Auto Theft Investigation Results in Two Arrests, Recovery of Stolen Vehicles

On July 23, Berkeley Police officers arrested two suspects in connection with a criminal operation involving stolen vehicles that were stripped for parts.

While investigating an auto theft case in which several vehicles were stolen in a single night, Berkeley officers developed an investigative lead that brought them to an area along the railroad tracks in East Oakland, between 50th Avenue and 66th Avenue. There, officers located four Hondas that had recently been stolen from Berkeley. Each vehicle had been stripped of parts, with the engines removed and staged for pickup.

Officers established surveillance of the location and, the following morning, observed several suspects loading the stolen engines into a pickup truck.

Members of the Alameda County Regional Auto Theft Task Force (ACRATT) continued surveillance of the suspects, leading investigators to a second location in East Oakland.

With assistance from the Oakland Police Department, officers arrested two suspects: Jesus Rodriguez, 47, and Manuel Tapia, 43, both of whom are listed as unhoused. They were arrested on suspicion of possession of stolen property (Penal Code 496), dismantling or tampering with a vehicle (Vehicle Code 10852), and operating a chop shop (Vehicle Code 10801). Rodriguez was also arrested on an outstanding warrant for robbery and assault with a deadly weapon.

During the investigation, detectives discovered more than 50 vehicles that had been stripped for parts, along with several vehicles that had been completely burned.

Model years 2024 - 2026 Honda Accords and Honda Civics are the most frequently stolen vehicles in the City of Berkeley. During this investigation alone, Berkeley officers identified approximately 25 stolen Honda sedans that had been stolen from Berkeley over the previous several weeks.

Technology played a critical role in this investigation. Automated License Plate Readers (ALPRs), along with other investigative tools, were instrumental in helping officers identify leads and locate stolen vehicles. This case also demonstrates the value of strong partnerships and coordinated efforts among allied law enforcement agencies.

We extend our sincere thanks to the Oakland Police Department, the Alameda County Regional Auto Theft Task Force, the California Highway Patrol, and the Union Pacific Police Department for their collaboration and assistance throughout this investigation.

The investigation remains ongoing as detectives work to identify additional suspects connected to this operation.

To help reduce the risk of vehicle theft, we encourage community members to take preventive measures, including:

• Use a steering wheel lock.
• Park in a well-lit area or secured garage whenever possible.
• Consider installing an On-Board Diagnostics (OBD) port lock. OBD port locks prevent thieves from accessing a vehicle's diagnostic port, which can be used to program new keys and steal keyless-start vehicles in a matter of minutes.