Theft Suspects Didn’t Know Van Was Loaded--With Police

Police investigator Rich Cook said the hardest part about arresting two suspected auto thieves Thursday night “was trying not to laugh.”

Cook and his partner Jim Hulsey were conducting an undercover surveillance for a burglar from the back of an unmarked police van about 6:40 p.m. when two men walked up to the vehicle, shook it, and tried to open the doors.

“We just sat there while they tried to get in,” Cook said. “They tried steal it three times.”

The suspects aborted the first attempt after a business owner came out of his nearby store to take out the trash. About 20 minutes later, the second attempt was foiled when the men were scared away by an approaching car.

“The third time, one of the guys had a piece of cement in his hand, and we were sure they were going to try and smash in the window,” Cook said.

At that point, the two investigators radioed for a marked patrol unit to come by and arrest the men. As the patrol car came into view, the suspects tried to flee, so Cook and Hulsey jumped out of the van and stopped them at gunpoint.

“They looked rather surprised that we came out of the van,” Cook said. “They just kind of stood there and looked at each other.”

Arrested on suspicion of attempted auto burglary were Jose Manuel Guerra, 22, of La Habra and Mauricio Murrillo Riviera, 21, also of La Habra.