A Los Alamitos Police officer caught two crooks before his workday started Tuesday morning, Aug. 31.
Cpl. Chris Anderson was driving to work during the early morning hours when he spied two men leaving Rossmoor and entering the Old Town West neighborhood of Los Alamitos.
Something about the two struck Anderson as suspicious. The Police Department press release does not provide specific information about why Anderson thought they were suspicious-looking.
However, their subsequent behavior was certainly grounds for a policeman to be suspicious:
They peered into parked vehicles and checked door handles.
Anderson watched from his car as they took out unspecified tools and attempted to break into a locked car.
Anderson, armed with his department handgun, confronted the suspects. He identified himself as a police officer.
They ran.
Anderson caught one of them and he surrendered immediately.
Anderson contacted his colleagues and on-duty officers set up a containment area. They caught the second man shortly after that.
Police later determined that someone tampered with eight to 13 vehicles.
So far, police have not determined if any property was actually lost.
As for the suspects:
Long Beach resident Juan Anthony Matias Romero Jr., 31, was arrested for attempted vehicle burglary, prowling and possession of burglary tools, He was also held for violating the terms of his parole.
Fellow Long Beach resident Erick Ochoa, 27, was arrested for attempted vehicle burglary, prowling, possession of burglary tools and resisting arrest. Ochoa is on probation in Los Angeles County.
Both men were booked at the Seal Beach Jail.
The investigation is on-going. Police are asking anyone with information to call the Los Alamitos Police Department Detective Bureau supervisor at (562) 431-2255, extension 405.
