Police: 3 arrested after break-in at Back Bay High School

By Hannah FryStaff Writer

Jan. 6, 2016 12 AM PT

Two Costa Mesa men and a teenager were arrested Thursday night on suspicion of commercial burglary after an apparent break-in at a local high school, authorities said.

A resident in a nearby housing complex called Costa Mesa police just after 9 p.m. Thursday to report that she saw three males breaking into a room at Back Bay High School, 390 Monte Vista Ave.

Officers responded and the three fled on foot, police said, but eventually were caught. Elijah Blandford, 18, Marcus Huish, 19, and a 17-year-old Costa Mesa resident were taken into custody, according to Lt. Greg Scott.

Costa Mesa police said they were increasing patrols around local campuses last week after four schools, Costa Mesa High School, Early College High School, TeWinkle Middle School and the Coastline Regional Occupational Program campus, were burglarized while students and employees were off for winter break.

It is unclear whether the burglaries are connected.

Hannah Fry

Hannah Fry covers breaking news for the Los Angeles Times. She most recently covered Orange County for The Times and has written extensively about criminal trials, housing, politics and government. In 2020, Fry was part of the team that was a Pulitzer finalist for its coverage of a boat fire that killed 34 people off the coast of Santa Barbara. Fry came to The Times from the Daily Pilot, where she covered coastal cities, education and crime. An Orange County native, Fry started her career as an intern at the Orange County Register.