Temecula Investigation Uncovers Thousands Of Stolen Circuit Breakers

TEMECULA, CA — A 65-year-old Perris man suspected in a fencing operation involving thousands of stolen circuit breakers is out of custody after posting a $10,000 bail bond.

Eugene Gino Popa was released from custody July 17 following his arrest the prior day on suspicion of receiving known stolen property.

According to the Riverside County Sheriff's Department, deputies based out of its Southwest Station launched an investigation in February to address "a significant increase in circuit breaker thefts throughout the city of Temecula and unincorporated areas."

New home construction sites across the county have been "highly impacted" by circuit breaker thefts, the agency said.

After several months of investigation, deputies identified Popa as a suspect in a large-scale fencing operation. He was knowingly purchasing stolen circuit breakers from thieves then reselling them — mostly online — through his business, according to the sheriff's department.

A "fencing" operation involves receiving stolen property with the intent to resell it for profit.

Popa was arrested at the intersection of Seaton Avenue and Cajalco Road, near his Perris home. Deputies served a search warrant in the 22800 block of Cougar Street in Perris, which uncovered several thousands of suspected stolen circuit breakers and other evidence. A second search warrant was served in the 11600 block of Sterling Avenue in Riverside, where deputies located thousands more suspected stolen circuit breakers, the sheriff's department said.

As of Wednesday, no formal charges had been filed against Popa in the case.

The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with additional information is asked to contact Deputy Christina Weber at the Southwest Sheriff's Station: 951-696-3133.