Vehicle theft and driving under the influence were among the cases investigated over the past week by sheriff’s deputies on patrol for Riverbank.
On Monday, Dec. 20 at 4:20 p.m., deputies conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle with expired registration in the 3100 block of Orange Avenue. The vehicle was reported stolen the day prior and there was stolen property located inside the vehicle. Ariel Aguilar-Fathi, 26, was arrested for vehicle theft, possession of stolen property and burglary and transported to the Public Safety Center.
Monday at 9:32 p.m., deputies conducted a traffic stop for vehicle code violations near the intersection of Santa Fe Street and Seventh Street. Deputies conducted a DUI investigation and the driver, a 45-year-old man, was arrested for DUI and transported to the Public Safety Center.
On Wednesday, Dec. 22 at 12:12 a.m., deputies were dispatched to the 3700 block of Iowa for a family disturbance. After they conducted their investigation a 31-year-old woman was transported to the Public Safety Center for public intoxication.
Deputies responded to the report of six males fighting inside the Ulta store at 4:40 p.m. on Dec. 22. A group of three males began talking to another group of three males inside the store. A fight ensued and the responsible got into a grey truck and fled the area prior to deputy’s arrival. The case is open pending identity of the suspect. No one was injured and the other party was uncooperative. The incident is believed to be gang related.
At 5 p.m. Wednesday, deputies responded to the report of stolen packages from the 3000 block of Clydesdale Lane. The victim’s home surveillance showed the theft and a potential suspect.
On Thursday, Dec. 23 at 3 a.m., deputies responded to a family fight in the 6000 block of Claus Road. Julian Martinez, 25, was contacted and found to have a felony no bail warrant. Martinez was also found to be in possession of fentanyl pills, Xanax bars and cocaine. He was booked in county jail.
At 11:45 a.m. Thursday, deputies responded to the report of a theft that occurred at the Arco mini mart. The suspect walked behind the counter and stole a box of cigarettes. The man got into a black Chevrolet Impala and fled south on Oakdale Road. The box contained approximately $2,700 worth of cigarettes.
Deputies responded to the report of a residential burglary in the 3000 block of Stanislaus Street at 11:30 p.m. Thursday. The victim reported he left his home for 15 minutes and returned to find it ransacked.
At 11:55 p.m., deputies responded to a commercial burglary alarm at the Riverbank city yard. Deputies found an SUV parked out front. A 10-mile pursuit ensued, which was ultimately canceled due to safety concerns. The fence was found to have been cut and a vehicle’s ignition was drilled. The investigation is still ongoing.
Back-to-back petty thefts were reported on Friday, Dec. 24. The first, at 11 a.m., occurred at Home Depot and the second was at Ulta at 12:30 p.m.; two different suspect vehicles were involved in the thefts.
An arrest was made at 5:45 p.m. on Dec. 24 when deputies responded to the report of a theft at the Target. Stephanie Tooker, 31, was found in the parking lot after stealing $2,000 worth of merchandise from the store. Tooker was found to have a felony warrant from Riverbank for a prior grand theft from Target, a grand theft warrant from Merced Sheriff and on probation for grand theft. She was arrested on the above charges.
On Sunday, Dec. 26 at 3:51 p.m., deputies located an occupied stolen vehicle parked near Fourth and Stanislaus streets. Deputies arrested Denis Ornelas, 36, for possession of a stolen vehicle.
