Cerritos Weekly Crime Recap: Nov. 5 to Nov. 11

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

There were 26 Part I felony cases were reported to the Cerritos Sheriff’s Station last week, down by one incident over the previous one. Robberies and vehicle thefts increased, commercial burglaries remained the same, while residential and vehicle burglaries dropped. Patrol deputies responded to 261 calls for service, down from 292 the week before. The new 2012 weekly average in calls for service is now 271.

ROBBERIES

Four robberies were investigated last week. None were logged the last reporting period. A domestic matter was reported as a robbery on Wednesday, Nov. 7 at 2:20 p.m. in a lot located in the 11100 block of 183rd Street. A male suspect was taken into custody after he allegedly victimized his ex-wife and took her cell phone.

Two Armed Robbers Go on Crime Spree in Cerritos and Lakewood

(Click here for a previously published recap on the robbery crime spree.)

On Sunday, Nov. 11 at 6:41 p.m. deputies responded to a bank in the 13200 block of South Street regarding an armed attempted robbery. The male victim was sitting in his vehicle at the drive-thru ATM when two male suspects approached him. One suspect produced a handgun, but the victim quickly accelerated and fled the area.

Approximately 20 minutes later, deputies responded to a restaurant in the Towne Center where a male and female victim were parked in their vehicle when two suspects (with the same description as above) pointed a dark coloredhandgun at them and took a small amount of cash.

Approximately 20 minutes after that crime, another call of an armed robbery at Norwalk Boulevard and Artesia Boulevard was received. What is believed to be the same two suspects forced a male victim to withdraw a smallamount of cash from an ATM.

Two additional robberies involving the same two suspects occurred in the Lakewood Sheriff’s Station area of operation just after the Cerritos crimes.

RESIDENTIAL BURGLARIES

Residential burglaries were down from nine to five last week. Four of the recent crimes were made possible by open/unlocked doors or windows. The fifth residence had a sliding glass door pried open. Safes, laptop computers, jewelry and a projector were taken but jewelry taken in one of the crimes was recovered when three suspects were arrested. The 2012 weekly average in residential burglaries is now 5.1.

Sheriff's safety tip: Prying a side garage door is much more difficult if it is of solid core construction (wood or metal) and equipped with a strong deadbolt lock. This deadbolt should extend well into the frame to ensure the security of the door. Most of the residences in Cerritos had a regular single cylinder knob lock installed at the time the home was constructed. Take a look at yours. If you do not have a solid core door with a good deadbolt, it is time to update.

COMMERCIAL/OTHER STRUCTURE BURGLARIES

Commercial burglaries remained at four for the third consecutive week. Three closed businesses and a storage unit were targeted. The reported loss was copper wire from the closed businesses and no loss was reported from the storage locker pending an inventory. The 2012 weekly average in “other structure”/commercial burglaries is 2.3.

VEHICLE BURGLARIES

Vehicle burglaries were down from seven to four last week. Three were in high-volume commercial parking lots. Two were SUVs. Laptop computers, iPads, a stereo unit, a wallet and third-row seats (from SUVs) were stolen. The 2012 weekly average in vehicle burglaries is 7.0.

Sheriff's safety tip: After you park your vehicle and before you walk away from it, stop and take a look inside. Do you see any property that you wouldn’t mind losing before you return? Do you care if your window gets shattered? These are serious considerations when you leave visible property inside of you vehicle. What you can see the would-be thief can and will steal it in seconds. 

VEHICLE THEFTS

Vehicle thefts were up from five to seven last week. Seven were stolen from high-volume commercial parking lots. Three Hondas, two Toyotas, an SUV and a Saturn were missing. The new 2012 weekly average in vehicle thefts remained at 3.4.

Sheriff's safety tip: It is very important that you use some form of an anti-theft device to retain your vehicle. Visible deterrents, such as a steering wheel locking device, are the most obvious and tell the would-be thief to look elsewhere. A great deal of success has been demonstrated by tracking devices that can lead law enforcement directly to the location of a stolen vehicle. These systems cost a little more and require a monthly fee, but are very effective.

 * 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.