Police say a 32-year-old man is behind bars after detectives linked him to a pair of Irvine pharmacy burglaries in May. The two break-ins, reported to have happened just minutes apart, spurred the department's Crime Impact Unit to put the suspect under surveillance, follow him to an apartment in Culver City and ultimately serve a warrant there this week. The man was then arrested and booked into the Orange County Jail on burglary and grand theft charges.
According to the Irvine Police Department, Crime Impact Unit detectives identified the suspect as 32-year-old Michael Antone Hobbs of Culver City. The agency says Hobbs was arrested after detectives executed the search warrant at the Culver City apartment and was booked into the Orange County Jail on burglary and grand theft allegations.
Investigation and possible San Bernardino link
"Two pharmacies were burglarized in May, minutes apart," the department wrote in its post. Detectives say they later learned the suspect may also have been responsible for a separate pharmacy burglary in San Bernardino County. Before making the arrest, investigators conducted surveillance on Hobbs, according to the post. They did not release the names of the pharmacies or the exact dates of the May burglaries in their public update.
Pharmacy thefts and law enforcement reporting
Per Drug Enforcement Administration guidance, registrants must file a report of theft or loss when controlled substances go missing. That reporting helps law enforcement track diversion and prioritize investigations.
Legal notes
Being booked means Hobbs now faces formal burglary and grand theft allegations but has not been convicted. If prosecutors file charges, the case will move through Orange County courts, and potential penalties can include state prison time depending on the facts and any prior record. Court dockets and charging decisions will provide the next official updates.
Hoodline's account here relies on the department's public Facebook announcement; at the time of publication, we had not found independent local reporting that adds details about the scenes or victims. We will monitor court filings and agency releases and update the story as more information becomes available.
