Suspected Laguna Car Burglary Couple Caught: Cops

LAGUNA BEACH, CA — Two suspects wanted for stealing a purse and multiple credit cards from a Laguna Beach car were found in San Bernardino County this week. The arrest was following months of detective surveillance and investigation, the department said.

In the winter months of 2018, multiple vehicles in Laguna Beach were robbed, according to LBPD officers. Months later, detectives found the suspects responsible for the crime, LBPD Sgt. Jim Cota said.

The day the purse was stolen, the "victim's credit cards were used in Laguna Beach" and other cities across Orange County, according to Cota. One day later, they attempted use the information in the victim's wallet to open a new credit account at a furniture store in San Bernardino.

After the lengthy investigation, a surveillance operation was launched and on May 24, Robert James Bird and Amber Lyn Holt were both arrested on charges of burglary, conspiracy, forgery and theft of an access card, Cota said.

A third suspect in the case, Vincent Razvan Oajdea, was already in custody in Riverside County for an unrelated theft charge, Cota reported.

Holt was released the following day.

"As we approach summer, we ask that Laguna Beach residents and visitors assist us by properly securing their vehicles at all times and immediately report suspicious activity to the department," Capt. Jeff Calvert, LPBD said.

Laguna Beach Police Department photo