Four Arrested for Alleged Newport Car Thefts

Two teenagers and two men were arrested early Tuesday on suspicion of stealing from cars in Newport Beach and Corona del Mar, police reported.

Kevin Allan Purdue, 23, of Costa Mesa, Andrew Samuelu, 18, of Huntington Beach, Joseph Richard Veenstra, 20, of Fountain Valley and a 17-year-old juvenile from Garden Grove were arrested about 1:30 a.m. after officers made two traffic stops, according to Kathy Lowe, Newport Beach police spokeswoman.

The first traffic stop was made in the area of Pacific View Drive and San Miguel Drive. The second traffic stop was made a few minutes later on a vehicle in the area of San Miguel Drive and San Joaquin Hills Road. Lowe said during both traffic stops officers found "multiple items of stolen property" inside the cars.

"Further investigation revealed that the occupants of both vehicles were working together and had recently taken property from unlocked vehicles in the Harbor View Homes (Port Streets) neighborhood," Lowe said in a released statement.

The investigation also revealed the suspects had committed at least one additional theft from a car in Huntington Beach and may be responsible for other thefts, Lowe said.

All four suspects were arrested for possession of stolen property and booked at the Newport Beach Police Department.

Officers contacted the two Newport Beach victims, who were unaware that the thefts had occurred, and returned the stolen property to them.

Anyone with additional information, or who thinks they may have been a victim of a theft from vehicle, is asked to contact Newport Beach police Det. David Darling at 949-644-3799.

Safety Tips

• Always lock and secure your vehicle, even if parked in a locked garage
• Remove all valuables from your vehicle
• If any items are left in your vehicle, secure them out of plain sight
  
• Park in a well-lit area