Three people, two of them siblings, are behind bars and accused of a robbery spree in South San Jose.
Police arrested Shalita Bolden, 20, Albert Charles Bolden, 19, and Lamarcus Lee White, 22, on several charges in connection to a rash of robberies Willow Glen and Santa Teresa neighborhoods from early January through May. The trio is suspected in as many as 30 residential burglaries in the city.
Witnesses to the break-ins, which primarily targeted unoccupied homes, gave investigators consistent descriptions of three suspects and one vehicle, a silver older-model American four-door sedan, according to San Jose police.
A tip lead police to a burglary in progress near Lincoln and Broadway avenues May 4, where they saw three suspects inside a silver sedan were driving through the area. Officers tracked the car and found it parked in front of a home not far from the reported burglary. They knocked on the door of the home and Shalita Bolden answered. Stolen property was recovered during a search of the vehicle and home, and Bolden was arrested for buying or receiving stolen property.
Investigators eventually identified her brother, Charles Bolden, as another suspect. He and White were arrested May 25 after they were allegedly seen climbing over a fence at a home on Amby Drive. Investigators collected evidence that linked the two men as many as 30 burglaries, including a May 24 break-in when several firearms were stolen from a residence. The guns were recovered by police after the suspects were arrested.
Shalita Bolten has been charged with four counts of buying or receiving stolen property. Her brother Charles was charged with 10 counts of burglary, one count of possession of a controlled substance and one count of marijuana possession.
White has so far been charged with two counts of burglary.
Police say the suspects got into the homes though unlocked doors and windows. The heat is upon us and many people are leaving their homes open for some fresh air but police say that’s just the kind of open invitation criminals are awaiting. Cops urge homeowners to use common sense and lock up before they leave. They also suggest joining or forming Neighborhood Watch programs and keeping in close contact with neighbors as a way to fight back against opportunistic thieves.
Bay City News contributed to this report.
