A HOMELESS man was arrested by Garden Grove police Wednesday in connection with a burglary spree (Shutterstock)
A 39-year-old homeless man was arrested by Garden Grove police detectives Wednesday on suspicion of committing 11 motor home burglaries and one felony act of vandalism.
According to the GGPD, James Hobaugh – whose last known location was Garden Grove – was the subject of a month-long investigation that took place at an RV storage facility at 7850 Chapman Ave., near Beach Boulevard. He allegedly broke into the vehicles “causing significant damage and stealing property.”
JAMES HOBAUGH (GGPD photo).
Using nearby surveillance video, detectives were able to identify a suspect. The GGPD’s Special Resources Team, which works with city’s homeless population was able to obtain a name, which led to an arrest by SRT officers within 45 minutes.
He was booked at Orange County Jail in Santa Ana and would have been released on the current COVID-19 zero bail order, but detectives were able to get a $100,000 bail enhancement to keep the suspect behind bars.
During the month-long string of burglaries, GGPD officers contacted Hobaugh in connection with four incidents in the area, but did not suspect him as the burglar.
He did have a misdemeanor arrest warrant but was not booked because of the COVID-19 restrictions.
Any witnesses with information about the burglaries are asked to call (714) 741-5827.