Pair Held on Suspicion of Stealing $800,000 in Computer Equipment
Police on Wednesday arrested two men suspected of running a scheme to bilk 28 companies of $800,000 worth of computer equipment, authorities said.
Corey Leigh Hooper, 23, of Mission Viejo and Mohammed Salim Husein Jaffer, 25, of Walnut were arrested on suspicion of grand theft, Sgt. Pattie Wasielewski said. After a yearlong probe, investigators said they believe the men set up companies under fictitious names and ordered the equipment.
When the order was received, the men would move out of their offices without paying the bills and set up new companies, again buying equipment, investigators said, adding that the two men also set up firms to provide false credit references.
From March, 1993, through October, 1995, the men reportedly stole $800,000 worth of equipment using business locations in cities that include Anaheim, Orange and Fullerton, Wasielewski said.
The Orange County district attorney’s office has filed 30 counts of grand theft and attempted grand theft against Hooper and Jaffer. The arrest warrants were served Wednesday, police said.
The two men are being held at Anaheim City Jail in lieu of $500,000 bail each.
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