Transient Held in Theft of Cigarettes
Simi Valley police arrested a transient on burglary charges Saturday after he allegedly threw a rock through a convenience store window and took several cases of cigarettes.
Lt. Neal Rein said police had staked out several markets and convenience stores early Saturday after a rash of smashed-window burglaries throughout Simi Valley in recent weeks.
About 4 a.m., Edmond Bennett, 38, of North Hollywood pulled up at the Knoll’s Plaza Market at 1415 Kuehner Drive in a stolen pickup truck, threw a rock through the front window and began removing cases of cigarette cartons, Rein said. Officers confronted Bennett and unleashed a police dog on him after he ignored their orders to put down the cigarettes and submit to arrest, Rein said.
Bennett suffered several serious bites on his arm before surrendering, Rein said. He said Bennett was taken to Simi Valley Adventist Hospital.
Bennett was charged with burglary and vehicle theft and ordered to be held at Ventura County Jail in lieu of $10,000 bail.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
