Burglars take piles of cash from Tustin Rite Aid; 4 in custody

TUSTIN, Calif. (KABC) -- Four male suspects were taken into custody after a break-in at a Rite Aid in Tustin. Investigators are trying to determine if the men are tied to similar burglaries in Orange County.

The burglary occurred at a Rite Aid branch located in the 13100 block of Jamboree Road around 3:20 a.m. Wednesday.

"When the officers arrived, they found a door pried open, and evidence at the scene quickly led us to two vehicles that were traveling southbound on the I-5," said Sgt. Andy Birozy with Tustin police.

Police said a GPS tracking device within the money helped lead officers to the suspects. It was unclear if the money was taken from a Rite Aid ATM or cash register.

Officers arrested two men inside one car at a Chevron gas station at El Toro Road in Laguna Hills. Shortly afterward, the second car was stopped on the 5 Freeway in the Lake Forest area, where deputies took two more men into custody.

A large amount of cash was found in both cars.

"Those four male adults have been brought back to the Tustin Police Department, where they're currently being interviewed by investigators," Birozy said.

Police identified the suspects as 26-year-old Deavan Phillips of San Diego, 32-year-old Gregory Moore of San Diego, 24-year-old Angel Romero of El Cajon, and 25-year-old Richard Turner of Spring Valley.

Investigators are trying to determine if the men may be connected to several other recent ATM burglaries inside pharmacies in Orange County.

Last Sunday, police say a Rite Aid in Westminster was burglarized by five men. The front door was pried open, and the ATM inside was broken into.

One week ago, three pharmacies were hit in Newport Beach. Surveillance cameras captured two suspects at the Hill Pharmacy, where they broke into the cash register and stole money. Police said the suspects also stole narcotics.

That same early morning, burglars hit two Rite Aids in Newport Beach, prying open ATMs and stealing an undisclosed amount of cash.

"There have been other similar burglaries in the county. So investigators are looking into that possibility as well as interviewing them to see if we can link them to those crimes," Birozy said.

The day before the Newport Beach incidents, two pharmacies in Garden Grove were also hit by burglars who took an undisclosed amount of money.