Full Notification

On Thursday, February 19, 2015, at 5:06 a.m., a resident living on Thomas Circle was awakened by the sound of keys jingling inside the home. A vehicle was then heard leaving the driveway. It was quickly determined the resident’s vehicle, a silver 4-door Nissan Altima, was missing as well as the keys to the vehicle. The suspects had entered the residence through an open rear sliding glass door.

Shortly thereafter, at 5:36 a.m., Anaheim police officers located the stolen car, unoccupied in the parking lot of the Valencia Inn at 2630 W. Lincoln Avenue in Anaheim. Cypress detectives responded to the Valencia Inn and with the assistance of Anaheim officers, conducted surveillance on the vehicle. Within a couple hours from the time of the initial crime, Cypress Police detectives and Anaheim officers arrested three suspects for suspicion of the residential burglary and vehicle theft. During the investigation, Cypress detectives also located a second stolen vehicle, which had been stolen out of West Covina, and two additional burglary victims from the cities of Brea and Villa Park.

Sean Brian Rittgers and Darren Maxwell Smith were charged with residential burglary, conspiracy to commit residential burglary and possession of stolen property. Darren Smith was also charged with grand theft auto. A third suspect detained during the investigation was later released without charges. Rittgers and Smith were eventually transported to Orange County Jail and held on bail pending arraignment on Monday, February 23, 2015, at the West Justice Center.



This incident serves as a good reminder to always lock all doors and windows at night, as well as having adequate outside lighting.