Suspects Caught After Bungled Home Break-In

Two Long Beach men accused of breaking into a Murrieta home were arrested after a foot pursuit Friday.

Officers were dispatched at 1:21 p.m. Friday to a home in the 23600 block of Underwood Circle—off Nutmeg Street near Jackson Avenue—after a citizen called 911 to say he'd seen two suspicious-looking men enter the home, said Murrieta police Sgt. Steve Dyer.

The witness told Murrieta police dispatchers the two men ran from the back of the home and over a fence, apparently frightened by the arriving officers, Dyer said in a news release.

Another witness called dispatchers to say he had followed the suspects as they ran away, the sergeant said.

That witness directed Murrieta police Officer Joseph Garbutt to the suspects' location several blocks away, Dyer said.

"After traveling through a greenbelt area and over several fences, Officer Garbutt took the suspects into custody," Dyer said.

The two 911 callers positively identified the two alleged burglars after they were taken into custody, he said.

The men were identified as Kuy Vandoeua, 20, and Suka Hor, 21, both of Long Beach, Dyer said.

"During the investigation, it was learned the suspects forced entry through a locked rear sliding door and ransacked the residence. They apparently ran out of the residence when officers arrived. At this time, the loss from the location is unknown," Dyer said.

Vandoeua and Hor were booked into the Southwest Detention Center. Vandoeua on suspicion of residential burglary and probation violation, and Hor on suspicion of residential burglary. Vandeoua (listed as Koy Vandoeun on jail records) was being held on $25,000 bail and Hor (listed as Sokha Hor) on $30,000 bail.

Anyone with additional information regarding this investigation was asked to call the on-duty watch commander at 951-696-3615. Tips can also be provided anonymously through “We Tip” at 1-800-78-CRIME.