Earlier this month, a police officer stopped a suspicious vehicle in the area of Jeffrey and Roosevelt because it displayed a damaged temporary license plate, according to the Irvine Police Department.
One occupant was found to have broken glass in his pocket and gave a suspicious story about why he was in the area.
The officers found multiple power tools in the vehicle’s trunk, but there was no evidence or reports of a burglary at the time.
The driver was cited for a separate offence, and the car was towed away.
Officers later discovered a vehicle burglary in the area and confirmed that the power tools belonged to the victim.
The police detectives located the male suspect and arrested him the following day in Hermosa Beach.
Based on the latest California laws, particularly Senate Bill 905 which went into effect on January 1, 2025, the suspects in the Irvine vehicle burglary case could face the following penalties:
1. Auto Burglary (Penal Code 459 PC)
Auto burglary is defined as entering a locked vehicle with the intent to commit theft or another felony. It is considered second-degree burglary, which is a “wobbler” offense—meaning it can be charged as either a misdemeanor or a felony depending on the circumstances and the suspect’s criminal history.
- Misdemeanor: Up to 1 year in county jail.
- Felony: 16 months, 2 years, or 3 years in county jail.
2. Unlawful Entry of a Vehicle (Penal Code 465 PC)
SB 905 created a new standalone crime for forcibly entering a vehicle with intent to commit theft or a felony. This law no longer requires proof that the vehicle was locked, closing the previous “locked door loophole.”
- Misdemeanor: Up to 1 year in county jail.
- Felony: 16 months, 2 years, or 3 years in county jail.
3. Possession of Stolen Property for Resale (Penal Code 496.5 PC)
If the suspect possessed stolen property (like the power tools) with intent to sell or exchange it, and the value exceeds $950, they could be charged under this new law. Prosecutors can also aggregate the value of stolen items from multiple incidents over the past two years to meet the felony threshold.
- Misdemeanor: Up to 1 year in county jail.
- Felony: 16 months, 2 years, or 3 years in county jail.
Summary
Depending on how prosecutors charge the case, the suspects could face multiple felony counts, each carrying up to 3 years in jail. If convicted on more than one count, sentences could be served consecutively, increasing total jail time.
The post The Irvine Police arrested an auto burglary suspect after tracking him down in Hermosa Beach first appeared on New Santa Ana.