Three brothers arrested in connection to South Coast Plaza thefts

Three Santa Ana men were arrested in connection to a string of burglaries at South Coast Plaza, authorities said Wednesday.

Brian Perez, 21, Eric Perez, 23, and Uriel Perez, 24, all brothers who shared a Santa Ana apartment, were arrested in connection with burglaries that police said took place at the Costa Mesa shopping center between December and February.

Investigators found inside their apartment in the 1000 block of MacArthur Boulevard several thousand dollars worth of clothes — some still containing security sensors and others damaged where security sensors were torn off — according to Costa Mesa police.

Police allege that the men carried out organized, grab-and-run-style thefts, where one or two of them would distract clerks while another stole clothes and removed security sensors when possible.

Brian Perez is being held on $25,000 bail. Uriel and Eric Perez are being held without bail because of a parole and outstanding warrants, respectively.

— Lauren Williams

Twitter: @lawilliams30