Los Angeles man accused of stealing Newport-Mesa traffic signal batteries

Police have arrested a man on suspicion of stealing batteries from traffic signals located in Newport Beach and Costa Mesa, officials said Thursday.

An officer who stopped Ricardo Urizar, 28, of Los Angeles, for a traffic violation July 12 noticed 22 batteries in the bed of the rented truck Urizar was driving, according to a news release from the Newport Beach Police Department.

Police said Urizar intended to sell the batteries he allegedly stole from the boxes, which had locks that he cut off.

The batteries are used as backup in case of power failures, according to the release.

Urizar was booked on suspicion of grand theft.

Anyone with more information should call Det. Brad Miller at (949) 644-3767.

— Lauren Williams