Night Prowler Caught In North OC: Cops

SANTA ANA, CA — On Monday, a Santa Ana woman discovered that her desk had been moved, her screen removed in her bedroom. But when she turned, she saw a strange, shirtless man in her bedroom. He placed a finger over his mouth, telling her to be silent but instead, she fled and called police.

"The victim and her roommate were able to lock themselves in their condominium's bathroom and called 911," Santa Ana Police Department Cpl. Anthony Bertagna said.

That man she identified to Santa Ana police as a male Hispanic, around 30-years-old, wearing baggy khaki shorts and no shirt.

The suspect fled the scene and was not found, though a K9 searched the area and OCSD DUKE helicopter surveyed the scene from above. No one was found.

Two nights later, just after midnight, it happened again.

"Officers responded to the next prowler call in the same apartment," he said. This time, the victim saw the suspect standing at her backdoor.

Arriving officers located the suspect, who was dressed in the same manner, Bertagna said.

"The victim positively identified the suspect, who was arrested without incident and booked into SAPD Jail for burglary," he said.

Isaias Vargas-Martinez, a 26-year-old transient living in Santa Ana, was arrested two days later on the exact same crime, according to Santa Ana Police Department officials.

The Santa Ana Police Department wants to remind community members as we approach the warm weather season to be cautious not to leave windows and doors open as you sleep if at all possible.

Photo, courtesy Santa Ana Police Department