1 arrested in spate of burglaries in San Juan Bautista

San Benito County sheriff’s deputies are investigating a spate of commercial burglaries in San Juan Bautista – including five on Thursday.

On Sept. 4, two burglaries and two attempted burglaries were reported. On Thursday, Sept. 11, five commercial buildings on Third Street were burglarized in the early morning hours. A sixth burglary was attempted on the same street. Deputies were able to obtain video evidence as well as fingerprints, Capt. Eric Taylor said.

While deputies were canvassing in the area of San Juan Bautista early Friday morning, a commercial burglary was reported on Fairview Road. Deputies obtained video evidence that showed a suspect they believed to be the same person from the night prior.

While investigating this burglary, deputies were alerted to yet another commercial burglary in the 200 block of Third Street. There they encountered a male subject walking alone, wearing the clothing from the surveillance videos.

As they attempted to contact him, he fled on foot and was not located after an extensive search with the aid of the Sheriff’s K-9 and CHP officers. Deputies worked through the night and located the suspect’s vehicle in the area of the burglary, with items inside that had been stolen from the business on Fairview Road.

Deputies searched the home of Manuel Pacheco, 23, Friday and found items stolen from the previous night’s burglaries. He was taken into custody and booked into San Benito County Jail.

The investigation is continuing, Taylor said.