3 arrested in Irvine in burglary, ID theft, drug case

Two men and a woman were arrested Tuesday in Irvine after a pair of custodians noticed a man stealing from a business, authorities said.

Michael Fairfax, 35, Rachel Fiore, 26, and Patrick Sanders, 51, were arrested on suspicion of burglary, identity theft, possession of methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia and fraud-related crimes.

Two janitors working in a Corporate Park Plaza business complex saw a man believed to be Fairfax stealing a computer from an office at about 11 p.m., Irvine police said. The custodians followed him out of the unit and called police.

Authorities said the custodians gave them detailed descriptions of the suspect’s physical appearance and clothing. Authorities found Fairfax hiding in bushes, police said.

Fiore and Sanders were arrested after being found in a nearby vehicle that contained documents with other people’s personal information, including credit card numbers, police said.

Some of the numbers had been used to make fraudulent online purchases and hotel reservations, according to police.

Authorities said they found the stolen computer, documents belonging to the business, and methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia.

The suspects may have had access to others’ personal information through their work. Police said Fairfax may have been associated with charity golf tournaments, specifically through the Krank It Hole organization, and solar sales. Sanders may have worked as a financial planner and Fiore may have worked in a medical building, according to police.

The investigation is continuing. Anyone with information about the case is asked to call Det. Kristi Valentine at (949) 724-7188.