2 Caught in Alleged Early Morning Car Burglaries

Two suspected burglars were caught early Wednesday after allegedly breaking into seven vehicles in a gated Murrieta community, police confirmed today.

Murrieta police received a report at about 6:05 a.m. Wednesday that a vehicle burglary was in progress in the area of Chambray Drive and Lawrence Union, in the Old School House community.

While units were en route to the call, they were advised by dispatch that the two suspects had taken off and were headed westbound toward Margarita Road, according to a report from Murrieta police Lt. Tony Conrad.

The two jumped the fence out of the gated community onto Fordham and Margarita. Officers checking near Vanderbilt Avenue and Palisades Drive saw a man walking westbound in front of 39497 Vanderbilt Ave.

The man, who matched the physical and clothing descriptions given, was allegedly carrying a black golf bag, a red backpack and a ladies zebra-striped purse.

He was later identified as Alexander Michael Leroy Lopez, 19, according to sheriff's jail records.

Identification and credit cards were allegedly found in the red backpack that belonged to the victim. Murrieta police dispatchers contacted the victim and confirmed his golf clubs and red backpack were missing from his vehicle, according to the report.

Inside a wallet in a purse was an AAA card allegedly belonging to another victim. Murrieta police dispatch contacted that victim and she confirmed her wallet was missing from her vehicle, according to the report.

Officers later found about seven victims of alleged vehicle burglaries, the report stated.

A second suspect, a 17-year-old boy, was found in the pool area of Princeton Way and Williams Way.

He told officers he and Lopez had planned on going out during the night and stealing items out of vehicles, the report stated.

The 17-year-old was booked into juvenile hall on suspicion of numerous counts of theft and possession of stolen property.

Lopez was booked into the Southwest Detention Center on suspicion of the same charges. He was being held on $5,000 bail as of today.