Police Log: Two Men Arrested This Week May Be Tied to Many Recent Auto Thefts, Police Say

Alameda police have arrested two men they believe may be responsible for a large number of vehicle thefts in Alameda and other parts of the East Bay, an Alameda Police Department spokesperson said Thursday.

Vincent Maio, 27, a transient, was arrested Wednesday night on suspicion of possessing burglary tools and violating probation, Lt. Jill Ottaviano said. Kevin Stenger, 31, of Oakland was taken into custody Thursday on suspicion of two counts of auto theft, possession of burglary tools and violating probation, she said.

Ottaviano said both men were arrested in connection with an incident Sunday, Nov. 17, after a report of a suspicious man unloading a motorcycle from a van on Roxburg Lane about 3 a.m.

Police found that the motorcycle had been reported stolen and later confirmed that the van was stolen as well. There were also burglary tools inside the van, police said. 

Ottaviano said that investigators expect to "connect the dots" and tie Maio and Stenger to several other recent vehicle thefts in Alameda.

She said APD Detectives Tom Cobb and Craig Vreeland gave up a usual day off on Sunday to begin the investigation.

Ottaviano also credited Officers Rob Stofle and Spencer Mountain with work on the case.

She said Stofle picked up one of the suspects during an unrelated traffic enforcement stop this week and Mountain helped with identification of suspects.

The Alameda County Regulatory Task Force is assisting with the case, Ottaviano said.

She said Harbor Bay Isle private security personnel were also helpful in the investigation, working cooperatively with Alameda police. They included Lt. Javier Silva, Sgt. Roberto De La Torre, and Officers Sigifredo Silva, Don Rich and Oscar Martinez-Prudencio.

Alameda has experienced a wave of vehicle thefts in recent weeks, including nearly 20 thefts and attempted thefts between Nov. 14 and Nov. 17.

Incidents highlighted here were recorded in the Alameda Police Department log Nov. 14-17. Information was supplied by the police and does not indicate any convictions.

THURSDAY, NOV. 14

Auto thefts — Vehicle thefts were reported in the 900 block of Shorepoint Court, the 2500 block of Blanding Avenue, near the corner of Oleander Avenue and Mingo Lane, and the 1700 block of Central Avenue.

Auto burglaries and thefts from vehicles — A catalytic converter was stolen from a vehicle in the 1500 block of Stanton Street. A radio was stolen from an unlocked vehicle on Blanding Avenue.

Attempted burglary — A burglar tried to break into the office and storage container of Diamond Auto Sales, 1801 Park St., by cutting locks, but was unsuccessful.

ID thefts — Someone tried to use another person's information to obtain an unauthorized prescription refill. In a separate incident, someone used a Shoreline Drive resident's credit card information to make various purchases.

Child endangerment — An Alameda woman was arrested on suspicion of child endangerment and public intoxication after reporting her son missing. Police found the child safe and asleep in his bedroom, but the mother was highly intoxicated when officers talked with her outside her residence, police said.

Bike burglary — A 61-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of two burglaries after he entered the backyard of a home on Pearl Street and took a bicycle from an unlocked shed, police said. The man left that bike behind when confronted by the home's resident, but had another stolen bicycle in his possession when contacted by officers, police said.

Theft — Someone stole a purse from a South Shore restaurant while the victim was eating dinner there.

FRIDAY, NOV. 15

Auto thefts — Several vehicle thefts and attempted thefts were reported. The incidents occurred in the 1800 block of Pacific Avenue, the 800 block of Central Avenue, the 500 block of Buena Vista Avenue (unsuccessful attempt, vehicle left by a locked entrance gate), the 1700 block of Shoreline Drive (vehicle later recovered in Alameda), the 1300 block of Third Street (unsuccessful, but items taken from inside the vehicle) and the 2900 block of Marina Drive.

Armed robbery — A robber pointed a gun at a male victim in the 1000 block of Regent Street shortly after 2 p.m. and demanded the victim's belongings. The armed man and an accomplice then began punching the victim and trying to take items from him. The two were scared off by a witness and fled in a vehicle without any of the victim's property, police said.

SATURDAY, NOV. 16

DUI arrest — A 26-year-old woman was arrested on suspicion of driving while intoxicated after a traffic stop in the 3200 block of Thompson Avenue about 1:20 a.m. She is also suspected of providing false information to a police officer and driving without a valid license.

Attempted auto theft — Someone attempted unsuccessfully to steal a vehicle from the 500 block of Buena Vista Avenue.

Don't jaywalk — Police stopped a 45-year-old man who failed to use a crosswalk when he crossed Webster Street and found that he had an outstanding arrest warrant.

Arrest — A 53-year-old man was arrested after he was seen stumbling while walking in the city parking garage on Oak Street about 9:25 p.m. He was taken into custody after fighting with officers, police said. He is suspected of public intoxication, resisting arrest and drug violations.

Possession of a deadly weapon — A 43-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of possessing a weighted, knuckled glove.

SUNDAY, NOV. 17

Auto thefts — Vehicle thefts were reported in the 1500 block of Verdi Street (motorcycle), the 1900 block of Santa Clara Avenue, the 700 block of Lincoln Avenue, the 1300 block of Caroline Street , the 1300 block of Webster Street and the 1800 block of Alameda Avenue.

Suspicious van — A citizen reported a suspicious man unloading a motorcycle from a van on Roxburg Lane about 3 a.m. Police found that the motorcycle had been reported stolen but couldn't immediately confirm whether the van itself was stolen. There were also burglary tools inside the van, police said. The van was towed pending an investigation. (Editor's note: See beginning of this article for a report on arrests in connection with this incident.)

Domestic violence — A 22-year-old man was arrested after he dragged, punched, kicked and choked an ex-girlfriend with whom he was still living, police said.

Possible suicide — An Alameda resident died from what police described as an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Petty theft — A bicycle was stolen from the 1500 block of Morton Street.

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