Three suspected burglars entered not guilty pleas to three separate felony charges in Orange County Superior Court this week after unsuccessfully trying to evade police in a hillside Laguna Beach neighborhood.
The three were arrested for suspicion of burglary, auto theft and receiving stolen property on Friday, Oct. 6, according to court records.
Police credit “engaged residents” with helping them get a jump on the suspects, who had fled from a home on Zell Drive after a resident encountered them trying to enter a side bedroom window. A sharp-eyed neighbor who spotted an unfamiliar truck gave the first alarm at 6:56 a.m., Sgt. Jim Cota said.
“Our residents acted quickly and did a fantastic job reporting the suspicious activity, which led to these crooks’ arrest,” said Captain Jeff Calvert in a statement.
The would-be thieves fled in a Ford truck, but responding officers spotted the vehicle heading downhill at a high rate of speed, Cota said. Police found the abandoned stolen vehicle at Temple Hills and Cerritos Drive. A search by a sheriff’s helicopter and K-9 unit turned up the three suspects hiding in brush and in a canyon below the 1200 block of Dunning Drive, Cota said.
Gwendulyn Ceballos-Jimenez, 21, Allen Ykwang Lin, 29, and Michael Murilloh, 31, all from Riverside County, were taken into custody.
The truck was stolen in Rialto, police said. Detectives are working to identify additional victims through stolen property recovered from the truck, Cota said.
Gwendolyn Ceballos-Jimenez
Allen Ykwang Lin
Michael Murilloh
Tuesday, Oct. 3
Fraud. PD. 12:24 p.m. A fraudulent check in the amount of $2,000 was reported.
Wednesday, Oct. 4
Grand theft. 700 block of Thalia St. 9 a.m. A watch valued at $7,000 was taken.
Grand theft. 400 block of S. Coast Hwy. 12:58 p.m. A purse with $1,720 in cash and an iPhone was stolen from a hotel guest who left the purse unattended.
Thursday, Oct. 15
Traffic stop. West Street. 1:27 a.m. A 45-year-old Laguna Niguel woman was cited for DUI.
Friday, Oct. 16
Traffic collision. 8:17 a.m. Temple Hills Dr. Some occupants suffered lacerations in a single-car rollover.
Fraud. Barranca Way. 10:30 a.m. A collections agency contacted a resident about an account opened in his name.
Theft. 200 block of Broadway St. 6:18 p.m. A woman shoplifted jackets, baby clothes and food items valued at about $600.
Burglary. Smithcliffs Road. 8:56 p.m. No losses were identified but a small broken window is a possible point of entry.
Burglary. 100 block of McKnight Dr. 9:19 p.m. A woman returned after a two hour absence and found a back door open and drawers opened. A witness said he saw two males dressed in black in the area.
Saturday, Oct. 7
Fight. 200 block of Ocean Ave. Among five combatants, a 23-year-old from Trabuco Canyon was arrested for battery.
Traffic stop. 200 block of Center St. 3:25 a.m. Ashley John Ryan Cajal, 33, of Thousand Oaks, was arrested for two outstanding Ventura warrants and for suspicion of an additional misdemeanor drug charge.
Vehicle burglary. 1000 block of Santa Ana St. A drone and phone valued at $1,000 were taken.
Traffic stop. 200 block of Ledroit St. 9:59 p.m. A 60-year-old Newport Beach man was cited for DUI.
Traffic stop. Rockledge Terrace. 10 p.m. Eucacia Romero Cuevas, 48, of El Monte, was arrested for an outstanding warrant and an additional vehicle code violation.
Traffic stop. S. Coast Hwy. 10:49 p.m. Matthew Thomas Gomez McKeon, 32, of Irvine, was arrested for suspicion of DUI and held for $10,000 bail due to a prior offense.
LBMC violation. 30800 block of Coast Hwy. 11 p.m. A report about “reading loudly” and drinking in a pickup resulted in the arrest of three south-county residents in their 20s for narcotics paraphernalia.
Sunday, Oct. 8
Traffic stop. Emerald Bay. 1:48 a.m. A 21-year-old Laguna Beach resident was cited for DUI.
Traffic stop. 200 block of Cliff Dr. 1:48 a.m. Rudy Amavizca, 30, of San Bernardino, was cited for suspicion of DUI and held for $10,000 bail.
Grand theft. 200 block of Brooks St. 2:17 p.m. Police allege Cesar Badillo Munoz, 28, entered a local business with the intent to steal merchandise and was ultimately arrested for burglary, grand theft, and resisting arrest after running from officers. Bail was set at $20,000.
Drunk driving. Glenneyre St. 10:28 p.m. Lucy Jane Arrom, 43, of Tustin, was arrested for suspicion of DUI, hit and run and driving with a suspended license. After a collision, Arrom allegedly abandoned her vehicle in a parking structure and was arrested on foot less than a block away on Laguna Avenue.
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