On November 24, 2019, in the evening hours Merced County Sheriff’s Office began receiving reports of a series of vandalisms in the Hilmar area where the victims reported their vehicle tires had been slashed.

Deputy Bryce Stevenson responded to several of these reports and was able to identify the vehicle used to commit the vandalisms.

On the morning of November 25, 2019, deputies took a total of 18 vandalism reports.

Detectives Chris Sziraki and Savi Sohol began working diligently following up on these reports and were ultimately able to identify two suspects, Nelson Mancebo, 19-year-old of Stevinson and Brenden Faria, 18-year-old of Hilmar.

By the evening of November 25, 2019, Deputy Randy Taylor was able to locate and detain both Faria and Mancebo. After completion of their investigation, detectives were able to link both Mancebo and Faria to all 18 vandalisms, 2 arson cases and several vandalisms in the Turlock area.

In addition, detectives linked Faria and Mancebo to a series of vandalisms to the Dan Ramos Community Center where several windows had been broken over the last two months.

Investigators arrested Faria and Mancebo for conspiracy to commit a crime, misdemeanor vandalism, felony vandalism, and arson and they were booked into the Merced County Jail.

Investigators are asking anyone with information about these crimes to call Detective Savi Sohol or Detective Chris Sziraki at (209)385-7651 or (209)385-7472.