Suspected Auto Burglar Caught

After a rash of auto burglaries in Isla Vista, the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Department announced the March 5 arrest of the suspected burglar today. Found peering into a parked car with a flashlight, according to Sheriff’s deputies on bicycle patrol on the 800 block of Camino Pescadero, Ezequiel Altamirano was found to have a stolen cellular phone in his possession. Further investigation revealed that Altamirano had at his home stolen electronic equipment, and after more questioning, detectives linked him to 21 auto burglaries in the area that were under investigation. The value of the stolen goods was reported to be about $6,000. Charged with auto burglary and possession of stolen property, Altamirano is currently being held at the Santa Barbara County Jail. The Sheriff’s Department also reported an immigration detainer, and the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency is conducting an investigation.