CALIFORNIA BRIEFING / SANTA ANA
Santa Ana school district police arrested 12 people over the weekend, including five students and a professional BMX rider, in connection with a burglary ring that stole electronics from classrooms to sell for cash, skateboards and bicycle parts, authorities said Monday.
Police arrested seven juveniles and five adults: William Florian, 18; Javier Muro, 26; Erik Mata, 27; Lawrence Werrell, 18, and Benjamin Snowden, 28, a professional BMX rider. Police caught some of the crew in the act Saturday at 1:30 a.m., after a silent alarm went off at King Elementary School. Police found six juveniles with a large duffel bag taking out laptops and overhead projectors.
They allegedly broke into several rooms at a time and were in and out within a minute. Two of the adults worked as getaway drivers, police say.
School police believe they are responsible for at least half a dozen burglaries at several schools starting in December.
-- Tony Barboza
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