Two people were arrested this week for allegedly stealing from medical conference attendees at several high-end hotels, including the Island Hotel in Newport Beach, police reported.
Eddwin Ricardo Bejaranobarrios, 26, and Mayra Alejandra Gutierrez-Leon, 27, both of Los Angeles, were arrested for burglary Tuesday by Newport Beach detectives. According to police, Bejaranobarrios and Gutierrez-Leon are suspected of targeting medical conference attendees at high-end hotels throughout Orange and Los Angeles counties over the past several months.
"While conference attendees were on a break, the suspects would use a distraction technique to remove bags containing electronic devices, including iPhones, iPads, and laptop computers from the meeting rooms," Jennifer Manzella, police spokeswoman, said.
Bejaranobarrios and Gutierrez-Leon have been linked to at least 11 thefts including two in Newport Beach, two in Anaheim, two in Garden Grove, two in Huntington Beach, two under the jurisdiction of the Los Angeles Police Department and one under the jurisdiction of the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department, according to police.
The loss in the two Newport Beach cases was estimated at $23,120.
The arrests were made possible due to the "diligent work, effort, and cooperation of staff from local law enforcement agencies and hotel security." Manzella added.
Anyone with more information on these incidents are encouraged to call Det. Christopher Kimble at 949-644-3767 or the Newport Beach Police Department’s Hotline at 1-800-550-NBPD. Messages can be left anonymously.
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