Pair arrested for string of Little Caesars burglaries

Two men arrested for string of Little Caesars Pizza burglaries in Kern and Tulare counties, the Porterville Police Department reported.

On Feb. 9, a burglary was reported at Little Caesars Pizza, 319 E. Olive Ave., Porterville, where the suspects forced their way into the business and stole the safe. Although the suspects made efforts to conceal their faces, the theft was caught on video surveillance and included their vehicle which had very distinct characteristics.

On Thursday, Feb. 22, the PPD was made aware that three suspects were arrested for a similar burglary in the City of Tulare where three suspects were attempting to break into a Little Caesars and steal the safe. All three were booked into the Tulare County Jail on burglary charges.

Later that same night one of the three suspects, identified as Stephen Hawley, 39, of Bakersfield, posted bail and was released.

Detectives with the Porterville Police Department reviewed video surveillance and conducted further investigation into the suspects arrested, determining two of them were the same suspects in the Porterville Little Caesars burglary. Further investigation also revealed that restaurants in Visalia and Bakersfield had also

fallen victim to the same crime spree.

On Friday, Feb. 23, detectives from the Porterville Police Department, Visalia Police Department and Bakersfield Police Department executed a search warrant in the 800 block of Wayne Drive in Bakersfield. At this residence the vehicle used in both the Visalia and Porterville Little Caesars burglaries was located.

Hawley was contacted at the residence and confessed to his role in both the Visalia and Porterville Little Caesars burglaries.

Additionally, Hawley was also found to be in possession of a small amount of methamphetamine. Hawley was arrested and returned to Tulare County where he was again booked into the custody of the Tulare County Sheriff.

Larry Davis, 55, of Bakersfield, a second suspect previously arrested with Hawley in the Tulare burglary, was confirmed to be his accomplice in both the Visalia and Porterville burglaries. Davis, who was still in custody, was also booked on the fresh charges of suspicion of burglary as well.

Detectives were able to locate and recover one of the stolen safes in an unincorporated area outside the City of Bakersfield. Hawley and Davis are each being held in the custody of the Tulare County Sheriff with bail set at $120,000 each.

Anyone with information of this matter is urged to contact PPD Det. Manuel Franco at 782-7418.