Man Accused In RivCo Circuit Breaker Fencing Operation Due In Court

MURRIETA, CA — A 65-year-old man accused of fencing stolen circuit breakers that he acquired from thieves who targeted housing developments throughout the Temecula Valley is slated to be arraigned next week.

Eugene Gino Popa of Perris was arrested in July following a Riverside County Sheriff's Department investigation.

Popa is charged with receiving stolen property, purchasing a known stolen vehicle and manufacturing brass knuckles — all felonies.

He made his initial court appearance in July before Superior Court Judge Jeffrey Zimel, who scheduled Popa's arraignment for Sept. 17 at the Southwest Justice Center in Murrieta.

Popa is free on a $10,000 bond.

According to the sheriff's department, the defendant came under investigation while deputies from the Burglary Suppression Team were gathering evidence tied to a rash of thefts during which the bandits extracted circuit breaker units from multiple newly constructed residences, and a few businesses, in and around Temecula.

"After several months of following investigative leads, the team identified a suspect who was involved in a fencing operation of the stolen circuit breakers," Sgt. Josh Hephner said.

Fencing occurs when a party acquires known stolen property and sells it at a profit.

"Investigators learned that Popa was purchasing stolen circuit breakers on a regular basis from suspects," Hephner said. "The investigation revealed Popa also owned a business selling circuit breakers, primarily through e-commerce."

A search warrant was procured and served at the defendant's residence in the 22800 block of Cougar Street, as well as another property in the 11600 block of Sterling Avenue in Riverside.

Hephner alleged the searches uncovered "thousands of stolen circuit breakers and other items of evidentiary value."

Popa was taken into custody without incident.

The parties allegedly responsible for the thefts were not identified, and it was unclear whether any of them had been arrested.

Court records show that Popa has a prior misdemeanor conviction for reckless driving.

— City News Service