For the fourth time since July, a man entered a Belmont Shore residence while a woman was home alone on Wednesday, Sept. 22.
The fourth incident occurred about a week after the Long Beach Police Department warned Belmont Shore area residents to keep their doors and windows locked. The police are repeating that warning now.
The reasons for the break-ins are unknown. Nothing was stolen and no one was attacked.
It appears as though an African American man may be responsible for the first two break-ins and a Hispanic man may be responsible for the third and fourth break-ins.
At approximately 12:30 p.m., last Wednesday, a lone woman in her home near Broadway and Bayshore Avenue discovered a male suspect had entered her residence.
He fled when she began yelling. Police determined that the suspect had entered the home through an unlocked door.
Three similar incidents have recently occurred, making this the fourth incident in two months.
In each case, the suspects gained easy access to residences through open doors or windows of women who were alone at the time.
When the victims discovered the suspects and yelled, the suspects fled without taking anything or attempting to sexually assault the victims. The L.B.P.D. continues to urge residents to check their doors and windows regularly, keeping them secured at all times.
The crimes and the suspects
The first two cases occurred in the area of 2nd Street and Termino Avenue.
The first incident occurred on Saturday, July 24, at approximately 7 p.m.
The suspect was described as a male African-American in his late 20s to early 30s, approximately 5 feet 6 inches tall with a stocky build.
The second incident occurred on Saturday, Sept. 4 at approximately 3:15 a.m.
The suspect was described as a male African-American, approximately 30 years old and 5 feet 8 inches tall, with a medium build and short hair.
Based on the physical description and circumstances of the crime, detectives believe these two incidents may be connected.
The third incident occurred on Monday, Sept. 13, at approximately 1:30 a.m. in the area of 2nd Street and Bayshore Avenue. The suspect in that case was described as a male Hispanic, 30 to 40 years old, 5 feet 6 inches tall, with a stocky build and brown eyes.
In the fourth case, the suspect was described as a male Hispanic, 25 to 30 years old, 5 feet 8 inches tall, a stocky build, with a medium complexion and short dark hair. Detectives believe these two incidents may be connected.
Safety tips
In a press release, the Long Beach Police Department encouraged residents to practice the following safety tips:
• Keep your doors and windows secured at all times.
• Purchase devices for your windows that will allow adequate ventilation without jeopardizing your safety.
• Install security lights with motion sensors outside your home.
• Prevent hiding locations by keeping bushes and shrubbery trimmed Know your escape routes.
• Immediately report any suspicious activity or individuals by calling 911. Anonymous tips may be sent via text message by texting “CRIMES” and beginning your message with the letters LBPD, by visiting www.longbeach.gov/police to submit an Internet web tip, or by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
To make a comment on this story at the Sun Newspapers’ Web site, go to Sunnews.org.
Crime Log Assembled by Charles M. Kelly
The crimes listed in the Sun Newspapers were reported to Seal Beach Police Department, Los Alamitos Police Department and Orange County Sheriff Department between Sept. 13 and Sept. 25, 2010. Only street names are used; times given are reported times, not incident times. Crime Log entries are based on preliminary information. Space limitations make it impossible to publish every incident. Until proven guilty in a court of law, all suspects are considered innocent.
IN SEAL BEACH
Monday, September 13
Suspicious Occupied Vehicle—11:19 a.m.—Elder Avenue—The caller said four men in a car parked on Elder were smoking marijuana.
Traffic Stop—10:26 p.m.—Marlin Avenue and Balboa Drive—A man was arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol and marijuana. His name was Joel Caruso, 26.
Tuesday, September 14
Odor—1:01 a.m.—Candleberry Avenue—The caller complained about the smell of either sulfur or gas. The Orange County Fire Authority was en route. It turned out the source of the smell was a skunk.
Reported Municipal Code Violation—9:44 a.m.—12th Street and Electric Avenue—The caller asked police to check the Greenbelt area for people conducting an illegal exercise program. Police unit 116 found individuals enjoying the park. No further police services were necessary.
Wednesday, September 15
Vehicle Burglary—7:36 a.m.—10th Street—The crime occurred between 9:30 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 14 and the time of the call to police. Loss: $5 in quarters and a pair of Ray-Ban sunglasses valued at $179. Report taken.
Vehicle Burglary—9:36 a.m.—Glenview Road—The caller was relaying information second hand. Loss: a GPS device and other miscellaneous items. The vehicle was apparently unlocked. Report taken.
Vehicle Burglary—9:46 a.m.—10th Street—The crime apparently occurred overnight. Loss: a GPS and mounting kit valued at $430. Report taken.
Thursday, September 16
Petty Theft Report—8:45 a.m.—17th Street—The crime apparently occurred between 9:30 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 15 and the time of the call to police. Point of entry: unknown. The vehicle may have been unlocked. Loss: satellite radio receiver.
Friday, September 17
Citizen Assist—12:22 a.m.—Ocean Avenue—The caller’s vehicle was stuck in the sand, halfway between the water and the parking lot.
Fraud Report—1:09 p.m.—Riversea Road—The caller owns a rental property. The caller said an individual wrote the caller a $3,000 check for the first month’s rent, plus deposit, against a closed bank account.
Sunday, September 19
Possible 211 Suspect—5:17 p.m.—Main Street—Police received a report that the same person who had taken $1,500 cash from Seal Beach Liquor on Saturday, Sept. 18, was in the Irisher Saloon. Police detained the suspect.
IN LOS ALAMITOS
Monday, September 20
Municipal Code Violation—7:27 a.m.—Green Avenue—The caller said gardeners had worked at the neighbors’ residence since 6:45 a.m. The caller said this was an on-going problem. The gardeners were gone by the time an officer arrived.
Wednesday, September 22
Solicitor—2:13 p.m.—Cherry Street—An individual went door to door looking for charitable donations. The caller said the solicitor produced a permit, but the permit was not from Los Alamitos.
Thursday, September 23
Suspicious Person—5:21 a.m.—Orangewood Avenue—Three people wearing hoodies and beanies were seen loitering in the area. Officers spoke with security personnel, who said they were probably joggers. Officers couldn’t locate anyone matching the description of the suspicious individuals.
Friday, September 24
Suspicious Occupied Vehicle—12:14 p.m.—Cherry Street and Florista Street—A motorist drove around and looked around the area for about 30 minutes. Officers conducted a field interview.
IN ROSSMOOR
Tuesday, September 21
Suspicious Person in Vehicle—8:47 p.m.—Pemberton Road and Kerth Drive—The deputy found a vehicle parked at Rossmoor Park. Nothing suspicious noted.
Suspicious Person in Vehicle—9:58 p.m.—Donovan Road and Kerth Drive—A deputy investigated the occupant of the car and determined there was nothing suspicious going on.
Wednesday, September 22
Burglary Report—5:06 a.m.—Davenport Road—Report taken for burglary.
Burglary Report—3:12 p.m.—Martha Ann Drive—Report taken for Grand Theft from vehicle.
Thursday, September 23
Burglary Report—8:02 a.m.—Argyle Drive—Report taken of attempted burglary. No further information was available.
Fraud Report—3:23 p.m.—Kensington Road—Fraud Report taken. No further information was available.
Friday, September 24
Suspicious Person or Circumstances—7:02 a.m.—Kempton Drive and Foster Road—The caller said a suspicious package was attached to a stop sign.
The Orange County Sheriff’s Department Hazardous Device Squad responded and collected the package.
Report taken.
IN SUNSET BEACH
Monday, September 20
Suspicious Person in Vehicle—3:21 p.m.—Pacific Avenue—The deputy found an individual living in a vehicle. The deputy gave the individual the legal options available, advised that the individual was violating the law and the individual complied. Nothing suspicious.
Tuesday, September 21
Indecent Exposure—1:35 p.m.—14th Street—An individual was detained on the beach. No report needed. There was no further information available.
Thursday, September 23
Suspicious Person in Vehicle—10:32 p.m.—14th Street—A female transient who was living in a vehicle was taken to the hospital where a 72-hour evaluation will be conducted by a doctor.
Friday, September 24
Keep the Peace—8 p.m.—23rd Street—The girlfriend in the Thursday, Sept. 23 verbal dispute was moving out of the residence and asked for deputies to stand by while she collected her belongings.
Brian Smith of the News-Enterprise contributed to this article.
