Fourth teenager arrested in connection to string of Chula Vista burglaries

SAN DIEGO (KUSI) – A fourth teenager was arrested Wednesday in connection with a burglary where a group of young thieves stole a cache of guns from a South Bay man's home.

According to police, the 15-year-old was taken into custody Wednesday morning at his Chula Vista residence. 

The other teenagers, ages 15 and 16, allegedly took part in the home-invasion theft in the 1100 block of Osage Avenue in Chula Vista Monday afternoon.

The names of the suspects are being withheld because they are minors. 

The victim made an emergency call about 4 p.m. to report returning home to see a gray Volkswagen Jetta speeding off, then finding five guns missing from his residence.

Officers found three of the missing firearms in a neighbor's yard where the fleeing burglars had apparently dropped them. 

A short time later, officers were told of a hit-and-run crash involving a dark-colored Jetta in the 400 block of nearby Nannetee Street.

About an hour later, officers pulled over the Jetta at Third and Orange avenues and arrested the 16-year-old driver on suspicion of hit-and-run and burglary.

The boy's mother, a passenger in the car, was taken into custody after allegedly being found carrying marijuana and methamphetamine. She was identified as Roberta Castro, 52.

That evening and the following day, detectives arrested two 15-year-old boys on suspicion of taking part in the burglary.

A fifth suspect remains at large as well as two of the stolen weapons, a revolver and a shotgun.

Investigators believe the teens are responsible for several other burglaries in Chula Vista as well, police said.