Brentwood Police Nab Man With Plenty of Vehicle Keys

The Brentwood Police Department announced the arrest of an Antioch men who was driving a vehicle without a rear license plate.

According to police, on Sunday around 4:00 pm, a Brentwood officer was patrolling the area of Lone Tree Way and Canada Valley Road, when he saw a car without a rear license plate. The officer did a traffic stop and contacted the driver, identified as 35 year-old Robert Garcia of Antioch.

Garcia told the officer he did not have a driver’s license and he was also on felony probation for vehicle theft.

After searching Garcia’s car, the officer found several sets of keys belonging to different makes of cars, along with shaved keys, numerous tools, blades, cutting instruments, a car jack, a flipper device (which can be used to hack digital devices) and other tools.

Garcia was placed under arrest for being in possession of burglary tools, probation violation, as well as bringing drugs into the County jail.

Vehicle Theft Data from Around Contra Costa County (see full story)

• 499 – City of Antioch
• 395 – City of Richmond
• 235 – City of Concord
• 199 – City of Pittsburg
• 112– City of San Pablo
• 54 – City of Brentwood
• 49 – City of El Cerrito
• 42 – City of Oakley
• 41 – City of Martinez
• 34 – City of Pleasant Hill
• 27 – City of Walnut Creek
• 21 – City of Pinole

Vehicle Thefts reported between Jan 1 – April 30, 2024.

The California Highway Patrol has these tips to help you avoid thefts:

Always:

• Always lock your vehicle.
• Always utilize anti-theft devices.
• Always park your vehicle in a well-lighted area at night.
• Always make sure you receive an ownership certificate when purchasing a used vehicle.

Never:

• Never leave your keys in your vehicle.
• Never hide a spare ignition key on the vehicle.

More theft protection tips:

• Install an audible alarm system.
• When possible, park your vehicle in a secure garage.
• Beware of your surroundings prior to leaving your vehicle.
• Access the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System at vehiclehistory.gov or through a third party like CarFax to check a car’s VIN before you purchase it. Learn more about NMVTIS with these videos in English and Spanish.