Rash of burglaries bring more patrols
A rash of home burglaries last week and recent incidents of mail theft have law enforcement stepping up patrols in La Cañada Flintridge.
Crescenta Valley Sheriff’s Capt. Dave Silversparre said his officers are receiving backup from patrols conducted by the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services, a division of the U.S. Justice Department that assists local law enforcement.
“They’ll be doing all sorts of patrols at peak times we have identified, in marked and unmarked cars,” Silversparre said. “They’re also conducting probation and parole compliance checks and providing visibility to dissuade potential crooks.”
The agency conducted similar patrols after several La Cañada homes were burglarized during power outages caused by fierce winds in December.
On May 3, thieves struck at three houses in the city and attempted a fourth break-in during daylight hours, according to Crescenta Valley Sheriff’s Station reports. Another burglary attempt occurred between 9 a.m. and 3:15 p.m. the next day.
Losses reported by a resident of Flanders Drive included a laptop computer, $950 cash and 67 gold coins with a value totaling more than $110,000.
On May 1, the owner of an unoccupied home on La Cañada Boulevard reported a barbecue grill, refrigerator, wooden cabinet and kitchen sink missing from the garage.
Three people were arrested at 3:30 a.m. on May 5 for allegedly emptying mailboxes on Foothill Boulevard and Chevy Chase Drive, but more recent reports of missing mail have authorities on the lookout for additional suspects, Silversparre said.
Silversparre said a resident of Woodleigh Lane reported finding mail scattered along the street on Monday, and then on Tuesday deputies received reports that mailboxes had been tampered with in the area where Hampton and Del Monte roads meet San Juan Way.
The three people arrested on May 5 — Kevin Konkler, 26, of Burbank; Douglas Rodriguez, 25, of Pacoima; and Maria Alcazar, 31 of San Gabriel — allegedly possessed seven letters addressed to various homes and miscellaneous identification and credit cards, according to a Sheriff’s crime report.
“We want people to be vigilant about picking up their mail, consider installing locking mailboxes and call in suspicious persons and vehicles,” said Silversparre.