A Turlock man with a lengthy criminal record for auto thefts, was again arrested after being found in possession of three stolen vehicles.

On Tuesday the Stanislaus County Auto Theft Task Force learned of two vehicles out of Merced that had been fraudulently purchased. In both cases, William Coelho, 50, of Turlock was identified as the suspect who carried out the fraudulent purchases, according to StanCATT.

“StanCATT has worked numerous cases on Coelho and knew he had an outstanding warrant for his arrest,” the agency stated on Facebook.

On Wednesday StanCATT and Stanislaus County Sheriff's Office AG Crimes detectives were in the 2700 block of Lander Avenue in Turlock when they observed Coelho driving a 2016 Ford F-150. This vehicle had been reported stolen via fraud.

Detectives conducted surveillance on Coelho as he stopped his vehicle near Alfreda Street and Rose Street in Turlock. A traffic stop was initiated and Coelho was safely taken into custody.

StanCATT investigators returned to the 2700 block of Lander Avenue where they located a 2021 Kia Telluride and a 2009 Eclipse Toy Hauler trailer. The Kia Telluride had been reported stolen from the Merced Police Department. The Toy Hauler had been reported stolen to the Merced area California Highway Patrol.

Coelho was booked into the Stanislaus County Public Safety Center on charges of auto theft, possession of a stolen vehicle, and committing grand theft during a state of emergency (looting). He was also booked on his outstanding warrant.

StanCATT located property in the Ford F-150 they believe may be stolen. If you recognize the property or recognize these vehicles, please message StanCATT on their Facebook page.