Concord police say a months-long investigation has linked four juveniles to nearly 80 vehicle and residential burglaries across the Bay Area. The alleged spree involved stolen firearms, vehicle thefts, police pursuits and the use of stolen garage door openers to enter attached garages. Investigators also identified an alleged fencing operation in Oakland that held about $250,000 in suspected stolen property. Three juveniles were arrested in July, while a fourth was already in juvenile hall in an unrelated case.
Authorities later arrested Wuillian Cordova-Cubias, 37, after searching his Oakland residence and finding hundreds of suspected stolen power tools and other high-value items. The juvenile suspects’ identities have not been released under California law.
| 1) | Investigation connected juveniles to a regional burglary spree |
| 2) | Burglars allegedly targeted vehicles, garages and firearms |
| 3) | Police pursuits and recovered weapons shaped the case |
| 4) | Search warrants led to arrests and evidence recovery |
| 5) | Oakland search revealed alleged fencing operation |
Investigation connected juveniles to a regional burglary spree
Concord detectives, working with the Richmond Police Department, identified four juveniles in late June as suspected participants in a burglary series that extended across Contra Costa and Solano counties. Police linked the group to 37 vehicle and residential burglaries in Concord and approximately 40 additional break-ins elsewhere in the two counties.
The investigation lasted several months and relied in part on surveillance footage showing suspects operating during early morning hours. Police said the juveniles also stole multiple vehicles, which were allegedly used in further crimes. The regional scope of the activity prompted cooperation among local agencies and later led to coordinated arrest and search warrants.
Burglars allegedly targeted vehicles, garages and firearms
According to investigators, the suspects first targeted parked vehicles, taking garage door openers and other property. They allegedly used the openers to enter attached residential garages, where they stole power tools, firearms and additional valuables.
Surveillance footage captured one particularly serious incident in which a suspect allegedly pointed a firearm toward the interior door between a garage and a home, apparently waiting for someone inside to emerge. In another burglary, investigators said 14 firearms were taken from one residential garage. The incidents raised concerns because residents could have confronted armed suspects inside or near their homes.
Police pursuits and recovered weapons shaped the case
The suspects allegedly escaped officers several times during the investigation. In May, an officer attempted to stop a vehicle believed to be connected to the burglaries, but the driver allegedly fled. Police began a pursuit and later ended it because of public safety concerns.
In June, officers located another suspect vehicle during a series of burglaries, but the occupants again escaped. Later that month, juveniles allegedly fled a burglary, crashed a vehicle and ran from the scene. They were not immediately captured, although officers recovered a firearm. A separate investigation by Richmond police later led to the recovery of another firearm reportedly stolen during the burglary series.
Search warrants led to arrests and evidence recovery
One of the four juveniles was already being held in juvenile hall on an unrelated matter when investigators obtained arrest and search warrants for the other three. In July, the Concord Police Department SWAT Team carried out simultaneous warrants with assistance from Antioch and Pittsburg police, Central County SWAT and the U.S. Marshals Service.
All three outstanding juvenile suspects were arrested. Searches of their residences recovered two firearms that police said had been stolen in the burglaries. The complaints filed against the three juveniles are being handled under California’s juvenile justice system, and authorities have not publicly identified them.
Oakland search revealed alleged fencing operation
As detectives traced the stolen property, they identified Wuillian Cordova-Cubias as an alleged buyer who purchased power tools from the juveniles, sometimes soon after the reported burglaries. On Aug. 5, Concord and Oakland officers, along with federal marshals, searched his Oakland home.
Police said the search uncovered at least 500 suspected stolen power tools, a stolen all-terrain vehicle, a stolen forklift, an unregistered firearm and other high-value items. Authorities estimated the property was worth about $250,000. The Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office charged Cordova-Cubias with receiving stolen property, two counts of receiving stolen motor vehicles, unlawful firearm activity and conspiracy with juvenile co-conspirators. Sentencing enhancements were also filed.
“As organized theft offenses have increased, my office has responded by building an effective Organized Theft Unit that works closely with law enforcement to file strong cases we believe we can prove beyond a reasonable doubt in court,” Diana Becton, the Contra Costa County district attorney, said in a statement.
| Number | Key Point |
|---|---|
| 1 | Four juveniles were linked to nearly 80 burglaries in Contra Costa and Solano counties. |
| 2 | The alleged suspects targeted vehicles, garages, firearms and power tools. |
| 3 | A search of an Oakland home recovered about $250,000 in suspected stolen property. |
| 4 | Cordova-Cubias faces charges related to stolen property, vehicles, firearms and conspiracy. |
Summary
The investigation combined surveillance, regional police coordination and search warrants to identify an alleged juvenile burglary crew and a suspected buyer of stolen goods. The case remains pending, with the juveniles facing juvenile complaints and Cordova-Cubias in custody at the Martinez Detention Facility awaiting arraignment in Contra Costa County Superior Court.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many burglaries were linked to the juveniles?
Police linked the four juveniles to 37 vehicle and residential burglaries in Concord and approximately 40 more in Contra Costa and Solano counties.
What property was recovered?
Investigators reported recovering firearms, at least 500 suspected stolen power tools, a stolen ATV, a stolen forklift, an unregistered firearm and other high-value items.
Who is facing charges in the alleged fencing operation?
Wuillian Cordova-Cubias faces charges including receiving stolen property, receiving stolen motor vehicles, unlawful firearm activity and conspiracy with juvenile co-conspirators.
When were the arrests made?
Three outstanding juvenile suspects were arrested during coordinated warrant operations in July. A fourth suspect was already in juvenile hall in an unrelated case.
