Five people were arrested following two separate burglary investigations at Woodland’s County Fair Mall, with police recovering suspected stolen copper wire, burglary tools and other evidence in the incidents.
The first investigation began Aug. 24 at about 7:19 p.m., after mall employees watching security cameras noticed several people moving electrical wire in a shopping cart near the property.
Responding officers located a gold-colored SUV with three Sacramento residents inside. They were identified as 49-year-old John Saveng, 43-year-old Jakizza Morgan and 58-year-old Hope Edadiz.
Officers said they found heavy-gauge copper wire along with tools believed to have been used to cut conduit and electrical wiring. Additional wire was found in a shopping cart near an unsecured entrance.
Police also found evidence inside an electrical room, including removed panels and cut conduit. Investigators said the scene was consistent with an attempt to remove electrical wire from the property.
The wire was estimated to be worth about $1,000. Officers also recovered drug paraphernalia during the investigation.
Saveng, Morgan and Edadiz were arrested on burglary, conspiracy and additional property- and drug-related charges, according to police.
A second investigation took place Tuesday at the same mall property. Security personnel reviewing surveillance footage saw two people walking along the side of the closed Gottschalks building.
Officers later contacted 23-year-old Justin Phienemanh and 41-year-old Dina Dethmongkhoh, both from Sacramento. Police said the pair were inside a gated area of the property.
Investigators found a discarded backpack nearby containing burglary tools. Dethmongkhoh was also found with batteries that police said were associated with the tools.
Phienemanh and Dethmongkhoh were arrested on suspicion of trespassing and possession of burglary tools.
The two investigations resulted in five arrests at the County Fair Mall within a relatively short period. Police have not reported any injuries connected to either incident.
The cases remain based on allegations, and the charges will be handled through the court system.
