The sheriff's office has arrested a second suspect in the Christmas for Everyone burglary case, it was announced Monday.
Contra Costa Sheriff's Office spokesman Jimmy Lee said that 55-year-old Frank Mireles was arrested Saturday evening in his Morello Avenue home after being served with a search warrant. A warrant was also served on a storage unit on Howe Road. More than half the property stolen in February from the Martinez warehouse has been recovered now, Lee said. Mireles was arrested on suspicion of burglary, possession of stolen property and felony vandalism.
The property was positively identified by Christmas for Everyone founder Mary Perez of Martinez, and returned to her. Christmas for Everyone is a charity that organizes Christmas gifts for needy families, and stages a huge Christmas dinner for the community at the New Hope International Church on Olivera Court, Concord.
On Feb. 25, Perez reported that the warehouse on the 1800 block of Shell Avenue in unincorporated Martinez was broken into. Numerous items, gifts and equipment were stolen. It is unknown exactly when the burglary occurred.
On Friday, deputies arrested 38-year-old Jason Crites of Martinez for suspicion of burglary and felony vandalism, at his home on the 4200 block of Via De Flores in Martinez. Detectives recovered more than 30 items that were stolen from the warehouse.
Both suspects were booked into the Martinez Detention Facility. Mireles is being held in lieu of $45,000 bail; Crites’ bail is set at $25,000. Detectives believe they are the only two suspects in the case, Lee said.
The investigation is continuing. Some people may have unknowingly purchased some stolen items at flea markets or other venues. Those items can be returned—no questions asked, Lee noted. Please call (925) 313-2662 to make arrangements for the return of the property.
