COALINGA - This week the Coalinga Police Department deployed for the first time its new electric Zero Motorcycle which immediately produced results. The bike was deployed to the Warthan Creek bed near Sacramento Avenue. Using its unique silent power source, he was able to approach an area known for homeless encampments undetected and located a stolen vehicle that was taken in a burglary on January 3rd in the 300 block of South Louisiana Street.

Further investigation led officers back into the Warthan Creek area on January 9th. A homeless encampment was located and inside that encampment, officers were able to identify a quantity of stolen property that have been connected to several recent burglaries in the City of Coalinga including the one on January 3rd.

Also, during this investigation, officers arrested Jaime Castaneda (44) on a variety of charges that included burglary, possession of stolen property, and possession of a controlled substance. Castaneda was booked into the Coalinga City Jail and was transported to the Fresno County Jail.

Several items of property that was taken in this incident was identified by their owners and returned. The department is still investigating to see if the rest of the property seized has any connection to other burglaries in the City.

The Zero Motorcycle was acquired by the police department in 2018 and paid for with a San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control Agency public benefit grant.

The Police Department encourages residents to call when they see something suspicious. Anyone who has information on this or other criminal please contact the Police Department at 935-1525