Irvine, CA – The Irvine Police Department (IPD) is seeking the public’s help identifying an outstanding suspect involved in the large-scale theft of commercial landscaping equipment. One suspect has been arrested and is identified as Francisco Acosta, 36, of Los Angeles.

At approximately 1:30 a.m. on May 17, 2016, an alert Irvine officer conducted a traffic stop after observing a suspicious silver van leaving a dirt road and driving onto Irvine Boulevard. As the vehicle pulled to the curb, the driver and passenger got out and fled on foot. The officer was able to chase and quickly apprehend Acosta, the driver of the van. The unidentified adult male passenger fled and was not located.

When officer searched the van, they discovered that it was full of 115 pieces of commercial-grade lawn and landscaping equipment. IPD returned to the area where the van was seen exiting the dirt road and located multiple containers belonging to a private landscaping service that had been burglarized. It was determined that the recovered equipment in the van had been stolen from those containers.

The recovered equipment is valued at over $45,000. It is believed that over 30 pieces of stolen property have not been located and a second vehicle may have been involved.

IPD is seeking the public’s help identifying the passenger who fled from the silver van and requests any information about possible additional suspects or vehicles.

Anyone with information related to this case is asked to contact Irvine Detective Jason Renshaw at 949-724-7000.  

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IRVINE POLICE DEPARTMENT
One Civic Center Plaza, Irvine, CA 92606
(949) 724-7000  www.irvinepd.org
"Working In Partnership with the Community"

INTEGRITY - QUALITY SERVICE - ACCOUNTABILITY - RESPECT

Since its incorporation in 1971, Irvine has become a nationally recognized city, with a population of 250,384, spans 66 square miles and is recognized as one of America’s safest and most successful master-planned urban communities. Top-rated educational institutions, an enterprising business atmosphere, sound environmental stewardship, and respect for diversity all contribute to Irvine’s enviable quality of life. This family-friendly city features more than 16,000 acres of parks, sports fields and dedicated open space and is the home of the Orange County Great Park – the first great metropolitan park of the 21st century.  For more information, please visit cityofirvine.org.