Community tips led to the arrest of pumpkin thief

MERCED, Calif. (FOX26) — Community tips led to the arrest of a man who stole several pumpkins from a church.

The man was identified to be 47-year-old Jose Manuel Castro from Livingston.

Castro and an unidentified female stole 13 pumpkins from the St. Paul Lutheran Church & School on October 11th.

Several tips from the community helped identify him.

Deputies served an arrest warrant for Castro on Friday.

He was arrested and booked for theft-related charges.

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The female has yet to be identified at this time.

If you have any information about her identity you can contact the Merced County Sheriff’s Office at (209)385-7547.