Car burglary suspects nabbed

By Neil Nisperos

Staff Writer

CHINO HILLS -- Two men were arrested near Chino Hills homes early Wednesday after police linked them to a number of overnight car burglaries.

Ryan Nichols, 29, and Waquas Bhatti, 25, were found by police wet and hiding behind bushes near the corner of Peyton Avenue and Olympic View Drive at about 4 a.m. after a resident called to report the suspects in the area.

The suspects' truck, found nearby at Skyview Ridge, was filled with $8,000 worth of stolen property that included wallets, purses, cellphones, GPS units, a bicycle and a skateboard, deputies said.

One of the men, Bhatti, is a parolee from Anaheim with links to the Chino area, said San Bernardino County sheriff's Deputy Stacy Tarver. Tarver said it was unclear which cities the men were from, but it appeared they were from the Orange County area.

Tarver said the suspects were booked at the West Valley Detention Center, and an arraignment is expected to take place on Friday.

The burglaries on Wednesday morning come after a surge of vehicle burglaries in Chino Hills three weeks ago, Tarver said.

Tarver said the ongoing investigation may determine whether the burglaries are related.

"We're still continuing questioning to see if they admit to any prior burglaries, and if they do, it might clear up some old cases we are actively pursuing," Tarver said.

Jack Schellin, 21, stopped by the Chino Hills sheriff's station to pick up his property that was found along with other items stolen by burglars.

"Four of our neighbors were hit by these guys last night," Schellin said. "They caught them right away, which is really, really cool." 

All of the vehicles involved appeared to have been left unlocked by their owners. Deputies warned the public to take caution.

"Be diligent about what you leave behind in your car," Tarver said. "Don't leave valuables in plain sight. It's a quick thing for somebody to see a cellphone and a laptop. It takes a few seconds for someone to get in and out. You don't want to have vehicles unlocked. Even if you live in a city that feels very safe, people will still take your stuff."

Staff writer Mediha Fejzagic DiMartino contributed to this report.

neil.nisperos@inlandnewspapers.com

909-483-9356