2 suspects caught for copper wire theft after 1 suspect fell through ceiling
Photo: scene of copper wire theft
Two suspects have been arrested for stealing copper wire from an Irvine business after their plans to hide in the ceiling went awry.
The suspects, 30-year-old Angel Mendoza and 28-year-old Reynaldo Soto, both Santa Ana residents, were first discovered by a security guard and a maintenance worker as the crime was unfolding around 10:15 a.m. on December 2nd. According to the release, “A security guard and a maintenance worker were inside the location inspecting obvious signs of copper wire theft when a suspect fell through the ceiling and ran out of the business,” located at 13390 Jamboree.
The runaway burglar didn’t get far before being apprehended by police, who were able to identify him by the security guard’s description. When officers searched the ceiling area back at the business, they located the other suspect.
Both suspects were arrested for commercial burglary and felony vandalism. Soto was booked on additional charges of possession of burglary tools and drug related charges.
The Irvine Police Department would like to remind everyone that “[c]opper wire thefts are on the rise and can be extremely costly to replace. As a reminder, please conduct regular inspections of your business, install an alarm system that notifies the police when there is an activation and consider motion and sound activated interior cameras to protect your investment. If you see something, say something.”
