Cerritos Weekly Crime Report: May 9-May 15

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

The  recorded 27 Part I felony investigations during this period, one less than the week before. Commercial and vehicle burglaries were up, residential burglaries and vehicle thefts remained the same, and robberies were down. Field deputies handled 271 calls for service, and the 2011 weekly average in calls for service is now 259. 

ROBBERIES

One robbery was reported on Saturday, May 14 at 2:40 p.m. when loss prevention personnel attempted to detain two suspects involved in a shoplifting incident at a store in the Towne Center and one of the suspects used pepper spray on an employee. One thief managed to escape, but the other was successfully detained and arrested. Two TVs were stolen, but both were recovered. 

RESIDENTIAL BURGLARIES

Six residential burglaries were recorded for this week. In three of the cases, the thief used open/unlocked doors or windows to gain entry. A window and a sliding glass door were pried open, and a front door was kicked open in the others. Laptop computers, TVs, jewelry, cameras, and checkbooks were taken. The 2011 weekly average in residential burglaries is 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

Commercial burglaries increased from three to five during this period. Four of the break-ins occurred at closed businesses where glass doors were shattered, a window pried, and a roof vent opened.  A fitness center locker was also burglarized.  Debit cards, credit cards, checks, and cash were stolen.  The 2011 weekly average in “other structure”/commercial burglaries is now 3.0.  

VEHICLE BURGLARIES

Vehicle burglaries increased from seven to nine during this week.  Only two of the crimes were in high-volume commercial parking lots. The rest were in residential areas, and six of those were west of Studebaker Road.  Five of the vehicles were SUVs.  Items stolen included MP3 players, sunglasses, cameras, a flute, personal identification, cell phones, and GPS units. The new 2011 weekly average in vehicle burglaries is 5.5. 

Sheriff's safety tip: Vehicle burglary is the most frequently reported felony crime in the City of Cerritos. During this period, window smashes, (the most common entry method), were responsible in seven 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 also remained the same at four during this week.  Two Hondas, an SUV, and an Acura were taken from high-volume commercial parking lots. The current 2011 weekly average in this category is 2.6. 

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.

Neighborhood Watch Town Hall Meeting Scheduled for August 17, 2011

The next Neighborhood Watch Town Hall Meeting is scheduled for Wednesday August 17, 2011 at 7 p.m. at the  located at 12340 South St.near Ely Avenue. Members of the sheriff's  will offer an in-depth presentation on crime in the city.