Littering leads to crime ring's demise: Fifty home burglaries linked to group of seven, law officials say.

Byline: Katherine Rosenberg

Oct. 31--VICTORVILLE -- Officials say roughly 50 home burglaries can be linked to a group of seven people, all arrested following a weekend pursuit.

In serving numerous search warrants in Victorville, Apple Valley and Hesperia following the arrests, they also located about 50 pounds of marijuana at one of the homes, said Detective Brett Zour of the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department Victorville station.

"They would do door kicks or window smashes and then wait to see if an alarm would go off," said Detective Sgt. Bob Hughes. "If it didn't, they would enter and steal specific items like jewelry, guns and personal financial information."

The burglary ring was uncovered when Deputy Derek Pederson attempted a traffic stop on a vehicle when he saw an occupant throw a lit cigarette from the car, officials said.

Instead of pulling over, the driver took off and led officials on a chase, which ended when three people ditched the vehicle and tried to flee on foot, Pederson said.

During a search of the vehicle, Pederson located forged and altered checks, stolen property and evidence linking Gabriel Moore, 20, Michael Brooks, 30, and Arthur Marquez, ...