Man faces multiple charges in Jeep theft

A 22-year-old Mission Viejo man was arrested on multiple charges after allegedly stealing a Jeep in Laguna Beach and driving it to a restaurant at the Irvine Spectrum, Sgt. Jason Kravetz said.

The incident began when Laguna Beach police responded in heavy rain to the Jeep dealer in the 3000 block of Laguna Canyon Road at 9:47 p.m. Dec. 17.

“When we arrived we saw that the place had been burglarized, and it appeared that one of the Jeeps was missing,” Kravetz said.

Police called the owner, and it was determined that a new 2008 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon had been stolen.

While police were taking the report, the Irvine Police Department called to report that it had a suspect, Kyle Jeffrey Stolk, detained at the Irvine Spectrum with the allegedly stolen Jeep.

Stolk had been at the Yardhouse Restaurant and was escorted off the premises after allegedly creating a disturbance, Kravetz said.

Police say the suspect broke into the Jeeps-R-Us, where he found the keys to a vehicle, then loaded it up with $2,700 worth of stereos and car accessories.

He then drove the vehicle directly to the Yardhouse, they said.

Police recovered the car and stolen items, and also allegedly found ecstasy and marijuana, in addition to a loaded gun, in Stolk’s possession.

Stolk was booked and taken to County Jail on suspicion of auto theft, burglary, grand theft, being under the influence of drugs and possession of drugs.

CINDY FRAZIER is city editor of the Coastline Pilot. She can be contacted at (949) 494-2087 or cindy.frazier@latimes.com.