On Wednesday of last week, Remy Issabella Higgins, 20, and Kameryn Alexis Wilkins, 24, allegedly stole over $917 in merchandise from Brandy Melville inside the Irvine Spectrum Center.
After store employees initially contacted them, the pair reportedly sprinted through the center and attempted to hide on the top level of the Nordstrom parking structure.
Their plan didn’t last long—Irvine PD’s drone pilot quickly located them, guiding Spectrum‑assigned officers directly to their hiding spot. Both suspects were arrested and booked into Orange County Jail on shoplifting charges.
Charges the Suspects Are Likely Facing
- Shoplifting / Petty Theft (§484/488 PC) — Because the total value was under $950, this is typically charged as a misdemeanor. Penalties can include up to 6 months in jail, fines up to $1,000, and probation.
- Conspiracy (§182 PC) — If prosecutors determine the suspects acted together with intent, they may face additional penalties for coordinated theft.
- Resisting or Delaying Officers (§148 PC) — Running, hiding, or attempting to evade police can add misdemeanor charges with up to 1 year in jail.
- Trespassing (§602 PC) — Attempting to hide in restricted areas of a parking structure can trigger additional misdemeanor exposure.
Irvine PD’s Expanding Use of Drones
Irvine continues to be one of the most aggressive adopters of police drones in Orange County. The department uses drones for:
- Locating fleeing suspects
- Monitoring large crowds at the Spectrum
- Tracking vehicle-related crimes
- Supporting foot patrol units with aerial visibility
These drones dramatically reduce suspect escape routes, especially in multi‑level structures like Nordstrom’s parking deck.
Other Orange County Cities Using Police Drones
Several OC cities now deploy drones for law‑enforcement operations, including:
- Anaheim — crowd monitoring and suspect tracking
- Santa Ana — burglary, robbery, and pursuit support
- Huntington Beach — beach patrol and rapid response
- Costa Mesa — retail theft and traffic‑related incidents
- Laguna Beach — coastal surveillance and emergency response
The regional trend is clear: drones are becoming standard policing tools, especially for theft‑related crimes.
Irvine PD’s License Plate Readers Make Escape Even Harder
Beyond drones, Irvine PD uses automated license plate readers (ALPRs) throughout the city. These systems:
- Capture plates entering and exiting major retail centers
- Alert officers to vehicles linked to prior thefts
- Track getaway cars in real time
- Provide evidence for prosecutors
Combined with drones, ALPRs make Irvine one of the most difficult cities in California for retail thieves to operate in.
Spectrum Center’s Built‑In Security Advantage
The Irvine Spectrum Center is uniquely fortified:
- Dedicated Irvine PD officers stationed on-site
- Extensive video surveillance across walkways, stores, and parking structures
- Private security teams working directly with police
- Rapid drone deployment capability
This layered security approach is why so many retail theft suspects are caught within minutes—exactly what happened with Higgins and Wilkins.
Why Retail Theft Keeps Targeting Stores Like Brandy Melville
- High‑value, easy‑to‑resell clothing
- Small items that fit into bags quickly
- Popular resale markets on social media
- Organized groups targeting trendy brands
Brandy Melville, Lululemon, Sephora, and similar retailers remain top targets across Orange County.