Full Notification

NEWS RELEASE
Release Date: December 9, 2013
Modesto Police Department
Media Relations Unit
Office of the Chief of Police
600 10th Street, Modesto, CA 95354
Author: Heather Graves

Modesto, CA- Four suspects were arrested after burglarizing a residence in the 2600 Block of El Greco Drive.

On Sunday, December 8, 2013 at about 2:30 PM, an 83-year-old victim called dispatch saying four males left his residence after taking some of his belongings. The victim said he heard a knock at his front door. When he answered, a subject claimed he was a repairman and asked about his heater, leading the victim outside toward the meter panel. The victim reentered his residence and found three subjects inside his bedroom. When the victim confronted the subjects, they immediately left the residence, got into a pickup and fled the area.

The victim called 911 and provided dispatch with descriptions of the vehicle and suspects. Officers coming into the area located a vehicle matching the description near the intersection of Yosemite Ave and Riverside Dr. The four suspects occupying the vehicle were positively identified as the ones inside the victim’s residence.

Senior citizens are often a target for scam artists. For various reasons many of these crimes go unreported. It is important to know how to protect yourself and your family from becoming a victim. Takes these steps to lessen your chances:
• Don’t fall for anything that sounds too good to be true-a free vacation, sweepstakes, prizes, cures for diseases and/or ailments.
• Never give your credit card, social security or bank account number to anyone over the phone.
• Beware of individuals claiming to represent companies wanting access to your residence. Remember that service repairman should come out ONLY when you call for them. If you do call for them, ask for identification and verify they work for the company you have called.
• Never let anyone into your residence that you do not know.

Sunny Gomez, 18-years-old of Fresno, Tommy Costello, 34-years-old of Fresno, Adam Davis, 26-years-old of Fresno and George Sterio, 54-years-old of Fresno were booked into the Stanislaus County Jail for burglary and elder abuse.

If you have any information regarding this incident please call Crime Stoppers at (209) 521-4636. Callers to Crime Stoppers can remain anonymous and may be eligible for a cash reward. Tipsters can also text information to Crime Stoppers by sending a text message to 274637. Just type “TIP704” along with your message.

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