followed the vehicle and with the assistance of El Cajon Police, officers were able to locate the vehicle as it turned from Johnson Avenue in El Cajon, onto the I-8 westbound onramp.
A felony stop was initiated and the stolen camera was recovered without incident. No gun was located and the investigation revealed that the allegation was false, according to a press release issued by La Mesa Police. All suspects were booked at San Diego County Jail.
Jessica Hart, 31, of La Mesa had two felony warrants and was charged with possession of stolen property and burglary tools. Joseph Kelly, 19, and Dominic Gress, 25, both from El Cajon, were also charged with the same crimes.
These investigations are continuing. Anyone with information is urged to call the La Mesa Police Department at (619) 667-1400.
You may also call Crime Stoppers’ anonymous toll-free tip line (888) 580-TIPS (or www.sdcrimestoppers.com). You can remain anonymous, and be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000 for information leading to an arrest in this case.
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