Los Angeles pair arrested for allegedly burglarizing construction vehicles in Burbank

A man and woman from Los Angeles were arrested Saturday for allegedly stealing power tools from three construction vehicles in Burbank, police said.

Erika Torres, 20, and Ismael Gallegos, 36, led police on a brief pursuit at 4:30 a.m. after police approached their car, which was stopped in the middle of the street in the 1200 block of North Kenwood Street.

The car bolted and stopped at Buena Vista Street and Burbank Boulevard a short time later, police said.

The victims were identified and their property was returned, said Burbank police Sgt. Darin Ryburn.

In separate incidents, four other vehicles were reportedly burglarized in the 1800 block of Kenwood Street, 1800 block of Rose Street and the 4300 block of West Magnolia Boulevard over the weekend.

Three of the cars were discovered with smashed windows, and one was reportedly left unlocked. Electronics, a backpack and a gym bag were missing.

Ryburn encouraged car owners to secure their belongings in their trunk or home.

“On a lot of these, [suspects] smash windows because they see something in there,” Ryburn said, adding that iPods, iPads and laptops are hot targets.

-- Alene Tchekmedyian, Times Community News

Follow Alene Tchekmedyian on Google+ and on Twitter: @atchek