Suspect Arrested After Attempted Tailgate Theft in West University Place

A quick-thinking witness helped West University Place Police arrest a suspect during an attempted vehicle burglary late Wednesday night, October 8, 2025.

Just before 11 p.m., officers were dispatched to the 6600 block of Vanderbilt after a caller reported a man trying to break into a parked vehicle. When the first officer arrived, they spotted a car driving nearby with its lights off. A high-risk traffic stop was initiated, and the driver was detained without incident.

Inside the suspect’s vehicle, officers found multiple truck tailgates visible in the rear cargo area. At the scene of the reported burglary, investigators discovered evidence showing the suspect had tried to steal a tailgate but fled when the witness intervened.

The suspect, identified as Gumaro Lopez, was arrested and charged with Attempted Theft of Vehicle Parts. Police say the investigation is ongoing to determine whether the additional tailgates recovered from Lopez’s vehicle are connected to other thefts.