Cerritos Weekly Crime Recap: Jan. 9 to Jan. 15

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

 deputies conducted 25 Part I felony crime investigations last week, up ten cases from the last reporting period.   Commercial burglaries, vehicle burglaries, and vehicle thefts increased while robberies remained the same, and residential burglaries declined. There were 270 calls for service handled by patrol deputies, up from 261 the week before. The 2012 weekly average in calls for service is 265.

ROBBERIES

There was one robbery on Sunday, Jan. 15 at 8:17 a.m. when two male suspects produced handguns and robbed a man working in his driveway in the 18800 block of Christina Avenue. Cash was taken.

RESIDENTIAL BURGLARIES

Residential burglaries dropped from six to four last week. Three of the recent crimes were made possible by open/doors or windows. In the fourth incident, a side garage door was kicked in. Property reported taken included jewelry and tools. The 2012 weekly average in residential burglaries is now 5.0 

Sheriff's safety tip: We always remind residents that conducting an “exit check” prior to leaving the home is an essential crime prevention tool. Make sure that all of the doors and windows are secured and make it more difficult for a burglar to victimize you.

COMMERCIAL/OTHER STRUCTURE BURGLARIES

Commercial/“other structure” burglaries increased from one to three last week -- all of which involved closed businesses. A lock was cut on one, and the entry point of two adjacent businesses could not be determined. Drills, stamps, cash, and vehicle parts were stolen. The new 2012 weekly average in commercial/“other structure” burglaries is 2.0 

VEHICLE BURGLARIES

Vehicle burglaries increased from four to eight last week. Five vehicles were in high-volume commercial parking lots, and five were SUVs. Coin trays, laptop computers, an ice-maker, miscellaneous paperwork, purses, cell phones, and a GPS unit were reported missing. The new 2012 weekly average in vehicle burglaries is 6.0. 

Sheriff's safety tip: A quarter of an inch of glass is hardly the protection you need to avoid becoming a victim of a vehicle burglary. Protect your property by securing all items in the trunk or taking them with you. There is truth to the old saying “out of sight, out of mind”. 

VEHICLE THEFTS

Vehicle thefts rose from one to eight last week. Seven were removed from high-volume commercial parking lots. Four were SUVs. Other vehicles stolen were an Acura, a Toyota, a VW, and a commercial trailer. The new 2012 weekly average in vehicle thefts is 4.5. 

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. This is especially important if you own an 80’s or 90’s model Honda or Toyota.

* 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.