A recent wave of vehicle thefts have been linked to a transient from Eastvale after law enforcement officials caught the alleged thief with a stash of GPS devices, MP3 and DVD players, officials reported.
(Flickr: Davidsonscott15)
The Eastvale Police Department’s Special Enforcement Team arrested 20-year-old, Justin Lee Whipple on Thursday July 26 at about 3 p.m. as he was walking down Hamner Avenue in Eastvale.
The SET and a crime analyst were able to identify Whipple as the car burglar with the help of a victim who snapped a photo of the man and turned it over to the police, Sgt. Ralph Rico said.
Further investigation revealed Whipple was in possession of stolen jewelry, sunglasses and other miscellaneous digital electronics. Much of the pilfered items had been stolen from parked cars in Eastvale, a sheriff’s report stated.
Sgt. Rico added that most thefts are crimes of opportunity. He advised simple preventative steps such as hiding valuables and locking vehicles can minimize theft.
Citizens who want to learn more information on how to protect their property can call Deputy C. Thompson at the Jurupa Valley Station at 951-955-2669.
Stephanie D. Schulte is a writer/photographer with SWRNN. She can be reached at stephanie.schulte@swrnn.com.
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Very Happy they caught this scum bag