Deputies arrest grand theft suspects after equipment stolen from athletic club
Two people have been arrested on suspicion of grand theft after allegedly stealing equipment from an athletic club in Mendocino County.
Deputies responded to Ukiah Valley Athletic Club just after 9 AM on May 26 to investigate a reported theft. Two individuals had reportedly entered the club in the wee hours of the morning and stolen a large industrial pool heater and a large roll of industrial rubber flooring, all of which was captured on video surveillance and later shared to social media.
Just after 7:30 PM the next day, May 27, deputies received an anonymous tip that a vehicle potentially involved in the theft was currently parked on the 2500 block of Old River Road in Talmage.
Deputies responded and confirmed that it was the suspect vehicle, evidenced all the more by the apparent presence of the two stolen items in the vehicle’s rear. Despite speaking to neighbors in the area, they were unable to locate the vehicle’s owner.
After having the vehicle towed to preserve the potential evidence, deputies secured a search warrant and were later able to verify that the two items were the same ones stolen from the club.
Receipts found in the vehicle led deputies to businesses around the Ukiah area, from which they obtained surveillance footage and were able to trace the suspects to an address on the 200 block of Ford Street.
There they located and arrested the suspects — Jesus Malfavon Sandoval (39) and Luis Magana-Alvarez (21) — on suspicion of grand theft and conspiracy.
Per the state’s COVID-19 $0 bail order, both suspects were later released after booking.
