Smash-and-grab 'Odyssey burglary crew' suspects arrested in San Jose

SAN JOSE -- Police arrested three men in a series of burglaries targeting San Jose businesses with the suspects dubbed the "Odyssey burglary crew" for their use of Honda Odyssey minivans during the smash-and-grab break-ins.

San Jose police said the crew was responsible for several commercial burglaries from March through October, breaking into closed businesses during late night or early morning hours and stealing merchandise, cash registers, and/or ATM machines. The burglars would enter the business by busting through doors or windows using blunt objects, crowbars, or by crashing through the entrance with a stolen Odyssey minivan, police said.

"Specifically, these subjects would use tools, blunt instruments and anything else they could get their hands on, including stolen vehicles to smash their way into businesses, loot the business of any electronic devices, money or anything else of value," San Jose Police Sgt. Steven Aponte said at a briefing on Monday.  

Following local news reports showing surveillance video of the suspect vehicle, investigators found the vehicle which had been abandoned and burned. Police said the crew continued to burglarize local businesses, using another Odyssey minivan.

Investigators identified three suspects and on November 9, secured three arrest warrants along with search warrants for multiple residences and vehicles. Undercover officers arrested two suspects and seized evidence of the crimes, police said. Officers arrested the third suspect on November 22 and seized additional evidence from residences and vehicles.

The suspects were identified as San Jose residents Marcelino Bejarano, 25; Ricky Bejarano, 23; and Santiago, 25.

Police urged anyone with information about the investigation to contact the San José Police Department Financial Crimes Unit at 408-277-4521.