Two Arrested in Attempted Auto Theft

A midnight call from a concerned citizen to the Benicia Police Department thwarted a car theft and resulted in the arrest of two suspects early Tuesday.

"Once again, a citizen provided the call that helped the police stop another crime in progress," Benicia police Lt. Mike Daley said.  

 Benicia Police received a report early Tuesday that  two people were trying to break into a car on the 100 block of Carlisle Way.  Officers responding to the call  spotted one suspect around the corner on the 100 block of Banbury Way. 

Police say Adam Evans, 27, of El Sobrante, was near a 1990 Acura Integra that had been reported stolen from Hilltop Mall in Richmond on Sunday. They found Evans was on parole for auto theft and was wanted as a parolee at large.  He was arrested without incident.  

Police say the second suspect, Jason Vigil, 30, a transient from Contra Costa County, was sitting in the driver's seat of a Chevrolet parked in the driveway of a Carlisle Way home.  The vehicle belonged to the Carlisle Way resident.  Vigil was arrested at the scene.  

"We believe the suspects drove to Benicia in the stolen car from Richmond to steal another car. Neither suspect provided a statement as to why they were in Benicia," Daley said. "As with many other crimes involving thefts or burglaries, out-of-town criminals target our city."   

"We're fortunate to have citizens who are willing to call us when they see something suspicious," he continued.   "The dispatchers who took the call and the officers who responded did an excellent job catching these two suspects."  

Both suspects were booked into the Solano County Jail in Fairfield.  Vigil was booked on charges of vehicle theft, attempting vehicle theft, conspiracy to commit a felony, possession of a burglary tool used to steal vehicles (a shaved key to use in the ignition) and possession of methamphetamine. 

Evans was booked on an outstanding warrant for being a wanted parolee and on charges of vehicle theft and conspiracy to commit a felony.