Yesterday, Oakley police apprehended two men linked to a suspected vehicle theft attempt in a residential area. According to the Oakley Police Department's Facebook page, a resident alerted officers about suspicious activity near Ponderosa Drive and Ponderosa Way around 12:30 AM. The individuals, later identified as Arthur Rico, 18, from San Leandro, and Abraham Mendoza, 18, from Hayward, were attired in ski masks, bulky clothing, and construction gloves.
The investigation by Officers Hurtado and Wade led to the discovery that Rico and Mendoza were reportedly possessing a car key chip programmer and a backpack filled with potential burglary tools, including a window punch. While prowling, they purportedly attempted to reprogram a key to an Infiniti, which was found with mismatched Nissan plates and confirmed as stolen from Martinez. While committing the alleged crime, the officers stopped and detained both men.
The two suspects have been charged with possession of a stolen vehicle, possession of burglary tools, and conspiracy. As cited on the department's social media, Rico and Mendoza were booked into custody following their arrest.
