Police arrest burglary suspect

Police believe a 25-year-old Costa Mesa man arrested on suspicion of burglarizing a local apartment may be responsible for several similar crimes throughout the city, police said Thursday.

Costa Mesa police arrested Arturo Vasquez, who was convicted of first-degree burglary in 2004, Wednesday evening at his home at the Camden Martinique apartments, 2855 Pinecreek Drive.

Authorities said forensic evidence found at the scene of a May 5 burglary in Vasquez’s complex links him to the crime.

Police said it appeared that Vasquez forced his way into the apartment by removing the screen on one of the apartment’s windows and then stole a TV when the homeowner wasn’t there.

“This is a substantial arrest because we’re identifying a person who’s possibly responsible for more burglaries,” Sgt. Bryan Glass said.

Police believe he may be responsible for up to 10 more burglaries throughout the complex and Costa Mesa.

Authorities said when they arrested Vasquez in his home, they found property there that may have come from other crimes.

Court records show that Vasquez pleaded guilty to felony first-degree burglary in March 2004 and was sentenced to three years’ formal probation with a 270-day jail sentence if he violated it.

Vasquez completed probation in 2007.