Wallet and car theft suspects caught red-handed by the Costa Mesa Police

On Saturday, July 20, 2024, police officers responded to PCH and 12th St. for a grand theft auto investigation. The car owner accidentally left his key fob in the car, and when he returned, his vehicle had vanished. Luckily, he tracked it to a nearby area, where the officers found it unoccupied, with the victim’s phone and wallet missing, according to the Huntington Beach Police Department.

Thanks to some solid police work, evidence was gathered and the police got a description of the suspects and their getaway car.

While the investigation was ongoing, the victim started getting alerts about his stolen credit cards used for a shopping spree in Costa Mesa. The HBPD quickly notified their partners at the Costa Mesa Police Department, who caught the suspects red-handed with the victim’s credit cards and other stolen items. Three arrests were made for grand theft, conspiracy, and more. Their car? Towed away!

Huge thanks to the Costa Mesa Police Department for the teamwork!

The HPBD understand life gets busy, but please don’t make it easy for the bad guys. Keep these tips in mind to help prevent vehicle theft.

1. Take your keys with you.
2. Lock your car and consider a vehicle alarm.
3. Do not leave valuables (purses, phones, credit cards, etc.) in your vehicle.
4. Park your vehicle in a well-lit or most visible area to the public.

Art Pedroza Editor

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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