Police arrest four after stolen property found in vehicles

Newport Beach police arrested four people on suspicion of stealing from vehicles in the Port Streets area, police announced Tuesday.

Arrested were Kevin Purdue, 23, of Costa Mesa; Andrew Samuelu, 18, of Huntington Beach; Joseph Veenstra, 20, of Fountain Valley; and an unnamed 17-year-old Garden Grove boy, according to police.

Police stopped a vehicle about 1:30 a.m. Monday near Pacific View and San Miguel drives, and minutes later stopped another about one block away, near San Miguel Drive and San Joaquin Hills Road. Police discovered stolen property in both vehicles, police said.

Police determined that the four suspects were working together and stole the items from unlocked vehicles in the Harbor View Homes neighborhood, authorities said. Police said the suspects also committed another theft in Huntington Beach and may be responsible for more crimes.

Authorities encouraged residents to keep valuables out of their vehicles, or out of plain sight, lock their doors and park in well-lit areas.

Anyone with information should call Det. David Darling at (949) 644-3799.

— Lauren Williams

Twitter: @lawilliams30