Temple Sheriff’s Station deputies arrested four males who authorities believe could be responsible for several residential burglaries along the 210 Freeway corridor and within the San Gabriel Valley and Foothill areas, according to a news release from the Major Crimes Bureau-Metro Detail.
“A significant arrest was made the other night of a residential burglary crew,” Crescenta Valley Sheriff’s Capt. Chris Blasnek said in an email. “It’s unknown if they’re the same ones who have been hitting [La Cañada Flintridge], but I’m hoping it puts a serious dent in any future crimes.”
At about 7:45 p.m. on Jan. 30, deputies received a call of a suspicious dark-colored SUV in the vicinity of the 9000 block of Olive Street in Temple City. As deputies responded, they received an additional call of a residential burglary alarm activation on the same street, according to the news release.
When deputies arrived, they observed the Jeep driving away from the location. Concerned that this vehicle could have been involved in a possible burglary, deputies attempted to conduct a traffic stop.
The vehicle stopped a short distance away and four males fled on foot, so deputies immediately established a containment of the area. All four were arrested within the contained area without incident.
The four were booked at Temple Station and charged with residential burglary, resisting arrest and gang enhancements. Each is allegedly a documented South Los Angeles gang member, authorities said.
Additionally, Temple Station deputies reported that a home on Olive Street had been burglarized and ransacked. Approximately $10,000 in property, including jewelry, electronics and other personal items stolen from the home, was recovered inside the Jeep SUV.
According to the news release, L.A. Sheriff’s Department Major Crimes Bureau Burglary-Robbery Task Force investigators are collaborating with local investigators from several agencies and stations as this case continues to develop.
The task force was formed more than eight years ago to combat the ever increasing trend of organized crews who are committing residential burglaries. Typically known as “knock-knock” burglars, these crews, often formed by gang members, use high-end luxury vehicles to blend into middle class and affluent neighborhoods where they break into homes and businesses ransacking and stealing valuables such as cash, jewelry and weapons.
— Mirjam Swanson
