Countywide : Man Is Arrested in Thefts at Preschools
Sheriff’s deputies have arrested a Tustin man on suspicion of stealing purses and wallets from cars of parents dropping off their children at South County preschools.
Alvaro Sosa Lizarraga, 25, was arrested Wednesday at a Tustin fast food restaurant. At the time, Lizarraga was with his 2-year-old son, who police said was used to help Lizarraga blend in to the preschool crowds.
“It really bothered us that he was using his child,” said Lt. Dan Martini.
Lizarraga was being held on $10,000 bond at the Orange County Jail on suspicion of theft. The child was placed in his mother’s custody.
“Evidently, his wife had no idea this was going on,” Martini said.
Police contend that, since December, Lizarraga went to at least 10 preschools in Mission Viejo, Lake Forest and Laguna Hills. While parents, mostly mothers, dropped off their children, Lizarraga allegedly entered their unoccupied vehicles and took purses and wallets, removing cash before discarding them near the schools, police said.
Witnesses’ descriptions led deputies to Lizarraga and his son, Martini said.
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