Computer Parts Stolen Off Truck in Burger King Lot

Four men were being sought Wednesday night for stealing $48,000 in computer hard drives from the rear of delivery truck parked at a Burger King, authorities said.

The driver of the Western Digital semi-tractor trailer was parked at the fast-food restaurant to use a pay phone when the burglars broke into the cargo area and took 10 boxes of computer gear, according to Orange County Sheriff’s Lt. Richard Paddock.

The theft occurred at 6:50 p.m. at the corner of Rockfield Boulevard and Centre Drive. The men quickly the equipment into an older Dodge Caravan with exterior wood paneling, witnesses said.

A Burger King employee alerted the driver that someone had been in the truck, but it was too late, Paddock said.

The burglary is similar to crimes in Irvine last year, and investigators will be looking into possible links, Paddock said.

Sheriff’s investigators were asking the public for any assistance in the search for the burglars, described as Latinos in their 20s. The driver of the van was described by witnesses as 5-feet-5, 160 pounds with black hair and a blue bandanna, a white shirt and black pants.

One of the other thieves was described as 5-feet-2, 160 pounds, wearing a brown, checkered, long-sleeve shirt, Paddock said. The remaining two burglars had mustaches, witnesses said.