The Los Alamitos Police Department is investigating two recent day-time residential burglaries where the suspects targeted elderly homeowners using a ruse to gain access to their homes.
These crimes are called distraction burglaries because the suspects, working in teams, draw the resident’s attention to a perceived problem in their back yard or an area of the home out of view from the dwelling’s interior.
While one suspect keeps the homeowner occupied or distracted, another suspect enters the home and quickly looks for items to steal.
The suspects are in the house for no more than 10 minutes, and losses will usually include small concealable items such as jewelry, cash, identity documents, or small electronic devices.
The suspect who contacts the resident or victim presents themselves as someone who is there for official business.
The suspect will sometimes wear clothing which suggests they are associated with a utility company, pest exterminator, or government employee. Others have passed themselves off as concerned neighbors searching for their lost pet. Victims are convinced of a problem and agree to meet the suspect in their back yard where they cannot watch their house or see another person enter the residence. While the victim is distracted by one suspect, a second suspect ransacks the home looking for easily concealable items.
The elderly population is often targeted because they may be more trusting of people and easier to deceive. Once the victims realize what has happened, the suspects have left the area with items stolen from their home.
Residents should be wary of these distraction attempts. Never allow someone in your home you do not know.
If the person is soliciting work or claims to be associated with a particular company or government agency and they tell you they are there to complete a job, ask for their identification or a phone number you can call to verify their story. In all cases, if you suspect something is wrong, don’t hesitate to contact the police at (562) 594-7242 and an officer will respond to help.
Crime Log Compiled by Charles M. Kelly
IN SEAL?BEACH
Friday, August 2
Burglary—9:32 p.m.—Southshore Drive—The caller arrived to find the property ransacked. The crime apparently occurred between 6:30 p.m., Thursday, Aug. 1, and the time of the call to police.
Monday, August 5
Counterfeit Bills—9:05 p.m.—Seal Beach Boulevard—The caller said an individual bought a breast pump with $440 worth of fake $20 bills.
Tuesday, August 6
Vehicle Burglary—7:09 a.m.—Crestview Avenue—The crime apparently occurred between 10 p.m., Monday, Aug. 5, and 7:20 a.m., Tuesday, Aug. 6. Point of entry: a smashed window. Loss: GPS. Report taken.
Snake—5:17 p.m.—Blue Heron—The caller reported a 3- to 5-foot long snake in the residence. The log did not specify what type of snake it was. Police referred the call to Long Beach Animal Care Services. At 5:35 p.m., ACS gave an estimated time of arrival of 20 minutes.
Wednesday, August 7
Coyote—9:31 p.m.—Electric Avenue—The caller saw a coyote running up Corsair towards Galleon. Referred to Long Beach Animal Care Services.
Extra Patrol Checks Requested—10:41 p.m.—Dogwood Avenue—Someone left a large number of apples in front of the caller’s home. The caller said there was an on-going problem with someone egging the residence and leaving items there. He did not know who was doing it.
Saturday, August 10
Vehicle Burglary—8:33 a.m.—Wisteria Street—The crime apparently occurred between 1 a.m. and the time of the call to police. Both of the caller’s cars were burglarized. The point of entry for one car was a smashed window and the other was unknown. Loss: a camera bag, two sets of golf clubs, and the caller’s purse containing $280 in cash and miscellaneous personal items. The stolen property was valued at about $7,500.
IN ROSSMOOR
Tuesday, August 6
Suspicious Person in Vehicle—4:53 p.m.—Argyle Drive and Oak Knoll Drive—The caller said a man in a van might be smoking drugs and possibly dumping chemicals into the gutter. A white fluid was coming from the vehicle.
Wednesday, August 7
Suspicious Person in Vehicle—7:25 a.m.—Weatherby Road and Orangewood Avenue—The caller reported an occupied vehicle. The caller said the occupants looked out of place.
Burglary Report—6:06 p.m.—Montecito Road—This was apparently a residential burglary.
Suspicious Person in Vehicle—10:20 p.m.—Donnis Road and Quail Run Road—The caller said an unknown number of individuals were living out of a motor home.
Thursday, August 8
Suspicious Person or Circumstances—5:38 a.m.—Foster Road and St. Albans Drive—The caller reported a white van that was unfamiliar to the area driving through the neighborhood.
