Man Held on Suspicion of Laguna Niguel Burglaries

A 22-year-old man was arrested Sunday on suspicion of burglarizing three luxury homes in a gated community in Laguna Niguel.

The suspect, Michael Shulda of Laguna Niguel, was found lying on the ground at one of the homes on San Simeon when he was arrested.

Sheriff’s deputies received a 911 call at about 4 a.m. Sunday from a woman who said a man was in her home in the 100 block of San Simeon, according to the Orange County Sheriff’s Department.

The caller reported that the man in her bedroom said he was looking for someone and then fled the residence, police said.

While responding to the call, deputies received a second call from the neighborhood. At 5:30 a.m., after about a 90-minute search, a deputy found Shulda lying on the ground at a third house on the street. Authorities said pepper spray was used to subdue Shulda because he did not cooperate.

Shulda is accused of stealing $2,000 worth of goods, some of which were found in a yard in the neighborhood. Deputies and investigators entered neighborhood storm drains to look for evidence but found nothing.

Bail was set at $25,000. Shulda is scheduled to be arraigned Tuesday at the South Justice Center in Laguna Niguel.

Investigators said they will look into whether Shulda was involved in other burglaries in southern Orange County and may ask the court to increase his bail.

Recent real estate records indicate the homes on San Simeon sell for $800,000 and more.