Car burglary suspect arrested in Costa Mesa neighborhood

Police arrested a man Tuesday whom they suspect was walking around a Costa Mesa neighborhood trying to burglarize cars, according to authorities.

Residents in the 700 block of West 18th Street called police around 5:45 a.m. to say they had seen someone going car to car checking door handles to see if they were unlocked, Costa Mesa police Sgt. Mike Manson said.

Residents watched as the man got inside at least one car, Manson said.

Officers arrived and quickly located the man. According to police, he had a pack of cigarettes taken from the car he reportedly had entered and admitted he had been trying to burglarize cars.

Officers arrested Oscar Velazquez, 20, of Costa Mesa on suspicion of vehicle burglary and vehicle tampering.

Manson said investigators are trying to determine whether he is connected to any other car burglaries in the area.