James Monsoor grew up in Garden Grove, CA, where he graduated from Garden Grove High School. He served in the United States Marine Corps from 1999 – 2003, achieving the rank of E-5 Sergeant. He attended the Golden West Police Academy and began his law enforcement career with the Tustin Police Department in 2003. James is currently a Field Training Officer in the North area patrol. He has also worked in the Special Enforcement Detail and the Gang Unit as a Detective. In his spare time, James enjoys spending time with his wife Martha and their four children.

On Friday, March 18th, Officer James Monsoor was patrolling the area of the Tustin Sports Park due to the recent increase in criminal activity in that area. Officer Monsoor saw two adult males riding bicycles near the Sports Park that did not have the proper lighting. Officer Monsoor stopped them and it was determined that the bicycles they were riding had been stolen from an open garage earlier that night. One suspect had a backpack containing cameras, iPods, miscellaneous electronics and other items of value. One of the suspects admitted they had stolen the items from various unlocked cars in the area.

The two suspects showed patrol officers the locations of their crimes. The property in their possession was confirmed stolen from vehicles on Crawford Drive, Martin Drive and Bowman Avenue. Officer Monsoor, with his patrol partners, contacted several residents in Tustin who were unaware they were victims of this petty theft. A search warrant served on a storage locker located additional stolen property, including a GPS from an outstanding stolen Mercedes that was stolen on 3/11/11.

The two men were arrested and charged with burglary, receiving stolen property, unlawful tampering of a vehicle and petty theft. Both suspects had criminal histories and one of the suspects was out on bail for a vehicle theft arrest in Santa Barbara County when he was caught driving a vehicle stolen from Tustin Ranch. Ultimately, the two were linked to approximately 20 thefts in the City of Tustin that occurred between 3/11/11 and 3/18/11. Orange County Sheriff’s Department believes the suspects are tied to 30 – 35 incidents in unincorporated Tustin and Santa Ana.

In recognition of Officer Monsoor’s keen observation, his diligence and commitment to improving the quality of life and preventing additional losses to the residents of Tustin, he has been selected as the Tustin Chamber of Commerce Officer of the Month – March 2011. Congratulations Officer Monsoor!