Murrieta Man, Two Runaways Arrested in String of Vehicle Thefts

There could be as many as 30 victims and more than $3,000 worth of property involved in a string of vehicle thefts in at least two Murrieta neighborhoods within the past week, police said today.

Two juvenile runaways from Northern California and an 18-year-old Murrieta man have been arrested on suspicion of their involvement in the string of thefts.

Murrieta Police said one of the suspects admitted to thefts that took place at about 4 a.m. Feb. 16 in the Mapleton Community off Antelope and Keller roads in Murrieta. The trio was ultimately found engaging in a similar activity early Sunday morning off Hunter Road, said Murrieta Police Sgt. Ron Driscoll in a statement.

Police made contact with the suspects at about 1:15 a.m. Sunday morning when Cpl. Scott Montez and Officer Kent Chivington responded to a suspicious persons report on Shady Maple Road and Rose Blossom Street off Hunter Road. The suspects were said to be wearing all black clothing and opening vehicles in an attempt to commit thefts, Driscoll said.

Chivington observed a male subject, later identified as Ian Anderson, an 18-year-old Murrieta resident, standing near a parked truck on Camden Circle—less than a block away from the original reported location, Driscoll said.

Anderson initially began to walk away from the officer, but was detained peacefully. The suspect told the officer that his vehicle had broke down nearby and that he was walking to get help from his brother, Driscoll said.

Anderson led the officer to where his vehicle was parked--which was in the area of Hazelglen and Yorkton. In the car were two juveniles, a 16-year-old male and a 16-year-old female. They were both reported runaways from Northern California, Driscoll said. The male once lived in the area and had ties with Anderson, Driscoll said.

While questioning the juveniles, Chivington found several identification cards with various names just outside the car. Inside Anderson's vehicle, officers located multiple GPS devices, laptop computers and other electronic equipment, Driscoll said.

One of the juveniles admitted to officers that the three had just stolen items from unlocked vehicles in the area, as well as another string of thefts that occurred in the Mapleton Community (area of Antelope/Keller in Murrieta) on around 4 a.m. on Feb. 16.

Anderson was also found in possession of metal knuckles and subsequently arrested on suspicion of possession of stolen property and possession of a deadly weapon. Both juveniles were arrested on suspicion of possession of stolen property and grand theft from vehicles, Driscoll said.

Five victims of theft from vehicles were identified; 25 other victims pending contact by officers. Officers continued their investigation and located even more victims. In total, there could be as much as $3,000 worth of stolen property, Driscoll said.

Anderson was booked at the Southwest Justice Center in Murrieta; the two juveniles were taken to juvenile hall.