Irvine, CA – The observation of an alert Irvine Police Department (IPD) officer led to the arrest this week of three suspects on various charges related to drug possession and a series of vehicle burglaries. The suspects are identified as Robin Ruffalo, 27, of Irvine, Alvin Xiong, 33, of Santa Ana, and Jefferson Yang, 34, of Santa Ana.
At approximately 7:30 a.m. on April 10, 2016, an IPD officer was patrolling a parking lot in the area of Von Karman Avenue and Barranca Parkway. Xiong was driving a vehicle in the lot with Yang and Ruffalo as passengers.
The officer initiated a traffic stop of the vehicle after recognizing Yang as a suspect known to the officer to be on probation from a prior arrest. Xiong slowed but did not immediately stop until his vehicle hit a raised concrete barrier in a parking stall.
During the contact with officers, it was determined that Xiong was driving under the influence of drugs and in possession of a methamphetamine pipe. Ruffalo was found to be under the influence of heroin and in possession of heroin and needles. She was also in possession of credit cards in another name. Ruffalo also had an outstanding narcotics-related warrant. Yang was found in possession of credit and access cards in different names.
In a search of the suspects’ vehicle, officers located drug paraphernalia, personal documents belonging to other people, a laptop computer, and burglary tools.
The suspects were linked through the investigation to additional crimes in the City of Irvine from earlier that morning, including at least two vehicle burglaries. In both instances, a vehicle’s window was smashed and items were stolen from inside including a wallet containing credit cards and a laptop. The stolen credit card(s) were used to make purchases at a big-box retail store and fast food restaurant.
All of the suspects were arrested at the scene.
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