CERRITOS SHERIFF’S STATION Weekly crime summary

Eighteen Part I felony investigations were conducted by members of the Cerritos Sheriff’s Station last week, up from seven the week before. All categories in this report increased from the previous week with the exception of vehicle burglaries. 271 calls for service were handled by field personnel, up from 266 the last reporting period. The 2011 weekly average in calls for service is 257.
One robbery was investigated. On Friday March 18 at 9:00 a.m. a male suspect was stealing motorcycle accessories in a lot at the Towne Center when the victim walked up to him. The suspect ran to his vehicle and drove toward the victim, causing the latter to jump out of the way.
There were three completed residential burglaries and two others attempted last week. No residential burglaries were logged the previous week. The attempts last week occurred at a “dog door”, and a rear sliding glass door. Both had prying marks. The three completed were the result of open/unlocked doors or windows. Cameras, handguns, cash, cell phones, checks, suitcases, and laptop computers were stolen. The new 2011 weekly average in residential burglaries is 3.4.
There were three commercial burglaries reported. All three involved closed businesses. Two of the property owners did not know how entry was made, and the third involved a hole that had been cut in a rear door. Losses included cameras, laptop computers, clothing, and face cream. There were no reported commercial burglaries the week before. The 2011 weekly average in “other structure”/commercial burglaries is now 2.9. Vehicle burglaries dropped from three to two last week. Both were in from high-volume commercial parking lots, and both were SUVs. Paperwork and a third-row seat were taken. The new 2011 weekly average in vehicle burglaries is 5.4.
Thieves will go through residential tracks in vehicles, on bicycles, and on foot and look into parked cars in hopes of finding something valuable to steal. If you leave these items in the car, you stand a very good chance of losing them. Remember, vehicle burglary is the number one felony crime in Cerritos.
One vehicle theft was investigated from a high-volume commercial parking lot that involved an SUV. There were no reported vehicle thefts the previous week. The 2011 weekly average in vehicle thefts is now 2.3.
Using a steering wheel locking device will offer a good visible deterrent to the would-be thief.