Cerritos Weekly Crime Recap: June 13-June 19

The  logged 19 Part I felony crimes during this period. Robberies, residential burglaries, and vehicle burglaries were up, while commercial/other structure burglaries and vehicle thefts were down.  Deputies handled 333 calls for service, up from 306 the week before. The current 2011 weekly average in calls for service is now 266. 

ROBBERIES

One robbery occurred this week when a male juvenile was walking in the 13600 block of Acoro Street about 6 p.m. on Monday, June 6 and three male juveniles approached him on foot and demanded his laptop. The victim dropped the laptop and ran away, while the suspects retrieved it. The victim delayed informing his mother of the robbery, which accounts for the June 6 incident date incorporated into this summary. 

RESIDENTIAL BURGLARIES

Residential burglaries increased from three to four during this period. Three windows were pried open and a sliding glass door was shattered. The thieves took TVs, cash, cameras, laptops, and a tea serving set. The 2011 weekly average in residential burglaries is 3.6. 

Sheriff's safety tip: Window hardware, such as locking pins, is a good way to keep sliding windows affixed to the frame and makes prying much more difficult if not impossible. 

COMMERCIAL/OTHER STRUCTURE BURGLARIES

Two commercial burglaries and one “other structure” burglary were investigated this week. Four of the break-ins had been reported in the two previous weeks. Two closed businesses and a storage unit were involved. Office windows were shattered and a lock bent on the storage unit. Computers were the only loss reported. The 2011 weekly average in commercial /“other structure” burglaries is 3.0.  

VEHICLE BURGLARIES

Vehicle burglaries rose to six after five had been investigated the previous two weeks. Five of the crimes occurred in high-volume commercial parking lots. Five of the break-ins involved SUVs. Drill compressors, laptop computers, a stereo, CDs, and a third-row seat (from an SUV) were stolen. The new 2011 weekly average in vehicle burglaries is 5.6. 

Sheriff's safety tip: Thieves will drive around looking for something to steal. If they can look into your vehicle and see something valuable, you certainly risk losing the property and becoming a victim. Don’t give them the chance and help yourself avoid any misery. Keep it out of sight if you must keep it in the vehicle at all.

VEHICLE THEFTS

No vehicle thefts were reported during this period. The 2011 weekly average in this crime is now 2.7. 

Sheriff's safety tip: Even though we see more SUVs, Hondas and Toyotas stolen compared to others, car thieves are not always as selective as you think and are most often just looking for transportation. Consider a steering wheel locking device that serves as a good visual deterrent.

Neighborhood Watch Town Hall Meeting Scheduled for August 17, 2011

The next Neighborhood Watch Town Hall Meeting is scheduled for Wednesday August 17, 2011 at 7 p.m. at the  located at 12340 South St. near Ely Avenue. Members of the sheriff's  will offer an in-depth presentation on crime in the city. Attendees are encouraged to bring any questions they might have on safety concerns and issues.