Release Date: 12/17/2009
Incident Type: Arrest Made/Stolen Property Recovered In Several Early Morning Auto Burglaries - More Anticipated Arrests Pending
Contact Person: Patrick Whitney, Captain, 575-763-9436
A 20-year-old Clovis man identified as Matthew Gonzales was arrested early this morning on December 17, 2009 for Auto Burglary, Conspiracy to Commit Burglary, Larceny, 3 Counts of Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor and Minor in Possession of Alcohol. Charges are pending against several juveniles that were involved in the burglaries with Matthew Gonzales. Matthew Gonzales was transported to the Curry County Adult Detention Center in Clovis for booking on the above charges.
Clovis Police were dispatched this morning at about 2:56 am to the area of the 300 block of Manson Drive in Clovis in reference to a “Vehicle Burglary In Progress” call. Upon the arrival of Officers to the call four suspicious males were seen in the area, one of which was carrying a stolen speaker box from a vehicle. Officers stopped the young males to investigate their possible involvement in the reported vehicle burglary in progress. The adult was identified as Matthew Gonzales. The other three subjects were found to be juveniles ranging in age from 16 to 17 years of age. During the detention Officers found several items of burglary tools and stolen property on the suspects that had been burglarized from vehicles in the area of Cactus Drive, Harrison, Manson, Sunland and Lore Streets. Officers made contact with some of the victims. Clovis Police Detectives were dispatched to the scene of the auto burglaries to investigate and interview the suspects. The burglary suspects were targeting unlocked vehicles for their thefts.
Every Christmas Holiday Season there are several reported vehicle and home burglaries in which the victim’s property was targeted as a crime of opportunity. Doors to vehicles and homes had been left unlocked by the victims and the burglars were looking for such unsecured property as an easy opportunity to steal. Please remember to secure valuable items and not leave them in your car overnight or when going shopping, as these items are the target of opportunity for these thieves. Secure valuable items in the trunk or covered area in your vehicle out of sight of prying eyes.
Would be burglars and thieves are looking for an easy theft; you should be on the look out for them! The Clovis Police Department would like to remind people to please report suspicious activity that you see in the community and in your neighborhood this holiday season. Don’t deny the problem. Attack it! Contact the Clovis Police Department at (575) 769-1921 or in case of an emergency dial 911.
If you want help in creating a Neighborhood Watch Program in your community or information about the Code Blue Clovis Program, please contact the Clovis Police Department Community Relations Officer Josh Parkin at (575) 763-9427.