Remember that canal that flooded? This guy stole from nearby residents, sheriff says

Fresno sheriff’s detectives arrested a man who they say stole guns and cash from people who packed up their home when a canal flooded.

The canal near East Ramona and North Locan avenues flooded on Jan. 10, and the water forced one homeowner to move his valuables out of his home and into storage containers on his property.

Days later, the homeowner discovered someone broke into both storage containers and stole a safe containing guns and cash, the sheriff’s office said in a news release. A neighbor shared with detectives surveillance footage that showed a car they believed was related to the theft.

The detective working on the case recognized the car as one from a recent report about a suspicious vehicle in the neighborhood. The car was tracked to 26-year-old Victor Gastellum from Fresno, who had several outstanding warrants.

Detectives went to a home near North Palm and East Floradora avenues on Thursday and found Gastellum. He was armed with a handgun and resisted arrest, but detectives were able to take him into custody.

In an interview with investigators, Gastellum admitted to breaking into the storage containers and taking the safe, but he no longer had any of the items he took, the sheriff’s office said.

He was booked into Fresno County Jail on suspicion of burglary, being a felon in possession of a gun and grand theft. He remained in jail on Friday on $260,000.

Anyone with additional information is asked to contact the sheriff’s office dispatch at 559-600-3111 or Crime Stoppers at 559-498-7867. Tipsters can remain anonymous and may be eligible for a cash reward.

This story was originally published January 19, 2018 at 3:28 PM with the headline "Remember that canal that flooded? This guy stole from nearby residents, sheriff says."