On May 7, 2013 at approximately 10:37 p.m., Officer Todd Pricolo responded to the area of 7th and C Street after the Department received a report that a stolen truck was observed parked in the area.
When the Officer arrived, he located a Dodge Ram Truck leaving the area. As the truck passed the Officer he observed a male in the driver seat who was later identified as 48-year-old Martin Garibaldi of Los Banos. The Officer attempted to stop the truck however Garibaldi abandoned the vehicle while it was in motion causing it to collide into a mobile home. A records check showed the truck had been reported stolen from the 500 Block of I Street on May 6, 2013
Garibaldi was found minutes later by Sergeant Zina Holden hiding in a nearby field. During a search, Garibaldi was found to be in possession of a methamphetamine smoking pipe and on active Merced County Probation. Garibaldi was placed under arrest for possession of stolen property, vehicle theft, possession of drug paraphernalia, and for violation of his Merced County Probation conditions. Garibaldi is currently in custody at the John Latorraca Correctional Facility being held without bail. No injuries were reported during the collision.
“There have been a number of stolen vehicles recovered in Los Banos over the last week and we are investigating whether those cases are related to Garibaldi.”
-Ray Reyna, Police Commander
To leave an anonymous crime tip call 209-827-7070 Ext. 288. If you have access to a computer and the internet you can also leave an anonymous tip at the Police Department’s web page at www.losbanos.org. At the bottom of the “Contact” page simply click on the “report graffiti and other crime” link or visit the Merced Area Crime Stoppers by telephone at 1-855-725-2420, or at www.mercedareacrimestoppers.org
