Murrieta Police Bust up Alleged Auto Theft Ring

Three people allegedly connected to a southwest Riverside County auto theft ring uncovered by Murrieta police were behind bars today.

Tracy Paul Paugh, 30, of Lake Elsinore, Todd Joseph Urnezis, 44, of Menifee, and Michael Jeremy Warta, 22, of Wildomar were arrested Wednesday during an investigation that began after Warta was stopped for allegedly driving a stolen 1993 Chevrolet Silverado, according to Murrieta police Lt. Tony Conrad.

He said investigators conducting parolee checks picked up a LoJack signal and tracked it to the Silverado, which Warta was driving in the area of Bundy Canyon Road and Edwards Street.

After questioning the suspect, Murrieta police contacted the Regional Auto Theft Interdiction Detail,  comprised of officers from multiple agencies, to investigate a possible chop shop at 24801 Raymond St. in Menifee, Conrad said.

The RAID unit followed up and discovered a stolen Suburban and a Suzuki motorcycle at the property, according to the lieutenant. The property owners, Urnezis and his wife were arrested. However, the woman was later released.

According to Conrad, the investigation at the Menifee residence led to Paugh's home on Lindell Road in Lake Elsinore. The suspect was stopped while allegedly riding a stolen Yamaha all-terrain vehicle and arrested on suspicion of auto theft and receiving stolen property.

He's being held in lieu of $10,000 bail at the Southwest Detention Center in Murrieta.

Urnezis was arrested on suspicion of operating a chop shop, auto theft and receiving stolen property. He's being held in lieu of $25,000 bail at the Murrieta jail.

Warta was booked into the same facility on suspicion of auto theft and receiving stolen property. He's being held in lieu of $5,000 bail.