Recovered property linked to scores of area burglaries Recovered property linked to scores of area burglaries (April 03, 2002)

Stolen property, recovered after Menlo Park police chased and caught the occupants of a truck last month, has been linked to 50 burglary cases, police said.

Stereos, credit cards, CDs, and other items from one burglary in Redwood City and 12 in Santa Clara County have been returned to their owners, said Menlo Park Sgt. Sharon Kaufman. Two men from San Jose have been charged in connection with the case, she said.

At least 40 more burglaries in Santa Clara and Alameda counties appear to be connected and may be solved, said Menlo Park Detective Lou Tommei.

The stolen property was found in a white Chevy truck following a high-speed chase March 17 by Menlo Park Police Officer Jeremy Graham, said Sgt. Kaufman. Officer Graham pursued the truck after its driver ran a stoplight on Menlo Avenue at El Camino Real in Menlo Park.

After the five occupants abandoned the truck on Highway 92 near Ralston Avenue in Belmont and attempted to flee, Menlo Park police and sheriff's officers arrested the driver and four passengers, Kaufman said. Police determined the truck had been stolen in Sunnyvale.