Two Fresno residents arrested following AutoZone store robberies in Atascadero, Morro Bay

The AutoZone stores in Atascadero and Morro Bay were burglarized Tuesday morning and two suspects in their 20’s arrested for the crimes, police say.

The store in Atascadero was broken into just before 1 a.m. after burglars heavily damaged store windows, according to investigators. About 15 minutes later, another store was hit.

The Auto Zone store in Morro Bay was burglarized at about 1:15 a.m. with the same manner of entry and window damage.

Two men from Fresno, Mario Aquino and Chris Casas allegedly broke in to steal more than three thousand dollars worth of merchandise.

Now both stores are left with some empty shelves and some products in disarray.

“It’s really crazy because I had been here not even four hours before it happened I guess cause I left at 9,” said Parts Sales Manager, Brianna Galitello.

The two men were caught on surveillance at the Morro Bay Store, helping police put out descriptions of the men and the type of car they were driving.

A San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s deputy stopped the men during a traffic stop and found the AutoZone parts in their car.

Galitello says she’s happy police were able to find the men possibly responsible, telling us: “It’s really comforting because you think like: “Oh god what if they hit us again tonight or something?” But I’m pretty glad they were caught and we’ll eventually get our stuff back.”

Atascadero police arrested the two men on suspicion of burglary, conspiracy to commit burglary, possession of stolen property as well as other misdemeanor warrants.

The two men are being held at the San Luis Obispo County Jail on $20,000 bond.