APD arrests burglary suspect who caused more than $100K in damage to American Toyota dealership

ALBUQUERQUE – APD burglary detectives arrested Daniel Candelaria for his role in an overnight burglary on Aug. 5, which resulted in over $100,000 in damages to the American Toyota dealership in Northeast Albuquerque.

Candelaria, 20, was an employee at the business for a few months. The dealership’s general manager said Candelaria would hang out with other employees who had been recently fired, one of which was accused of groping a female employee. The manager noted that the female employee’s desk was the only desk vandalized.

Officers in APD’s Northeast Area Command responded early on Aug. 5 to reports that two people wearing black ski masks were inside the building at 5995 Alameda Blvd., N.E. and placing items into a duffle bag. As officers arrived and set up a perimeter, they noticed the men walking through the parking lot and carrying numerous items in their arms. When they saw the items and began to run south through the parking lot. Officers caught up to Candelaria who denied stealing anything. Officers were not able to contact anyone with the company and released Candelaria pending further investigation by burglary detectives.

Detectives later viewed surveillance video that showed the two suspects inside the business for about 30 minutes, damaging about 60 computer monitors and five big screen televisions. They also damaged electronic tools, a large glass door and partition and spray painted a penis on one of the female employee desks. Managers also reported the suspects attempted to steal over 15 IPads, a Toyota machine, personal belongings from employee’s desks, a sword and sports collectibles.

The investigation is on-going. Candelaria was arrested on a warrant and he now faces charges of aggravated burglary, criminal damage over $1,000, larceny over $20,000, conspiracy, and resisting, evading or obstructing an officer.

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