Two men were taken into custody Thursday night after a reported residential burglary in a Fullerton neighborhood near State College Boulevard and Bastanchury Road, the Fullerton Police Department said.
Officers were sent to the scene after reports that two adult male suspects had broken into a home while residents were inside. Police said the pair ran off before officers got there, prompting a search of the surrounding area.
The Anaheim Police Department's helicopter unit, known as "Angel," assisted in that search. With the aircraft's help, officers found both suspects nearby and arrested them without further incident.
Prosecutors have not yet announced formal charges. Based on the information police released, investigators could consider several felony counts depending on the evidence they gather. Possible charges include first-degree residential burglary under California Penal Code 459 and 460, conspiracy if prosecutors believe the men planned the crime together, and possession of burglary tools if such items were recovered. Enhancements tied to an occupied residence may also apply.
Under California law, burglary of an inhabited dwelling is first-degree burglary and is always charged as a felony. A conviction generally carries a state prison term of two, four or six years. It is also a serious felony and counts as a strike under the state's Three Strikes law. Prosecutors do not need to prove anything was stolen, since the crime is complete once a person enters a residence intending to commit theft or another felony. If residents were inside during the break-in, that could weigh heavily in charging and sentencing, because occupied-home burglaries are generally seen as carrying a higher risk of violence and injury.
Residential burglary remains a recurring problem across Orange County. Crime data compiled from California Department of Justice statistics show local agencies reported 5,888 burglaries in 2025, including 2,089 residential burglaries. Only about 12.5% of burglary cases were cleared, which shows how significant an arrest can be in these investigations.
County authorities have also put substantial resources into fighting organized burglary crews. In one multi-agency investigation announced by the Orange County District Attorney's Office, 20 defendants were charged in connection with a burglary ring linked to 34 residential burglaries across the county, including some involving occupied homes.
Aviation units are playing a growing role in such cases. Helicopters are often used to track fleeing suspects, coordinate searches across large areas and give officers on the ground real-time information, which can reduce the need for dangerous vehicle or foot pursuits. Agencies across Orange County routinely share specialized resources such as helicopters, SWAT teams, drones and crime analysis personnel.
In this case, Fullerton officers and the Angel crew located the suspects quickly, bringing the incident to a safe end and letting investigators begin building their case. The two men are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court. Formal charges and more details are expected once prosecutors review the evidence submitted by investigators.
