The music’s over for burglary suspects

Greg Risling

COSTA MESA -- Two Russian nationals suspected of targeting auto sound

stores along Newport Boulevard were arrested early Monday morning.

Police discovered a map inside the suspects’ van that had two locations

-- believed to be auto stereo shops -- circled in red ink.

Samuel Mordukhovich, 20, and Eugene Trifonov, 24, both of Los Angeles,

were arrested and booked on suspicion of prowling and possession of

burglary tools. Mordukhovich was held on $500 bail while Trifonov

reportedly was being sought by immigration officials.

The two men were noticed by motorists around 4:30 a.m. Monday in the 1700

block of Newport Boulevard. Apparently, the suspects’ cargo van appeared

suspicious because the headlights weren’t turned on.

When police arrived, they also noticed that the van’s rear windows were

covered with a filmy substance. They later learned the two men had

scrubbed soap on them so that no one could look inside the van.

The two men were stopped near Newport Autosound, a business police said

the suspected burglars were casing.

“It looks like they were going to hit at least one shop,” said Lt. John

FitzPatrick, noting the discovery of the map. “They seemed pretty

prepared.”

Police also found screwdrivers, hammers and other tools that are commonly

used in burglaries.

Mordukhovich faces burglary charges in Los Angeles and Trifonov is on

probation for a grand theft conviction.