Cerritos Weekly Crime Recap: Feb. 7-Feb. 13

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

The Cerritos Sheriff’s Station investigated 20 Part I felony crimes during this period, a decrease from 25 incidents during the previous period. Field deputies handled 264 calls for service, an increase from 230 the previous week. Field units are currently handling an average of 259 calls for service in 2011.

ROBBERIES

Two robberies were investigated during this period.

The first occurred at 1:45 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 10 when two male teens approached another teenage boy at Abana Street and Gridley Avenue and took his backpack at knifepoint.  

At 7 p.m. the same evening, a male suspect carrying a handgun in the 13200 block of 166th Street and robbed a man of his cash.

RESIDENTIAL BURGLARIES

Residential burglaries dropped from six to five during this period.

Three break-ins occurred through open/unlocked doors or windows, and two windows were pried open. The bandits took cash, a handgun, video games, jewelry, and laptop computers. The new 2011 weekly average in residential burglaries following this period is 4.6. 

Sheriff's safety tip: Unfortunately, most jurisdictions report that a leading cause of residential burglaries is that an occupant leaves a door or window open or unlocked.  This provides the burglar(s) with an effortless entry into the home. Avoid becoming a victim and take a moment to make sure that all doors and windows are secured before you leave. 

COMMERCIAL/OTHER STRUCTURE BURGLARIES

Three commercial burglaries were reported during this period, the same amount during the previous one.  

All three incidents occurred when the businesses were closed. A shattered door, a pried door, and cut hinges were used as methods of entry. The burglars fled with scrap metal and cash. The 2011 weekly average in “other structure”/commercial burglaries is 3.4.   

VEHICLE BURGLARIES

Vehicle burglaries decreased from nine to six during this period.  

Five of the crimes occurred in high-volume commercial parking lots, and all included SUVs. The suspects took third-row seats (from SUVs), purses, wallets, a stereo system, checks, bank deposit bags, and cell phones.  The 2011 weekly average in vehicle burglaries is 6.4. 

Sheriff's safety tip: Visible property left in the passengers compartment continues to be the number one cause of vehicle burglaries.  DON'T leave ANYTHING in your vehicle that wil attract a thief. 

VEHICLE THEFTS

NO vehicle thefts were reported last week.  The 2011 weekly average in vehicle thefts is now 2.5. 

Sheriff's safety tip: The best method to immediately display that your vehicle is protected from theft is the use of a visible deterrent such as a steering wheel lock.  This inexpensive “insurance policy” can cost between $30-$50, and tells the commonly pressed-for-time thief that another target would be more appealing. 

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