An early-morning tip-off called in to the Chapala Police Department led to the November 16 capture of a local man suspected of operating with a gang linked to a recent string of business burglaries.
The 25-year-old individual, identified under new justice system guidelines as Roberto “N,” was detained around 6 a.m. during a break-in at a stationery supply store on Avenida Pepe Guizar in Las Redes, according to information supplied to the Guadalajara Reporter by Police Commander Adán Domínguez. He said the suspect was caught with stolen goods in his possession and later admitted to being involved in five other burglaries of local commercial enterprises.
The police chief said it was the third time thieves had struck at the same place. A number of other businesses in the immediate vicinity and in central Chapala have reported burglaries consistent with a similar modus operandi detected by police.
Case investigations combined with review of available surveillance camera images indicate a pattern of how break-ins have been perpetrated under cover of darkness. The burglars apparently make a first run to their targets to snap off padlocks holding down security curtains, returning later for quick entry to the premises. 
With this week’s bust, Dominguez says he now has strong leads on identifying and locating the detainee’s presumed accomplices.
Local crime statistics show that business burglary complaints have spiked this year, with 47 cases reported between January and August, compared to 22 for the same period in 2015. Rates for auto theft and vehicle break-ins have also increased significantly since January, while home burglaries complaints have dipped 15 percent.
Police patrol efficacy is being beefed up with the city government’s acquisition of four new motorcycles and two ATVs last week. Dominguez is awaiting the purchase of an equal number of these vehicles within the next couple of months.