The Orange County Criminal Lawyer Blog
Overnight between March 27 and March 28, several homeowners in the Dover Shores area of Newport Beach reported that someone had attempted to vandalize and burglarize their homes. Newport Beach spokeswoman Jennifer Manzella said, “In each of these cases, an unknown suspect had used brute force, possibly a kick, to force open the front door to the residence.”
Although nothing was taken in those incidents, witnesses had reported to the police that they had seen a white man with a muscular build, along with an SUV near the scene of two of the crimes around the same time.
The next night, between the hours of 7 and 10 p.m. another home in the Newport Beach area was burglarized. “The door was forced open in the same manner as the other homes,” Manzella said. The resident was not home at the time of the crime. According to Manzella, watches and several items of jewelry were stolen.
Steven Ohlau, 35, of Lakeside, Arizona was pulled over in the vicinity of the crimes after he failed to stop at a stop sign. The officer that pulled over Ohlau noticed that the man and the SUV fit the description of the man and vehicle seen in the area of the crimes.
“A search of his vehicle revealed burglary tools and several items of jewelry,” Manzella said.
Ohlau was determined to be the likely suspect in the Newport Beach area incidents and was arrested. He is suspected of burglary, four counts of vandalism, possession of stolen property and possession of burglary tools, Manzella said.
If you or someone you love is suspected of burglary or vandalism, contact Orange County criminal defense lawyer Staycie R. Sena at (949) 477-8088 for a consultation now.