Cerritos Weekly Crime Recap: May 23-May 29

Editor's Note: The information below comes from the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Cerritos Station's weekly crime summary. 

The  recorded 24 Part I felony investigations during this period -- all categories in this report increased with the exception of commercial burglaries. Field deputies handled 280 calls for service, and the 2011 weekly average in calls for service is now 260. 

ROBBERIES

One robbery was reported on Sunday, May 29 at 1 p.m., when two female shoplifting suspects fought with loss prevention personnel outside of a store in the Cerritos Towne Center in an attempt to escape.  Both thieves were arrested. 

RESIDENTIAL BURGLARIES

Residential burglaries rose from three to six during this period. Three cases involved open/unlocked doors or windows, two windows were pried open, and a front door was kicked in.  Jewelry, laptops, and electronics were taken.  The 2011 weekly average in residential burglaries is now 3.7. 

Sheriff's safety tip: Fortunately, locking pins installed on doors and windows hold everything tightly to the frame and are inexpensive to install.  If the thief wants to continue with the attempt to enter, breaking glass may be the only option left and that is not a common occurrence. 

COMMERCIAL/OTHER STRUCTURE BURGLARIES

Two commercial burglaries were investigated in this week. Windows were shattered on two adjacent businesses where computers, laptops, and a phone were stolen. The 2011 weekly average in “other structure”/commercial burglaries is 3.0.  

VEHICLE BURGLARIES

Vehicle burglaries increased by one case during this period when eight were reported.  Seven of the crimes occurred in high-volume commercial parking lots.   Four of the vehicles were SUVs.  Purses, credit cards, cash, MP3 players, glasses, and a GPS unit were taken.  The new 2011 weekly average in vehicle burglaries is 5.6. 

Sheriff's safety tip: Vehicle burglary is the most frequently reported felony crime in the City of Cerritos.  Last week, window smashes, (the most common entry method), were responsible in five cases.  Are you willing to leave valuables in the passenger compartment that are visible and only protected by less than a quarter inch of glass?  Why take a chance?  If your property is valuable and important to you, consider leaving it at home or taking it with you when you exit the vehicle 

VEHICLE THEFTS

Vehicle thefts were up from three to four last week.  Three SUVs and a Nissan were taken from high-volume commercial parking lots.  The current 2011 weekly average in this category is 2.7. 

Sheriff's safety tip: There was no evidence to suggest that any of these vehicles utilized a steering wheel locking device.  These devices are an inexpensive “insurance policy” that deters the would-be thief.