Cellphone Pings Foil Pleasanton Burglary Suspects

BERKELEY, CA — A pinging cellphone helped lead authorities to two suspects arrested in connection with a vehicle theft and a shopping mall burglary, the Berkeley Police Department said.

Two men, identified as a 19-year-old from Berkeley and a 25-year-old from Pittsburg, were arrested Saturday on suspicion of vehicle theft and possession of stolen property according to police.

The vehicle theft occurred Saturday at around 5:30 p.m. according to police.

The vehicle’s owner was playing basketball at Grove Park when his keys and other personal belongings he’d left on the ground nearby were stolen according to police.

He shortly thereafter discovered his SUV was gone, police said.

A cellphone hidden underneath some clothing inside the vehicle unbeknownst to the thieves pinged the SUV at Stoneridge Shopping Center near Macy’s according to police.

Officers contacted Pleasanton police, who determined the stolen SUV was involved in a Macy’s burglary, authorities said.

Officers tracked the SUV to the 2200 block of 35th Avenue in Oakland, where they found the vehicle parked near a local market, police said.

Photos of the suspects provided by Pleasanton authorities helped officers locate the suspects inside the store, police said.

Officers during a search of the vehicle found the man’s stolen belongings as well as the items the Pleasanton Macy’s burglary.

Police said this case follows a pattern they’ve noticed since early May in the area of Grove Park described as crimes of opportunity in which thieves lift car keys from victims who set their personal items down while engaging in recreational activities.

Residents are encouraged to keep their personal belongings with them or leaving them with a trusted person and are advised to keep vehicle keys on a lanyard or long keychain that can be worn on their person according to police.