UPDATED: Man arrested for mirror thefts was previously arrested for vehicle vandalism spree

(Updated at 4 p.m.) A 37-year-old Arlington man is facing nearly 20 charges related to a series of side view mirror thefts from vehicles.

The thefts started in April and continued into May and June. In total, according to Arlington County police, more than 100 vehicles had mirrors stolen or damaged in the crime spree.

Many modern side view mirrors house sensors and other electronics that could be worth more than a thousand dollars, making them attractive to thieves.

Police say the suspect was arrested Wednesday after evidence led detectives to him during the investigation. Police say additional charges are possible, on top of the current 19 theft and destruction of property charges.

More from an ACPD press release:

The Arlington County Police Department’s Property Crimes – Auto Unit is announcing the arrest of the suspect in a series of thefts of vehicle parts. Luis Manuel Tavares Sanchez, 37, of Arlington, VA is charged with nine counts of Petit Larceny and ten counts of Destruction of Property, two of which are felony charges. He is being held without bond in the Arlington County Detention Facility.

In late April 2023, police began investigating a series of thefts in which the suspect would steal and/or damage the glass from sideview mirrors of parked vehicles in various neighborhoods throughout Arlington County. In total, police received 61 reports documenting 104 vehicles with stolen or damaged mirrors. During the course of the investigation, detectives reviewed evidence, spoke to witnesses and followed up on investigative leads which led to the identification of the suspect. He was taken into custody on the afternoon of July 26, 2023. The investigation into the series is ongoing and additional charges may be sought at a later time.

The same suspect was arrested in October and charged with damaging more than 90 cars with a BB gun, an ACPD spokeswoman confirmed to ARLnow. He had been released on a jail diversion program and was due in court on this coming Wednesday, Aug. 2 to update his progress.