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Two arrested in thefts at Orange County religious sites

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Irvine police have arrested two men suspected of burglarizing several religious institutions in Orange County, including an Irvine temple, with the help of two other suspects.

In January, investigators identified Robert Dennis, 45, of Santa Ana, as a suspect from DNA at the temple, according to the Daily Pilot, citing a statement from Irvine police.

After searching a residence in Garden Grove connected to Dennis, Irvine police identified two more suspects: Fernando Flores, 21, of Garden Grove, and James Dorscht, 39, of Norwalk.

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Detectives found Dennis and Flores on Wednesday at a commercial complex near Fairview Street and Trask Avenue in Santa Ana.

The two men allegedly had burglary tools, a shotgun and a billy club in the car with them.

Security video of the burglaries allegedly show Dorscht, Flores, Dennis and a fourth suspect, Daniel Cortez.

Santa Ana police arrested Cortez last week, but Irvine police and other law enforcement agencies are still looking for Dorscht, a parolee, police said.

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Irvine police arrested Dennis on suspicion of burglary, possession of burglary tools, possession of a dangerous weapon and being a felon in possession of a firearm.

Police arrested Flores on suspicion of burglary, possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia, theft of a firearm and possession of a dangerous weapon.

Both were booked into Orange County Jail and held on $20,000 and $15,000 bail, respectively.

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jeremiah.dobruck@latimes.com

Twitter: @jeremiahdobruck

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