Crime

4 Bay Area men arrested in SLO after officer spots burglary tools, gun in car, police say

A San Luis Obispo Police Department officer allegedly found these burglary tools during a vehicle traffic stop on Friday, Oct. 28, 2022.
A San Luis Obispo Police Department officer allegedly found these burglary tools during a vehicle traffic stop on Friday, Oct. 28, 2022. San Luis Obispo Police Department

The San Luis Obispo Police Department arrested four Bay Area men early Friday morning after finding burglary tools and a loaded gun in their vehicle

A SLO police officer conducted a traffic stop at approximately 3:50 a.m. Friday near Phillips Lane and Grove Street on “a vehicle for having no front license plate,” police said in the release.

“When the officer contacted the driver and passengers, he was able to see in plain view burglary tools and equipment used to remove and steal catalytic converters,” the release said. “While conducting a search of the vehicle, the officer also located a loaded 9mm handgun.”

Police arrested the driver of the vehicle — Kevin Carranza-Mendieta, 24, of Oakland — along with his passengers, Oakland residents Mario Cruz-Calix, 26, and Cesar Adalberto, 25, and San Bruno resident Daniel Zapata-Bueso, 19, the release said.

Cruz-Calix was arrested on suspicion of possession of burglary tools, possession of a loaded firearm within a vehicle and possession of a concealed firearm in a public place, as well as two felony warrants for narcotics charges.

Adalberto, Carranza-Mendieta and Zapata-Bueso were each arrested on suspicion of possession of burglary tools.

None of the four men were listed in San Luis Obispo County Jail custody as of Friday evening.

This story was originally published October 28, 2022 at 5:03 PM.

Joan Lynch
The Tribune
Joan Lynch is a housing reporter at the San Luis Obispo Tribune. Originally from Kenosha, Wisconsin, Joan studied journalism and telecommunications at Ball State University, graduating in 2022.
Get unlimited digital access
#ReadLocal

Try 1 month for $1

CLAIM OFFER