Burglary Suspect Collared by Threat With Teeth in It

It was an odd time for a campuswide announcement over Orange Coast College’s public address system, but it got a suspected car burglar’s attention about 6 a.m. Sunday.

“OK, Allen, we know where you are, and we’re going to send the police dogs in after you unless you come out now,” boomed the voice of Costa Mesa Police Officer Clay Epperson throughout the campus.

The announcement was effective. Allen Wilcox, 21, of Costa Mesa showed his face to police officers before police dogs had a chance to show their teeth.

Wilcox and a companion, Aaron Raffensberger, 21, of Huntington Beach, were arrested Sunday morning on suspicion of vehicular burglary, possession of burglary tools and possession of stolen property, Costa Mesa Police Lt. Gary Webster said.

Suspect Fled to College

A police officer saw two men apparently burglarizing a car about 5:45 a.m. at an apartment complex at 2700 Peterson Place, near Orange Coast College, Webster said. Raffensberger was held at the car, but the other suspect fled to the college.

Officers surrounded a section of the campus and were given permission to use the public address system, Webster said. Although they did not know Wilcox’s exact whereabouts, they bluffed a bit when they ordered him either to come out of hiding or be found by the dogs.

Wilcox immediately emerged from the agricultural area.

“The police dogs are a big deterrent,” Webster said. “No one wants to meet them on a first-name basis.”