Man Accused of Stealing Credit Cards from Irvine Offices

John Steven Gachupin A 47-year-old man from Chula Vista was arrested Tuesday in Tustin. John Steven Gachupin walked into offices unlawfully and stole people’s wallets and purses.

Irvine police arrested John Steven Gachupin suspected in 13 workplace burglaries he took credit cards, wallets and purses, officials said Wednesday.

At the time of his arrest, police said Gachupin was in possession of a credit card that was stolen earlier that morning.

The break in the case came when the lead detective identified a pattern of questionable transactions in the Oceanside area after poring over transaction information provided by victims, police said.

Theft Crimes Defense Lawyer Orange County 

A first degree burglary is the breaking or entering into a house in order to steal or commitment a felony. This is a violation of Penal Code Section 460(a). This crime is a felony, and is also considered a “strike” under the “three strikes law”. Most of the time when a defendant commitments a first degree burglary or residential burglary, they will be sentenced to state prison. 

The Orange County Criminal Law Offices of Stull & Stull handles cases where individuals have committed these types of offences and have received felony probation, without requirement of prison. This however, is the exception, not the standard.

Second degree burglary is all other types of burglary. It typically is where someone enters a premise other than a residence (store, office, warehouse or other building) in order to steal or unlawfully remove property. The key to determining the level of crime committed in a burglary is the intent of the act (for example: if a person had the intention of entering a Target store and stealing a pack of gum, it could be considered a second degree burglary – and also a petty theft). The key issue to be determined is what the defendant’s intent was when they entered the building.

Orange County theft crimes defense lawyer Adam R. Stull explains if an individual has stolen and charged less than $950 to a credit card, it is considered petty theft, but if someone charges more than $950 one can be charged with grand theft.  If the individual burglarizes a home or office and steels the credit card they will also be additional charges brought against the individual.

If you have been arrested for Burglary, or other theft crimes contact the Orange County Theft Crimes Lawyer that can help you with your Petty Theft and Shoplifting, Grand Theft Auto, Grand Theft, or Burglary charges.  Orange County Law Offices of Stull & Stull