COSTA MESA : 2 Corona Teen-Agers Arrested in Car Theft

Two 17-year-old Corona boys were arrested on suspicion of auto theft early Friday morning after they allegedly left their personal belongings in a stolen car that was found idling behind a Costa Mesa gas station.

Costa Mesa Police Sgt. Jerry Holloway said the youths were booked into Juvenile Hall after they told police conflicting stories.

Holloway said an officer spotted a Nissan 280-Z parked behind a Shell service station at the corner of Harbor Boulevard and Adams Avenue. The car’s engine was running and a door was open, but there was nobody inside, he said.

A check revealed that the car was registered to someone in a nearby apartment complex. The owner was still asleep when police called him, Holloway said.

In the car, police found two boogie boards, clothing and other personal effects that did not belong to the owner of the car.

An hour later, Holloway said, police saw the two suspects wandering near Sandalwood Street.

When stopped and asked for identification, the boys gave conflicting stories. One of the boys’ names, however, matched a name found on some of the clothing in the car.

A third boy is being sought in the auto theft, Holloway said.

He said the teen-agers may have become frightened when they saw a police car and decided to abandon the stolen car behind the gas station.

“They just bailed out,” Holloway said.