A Cerritos homeowner confronted a man who broke into her home today and chased him off, but sheriff's deputies later found the suspect hiding nearby and arrested him.
The confrontation occured inside the home on Elmont Avenue near 166th Street about 1 p.m. Jan. 8, according to Lt. George Berumen at Cerritos Sheriff's Station.
After breaking into the residence, the suspect apparently was unaware that anyone was inside and was startled when approached by the homeowner -- an Asian woman -- and he fled, the lieutenant said.
"Deputies searching the area found him hiding in some bushes nearby," Berumen said. "He does not appear to have had any of the victim's property on him, but he did break into the residence."
The lieutenant said the suspect, whose name was not immediately released, is considered a cat burglar.
Another possible residential burglary near the area of Artesia Boulevard and Carmenita Road was reported a short time later, triggering an immediate response by sheriff's patrol and air units. However deputies soon determined that no burglary had taken place, according to a Cerritos sheriff's deputy.
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Cerritos Plagued by Spate of Residential Burglaries in Recent Weeks
Today's break-in adds to a string of residential burglaries plaguing the city in recent weeks.
According to crime statistics released by the Cerritos Station/Community Safety Division, there were more than 40 residential burglaries in the city during the month of December, opposed to 26 residential break-ins reported in the month prior.
Residents and community members are encouraged at all times to report any suspicious activity, person(s) or noise in your neighborhood to the Cerritos Sheriff's Station at (562) 860-0044.
For more safety and crime prevention tips, visit the Safer Cerritos website.
Statistics show that Asian women thwart more attempted burglaries each year than dogs and fake alarm stickers combined.