Brothers Suspected of Stealing Truck, Tools in Murrieta

Investigators Friday sought to identify possible victims of two brothers suspected of stealing a pickup truck and various landscaping tools in Murrieta and the surrounding area.

Luis Valladares, 23, and Uriel Matthew Valladares, 21, both of Riverside, were arrested on suspicion of grand theft, receiving stolen property and other felony and misdemeanor allegations stemming from an investigation that began Tuesday morning.

According to Murrieta police Lt. Tony Conrad, the suspects attracted the attention of a detective in the 24000 block of Ridgewood Drive. Conrad said the investigator, who was in an unmarked vehicle, observed a black Ford pickup truck being driven slowly through a residential area. The driver pulled in and out of driveways, as if casing houses, police reported.

The detective called for backup and tried to stop the pickup driver -- later identified as Uriel Valladares -- who allegedly sped away from the lawman, according to Conrad.

He said the pursuit ended moments later at Hancock Avenue and Leafwood Drive, where the suspects surrendered.

The pickup was confirmed stolen from a residence on Candy Apple Way, Conrad said, adding that a number of landscaping tools were found in the bed of the truck that the owner did not claim and are presumed stolen.

The Valladares brothers were booked into the Southwest Detention Center, but each posted $15,000 bail and was released from custody Thursday.

Police are asking any person or company that has had landscaping equipment stolen in the last week to contact Detective Steve Whiddon at (951) 461-6393.

– City News Service.