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City News Service
May 17, 2013 Friday 5:19 PM PST
Suspect in Theft of Safe from Santa Ana Church Arrested
SANTA ANA
A 29-year-old man suspected of breaking into a Santa Ana church with
two others to pilfer a safe containing about $15,000 was in custody
today, police said.
Daniel Cortes was arrested following a short car chase, Santa Ana
police Cpl. Anthony Bertagna said.
After investigators released a surveillance video photo of a suspect
wearing a White Sox cap as the trio broke into Forty Martyrs Armenian
Church, 5315 W. McFadden Ave. May 1, police received a tip that Cortes
was the man officers were seeking, Bertagna said.
Police waited on Cortes' car and arrested him shortly after he got
into the vehicle and tried to get away, Bertagna said.
Some of the stolen goods have been recovered, Bertagna said.
In the most recent heist May 1, three burglars broke into Forty
Martyrs Armenian Church, 5315 W. McFadden Ave. about 4 a.m., and stole
a safe containing about $15,000, Bertagna said.
Most of the money was proceeds from a bingo game held just hours
earlier, he said.
Finding the safe took about an hour, Bertagna said. Torres, who was
wearing a White Sox cap, tried to break a surveillance camera with a
screwdriver, but he instead provided police with a clear, close-up
image of himself, Bertagna said.
Santa Ana police are working with Anaheim police, who are
investigating at least one similar break-in, Bertagna said.
Santa Ana police believe the trio are responsible similar crimes
dating to January, Bertagna said.
The three were seen in a newer model gray four-door, Bertagna said.
Another burglar, believed to be 40-45 years old, was shown to be bald
with a mustache and a medium build. The other was described as
possibly Hispanic, between 35 and 40 years old, thin and having a
goatee.
Anyone with more information was asked to call Orange County Crime
Stoppers at (855) TIP-OCCS or (855) 847-6227.
May 17, 2013 Friday 5:19 PM PST
Suspect in Theft of Safe from Santa Ana Church Arrested
SANTA ANA
A 29-year-old man suspected of breaking into a Santa Ana church with
two others to pilfer a safe containing about $15,000 was in custody
today, police said.
Daniel Cortes was arrested following a short car chase, Santa Ana
police Cpl. Anthony Bertagna said.
After investigators released a surveillance video photo of a suspect
wearing a White Sox cap as the trio broke into Forty Martyrs Armenian
Church, 5315 W. McFadden Ave. May 1, police received a tip that Cortes
was the man officers were seeking, Bertagna said.
Police waited on Cortes' car and arrested him shortly after he got
into the vehicle and tried to get away, Bertagna said.
Some of the stolen goods have been recovered, Bertagna said.
In the most recent heist May 1, three burglars broke into Forty
Martyrs Armenian Church, 5315 W. McFadden Ave. about 4 a.m., and stole
a safe containing about $15,000, Bertagna said.
Most of the money was proceeds from a bingo game held just hours
earlier, he said.
Finding the safe took about an hour, Bertagna said. Torres, who was
wearing a White Sox cap, tried to break a surveillance camera with a
screwdriver, but he instead provided police with a clear, close-up
image of himself, Bertagna said.
Santa Ana police are working with Anaheim police, who are
investigating at least one similar break-in, Bertagna said.
Santa Ana police believe the trio are responsible similar crimes
dating to January, Bertagna said.
The three were seen in a newer model gray four-door, Bertagna said.
Another burglar, believed to be 40-45 years old, was shown to be bald
with a mustache and a medium build. The other was described as
possibly Hispanic, between 35 and 40 years old, thin and having a
goatee.
Anyone with more information was asked to call Orange County Crime
Stoppers at (855) TIP-OCCS or (855) 847-6227.