Brazen Burglar Who Terrorized Moraga and Lafayette August 6 Seized By Police

by Jim Caroompas

Police have arrested James Joshua Jarrad, who led Moraga and Lafayette police on a wild chase Aug. 6, allegedly breaking into at least two homes and stealing a car before eluding a full-scale search by police in both cities.

Jarrad was arrested in Concord and charged with numerous crimes, including burglary, stealing a car, and possessing stolen property.

According to police, Jarrad stole a Honda Civic from a home around 6 a.m. on Aug. 6. As he was driving on Moraga Rd., police saw him and gave chase. Jarrad led police on a brief chase before crashing the car into a wall at Moraga Rd. and Rheem Blvd. He then ran into 24-Hour Fitness, out the back door, and into the Carroll Ranch neighborhood.

At that point, police say Jarrard broke into an occupied home, where he hid for a time in a child’s room while the child was there. After he was discovered by the father, he fled to a home on Josefa Court. He hid there most of the morning, without being seen by the woman who lived there. While he was hiding, Jarrad helped himself to several items, including a change of clothes, from the woman’s home.

Jarrad was next seen in Lafayette in the back yard of a Solana Dr. home. He burglarized that residence and was seen leaving the area on a child’s bicycle.

The security camera at 24 Hour Fitness caught Jarrad’s image and it was distributed to police in neighboring cities. A detective in Walnut Creek recognized him, witnesses identified him, and a warrant was issued for his arrest.

Police in Concord had to chase Jarrad when they tried to pull him over, but they caught him and was charged with a long list of felonies.

Police are still looking for an accomplice of Jarrard’s and asking the public to contact Detective Will Davis at 925-888-7057 with any information about the case.