July 25, 2024 – Riverside County Sheriff's Office officials report that in February 2024, the Southwest Sheriff’s Station’s Robbery/Burglary Suppression Team (RBST) began investigating a significant increase in circuit breaker thefts throughout the city of Temecula and unincorporated areas. The new home construction areas throughout Riverside County have been highly impacted by the theft of breakers. After several months of following investigative leads, RBST identified a suspect who was involved in a “fencing” operation of the stolen circuit breakers. A “fencing” operation involves someone who knowingly purchases stolen product with the intent to resell it for profit.

RBST identified the suspect as 65-year-old Eugene Popa, a resident of Perris. Investigators learned Popa was purchasing stolen circuit breakers on a regular basis from suspects who were stealing circuit breakers from new home construction as well as new in box circuit breakers from retail stores. The investigation revealed Popa also owned a business selling circuit breakers, primarily through e-commerce.

On July 16, 2024, RBST located and arrested Popa near his residence at the intersection of Seaton Avenue and Cajalco Road in Perris. RBST then served a search warrant in the 22800 block of Cougar Street in Perris. During the search several thousands of suspected stolen circuit breakers and other items of evidentiary value involving the “fencing” operation were located and seized. A second search warrant was served in the 11600 block of Sterling Avenue in the city of Riverside, where deputies located thousands more of suspected stolen circuit breakers. Popa was booked into the Cois Byrd Detention Center for possession of stolen property.

The investigation is ongoing and no additional information is available. Anyone with additional information related to this case is encouraged to contact Deputy Christina Weber of the Southwest Station RBST Team at (951) 696-3133.

The Riverside County Sheriff’s Office has zero-tolerance for these offenses and will continue to work proactively to identify circuit breaker thieves and those who are involved in the “fencing operations.”

Reporting Deputy: Sergeant Josh Hephner

File: SW241920007

Source & photos: Riverside County Sheriff's Office