Detectives are attempting to locate four suspects who removed all four wheels from a victim’s vehicle and left it on cinder blocks, according to the Santa Ana Police Department (SAPD).
The suspects were captured entering and exiting a secured parking garage in a black Ford Escape. Both of the suspects seen in a surveillance video posted online by the SAPD appeared to be male Hispanic suspects.
Anyone with information regarding the suspects is asked to contact Police Investigative Specialist V. Hernandez at (714) 245-8372 or [email protected].
Potential Charges and Penalties
The suspects could be charged under the following California Penal Code (PC) and Vehicle Code (VC) sections:
- Grand Theft (PC 487): If the total value of the four wheels and tires exceeds $950, the crime is classified as grand theft. This is a “wobbler” offense, meaning it can be charged as a misdemeanor or a felony.
- Felony: Punishable by 16 months, 2 years, or 3 years in county jail and a fine of up to $10,000.
- Misdemeanor: Punishable by up to 1 year in county jail and a fine of up to $1,000.
- Petty Theft (PC 484 & 488): If the total value of the wheels is $950 or less, the charge is a misdemeanor.
- Penalty: Up to 6 months in county jail, a fine of up to $1,000, or both.
- Tampering with a Vehicle (VC 10852): Willfully removing parts of a vehicle without the owner’s consent is a misdemeanor.
- Penalty: Can lead to fines, probation, and jail time.
- Vandalism (PC 594): Suspects may also face vandalism charges if the vehicle was damaged during the removal (e.g., damage to the rotors or body while placing it on cinder blocks).
- Automotive Property Theft for Resale (PC 496.5): A new focus in 2026, possessing stolen vehicle parts with the intent to sell or exchange them can be charged as a misdemeanor or felony when the value exceeds $950.
Additional Sentence Enhancements
- Organized Retail/Property Theft (Prop 36): Under current 2026 laws, committing grand theft with two or more accomplices can result in a sentence enhancement of 1, 2, or 3 years.
- High Value Enhancement: If the value of the stolen property is particularly high (e.g., over $50,000 for high-end luxury wheels), an additional year can be added to the sentence.
In Orange County, California, vehicle accessory thefts—specifically wheels and tires—reached historic highs in 2023 but have since shown a notable downward trend through 2024 and 2025…