Fresno County Sheriff’s detectives arrested a Fresno man on several felony charges after he burglarized a home where, until recently, he had worked as an in-home caregiver. Arrested was 45 year old Manuel Vasquez.

This past Friday morning, shortly after 7:00am, deputies responded to the hot prowl burglary at a residence located in the 1500 block of Columbia Drive East in southeast Fresno.

The elderly couple reported they had been awakened when someone entered their home through an unlocked door at the rear of the residence. One of the victims pretended to be asleep and watched the suspect as he moved through the home and took property. When the suspect exited through the garage door, the victim locked the door behind him and called 911.

Several items of property had been stolen from the residence including, a computer, a handgun, jewelry, over $6000.00 in cash, and bank & ATM cards. Vasquez was identified as the possible suspect and property detectives responded to follow up.

The investigation revealed Vasquez had been terminated a few weeks prior. They attempted to contact him at his residence but he was not at home at the time.

Less than an hour later, Fresno PD officers responded to domestic violence call at Vasquez’ residence located in the 3500 block of N Duke Ave. Vasquez was detained during which time officers discovered several items of property related to the Columbia Drive East burglary.

Sheriff’s detectives responded and recovered a majority of elderly victim’s stolen property in the trunk of Vasquez’ vehicle. Detectives learned Vasquez had already bought new tires and rims for his vehicle, with money he had stolen during the burglary.

Vasquez was arrested and later booked into the Fresno County Jail on charges of burglary, elder abuse, possession of stolen property, credit card theft, and felon in possession of a firearm.