Sierra Vista police solve string of burglaries, including break-in at local taco shop

A burglary at Dos Bros Taco Shop in Sierra Vista left a local small business facing more than $10,000 in damage, while a separate series of vehicle break-ins targeted 12 cars in the Canyon de Flores neighborhood. Sierra Vista police have arrested suspects in both cases, but the incidents have also renewed warnings for residents and business owners to secure doors, lock vehicles and remain alert to burglary activity that police say can occur in waves.

The break-in at Dos Bros happened sometime after the restaurant closed Saturday, Aug. 29, and before employees arrived the next morning. Police were called to the taco shop at about 7:30 a.m. Aug. 30. The suspect forced entry through the back of the building, damaging the door and taking money from the restaurant.

The damage was immediately visible. Bianca Ruiz, a co-owner of Dos Bros, said the back door was pulled so forcefully that it came completely off its hinges after one of its components broke. The restaurant estimated the repair costs at roughly $10,000, and that figure did not include the cash taken during the burglary. The summary of the incident described the damage as exceeding $7,000, while Ruiz provided the higher estimate to investigators and reporters.

The investigation gained an important lead when the suspect cut a hand while opening a window. During the struggle, police found a blood print left behind at the restaurant. That evidence helped investigators identify a possible suspect. Ruiz said the incident has been especially difficult because Dos Bros is a local business working to get by day to day, and the cost of restoring the restaurant represents a significant financial burden.

On Sept. 1, a Sierra Vista police officer recognized a vehicle believed to be occupied by the Dos Bros suspect and conducted a traffic stop. Police said the driver showed signs of impairment, leading the officer to begin a DUI investigation. A warrant was obtained for a blood sample, and the suspect was booked into the Cochise County Jail.

The charges in that case include burglary, criminal damage, theft, criminal trespassing, possession of burglary tools and DUI. The police account did not identify the suspect in the provided information. The arrest came two days after the taco shop reported the forced entry, as investigators continued following physical evidence and information connected to the suspected vehicle.

A second investigation began six days after the restaurant burglary. On Sept. 7, police received multiple reports of vehicle burglaries in the Canyon de Flores neighborhood. Investigators determined that 12 vehicles had been targeted. Police said the vehicles shared a common vulnerability, because the suspects were looking for cars that had been left unlocked.

On Sept. 8, officers arrested two juveniles in connection with the vehicle burglaries. The juveniles were booked into the Juvenile Detention Center on 12 counts of vehicle burglary and one count of attempted theft of a means of transportation. Their names and genders were not released because of laws protecting the identities of juveniles.

Police said community assistance played a major role in the vehicle burglary investigation. The department used social media in both cases to seek information, identify suspects and develop leads. Sierra Vista police officials said that approach requires a careful balance. Sharing information quickly can help residents recognize suspects or vehicles, but publicizing investigative details can also alert people suspected of committing the crimes.

Resident involvement was described by police as critical to identifying and apprehending the juveniles. The department is now reminding residents to lock their vehicles, avoid leaving cars unsecured and pay attention to activity around homes and businesses. Special Operations Bureau Commander Bill Heiple said burglary patterns in the area are cyclical. Sierra Vista can go two or three months with only one or two burglaries, he said, followed by a period when multiple incidents occur, sometimes involving different types of targets.

For Dos Bros, the immediate focus is repairing the restaurant and continuing to serve customers. Ruiz said support from the community has helped the business keep moving after the break-in. Serving local residents, she said, is what keeps the restaurant going. The arrests resolve the immediate police investigations, but the incidents remain a reminder that a single unlocked vehicle or vulnerable door can create an opportunity for theft and costly damage.