Two men were taken into custody by the Modesto Police Department for a series of burglaries that have targeted dentists’ offices throughout Stanislaus County, including Turlock.

Josh Swiderski, 36, and Steven Vera, 25, both of Modesto were arrested Thursday and booked into Stanislaus County Jail for burglary and conspiracy.

A series of burglaries at local dental and optometric offices throughout the county started back in August of 2016. The Modesto and Turlock police departments had been working together to try and develop leads and suspect information and had identified 50 burglaries they believe were carried out by the same suspects.

Around 5 a.m. Thursday the Modesto Police Department was dispatched to the 3100 block of Coffee Road for a report of a burglary at a dental office. Patrol was on scene and they reported that they had a possible lead on the identification on one of the burglars. Modesto Police detectives, with the assistance of Ontel Security, were able to identify Swiderski as a possible suspect.

As the investigation continued at the business, officers and detectives started checking the area for suspects. Detective David Ramirez spotted Swiderski at the intersection of McHenry and Tokay avenues. Several officers responded and Swiderski and Vera were taken into custody.

Investigators with the Turlock Police Department interviewed Swiderski and charged him with two counts of burglary, three counts of auto theft and two counts of grand theft for crimes that occurred in Turlock.

The Turlock Police Department is still actively investigating additional commercial burglaries that Swiderski and possibly other suspects are suspected of committing.

The Turlock Police Department is asking for the public’s assistance for any information surrounding this investigation. Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Frank Navarro at (209) 664-7319. You can also contact the Turlock Police Department’s Tip Line at 209-668-5550 extension 6780 or email at tpdtipline@turlock.ca.us.