Mon. Oct 6th, 2025

Last Saturday, police officers went to an apartment garage on Spectrum to investigate a man pulling on vehicle door handles to see if they were unlocked, according to the Irvine Police Department.

A witness provided officers with the suspect’s description and the kind of vehicle they left in. An officer patrolling the area was able to find the suspect and pull them over.

After searching the vehicle, they found a stolen MacBook, a credit card scanner, and a credit card.

Vinny Garcia, 27, of Los Angeles, was arrested for grand theft. The stolen property was returned to the victim.

The IPD posted that “This was a great example of how our community cares for one another.” If you see suspicious behavior in Irvine, call the police department immediately so they can investigate. For emergencies, dial 9-1-1. For non-emergency matters, call (949) 724-7000.

Based on California law as of 2025, here are the potential penalties Vinny Garcia may face for his offenses:

  • Grand Theft (California Penal Code § 487):
    • This applies when stolen property is valued over $950, which includes items like a MacBook.
    • It is a wobbler offense, meaning it can be charged as either a misdemeanor or a felony.
      • Misdemeanor: Up to 1 year in county jail.
      • Felony: 16 months, 2 years, or 3 years in county jail.
    • If the theft involved multiple incidents or victims, prosecutors may aggregate the value to support felony charges.
  • Possession of Stolen Property:
    • Also a wobbler offense.
      • Misdemeanor: Up to 1 year in county jail.
      • Felony: 16 months, 2 years, or 3 years in county jail, depending on the total value and criminal history.
  • Possession of a Credit Card Scanner:
    • May be considered intent to commit fraud, which can lead to additional felony charges under California’s identity theft or financial crimes statutes.

By Art Pedroza

Our Editor, Art Pedroza, worked at the O.C. Register and the OC Weekly and studied journalism at CSUF and UCI. He has lived in Santa Ana for over 30 years and has served on several city and county commissions. When he is not writing or editing Pedroza specializes in risk control and occupational safety. He also teaches part time at Cerritos College and CSUF. Pedroza has an MBA from Keller University.

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