Two San Jose residents face criminal charges after an investigation into a break-in at a local storage facility resulted in the theft of approximately $100,000 worth of tools, as Patch reported.
The incident took place on Sept. 18 at a storage facility located on the 1300 block of Mabury Road in San Jose. According to the San Jose Police Department, a female suspect gained access to the facility premises by using an entry code that belonged to a victim of a previous mail theft. Shortly after she entered, a second suspect followed her onto the property. Police stated that the second individual damaged a vehicle door and subsequently burglarized a storage unit on site. The two suspects then fled the location with the high-value tools.
Detectives assigned to the San Jose Police Department's Financial Crimes/Burglary Unit took over the case and began reviewing evidence. Investigators utilized automated license plate reader cameras along with other investigative resources to track down the individuals involved. Through these efforts, officers identified the suspects as 25-year-old Brandi French and 40-year-old Emiliano Ontiveros, both residents of San Jose.
As the investigation unfolded, detectives also connected French and Ontiveros to several other burglaries reported across multiple jurisdictions, according to police statement details.
Both suspects were already in custody for unrelated cases by the time charges were finalized for the Mabury Road burglary. San Jose police officers originally arrested Ontiveros on Oct. 8 in San Jose, booking him into the Santa Clara County Main Jail on an unrelated case. Police arrested French weeks later, on Oct. 25, also in San Jose and likewise booked her into custody on an unrelated matter. Detectives subsequently worked in coordination with the Santa Clara County District Attorney's Office to formally add charges connected to the September storage facility burglary against both individuals.
Law enforcement personnel executed investigative searches that yielded evidence related to the break-in. On Oct. 9, detectives searched a storage unit associated with the suspects, where they successfully recovered numerous stolen items. Additionally, a vehicle connected to the ongoing investigation was located and impounded by the Watsonville Police Department prior to being searched by San Jose detectives.
The San Jose Police Department continues to seek information regarding this case or similar incidents in the area. Members of the public who have relevant information are encouraged to contact the San Jose Police Department Burglary Unit by calling 408-277-4401 or by emailing [email protected]. Community members may also submit information and tips directly via email to [email protected].
