Arrests made in thefts at religious sites

Irvine police Wednesday arrested two men suspected of burglarizing a number of religious institutions across Orange County — including a temple in Irvine — with the help of two other suspects.

In January, investigators identified Robert Dennis, 45, of Santa Ana, from DNA at the temple, according to a news release from Irvine police.

After searching a residence in Garden Grove connected to Dennis, Irvine police identified two more suspects: Fernando Flores, 21, of Garden Grove, and James Dorscht, 39, of Norwalk, according to police.

Detectives found Dennis and Flores on Wednesday at a commercial complex near Fairview Street and Trask Avenue in Santa Ana.

The two men allegedly had burglary tools, a shotgun and a billy club in the car with them.

Security video of the burglaries allegedly show Dorscht, Flores, Dennis and a fourth suspect, Daniel Cortez.

Santa Ana police arrested Cortez last week, but Irvine police and other law enforcement agencies are still looking for Dorscht, a parolee, police said.

Irvine police arrested Dennis on suspicion of burglary, possession of burglary tools, possession of a dangerous weapon and being a felon in possession of a firearm.

They arrested Flores on suspicion of burglary, possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia, theft of a firearm and possession of a dangerous weapon

Both were booked into Orange County Jail and held on $20,000 and $15,000 bail, respectively.

— Jeremiah Dobruck

Twitter: @jeremiahdobruck