Cypress Man Awoke To Sound Of Keys Jingling In His House, Car Leaving His Driveway
CYPRESS (CBSLA.com) — Authorities say a Cypress man awoke Thursday about 5 a.m. to the sounds of keys jingling inside his home.
The next sound he heard was his car -- a silver four-door Nissan Altima -- leaving the driveway.
Police said the suspects had entered the residence through an open rear sliding glass door.
Around 5:35 a.m., Anaheim police officers located the stolen car, unoccupied in the parking lot of the Valencia Inn at 2630 W. Lincoln Avenue in Anaheim.
Cypress detectives responded to the Valencia Inn and with the assistance of Anaheim officers, conducted surveillance on the vehicle. Within a couple hours, Cypress Police detectives and Anaheim officers arrested three suspects for suspicion of the residential burglary and vehicle theft.
During the investigation, Cypress detectives also located a second stolen vehicle, which had been stolen out of West Covina, and two additional burglary victims from the cities of Brea and Villa Park.
Sean Brian Rittgers and Darren Maxwell Smith were charged with residential burglary, conspiracy to commit residential burglary and possession of stolen property. Darren Smith was also charged with grand theft auto. A third suspect detained during the investigation was later released without charges.
Rittgers and Smith were transported to Orange County Jail and held on bail pending arraignment on Monday.
Authorities said this burglary and car theft serves as a good reminder to always lock all doors and windows at night, as well as having adequate outside lighting.
