SOLEDAD — A Soledad man was arrested after police recovered property believed to have been stolen from unlocked vehicles, according to the Soledad Police Department.
Officers were investigating a possible domestic violence incident at about 3:42 p.m. on Aug. 10 when they located property believed to be connected to a recent series of thefts from unlocked vehicles.
Further investigation determined Luis Jonathan Damian Campos, 29, of Soledad, was in possession of the property. Officers also learned Campos had an outstanding felony warrant with no bail.
Campos fled before officers arrived and was believed to be hiding at a nearby residence. With assistance from the Greenfield Police Department, Soledad officers contacted the homeowner and received permission to search the backyard.
A Greenfield police drone located Campos as he fled the backyard and jumped a fence into a neighboring property. Soledad officers, assisted by Greenfield police, located Campos and took him into custody.
While officers were completing Campos’ booking at the Soledad Police Department, they were dispatched to a report of property stolen from another unlocked vehicle. Police said the reported stolen items were the same property officers had just recovered during the investigation.
Campos was booked into the Monterey County Jail on the outstanding felony warrant and additional charges related to the thefts from unlocked vehicles.
Soledad police thanked the Greenfield Police Department for its assistance and collaboration during the investigation.
“This incident also serves as an important reminder to our community to always lock your vehicle and remove valuables before walking away. Even a brief moment with a vehicle left unlocked can provide an opportunity for theft,” police said.
