Property Manager Arrested For $750,000+ Burglary In South Laguna, Cops Say

LAGUNA BEACH, CA — A rental property manager entrusted with the care of a Laguna Beach home has been arrested on suspicion of being involved in a burglary according to Laguna Beach Police. Ironically, bail in this case is the exact amount that the stolen property was worth.

Earlier in August, a residential burglary was reported in South Laguna at the residence in question.

"Officers responded to investigate a report of a residential burglary in the south end of the City," LBPD Jim Cota said. "The residence is a vacation home, and the owners were out of town at the time. The property manager, Raul Aguilera, had notified police about the burglary and the homeowners listed multiple missing pieces of jewelry from their residence."

The total reported loss of jewelry was $765,912.

"On August 21 st , Detectives from the Laguna Beach Police Department began their investigation and through additional follow-up, identified the property manager, Raul Aguilera, as the suspect in the case," Cota said. "The investigation led Detectives to a pawn shop in Orange County, where they were able to locate some of the missing jewelry and seize it as evidence."

Detectives served a search warrant on Aguilera’s residence on August 23, according to Cota.

"During the search of Aguilera’s home, Detectives located additional stolen property and jewelry belonging to the victims in this case," Cota said. "Aguilera was taken into custody without incident.

He was booked into Orange County Jail, where he is being held on $765,912 bail, the exact amount that the stolen jewelry was worth.

Anyone with any information regarding this investigation is encouraged to call the Laguna Beach Police Department at (949) 497-0701. For further information, please contact Sergeant Jim Cota at (949) 464-6671 or cota@lagunabeachcity.net.

Laguna Beach Police Department photo