Crime & Safety

Cerritos Weekly Crime Recap: Dec. 19 to Dec. 25

The Cerritos Sheriff's Station recommends that residents install solid core doors with a study security deadbolt lock for exterior doorways to make it difficult for a thief to gain entry.

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

The  reports that Part I felony crime investigations dropped from 35 to 29 last week, with an increase in residential burglaries. All other categories reported in this summary were down. 298 calls for service were handled by patrol personnel last week, up from 274 the week before. The 2011 weekly average in calls for service is 272. 

ROBBERIES

Find out what's happening in Cerritos-Artesiawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Two robberies were reported during this period. On Monday, Dec. 19 at 3:38 p.m. a female victim was using her laptop computer at a restaurant in the 20200 block of Pioneer Boulevard when a male suspect grabbed it and a struggle ensued. He was able to break free with the laptop and fled across Del Amo Boulevard where he abandoned the stolen property. The laptop and the suspect’s jacket were recovered.  In the second incident, a shoplifting suspect fought loss prevention personnel at a store in the Los Cerritos Center on Friday, Dec. 23 at 8 p.m. but was eventually detained and the property recovered.

RESIDENTIAL BURGLARIES

Find out what's happening in Cerritos-Artesiawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Residential burglaries increased from five to eight last week. Open/unlocked doors or windows were responsible for three cases. Three windows were shattered, one sliding glass door was pried open, and one front door was kicked in. Cameras, jewelry, currency, electronic games, and a safe were among the items taken. The 2011 weekly average in residential burglaries is 4.1. 

Sheriff's safety tip: Solid core doors with a sturdy security deadbolt lock will make it very difficult for a thief to gain entry merely by kicking the door. Side garage doors are frequently used to gain access to the garage, and ultimately the residence where the garage is attached. We recommend that residents have these doors and locks installed in all exterior doorways. 

COMMERCIAL/OTHER STRUCTURE BURGLARIES

Three commercial/“other structure” burglaries were investigated during this period in comparison to five reported the week before. Soccer balls were stolen from a school storage shed. The other two break-ins took place at closed businesses where a door was pried and a window shattered. Cigarettes, wheels, and tires were missing. The 2011 weekly average in commercial/“other structure” burglaries is 2.9.   

VEHICLE BURGLARIES

Vehicle burglaries dropped from 12 to nine last week. Seven of the recent cases occurred in high-volume commercial parking lots. Seven were SUVs. Laptop computers, GPS units, clothes, gift certificates, shoes, backpacks, cell phones, credit cards, MP3 players, and third-row seats (from SUVs) were among the stolen property. The 2011 weekly average in vehicle burglaries is currently 7.0. 

Sheriff's safety tip: It is common knowledge that vans, pick-ups, and SUVs do not have a secure trunk space; therefore the owners will leave valuable items inside the passenger compartment. Keep this in mind if you drive one of these vehicles, and make sure that you do not leave anything of value inside.    

VEHICLE THEFTS

Vehicle thefts decreased from six to three last week. Two were taken from high-volume commercial parking lots. A Toyota, an SUV, and a VW were stolen. The 2011 weekly average in vehicle thefts is now 3.4. 

Sheriff's safety tip: We always promote the use of steering wheel locking devices as effective and inexpensive visible deterrents, but also endorse the use of tracking devices that can lead to the speedy recovery of your stolen vehicle. 

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


OPPORTUNITIES

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.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

To request removal of your name from an arrest report, submit these required items to arrestreports@patch.com.

More from Cerritos-Artesia