Cerritos Weekly Crime Recap: June 4 to June 10

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

Part I felony crimes reported to the dropped from 34 the previous week to 19 last week. Robberies increased, commercial burglaries remained the same, as residential burglaries, vehicle burglaries and vehicle thefts declined. Patrol deputies handled 250 calls for service, down from 295 the week before. The 2012 weekly average in calls for service is now 266. 

ROBBERIES

There was one robbery investigated on Monday, June 4 at 4:40 p.m. when a male juvenile was riding his bicycle in the 16800 block of Judy Way and a vehicle carrying three other juveniles pulled up beside him. Two exited the car and pushed the victim to the ground. They took his shoes and helmet, and then fled in the vehicle. 

RESIDENTIAL BURGLARIES

Residential burglaries dropped from ten to six last week. Open/unlocked doors or windows were the entry points in four. One window was pried and another was shattered. Cash, laptop computers, TVs, jewelry, and coins were stolen. The 2012 weekly average in residential burglaries is now 4.2. 

Sheriff's safety tip: Side garage doors are a vulnerable point of entry in residential burglaries. The doors are usually protected from street view by a gate, and often not reinforced with a stronger frame and a sturdy deadbolt. Keep this in mind if you have not made any improvements. This is one repair that could save you the dilemma of being victimized.

COMMERCIAL/OTHER STRUCTURE BURGLARIES

Commercial burglaries remained the same last week at four. Two fitness center lockers were involved where credit cards, wallets, cell phones, and keys were taken. The doors of two closed businesses were breached and computers were missing. The 2012 weekly average in “other structure”/commercial burglaries is 1.6.

VEHICLE BURGLARIES

Vehicle burglaries dropped from nine to four duirng this period. High-volume commercial parking lots were the locations in two of the break-ins. Four were SUVs. GPS units, a gym bag, clothing, an iPhone, CB radios and a CD player were missing. The 2012 weekly average in vehicle burglaries is 7.7.

Sheriff's safety tip: Visible items within the passenger compartment are vulnerable items to theft. Make sure that the would-be thief cannot look into your vehicle and see anything worth breaking into it to steal. 

VEHICLE THEFTS

No vehicle thefts were reported last week. The 2012 weekly average in this category is now 3.5.   

Sheriff's safety tip: We always promote the use of steering wheel locking devices as great 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.

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.