On Sunday, September 1, around 6:30 a.m., deputies responded to an address in Malone in reference to a burglary in progress. The victim stated that a man was attempting to enter her home through an open window.
When deputies arrived, they located the suspect, later identified as Juan Gabriel Lopez, hiding on the property and detained him.
After taking Lopez into custody, the victim stated that she saw Lopez attempting to steal her Polaris by pushing the vehicle. She then saw Lopez stop pushing the vehicle and begin to walk towards her. Deputies confirmed this by watching a video of the suspect in the act.
The victim stated that she asked the suspect to leave, and he did, but he returned a short time later with a wheelbarrow and attempted to enter the home through a window. Deputies also determined that the wheelbarrow was stolen from a neighbor of the victim.
Lopez was arrested and is being charged with Burglary of an Unoccupied Dwelling (Unarmed), Petit Theft, and Trespass on Property other than Structure or Conveyance.