Crime & Safety

Cerritos Weekly Crime Recap: April 11-17

Vehicle burglary is the most frequently reported felony crime in the City of Cerritos, according to officials from the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Cerritos Station.

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 crimes during this period, an increase of seven from the previous week. There was an increase of crimes in all categories during this period. Field deputies handled 264 calls for service, and the 2011 weekly average in calls for service is now 258. 

ROBBERIES

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There were two robberies investigated during this period. In the first incident, a business employee was robbed of a deposit bag on Monday, April 11 at 12:10 p.m. while in a lot at Artesia Boulevard and Norwalk Boulevard.  The second case occurred on Wednesday, April 13 at 2:35 p.m. when a male shoplifting suspect was confronted by loss prevention personnel in the 10900 block of Alondra Boulevard.  The suspect swung an axe at the employees and fled but was soon arrested by deputies. 

RESIDENTIAL BURGLARIES

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Residential burglaries increased from three the two previous weeks to four during last week. Three of the four break-ins were attributed to open/unlocked doors or windows, and a window was shattered in the fourth. The thieves fled with jewelry, TVs, cameras, and bicycles. The 2011 weekly average in residential burglaries remains at 3.5. 

Sheriff's safety tip: Just taking a moment to make sure that all windows and doors are secure before leaving the residence takes away an easy entry point for a burglar.  Let’s face it, if a burglar is determined to gain entry, he or she generally will but the harder you make it on them, the better your chances of avoiding victimization. 

COMMERCIAL/OTHER STRUCTURE BURGLARIES

There were four commercial burglaries reported during this week compared to three recorded the week before.  All of the crimes involved closed businesses -- two windows were shattered and two were pried open.  Cash, checks, TVs, and monitors were taken by the burglars. The 2011 weekly average in “other structure”/commercial burglaries is now 2.8.

VEHICLE BURGLARIES

There were nine vehicle burglaries logged, and increase of four from the past two consecutive weeks.  Seven of the crimes occurred in high-volume commercial parking lots. Eight of the vehicles were SUVs. Stereo items were taken in one case and a third-row seat (from an SUV) in one.  Other property reported stolen included purses, credit cards backpacks, bowling balls, cell phones, wallets, ID, a computer, and an insulin pump.  The new 2011 weekly average in vehicle burglaries is 5.3. 

Sheriff's safety tip: Vehicle burglary is the most frequently reported felony crime in the City of Cerritos.  Thieves will look into your vehicle to see if there is anything worth stealing. 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 rose from one to three during this period. Two SUVs and a Nissan were stolen from high-volume commercial parking lots. The current 2011 weekly average in this category is 2.2. 

Sheriff's safety tip: Do you have an added layer of protection for your vehicle? If not, think about adding a steering wheel locking device to tell the potential thief that you won’t be a willing victim. 


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