Cerritos Weekly Crime Recap: May 7 to May 13

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

Part I felony crime investigations conducted by members of the  were down from 33 to 17 last week. With the exception of robberies, all other categories in this report declined. There were 279 calls for service handled by patrol deputies, up by five calls from the previous week. The 2012 weekly average in calls for service is 263.

ROBBERIES

One robbery was reported during this period when a male suspect entered a fast-food restaurant in the 17200 block of Norwalk Boulevard on Thursday, May 10 at 3:12 a.m. and pointed a handgun at an employee while announcing a robbery. The suspect then unexpectedly fled without obtaining anything.

RESIDENTIAL BURGLARIES

Residential burglaries dropped again from four to one last week. An unlocked rear sliding door was used to gain entry where jewelry was stolen. The 2012 weekly average in residential burglaries is now 4.0. 

Sheriff's safety tip: Taking a moment to ensure that all of your doors and windows are secured prior to leaving may save you from being a victim of a residential burglary. We have seen cases where attempts to pry a door or window were unsuccessful, and the burglar(s) thought twice about shattering a window and alerting neighbors.   

COMMERCIAL/OTHER STRUCTURE BURGLARIES

Two commercial burglaries were reported, down from seven the week before -- both break-ins occurred at closed businesses. A door was pried open and a gate was pulled from its track. Keys were the only items reported missing. The 2012 weekly average in “other structure”/commercial burglaries is 1.6.

VEHICLE BURGLARIES

Vehicle burglaries were also down from 14 to nine last week. High-volume commercial parking lots were the crime scenes in seven of the incidents. Six of the vehicles were SUVs, from which third-row seats were stolen. Purses, checkbooks, clothes, wallets, cell phones, eyeglasses, laptop computers, and MP3 players were reported as loss items. The 2012 weekly average in vehicle burglaries is 7.7.

Sheriff's safety tip: If they can see it, they can take it! This is a good thing to remember when walking away from your parked vehicle. Did you leave anything visible in the passenger compartment? If so, will it be there when you return? We urge you to think about that and please avoid becoming a victim. 

VEHICLE THEFTS

Finally, vehicle thefts were also down from four to two. Both occurred in high-volume commercial parking lots. ] A Honda and a commercial trailer were stolen. The 2012 weekly average in vehicle thefts is now 3.9.

Sheriff's safety tip: Regardless of the make or model of vehicle that you drive, any form of vehicle security is better than none. Car thieves are not always as selective as you think and are most often just looking for transportation. Consider a steering wheel locking device that serves as a good visual deterrent. 

* Visit www.safercerritos.com for an extensive library of crime prevention tips, disaster preparedness information, and a variety of links to other pertinent sites.

Volunteers on Patrol Wanted 

The Cerritos Sheriff’s Station is seeking Volunteers on Patrol (VOPs). Patrolling the city in distinctly marked vehicles, VOPs assist with crime suppression, traffic control, vacation checks, special events and park security checks. They serve as additional “eyes and ears” for the Sheriff’s Department and train as first responders in the event of a major emergency or disaster. If you are interested in helping Cerritos maintain its reputation as a safe place to live and work, the Cerritos Sheriff’s Station encourages you to apply to be a VOP.  

For more information, contact the Cerritos Sheriff’s Station at (562) 860-0044, or visit the Cerritos Sheriff’s Station to obtain an application.  

Block Captains Wanted 

Block Captains act as contacts for the Sheriff’s Department and the Community Safety Division on behalf of their neighbors.  They are also responsible for distributing information and do a great deal to promote public safety in Cerritos. Remember, informed citizens who use safe living strategies are safer citizens!  We encourage residents, business owners, and their employees to consider joining the Virtual Block Club (VBC). If you are interested in helping our Sheriff’s Department prevent and reduce crime, and enhancing your own personal and neighborhood safety, join the VBC on-line at our website devoted to public safety in the City of Cerritos. We encourage you to share the information with your family, friends, and co-workers. Go to www.safercerritos.com to sign up. 

If you are interested in becoming a Block Captain in the Cerritos Neighborhood Watch, contact the Community Safety office at (562) 916-1266.