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CRIME DIGEST
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• BUSINESSES RANSACKED: CERES - Two businesses in a southwest Ceres strip mall were broken into and ransacked over the weekend.

At 8:30 a.m. on Sunday, police were called to Magic Mart at 3900 Morgan Road where a break-in had occurred. It's unknown what was taken. Police investigated and learned that Kiddie Kingdom next door was also ransacked.

The doors to both places were forced open, said Lt. Brent Smith. The burglar broke into a utility room and damaged wires, shutting off power to the business.

• SHORT PURSUIT ENDS IN ARREST: CERES - A 29-year-old Ceres man was arrested late Saturday after he led police on a short pursuit north of Hatch Road.

Officer Jon Vera attempted stop a 2000 Chrysler Sebring at Musick and Pecos avenues at 10:40 p.m. for not having a front license plate. The driver, Jose Luqin, 29, of Ceres, failed to pull over when the patrol unit's red lights turned on.

Luqin drove for several blocks, traveling at 40 mph in 25 mph residential zones, and then pulled into his own driveway on Woodworth Avenue where he was arrested. Luqin explained that he wanted to stop in his driveway because he was driving on a suspended license, presumbably because he wanted his car to be left at home. The vehicle was towed off to an impound yard and Luqin was arrested and charged with failing to yield to an emergency vehicle and driving on a suspended license.

• DRUG ARRESTS: CERES - While officers were backing up another officer in Saturday evening's pursuit case (prior article), they made two drug-related arrests nearby.

Officer Josh Kling made a stop on a bicyclist at Musick and Woodworth avenues and found Sean Matthews, 43, of Modesto, had a no-bail warrant issued for for prior drug charges. Matthews was also found to be in possession of methamphetamine and was arrested on that charge too.

During the 11:13 p.m. arrest, Officer Kling walked Matthews' bike to the suspect's home where he encountered Jeanine Parker, 33, of Modesto, who admitted she, too, had drugs. She gave up a half-gram of meth and a meth pipe. Parker was arrested and charged with possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of a controlled substance.

• SUSPICIOUS MAN ARRESTED: CERES - A call about a suspicious looking man in front of the CVS Pharmacy on Hatch Road ended with his arrest for drugs.

The call came in at 12:20 a.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 28. Officer Brian Albonetti responded and tried to talk to Ceres parolee Mark Mavone, 37, who attempted to pull away and reach for his front pocket. Thinking Mavone might be reaching for a weapon, Albonetti grabbed the suspect and threw him to the ground, stepped back and drew his service revolver. Mavone stopped resisting when he saw the gun.

Mavone was arrested for possession of a gram of methamphetamine and a parole violation.

• DANGEROUS DRIVER ARRESTED: CERES - Motorists on Mitchell Road were concerned that a driver was possibly driving drunk, weaving in and out and driving in the wrong lanes and they called 911. That led officers to arrest Garry Hilton, 32, of Modesto, on drunk driving charges Friday.

At 9:30 p.m., Officer Brittany England found the Ford Mustang driven by Hilton in the Walmart parking lot area as he headed to the McDonald's drive through lane.

Hilton did not pass a field sobriety administered to him and was taken to Doctors Medial Center for a blood draw. He was arrested on the suspicion of drunk driving and for violating the terms of his parole. Hilton's license had been suspended for prior DUI convictions.