On Monday, a police officer tried to stop a man walking on the train tracks by the San Diego Creek, according to the Irvine Police Department.
The man ran, but the officer was able to stop him and arrest him for trespassing on railroad property and resisting arrest.
The officers found a replica firearm and pepper spray in the suspect’s backpack.
While checking the railroad path, the officers noticed stripped copper wiring in the area, possibly from a previous theft.
The City of Irvine recently had over $40,000 of copper wire stolen along Peters Canyon Trail.
If you observe the following, please call the police so they can investigate:
- Work is being conducted outside of regular hours.
- People loitering by light posts or electrical boxes
- Exposed copper wire
- Bike path lights not working after dark
- Piles of empty sheathing
- Open utility boxes
If you see something, say something. For a crime in progress, call 9-1-1. To report suspicious behavior, call our non-emergency line at 949-724-7200.
Based on the incident described above, the suspect could face the following penalties under California law:
- Trespassing on Railroad Property
- Penal Code § 369i makes it a misdemeanor to enter or remain on railroad property without permission.
- Penalty: Up to 6 months in county jail and/or a fine up to $1,000.
- If the trespassing interferes with train operations, the charge is more serious.
- Resisting Arrest
- Penal Code § 148(a)(1) covers resisting, delaying, or obstructing a peace officer.
- Penalty: Up to 1 year in county jail and/or a fine up to $1,000.
- If force or violence is used, the charge may escalate to a felony.
- Possession of a Replica Firearm in Public
- Penal Code § 20170 prohibits displaying imitation firearms in public places.
- Penalty:
- First offense: $100 fine
- Second offense: $300 fine
- Third or subsequent offense: Misdemeanor, up to 6 months in jail and/or $1,000 fine
- Possession of Pepper Spray
- Legal in California for self-defense, but misuse or possession by prohibited individuals (e.g., felons) is a misdemeanor.
- Penalty: Up to 1 year in jail and/or $1,000 fine if misused or possessed unlawfully.
- Copper Wire Theft (if linked to the suspect)
- Penal Code § 487j defines theft of copper materials exceeding $950 as grand theft.
- Penalty:
- Misdemeanor: Up to 1 year in county jail and/or $2,500 fine
- Felony: Up to 3 years in jail and/or $10,000 fine
If the suspect is linked to the copper wire theft near Peters Canyon Trail, the charges could escalate significantly. Investigators may pursue additional charges based on evidence found in the area or in the suspect’s possession.