2 Suspects In Lamorinda Car Burglaries Arrested After Chase, Wrong-Way Ramp Escape

LAMORINDA, CA — Police arrested two men after an Acura linked to auto burglaries fled a Lafayette officer and drove the wrong way on a Highway 24 onramp.

The arrests on Oct. 13 followed a reported auto burglary at about 11:15 a.m. in Orinda, where suspects in an Acura RDX are believed to have stolen tools from a work truck.

Police linked the Acura to auto burglaries in Lafayette, Orinda, and the Alamo area over the preceding weeks.

At about 11:45 a.m., a Lafayette officer spotted the Acura in a residential area. The driver fled, and the officer pursued him.

Police ended the chase when the Acura drove westbound on the eastbound Highway 24 onramp at Acalanes Road.

Officers searched the area but did not locate the Acura. Minutes later, Lafayette police received a report of a grand theft involving tools stolen from a construction worker’s vehicle.

A CHP helicopter later located the Acura driving recklessly on Oakland streets. The vehicle parked in front of a home in the 7200 block of Fresno Street, and its occupants entered a property.

Oakland police took both suspects into custody without incident. Officers searched the Acura and recovered stolen property from the Lafayette and Orinda auto burglaries. A search of the property uncovered additional evidence.

Police identified the suspects as Joel Hernandez-Lobatos, 23, and Urubiel Hernandez-Lobatos, 31, both of Oakland. Officers booked both men into the Martinez Detention Facility.

Joel Hernandez-Lobatos was booked on charges of grand theft, conspiracy, possession of stolen property, and drug possession. His bail was set at $30,000.

Urubiel Hernandez-Lobatos was booked on charges of grand theft, conspiracy, felony evading, vehicle theft, possession of stolen property, and possession of drug paraphernalia. His bail was set at $85,000.