Four juveniles have been arrested in connection with a brazen crime spree involving 77 burglaries of homes and vehicles across the Bay Area, authorities reported. The suspects are accused of stealing power tools, firearms, and multiple vehicles, which were then allegedly used to facilitate further criminal activity.
The group is blamed for 37 burglaries in Concord and approximately 40 more in other cities throughout Contra Costa and Solano counties. Their alleged method involved stealing vehicles in the early morning hours, acquiring garage door openers, and using them to gain access to residential garages for additional loot.
During one incident, the suspects allegedly stole 14 firearms from a residential garage. Surveillance footage from May captured armed suspects pointing a weapon at the door between a garage and a home, apparently in anticipation of someone emerging. Law enforcement officers attempted to stop suspect vehicles on multiple occasions, but the vehicles fled at high speeds, forcing officers to abandon pursuits due to public safety concerns. In another instance in June, a suspect vehicle crashed while fleeing police, and the occupants fled on foot but evaded capture. A firearm was recovered from this incident.
The break in the case came when Concord detectives, in collaboration with Richmond police, identified the four juveniles. One of the suspects was already in juvenile hall for an unrelated case. In July, a coordinated sweep involving Concord SWAT teams, officers from Antioch and Pittsburg, Central County SWAT, and the U.S. Marshals Service led to the arrest of three suspects. Searches of their residences yielded two guns stolen during Concord burglaries, and a third stolen firearm had previously been recovered by Richmond police.
The juveniles face charges filed by the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office. Their names have been withheld due to their minor status.
Investigators also identified Wuillian Cordova-Cubias, 37, of Oakland, as a person allegedly involved in receiving stolen goods from the suspects. Police stated that Cordova-Cubias repeatedly purchased tools from the juveniles, often shortly after burglaries occurred. A raid on his Oakland home reportedly uncovered a significant quantity of power tools, a stolen ATV, a stolen forklift, an unregistered firearm, and other valuable property estimated to be worth around $250,000. IMAGE1
Cordova-Cubias was charged on Friday with receiving stolen property, receiving a stolen motor vehicle, conspiracy to commit a crime, and being a prohibited person in possession of a firearm. He was booked into Concord police jail and is currently held at the Martinez Detention Facility.