5 Booked in String of Cigar Store Burglaries

Police have arrested five Orange County men who they say orchestrated a string of 25 cigar store burglaries over the past year.

Since last summer, police have been investigating a series of sophisticated commercial burglaries in Newport Beach and 10 other cities, Sgt. John Desmond said. In each case, the burglars cut a hole in the store’s roof with a saw. Once inside, they disabled alarm or security systems, Desmond said.

The businesses, which also included cellular telephone or pager stores, were all located in shopping centers with a rear alley. At least $300,000 in merchandise was stolen, including cigars, expensive lighters and ashtrays, Desmond said.

Detectives with Newport Beach’s Crime Suppression Unit launched a two-month investigation, issuing search warrants at eight homes throughout the county. Eight guns, including two assault rifles and a submachine gun, and $60,000 in stolen merchandise were seized during those searches, police said.

Desmond said at least 30 felony charges will be filed against the men, who are being held at the Orange County Jail on suspicion of burglary and weapons violations. Arrested were: Joseph A. McCarthy, 27, of Laguna Hills; Michael James Payne, 26, of Newport Beach; Albert Michael Limmer, 32, of Irvine; Timothy Michael Warren, 30, of Laguna Hills; and Raffi Ohanes Sepetjian, 28, of Costa Mesa.