Wed. Jul 9th, 2025

While investigating a series of storage facility burglaries, police detectives didn’t just solve the case; they rolled up the door to an entire criminal operation, according to the Irvine Police Department.

Through outstanding police work, the detectives tracked the suspect to his Huntington Beach home, and after a gentle knock on his door, they discovered some creative 3D printing projects (spoiler alert: he wasn’t making kitten keychains) and evidence of other criminal activity.

The detectives recovered all the victim’s stolen property from the storage facility in Irvine and uncovered a criminal enterprise involving narcotics, ID theft, and 3D-printed ghost g*uns.

The suspect thought he had a solid plan to get away with his storage unit theft shenanigans by hiding away in another city, but the Irvine police detectives made him realize the Irvine Police mean it when they say dontcommitcrimeinirvine!

If the suspect is convicted in Irvine, California, they could face the following penalties:

  • Narcotics charges: Up to 3 years in prison for possession, and up to 7 years for drug manufacturing.
  • Identity theft: Up to 3 years in prison and fines up to $10,000.
  • 3D-printed ghost guns: Up to 3 years in prison and a lifetime ban on owning firearms.

If the crimes are connected to an organized operation or if the suspect has prior convictions, the penalties could be more severe.

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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