On October 7, police officers investigated a burglary of a storage unit on Construction Circle. A man and a woman stole about $12,000 worth of items and were captured on surveillance cameras, according to the Irvine Police Department.
Detectives determined the suspects to be Zachary Malloy, 33, of Huntington Beach, and Catarina Rose Demelo, 28, of Artesia.
On October 28, detectives found Demelo in the city of Stanton and watched her get picked up by two other individuals in a stolen vehicle. Detectives were able to stop the vehicle and arrest Demelo for burglary.
The driver of the car, Jenny Paredes Cortez, 30, of Hawaiian Gardens, was arrested for possessing stolen property.
Leonardo Moreno, 33, of Hawaiian Gardens, was arrested for possession of narcotics.
Detectives found Malloy in Westminster and took him into custody for burglary. After arresting him, detectives served a search warrant at an apartment in Huntington Beach.
During the search, Harrison Gerrard Hoppin, 35, of Fountain Valley, tried to run out the back and was taken into custody for an outstanding narcotics warrant.
A total of five individuals were arrested during this operation.
Here are the likely penalties the five suspects face under California law:
1. Zachary Malloy (Burglary of Storage Unit)
- Charge: Second-degree burglary (commercial burglary) under Penal Code §459.
- Penalties:
- Classified as a “wobbler” (can be misdemeanor or felony).
- Misdemeanor: Up to 1 year in county jail.
- Felony: 16 months, 2 years, or 3 years in state prison.
- Fines up to $10,000. [shouselaw.com], [johndrogerslaw.com]
2. Catarina Rose Demelo (Burglary)
- Same penalties as Malloy for burglary:
- Up to 3 years in prison if charged as a felony.
3. Jenny Paredes Cortez (Possession of Stolen Property)
- Charge: Receiving stolen property under Penal Code §496.
- Penalties:
- Misdemeanor: Up to 1 year in county jail and fines up to $1,000.
- Felony: 16 months, 2 years, or 3 years in jail and fines up to $10,000.
- Felony likely if value exceeds $950.
4. Leonardo Moreno (Possession of Narcotics)
- Charge: Possession of a controlled substance under Health & Safety Code §11350.
- Penalties:
- Usually a misdemeanor under Prop 47.
- Up to 1 year in county jail and fines up to $1,000.
- Diversion programs may be available for first-time offenders.
5. Harrison Gerrard Hoppin (Outstanding Narcotics Warrant)
- Charge: Depends on original narcotics offense; warrants typically indicate prior charges.
- If original charge was simple possession:
- Up to 1 year in county jail.
- If original charge was possession for sale or trafficking:
- Felony penalties of 2 to 4 years or more in state prison.
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