Following the announcement of their newly installed LoJack tracking computers, the Long Beach Police Department needed not their new equipment but a good samaritan in order to catch an auto thief.
An El Dorado Park-adjacent resident noticed two individuals scouring through his vehicle early in the morning on December 15. Alerting authorities immediately, the LBPD arrived at around 2:20AM at the 7800 block of Berner Street to find two subjects matching the description given by the resident.
In the pursuit, one suspect fled while another–a 15-year-old Lakewood male–was arrested after a failed attempt at hiding behind a tree with a backpack full of valuables.
It was discovered that their routine was rather simple: check for unlocked doors and enter if accessible. Overall, four unlocked vehicles were rummaged through that evening.The investigation is ongoing and police are asking residents in the surrounding neighborhoods to come forward if they have been victims of an unreported auto burglary.
Anyone with information regarding these burglaries is asked to contact Detective David Rivas of the Juvenile Investigations Section at 562-570-1433 or 562-570-1425. Anyone wishing to remain anonymous may call 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), or text TIPLA plus your tip to 274637 (CRIMES), or visit http://lacrimestoppers.org/.
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