Behind the Badge
Two men are facing burglary charges after allegedly stealing two vehicles and burglarizing several Orange County homes, Cypress police said.
The jingling of car keys just after 5 a.m. Feb. 19 was enough to wake the resident in the home on Thomas Circle.
Shortly after, the resident heard a car leave the driveway and walked out to find the silver four-door Nissan Altima gone, Cypress police said.
Police said someone entered the resident’s home through an open rear sliding glass door.
About 30 minutes later, Anaheim police found the stolen car, unoccupied, in the parking lot of a motel in the 2600 block of Lincoln Avenue.
Cypress police responded and surveilled the vehicle, police said.
Within a couple hours of the original crime, Cypress and Anaheim police arrested three people on suspicion of residential burglary and vehicle theft.
Cypress police investigated and found a second stolen vehicle, which was taken from West Covina.
Police said they also found two other burglary victims from Brea and Villa Park.
Sean Brian Rittgers, 33, and Darren Maxwell Smith, 22, were arrested on suspicion of residential burglary, conspiracy to commit residential burglary and possession of stolen property.
Smith was also arrested on suspicion of grand theft auto.
A third suspect was arrested, but later released, police said.
Cypress police said the incident serves as a reminder for residents to make sure their doors and window are shut and locked at night and when they are not at home.
Darren Maxwell Smith, 22, was arrested on suspicion of residential burglary and grand theft auto. He was arrested by Cypress police on Feb. 19.
