Ontario police probe car burglaries
By Katie Pizza
Argus Observer
Tuesday, December 2, 2008 10:20 AM PST
Ontario — The Ontario Police Department is investigating the theft of three firearms from a vehicle in Ontario Saturday morning.
OPD Capt. Mark Alexander said two shotguns and a 7mm rifle were stolen from a 2000 Chevy Tahoe at some point Friday night or early Saturday morning. The weapons, worth a total of $2,600, were stolen in the 500 block of Ridgeway in Ontario.
“There appeared to be no forced entry of the vehicle,” Alexander said. “It’s a possibility it was left unlocked.”
OPD currently has no suspects in the case.
Officers also investigated a burglary in the 100 block of Northeast First Street, which was reported at 12:30 p.m. Saturday. Alexander said a glass window was broken to gain entry, and that the suspect or suspects stole a DeWault brand cordless jigsaw, cordless stapler, cordless drill and a battery. The items stolen are worth approximately $600.
OPD also responded to a burglary reported just after 4 a.m. at the Idaho Youth Ranch Thrift Store, situated at 2588 S.W. Fourth St.
Alexander said a window in the store was broken, and Jose Martienz, 30, Ontario, was located near the scene with injuries matching broken glass. Martienz was arrested and taken to jail.
OPD also responded to two thefts from vehicles over the weekend. The first was reported on Saturday. Alexander said a 1999 Buick Regal was parked in a detached garage when an Ipod and miscellaneous change were taken.
Alexander said there was also no sign of forcible entry.
Another vehicle theft was reported at 12:20 p.m. Sunday. Alexander said a stereo faceplate was stolen from a 2000 Dodge passenger van parked in the 900 block of Northwest Fourth Street. There was no sign of forced entry.
Police are also looking into another incident at the Ontario Liquor Store, situated at 1179 S.W. Fourth Ave. Alexander said a suspect or suspects broke the glass portion of the door in front of the business. The crime was reported at 6 a.m. Friday, and Alexander said it appeared the suspect or suspects did not enter the store.
OPD also arrested an Ontario man for a State Parole Board warrant for a parole violation stemming from a sexual assault at 6 p.m. Thursday. Arthuro Mendez Jr., 40, was driving a 1994 Ford pickup in the 600 block of Northwest First Street when an officer made a traffic stop. Mendez was taken to jail. Officers also made a traffic stop that resulted in an arrest of an Ontario man for a controlled substance at 11:50 p.m. Thursday. Anacleto Mata, 26, was driving a 1996 Pontiac four-door, when he was pulled over near Northwest First Street and North Oregon Street for expired vehicle registration. The officer reported Mata got out of the vehicle and threw a plastic container, which was determined to contain methamphetamines. He was arrested and taken to jail.
In other public safety news:
The Malheur County Sheriff’s Office responded to a motor vehicle crash on Alameda Road, near Railroad Ave. at 10:19 a.m. Sunday. County Undersheriff Brian Wolfe said Ty Satazin, Nyssa, was driving a 1969 Chevy pickup when the vehicle left the roadway and “rolled a couple of times.” Both Satazin and his 19-year-old passenger, Betsy Hernadez, Nyssa, were taken to Holy Rosary Medical Center. Wolfe said Satazin said he was adjusting his mirror before the accident. He was issued a citation for careless driving.
The High Desert Task Force arrested four people in the 5000 block of Poplar Road, in the Annex area, regarding illegal narcotics at 7:20 a.m. Saturday.
Victorino Cisneros Farias, 46, Maria Candelaria Cisneros, 43, Leopoldo Cisneros, 22 and Jesus Cisneros Amerzcua, 21, were all arrested for manufacturing a controlled substance within 100 feet of a school, delivery of a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance, altering identification of a firearm and unlawful possession of a firearm. Wolfe said the task force seized several firearms and cocaine.
“It wasn’t a super large amount. Less than an ounce of cocaine,” Wolfe said. “It’s still a felony.”
Want to know wrote on Dec 2, 2008 3:05 PM:
I am far from anti-gun, but those of us that own them need to be responsible for them.
What is the owner of the stolen guns going to do when the guns stolen from them are used in a violent crime. I hope their Home Owners Insurance covers a civil suit if that happens.
If you own guns, lock them up when you are not using them. Lock your cars, houses, sheds and business up too, WE are no longer living in a Mayberry/Andy Griffith kind of world anymore. "