Cerritos Weekly Crime Recap: Oct. 1 to Oct. 7

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

There were 22 Part I felony investigations conducted by Cerritos Sheriff’s Station deputies last week, down from 26 the previous week. Robberies and vehicle thefts increased and commercial burglaries remained the same. Residential burglaries and vehicle burglaries were down. Field deputies handled 282 calls for service last week, down from 288. The new 2012 weekly average in calls for service is now 291.

ROBBERIES

After three consecutive weeks without any reported robberies, one was logged last week. On Friday, Oct. 5 at 3:15 p.m. a male shoplifting suspect fought with loss prevention personnel at a store in Los Cerritos Center but was eventually taken into custody.

RESIDENTIAL BURGLARIES

Residential burglaries dropped from 12 to seven last week. Four entries were gained via open/unlocked doors or windows, two windows were pried open, and one was shattered. Cash, iPads, jewelry, cameras, computers and a helmet were taken. Two suspects were arrested in one case. The 2012 weekly average in residential burglaries is now 4.9.

Sheriff's safety tip: We are getting closer to the start of Pacific Standard Time and will lose some of that late afternoon daylight. Many residents will be commuting at that hour to get home. Wouldn’t it be a good idea to have an alarm system protecting your residence all day and into the early evening?

COMMERCIAL/OTHER STRUCTURE BURGLARIES

Commercial burglaries remained the same at two last week. A front glass door of a closed business was shattered but no loss could be determined. A suspect was arrested after cutting a lock on a commercial structure. The 2012 weekly average in “other structure”/commercial burglaries is 2.2.

VEHICLE BURGLARIES

Vehicle burglaries were down from seven to four last week. Three of the recent crimes occurred in high-volume commercial parking lots and three were SUVs. Cell phones, backpacks, a briefcase, checks, an iPad and a disabled placard were stolen. The 2012 weekly average in vehicle burglaries is 7.1.

Sheriff's safety tip: Whether your car is parked in a commercial lot or on the street or driveway in front of your home, it is never a good idea to leave any visible item of value in the passenger compartment. The only true safe place is to have your vehicle locked in your own garage! 

VEHICLE THEFTS

Vehicle thefts rose from one to three last week. Two of the thefts involved high-volume commercial parking lots. Two were SUVs and one was a Honda. The new 2012 weekly average in vehicle thefts remained at 3.9.

Sheriff's safety tip: Simply put, if a thief wants your vehicle, he or she will get it. Auto thieves apply techonolgy to their trade, and can bypass some computer chip systems that protect your vehicle. The use of a steering wheel locking device will slow the thief down if he or she even decides to proceed with the taking of a vehicle equipped with one. Commercial lots are responsible for the overwhelming majority of vehicle thefts, and they provide a massive inventory of potential targets. Own the car they pass up because it has one of these inexpensive steering wheel locks.

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

Got Safety Concerns? Talk to Cerritos Sheriff's Capt. Joe A. Gonzales

Join other community members and meet Cerritos Sheriff's Capt. Joe A. Gonzales at the Coffee with the Captain event on Nov. 13 from 10 a.m. to noon at the Cerritos Senior Center. Click here for a video recap of the last Coffee with the Captain event earlier this year.

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.