Yucaipa Couple Arrested For Open House Thefts

YUCAIPA (CBS) — Authorities are asking for the public's help in identifying $50,000 worth of stolen goods taken by a couple who posed as house hunters.

Rickie Purdie, 42, and Ashley Brown, 28, are accused of touring homes for sale in Lake Arrowhead and later burglarizing them, according to the San Bernardino Sun.

San Bernardino County Sheriff's officials discovered the stolen loot –which included TVs, video game systems, computers and tools – in the couple's Yucaipa mobile home in the 12000 block of Third Street, the Sun reported.

Officials were first tipped off to the burglaries Tuesday when a repossession agent tried to seize Purdie's truck and was threatened by him with a shotgun.

As a result, deputies went to check on Purdie, a parolee, Wednesday and found the stolen goods, according to the Sun.

An investigation found that Brown and Purdie would tour Lake Arrowhead homes, noted the home's valuables and later burglarized them by gaining access to the home by breaking realtor lockboxes, the Sun reported.

Brown and Purdie were arrested on suspicion of possessing stolen property and being felons in possession of a firearm. Purdie was also held on suspicion of violating parole, the Sun said.