Crime & Safety
Witness's Eagle Eye Leads Police to Suspected Thief
When a woman came home and spooked a burglar, a nearby man was able to get the licence plate of the getaway SUV.
A resident of Fountain Valley returned home this week to find a thief in her garage, and thanks to the eagle eye of a witness, police were able to make an arrest.
Fountain Valley police have arrested Hammoudeh Elnajjar, 26, of Fountain Valley on suspicion of residential burglary. Bail was set at $50,000.
Police believe Elnajjar was in the garage when a woman in the 17300 block of Walnut Street came home. Seeing her, he fled in a white Lexus SUV, according to a Fountain Valley Police Department press release.
Find out what's happening in Fountain Valleyfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
A nearby witness took down the license plate number, and officers went on the hunt, the release says. Meanwhile, the victim found the inside of her house ransacked, with a safe, U.S. currency and jewelry missing.
Police found Elnajjar in the same neighborhood.
Find out what's happening in Fountain Valleyfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to contact Det. Avila at 714-593-4466
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