Two San Diego men are accused of preying on people visiting one of the nation’s most popular tourist attractions.
The men cased cars parked outside the San Diego Zoo in Balboa Park, breaking into them and stealing valuables while tourists were inside the park.
In their scheme, Christiano Mendez Straughn, 33, and co-defendant Robert Eugene McCusker, 27, targeted American-made SUVS with luggage clearly visible, prosecutors allege.
Connecticut resident Allison Jelenik was one of the victims in the case. She said her dream family vacation to San Diego in August was ruined when their luggage, all their clothes, her daughter's purse and medication were stolen.
She learned of last Thursday's arrests after San Diego police sent her evidence photos, including her daughter’s books.
“There was a bookmark she'd gotten from a teacher and it had her name on it," Jelenik said. [[277795171,C]]
San Diego police told NBC 7 they are still evaluating the number of break-ins and victims.
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Jelenik said she was told the thefts happen often and have even been reported twice in the same day.
“They told us there was a room full of personal belongings just strewn all over the room and there was like 30 pieces of luggage and bags and what not that had just been emptied out," she said.
Earlier in September, the Sylvester family from Atlanta spoke with NBC 7 about their experience. They parked next to a police station in the parking lot figuring their vehicle would be safe.
However, when they returned to their car after visiting the zoo, they found the car emptied with only a pillow left behind.
The white police tower may be labeled as a police presence however there has been no one staffing it so it’s essentially an empty threat.
There is an empty police cruiser parked next to the tower as well.
A San Diego police spokesperson said when visitors to the San Diego Zoo park their cars, they should not leave anything in sight for criminals to steal.
The San Diego District Attorney’s Office said Straughn faces three felony and two misdemeanor charges ranging from attempted burglary to vandalism. McCusker faces a felony charge of receiving stolen property. His criminal record shows previous convictions in 2007 and 2008 are related to burglary charges.
