Paso Robles man caught ‘throwing stolen property’ out of car window after burglary, police say

A Paso Robles man was caught “throwing stolen property” out of his car window while fleeing the scene of a burglary at a local warehouse, according to the Paso Robles Police Department.

John James Jenkins, Jr., 28, was arrested on suspicion of second-degree burglary and other charges, the agency said in a news release Wednesday.

Police received a call around 5 p.m. Tuesday regarding several storage lockers that were broken into at the facility in the 2900 block of Union Road, the release states.

“An official investigated the matter and reviewed surveillance footage at the scene,” police said in the release. “The manager noticed a red car on the premises at the time of the break-ins and noted that the access code used was that of a new tenant.”

Shortly before 8 p.m., the property manager called police to report that the tenant was back on the property and driving a red car, according to the release.

“Officers arrived and attempted to stop the vehicle at the complex, but the driver, later identified as John James Jenkins, Jr., attempted to flee while throwing the stolen items out of the car window,” police said in the statement. “Jenkins was unable to leave the property and gave up.”

Several stolen items were found at the scene, the release states.

Police say officers found a loaded .40 caliber handgun near the center console of Jenkins’ vehicle.

In addition to the burglary charge, Jenkins was booked into the San Luis Obispo County Jail on suspicion of possession of burglary tools, resisting a public officer, possession of a firearm by a felon and illegal possession of ammunition, according to jail records.

He was being held Wednesday afternoon in jail on $50,000 bail, according to jail records.

The investigation into the incident is ongoing, police said.

Anyone with information about the case is encouraged to call the Paso Robles Police Department at 805-237-6464indicates the press release.

Anonymous tips can also be submitted to the Crime Stoppers hotline at 549-STOP or by sending “SLOTIPS” and your message to CRIMES (274637).