Package Theft, Suspect Vehicle Photographed

The below vehicle entered Duarte Court at 5:54 AM and discarded to empty amazon packages stolen from the 2500 block of Avalon.

The car is a white Honda Civic or Accord (editor's note:  I had a chat with a car buff and she says this is a late 80's to early 90's Honda Civic),with a black stripe on the sides, a sunroof, a spoiler, on the trunk and a nonfunctioning left brake light.  I wasn't able read the plate, from my cameras, but it did not have a front plate.

Editor:  Was a police report filed?  The missing front plate is a violation that could get them pulled over and the car searched due to the report and suspicious activity.

Also, kudos to whomever had security cameras and was able to provide photographs.  Well done.  If a police report wasn't filed, please do.  The pictures will help.

Vehicle Break-ins, Burlgary, Car Theft

A car was broken into last night some time after 9:30 PM on Stuppi Way.  The registration and garage door opener were stolen.  As a quick reminder, don't leave anything important in a car parked on the street or in a driveway.

On Watson Street a car was stolen overnight Friday night or very early Saturday morning.  This was an older Honda Civic.  The car wasn't terribly valuable, but the paperwork inside was important to the owners.  If you see the car, the owners are more worried about the paperwork, though of course the car would be nice to have returned as well.

Not that Stuppi and Watson have a common feature:  Both are fairly short streets with easy access to a major street (El Camino and Eastern).

Update:  Stuppi wasn't the only incident that night:  neighbors on Birgit and Stuppi had their car broken into.  The ignition switch was mangled, so it appears it was an amateur attempt to steal the car.

Also, another neighbor on Birgit had a vehicle break-in in November, and they stole their Christmas lights from the front yard.

We also have some older incidents I thought I'd posted that would indicate a pattern of vehicle burglaries.  From Chuck:

12-10-2015

A resident in the 2500 block of Cambon told me today that 5 vehicles were burglarized on that block last night as well as at least one on Catalina.  Electronics and stereos weren't taken and there was no apparent damage to the vehicles.

Editor's note:  Lock your vehicle.  Chuck doesn't say here, but if electronics weren't the target, paperwork likely was.  A garage door opener provides quick access to your home when you're not there as well.

The resident on Cambon also witnessed a vehicle burglary on Lusk involving a white female adult and a black male adult riding bicycles.  Apparently they camp out, behind the goodwill on Watt Avenue.  The resident called the sheriff and the thieves didn't seem to be bothered that they were being watched.

If you aren't connected to nextdoor (Chuck, what's Nextdoor?  Sounds like we should be connected), there was a prowler (possible burglar) on Borica, on Monday the 7th.   A dog alerted the resident, the sheriff was called and "star" (sheriff's helicopter) responded.  We don't know if the suspect was caught.

A residential burglary occurred on November 2nd on Becerra at Marconi, sometime during the hours of noon, and 4:15 pm.  The burglars were in the house long enough to go through everything, and had loaded a big screen tv into the trunk of the car and tried to steal both, but for an unknown reason abandoned both in the flowerbed.  They gained access to the house thru an open bathroom window.  The dental office across the street has cameras pointing that direction and the Sheriff's Department burglary unit was given that information, but to date has not acted on it.   I am trying to get a download of that 4 hour period to see if  someone looks familiar.

There was an attempted burglary in the 3700 block of Kings Way, on Nov 15 at 10:06 am.  The suspect kicked in the back door, setting off the home alarm.  The suspect fled.

I have an unconfirmed report that a residential burglary occurred on Ione St, south of El Camino in which a suspect or suspects kicked a door in and stole firearms.. (it isn't on the crime reports website)

Despite the holidays being over, be sure to call the Sheriff's Department if you see any suspicious activity.  The more report, the more they patrol our area even if they don't seem to act on a given report.  More police cars mean fewer burglars.  

Theft of Solar Lights on La Verne Way

Neighbors on La Verne Way had solar lights stolen from their yard last night.  While they can't be sure of the time, the dog next door was reportedly barking at 4 AM, making it the probable time of the theft.

If you have information that might help, please feel free to e-mail.  

We haven't had solar lights stolen before, so this is a bit odd as they're not high dollar items.

Update:  Mystery Explained

Our neighbor found the lights around the corner on another street.  The resident in the home explained that four teenaged girls smoking pot Friday at 2:00 am sitting in his yard had the lights and left them behind.

So, stealing solar lights is apparently a bright idea stoned teenagers come up with.  At least they're back where they belong.  

Burglary, Attempted Burglary

Monday, August 17, 2015:

2500 block of Butano 

A house was broken into today (8/17) sometime between 11:30 AM and 3:30 PM. The front door was kicked in. . As most of you know, this is a very busy street, and this break in occurred in the middle of the day. Very brazen. What a sad state of affairs.

3900 block of Kings way

Today at about  4:30 I heard my doorbell ring, (I was in the garage) so I came in to answer door thinking it was [my spouse] home from work. As I was nearing the front door I heard the door knob "wiggling", again thinking it was my [spouse], so I opened the door to find a young man 18 to 21 yrs. old I would guess. He appeared to have been looking in the window by the front door. When I opened the door he took a couple of steps back and said "Oh I was just dropping this paper off to you."

It was an ad type of paper put out by the Sac Bee and wrapped in pink cellophane. He did not have any other papers that he was carrying, or a bag with more papers to hand out. He handed the paper to me, quickly turned and walked away heading west down Kings Way. His car was black and was parked in front of [a neighbor's] house. He got in the drivers door and quickly drove off continuing west on Kings Way.  

His description: Black male, 5'9" to 6'1", wearing white T shirt and Tan shorts. I could not see his license plate, nor do I know the make of the car.  Sorry. I guess I need to keep my phone on me at all times for photo opportunities. Unfortunately not a lot of detail, but I thought the neighborhood should be aware.

 

I called the Sheriffs non emergency # at 4:41PM to report. They said they would send a patrol. A few minutes later I saw a Sheriffs  SUV K-9 unit go by my house.

[Editor's note:  Never be sorry for not having all the information.  Any report is better than no report so we know it happened, and your safety is far more important than getting a license plate, make or model.  Thanks for what you caught, and we're glad you're safe.]

A similar note from the Sacramento Bee:

Sacramento police warn of burglars posing as utility workers

In the past two weeks, the Sacramento Police Department has received two reports of suspects claiming to be utility employees. Police say the impersonators knock on front doors and tell the occupants that they need access to the home to inspect gas lines....
Police caution residents to never allow anyone inside their home or yard without proper identification, noting that city and utility workers are always identified by department-issued badges. Just because someone is wearing a hard hat or utility vest does not mean the individual is a city or utility worker.

Addressing a Comment

This blog does require moderation for comments.  We had several really good ones that have now been published.  

We had one that needed addressing.  The blog is for reporting so people are aware of what's going on.  It's not for debate, accusations or vitriol.  The comment left me with a great desire to respond, but that's not what this blog is for.

So, what I will say to readers is that the comment left the impression that an angry parent of one of the criminals reported here felt it was the community's attitude that caused their child's criminal behavior rather than poor parenting choices.  

As a parent myself, I would hope if you see any child in my care committing a criminal act, you'd call it into the police and notify the neighborhood watch.  I have a sibling who was coddled, protected and excused.  While I sympathize with my parents' hard choices, the result was a felony conviction.  He's doing much better after the time in prison, but I would suggest that curbing behavior early is a far more effective strategy than defending the criminal actions of a child.

So, to the reader who left the comment, please, if you're aware of a crime committed report it for your child's sake and for the community's sake.  You'll notice that we treat all of our neighbors who aren't committing crimes with respect, kindness and friendliness.  It's a great community.  We'd just like to keep it that way, and we need your help to do it.

Older Items

My apologies for being focused elsewhere for a while.  I'm going to post some older items and then proceed to a newer burglary.

Directly from Chuck, June 29, 2015:

there have been several crimes, that occurred in the neighborhood. 

the morning after I posted the last alert, a resident in the 3800 block of kings way, sometime between, 9, and 11 am, had their house burglarized. the crook, entered thru, an unlocked gate, (and out of the view of any "people walking by"), was able to gain access to the house through the sliding glass door. items stolen, were "electronics, and (I think jewelry)", three days later, at   the "vacant" house, next door, an "alert" parent, noticed some suspicious activity, (while chaperoning a field trip for DPM students), the sheriff dept, was called, and responded. (unknown, is the result... but the "suspicious persons, (male, and female), were seen earlier, at the house, at 2612 butano)

5 weeks ago, a house, on barbarell, had to bicycles, stolen, from the side of their house. the bicycles, were "avenger" "hybrid" bicycles, and were outside, their fence, near, the garbage cans.... (this happened, on a "recycling" pick-up night)

on mother's day weekend, a resident, had his truck "burglarized", at around 530am... the owner, heard the theft, and went outside, where a neighbor, assisted, in distracting the "victim", while he recovered his tools... the thief, drove a vehicle, similar, to the one, in picture #1... same body style, and blue color, but it had a "white stripe", running thru the center of the truck, (not on the lower end, like this one),, no license info, was collected.

this couple, (homeless).. recorded in this video,  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K_pO6vNMF2Q&feature=youtu.be   have been observed, "casing" houses, and also, taking notes".. they traverse thru the neighborhood, with recyclables, towards the el camino/watt, recycling center.  IF THEY ARE JUST MOVING THRU THE NEIGHBORHOOD, WITH "RECYCLABLES", THIS IS NOT A CRIME, BUT IF YOU "OBSERVE" THEM,LOOKING INTO HOUSES, AND TAKING NOTES!, (GET A DESCRIPTION OF THE NOTEBOOK, (SIZE, COLOR OF THE COVER, ETC), CALL THE SHERIFF, DEPT, WITH THIS INFO. THIS CAN BE "POSSIBLY" PROSECUTED, AS CONSPIRACY"!  pictures 2, 3, and 4, are of this couple, and their are other associates)

(btw, they haven't been seen since photographed, a little over a week ago.)

the next picture, is of a person, wanted by the California dept of Corrections, (parole div)

this person, Aaron Stassi, used to live in the 2800 block of Ione st, and is suspected of burglary, in the DPM area... (and obviously, "parole violation)... if you see him

contact ron, dunne, at 916-267-0091

and another recent development, where a small red Nissan P/U, with an "a's" logo, in the passenger side, rear window, has been seen in different parts of the neighborhood, the sheriff, was called, and had contact, with this individual, near, Marconi ave, and la paz, but was seen several days later, parked, in the 2600 block, of Andrade, and the individual, apparently has contact, with, the 2612 butano house

Directly from Chuck, May 29, 2015:

I finally have talked to all the reported victims, and have compiled the below information;

 

 

several vehicle breakin's have occurred in the last several weeks, on the sat/sun leading into mother's day, a window smash happened on on la paz, where the thief, took what was visible, and randsacked the glove box, (never opening the door), and stole a bag containing "sensitive" documnets, (that were to be shredded). in a similar incident, on duran cir, (around the corner), a neighbor had their window smashed and a backpack stolen. the suspect, apparently crossed the street, and was caught on camera, looking into the window, of a car, (nothing was stolen, apparently nothing was visible in the vehicle).

and another vehicle, (that was unlocked), had the interior "ransacked", but nothing reportedly stolen. and the second picture, is of the same, or similarly dressed person, looking into the window of a vehicle on Lapaz.

On lasuen, (3900 block), the same night, a neighbor's vehicle, (parked on the street), had it's window smashed.. but nothing  reportedly was missing.

at around 130 am, on the 17th, another vehicle burglary, occurred in the 3800 block of lasuen, where a backpack, purse, tripod, and other things were stolen. a "wing window", was broken, and the thief, opened all doors, and the trunk.

On, the same night, at the corner of lasuen, and kings way, a neighbor had his rear passenger, cargo window smashed, and a subwoofer stolen... (no doors were opened, and a towel was left, draped over the opening), this occurred around 330am, and the neighbor reported that an older toyota tercel, (possibly grey in color), left the area.

 

the method of operation on all, but the 3900 lasuen, appear to be the same person, or persons, as they seem to avoid setting off "entry" alarms.

 

PLEASE!! DO NOT LEAVE ITEMS IN YOUR VEHICLES!

Minor Format Change

I've updated the format with the intent to provide a bit more space for text and perhaps to make posts easier to read.  I hope you like it!

Several Events

My sincere apologies for posting delays.  Issues arose that prevent posting for a while.

Daylight Burglary, June 12th on Lapaz Drive

Between 9:00 and 9:30 AM, a burglar jumped a fence, cut a screen to open a window and entered a house.  A lookout posing as a vacuum cleaner demonstrator walked from house to house on the block.

The lookout was described as a cleanly dressed black male adult wearing a white shirt, dark jeans, and white shoes. (resembling Kobe Bryant according to the witness).  The lookout walked from house to house, skipping houses that had cars in the driveway (behavior consistent with casing houses).  A resident noted that the lookout appeared to be texting, probably keeping the burglar updated.  The lookout went to the victim's door and was admitted by the burglar.  The resident witnessing this called 911, and the Sheriff's department responded with a few minutes.  

During this time, a plumb-colored sports car had parked in front of the house.  The resident didn't see anyone enter the vehicle, but heard it drive away prior to the sheriff's arrival.  The Sheriff's department set up a perimeter and sent in their k-9 unit.  The burglars had left with a TV.  They had also staged a pillowcase with jewelry in it under the couch.  Crime scene investigators came to take fingerprints.

Chuck's Advice:

While you don't need to answer the door for solicitors, be sure to call through the door that you're not interested.  Most burglars aren't looking for confrontation and will move on.  Exchange best contact numbers with neighbors you trust so you can keep each other updated if something does happen.  Lock your gates and use double cylinder deadbolts on your front doors.  Other helpful devices include motion sensing lights, driveway alarms and other products designed to protect your home, but nothing can replace an alert neighbor willing to call the police to report suspicious activity or a crime in progress.

Solicitors, 3800 Block of Duran Circle, June 9th

From a resident:  A woman in a red shirt with dirty brown hair in a pony tail knocked on our door to ask if our car was for sale.   We do we have a for sale sign on a car and she looked a bit rough,  so we were suspicious.  She went back to her champagne colored car, perhaps a Toyota, driven by a man with a young child in the back and drove off, turning right onto La Paz from Duran Circle.  I stood at the window with my camera phone trying to get a photo but I didn't.  They did see me doing that though.

Recycling Thieves, 2500 Block of Cambon, June 9th

The below photo is a picture of a van with two African Americans, female driver and the male that goes through your garbage and recycle.  I have seen them around this area for over a year now on recycle day.  It is a dark green van, when he is confronted he runs and jumps in the sliding door.  They drive around with the door open so he can get in and out quickly.

 If that picture looks familiar, it should.  We have a better photograph of the van from in this post (linked here). 

Remember to call the Sheriff's Department non-emergency number.  Stealing recycling is a crime.  From the other post, the van's license plate appears to be 5WVP982.  Give it to the Sheriff's department.  Even if these people have fled, they can be caught.  A pullover would probably keep them out of our neighborhood in the future.

Why do we care?  There's a reminder of why it's important to report this in this previous post.

Neighboring Area

Drive By Shooting

From a friend who lives on Whitney near Becerra -

Tuesday 5/27 around 2:20 p.m.

While returning home this afternoon from a quick bike trip for some shed parts at Emigh Hardware, I nearly became involved in a drive by shooting at the corner of Watt and Whitney.

A BMW SUV was being chased South bound on Watt Ave. by at least two men in a white sedan. The BMW pulled into the corner 7-11, the sedan followed and fired off 4 shots into the driver's side door, window, and rear tire, then sped off Eastbound on Whitney Avenue, right past my place!

Daytime Home Burglary 07-12-2014 9AM (2800 Block La Paz Way)

One suspect (Tall, thin, African American, late twenties dressed in white shirt, levis, white shoes) came to the neighborhood going door to door.  One lady had answered her door and the guy said he was a vacuum salesman.  He walked by a few more houses knocking, but skipped houses with cars in the driveway and when there was no answer on one went into the backyard.  Even though there was a dog present the suspect gained access through a window where he then opened the front door for another individual.  The car that was used was a Plum colored sedan with tinted windows.  Sacramento Sheriff officers arrived within minutes after the suspects left.

(Thank you to the concerned neighbor for sending this in, sorry for the delay in posting--I was out of town and it wouldn't post from my phone.)

Suspicious activity, Attempted Gas Theft

From the Cowan Group:

 

On Monday morning (April 7th)  at 3:23 AM, a man was walking down Becerra Way (with a gas can) toward Whitney Ave, coming from the direction of Cowan.  Shortly before he entered our driveway, a car turned onto Becerra from Whitney Ave.  The driver saw the man walking, made a U turn down by Cowan, then stopped in front of our house and put their hazard lights on.  The car then stayed there for a few minutes.  The man ran away toward Whitney Ave.  Before the car came back and stopped, the man had removed the gas cap on our truck and was attempting to syphon gas.  The man was not successful.  THANK YOU to the good Samaritan!!  What perfect timing!!  (We had just filled the tank the night before.)

It is a great feeling that the people in our neighborhood are staying aware, choosing to take action and looking out for each other. Much appreciated!

 

As always, if they try it in a nearby neighborhood, Del Paso Manor should be on the watch, too.  With gas prices high again, it's likely we'll see similar things.

 

Car Burglary, Suspicious Activity

Car Burglary (2600 block of Butano)

Last Sunday Morning (March 30) at approximately 3AM:

The rear windows of a neighbor's truck were broken out.  It's suspected that a spring-loaded center punch was used to shatter the safety glass.  Tools valued at over $600 were stolen from the truck.  The thieves appear to have been aware that the vehicle was alarmed and so accessed the tools through the rear extended cab windows to avoid setting it off (note to thieves:  some car alarms are shock sensitive, so accessing through rear windows will still set off the alarm).  Neighborhood consensus is that this theft might be related to a known problem house at 2612 Butano.

 

Suspicious Person/Activity

Thursday Morning (April 3rd) at approximately 8:15 AM

A neighbor walking home from DPM school with a friend noticed an unfamiliar woman in the access area to the DPMWD well near Kings Way, Maryal and Marilona.  The woman was standing alone and texting.  The neighbor found the location of the woman suspicious and so called the Sheriff's Department.  A patrol vehicle was seen about a half hour later at approximately 8:45 AM, but no further information is available.  Chuck adds a helpful suggestion:  If you've called the Sheriff's Department, you may ask for a disposition of the call and they will return your call and let you know what they found or did.

 

Suspicious Vehicle (DPM School Parking Lot at Avalon/Maryal)

Wednesday Morning (April 2nd) at approximately 4:45 AM

While out on an early morning walk, a neighbor noticed a vehicle in the DPM parking lot near the tennis courts.  It was occupied by a female, and no one else was seen in or around the vehicle at that time.  After the neighbor passed and was proceeding toward Kings Way, the vehicle started and proceeded up Maryal.  As the vehicle approached the neighbor, a previously unobserved or previously not present passenger rolled down the window and yelled at the resident.  This passenger was a black male adult.  The vehicle was described as a white or silver hatchback, possibly a Subaru.  It had no rear license plate (note that this merits a call to the Sheriff's Department immediately, as that's not legal and probably indicates a stolen vehicle).  The car proceeded west on Kings Way.

 

Suspicious Activity

Wednesday, April 2nd at approximately 1:00 AM on Carrisa (mid-block)

Several neighbors were alerted by noises and the activation of a motion-activated floodlight (quick note--these are wonderful, if you can afford to install them in darker areas around your home, please do and help make the neighborhood safer).  No one was observed, but it was apparent there was an intruder.

 

Suspicious Person/Activity

Sunday, March 30th at approximately 5:00 PM on Kino St.

A black male adult wearing a red and white sports jacket was walking on Kino and was stopped by a neighbor who conversed with him.  The man walked up and down the street and entered the property of an absent resident.  The neighbor then reengaged the man and advised him that he was unfamiliar in the neighborhood and should leave before the Sheriff's Department was called.  The man left.  (Note:  Please do call the Sheriff's Department and report the incident anyway.  Reports will lead to increased patrols in our neighborhood, which helps suppress this kind of activity.)

 

NOTE:  If you see any activity that seems suspicious to you, please call the Sheriff's Department's non-emergency number, 874-5115.  Naturally if you see a crime in progress, call 911.  It can be dangerous to engage an unfamiliar suspicious person, so use caution if you feel you must and leave it to the Sheriff's Deputies if possible.

 

Per Chuck, we're seeing more criminal activity in our neighborhood after a bit of a break.  Vigilance is key to stopping that and making it clear to criminals that our neighborhood is not a good place to commit crimes.  Always use caution investigating suspicious situations, and don't hesitate to call the Sheriff's Department.  They're the professionals trained in dealing with these situations.

Car Break-ins, Car Theft

Two Incidents in the DPM Neighborhood:

Car Burglary

Last Wednesday (03/26/2014)), a car on the 2600 block of Watson St. (near Eastern Avenue) was broken into.  The owner believes the car was locked.  No windows were smashed and there were no signs of forced entry.  New golf clubs were stolen as was insurance paperwork.

Car Theft

Today (Thursday 04/03/2014) a family on Verna Way went out to find their Black 1996 Nissan Sentry GXE stolen.  It may have happened overnight.  

If you see the car that was stolen, or have any information on the burglary, please call the police or contact me at dpmneighborhoodwatch@gmail.com

Cowan Group:

Hello neighbors,

Two incidents that happened on Saturday night.

Both great examples of looking out for each other.

Please see emails below.

Just wanted to let you know that our truck that was parked in our driveway (Woodcrest and Eastwood) was broken into last night sometime between 10 pm and 9am this morning.   The back passenger window was smashed to gain access and they tore apart our dash to take the in dash gps/radio module.   They didn't touch anything else that was in the cab, including power tools.    Seems they knew what they were doing and exactly what they wanted.   

A alert and nice neighbor called me this morning to say she had noticed two vehicles parked on our property on Robertson Avenue. I called the sheriff then we drove to the house.

At least one of the vehicles was stolen. A man and a woman were arrested for possession of stolen property and trespassing. The two individuals were sleeping in the car(s) and did not break into the house.

The sheriff officers responded in a timely manner and were very professional.

Scam and Cowan Group Incidents

We had been very quiet for some time.  Most of the incidents to report are for the Cowan group, but note that they're close neighbors so things happening there can easily happen here.

DPM Area:  Scam (Week of March 03)

We've had a scam reported similar  to a previous incident.  To refresh the last one,  a person posed as the new next door neighbor on Duran Circle and said that he needed money for a tow truck because his mother was in an accident.  The elderly victims gave the scammer $40.  

The current incident happened on Lausen at 1030PM.  A man came to a resident's door and tried to convince the older woman that he was the son of a neighbor down the street.  He claimed to be Alex and said his mother's name was Joan.  He also said that his mother was in an accident at Watt and Arden.  The lady said that she didn't know anyone named Joan or Alex, said goodnight and closed the door. 

The Sheriff's department suggested that it is better not to open the door to a stranger at that hour.  The neighbor thinks that "Alex" was in his mid 20's to mid 30's.  There was a vehicle out front, belonging to "Alex," but the neighbor couldn't give a description.  Note that the description of this scammer does not match the description of the one on Duran Circle, which means this is a scam many people are aware of and willing to try.

From Chuck:  TIP:  KEEP YOUR CURTAINS, OR BLINDS CLOSED AT NIGHT!  Otherwise, anyone outside can see into your house and note your appearance and routines.  Rather than opening the door to a stranger, offer to call the police for them.

Cowan Neighborhood Reports

March 4th e-mail:

March 3rd there was a man going through the neighborhood looking for unlocked cars.  Thanks to two neighbors he was flushed out of the neighborhood.

Last week there were kids drinking at [Cowan] school that were chased off by a neighbor on Becerra.

 

Last night (3/3) about 11:15pm, I caught someone breaking into a friend’s unlocked car in front of my house on Regent.  I chased him East towards Brookwood.  He dropped the stuff he took in front of  a house at Regent and Brookwood and continued running towards North Edge and Brookwood corner.  Another neighbor and I drove around the neighborhood but couldn't locate the guy.  I contacted a friend in the Sheriff’s department to let them know.  They were busy and couldn't immediately respond.

The guy was a white male, mid-twenties, about 6 feet tall.  He was wearing black cargo shorts, a white t-shirt and a black baseball hat.

 

March 5th e-mail:

 

This morning we went out to find that someone had been on our front porch and stole potted plants as well as a concrete birdbath from the garden right beside our porch. They must have been frightened off by someone as we found one potted plant still lying in the yard and they dropped some playing cards.  Tom had left his car unlocked but luckily had taken out his tools and phone so it doesn't seem that they got anything there.  Another reminder why it's always a good reason to lock your car! 

Let me reiterate:  Lock your car.  If you have a porch light, leave it on at night.  A motion-activated driveway light is a great idea, too.

March 11th e-mail:

I just wanted to inform you that my next door neighbor had her catalytic converter stolen last week (the night of the really big storm w/lightning -- Wednesday night, March 5th) from her Toyota Sequoia that was parked on her driveway on Jo Ann Drive.

We'd had a respite from catalytic converter thefts, but any time metal prices rise, they'll happen again.  Please note that California has strict requirements for replacing your catalytic converter.  Repairing a thief's damage can cost more than $1,500.  If you see someone under someone else's SUV, call the sheriff's department!

Abductions around Marconi Avenue

I don't have many details on this, but have been relayed verbal reports of 3 abductions in our area near Marconi Avenue.  Two were in the early morning hours (around 4:30 AM) and one in the evening (around 9 PM).  More details would be welcomed!  The abductions were of adult women, not of children.

If you walk for exercise in the area, please be sure to bring a buddy and make sure someone knows your whereabouts, your route and your estimated walking time.

Break ins, burglary

Car Burglary, Cowan Group

During the week of December 16th on Woodcrest a car window was smashed and unknown suspects grabbed what little was in the car.  It was an older white Honda or Toyota. The driver was a younger male with blonde hair, and wearing a beanie.

Car Burglary, Cowan Group

Christmas Eve day (12/24) there were two women in a white older four door Audi around 4:30 PM that smashed a window and stole Christmas gifts from a SUV. This happened on Eastwood.

Suspicious Activity/Recycling Theft, Cowan Group

The women and man from last month that use recycling as their MO were seen a few times in the neighborhood. I called the police on her two weeks ago, but they never got her. The Sheriff who showed up was not very friendly nor responsive to this. They have been seen many times in the early hours by walkers. The Sheriffs have been called every time but have never caught up to them. They have been seen looking into cars and garage side windows. They again are a middle aged white couple, skinny, and on bikes. The women will typically put her coat hood on when she has been spotted.

Abandoned Home Used for Recycling Theft, Cowan Group

Last thing is the abandoned home on Regent. People are using it to store recyclables on Thursday/Friday recycle weeks. They have been also seen hanging out there too. They will leave trash behind from food and clothes. If you seem anyone in the empty homes please call the Sheriffs ASAP.

Burglary in the Arden Park area Week of January 6th

My husband got home and the window in our front door was broken out and when he walked in, the alarm was ripped off the wall.  My husband saw our neighbor across the street and asked if he had seen anything odd and he said he had seen a strange car in our driveway, a tan or gold SUV around noon.  But he was taking down Christmas decor and worked in his garage the rest of the day with his garage door open.  They weren't here long and got hardly anything.  They must have been scared off.  They missed a lot (computers, cameras, jewelry, cash, etc.) and just took a pillowcase, dumped my tray of costume jewelry in it, grabbed an iPod off our valet and took off. We spoke to another neighbor and he said he got home around noon as well and thought he might have heard an alarm, even walking out on his front lawn and looking around.  We don't know if they were scared off my the across the street neighbor or if the alarm scared them off (we have an outdoor alarm as well so that could have scared them).  Who knows.  Anyway, the police came and took a report and CSI is coming to take fingerprints.  The officer said we actually had some good flat surfaces that might give good fingerprints.

Multiple Incidents from our area and the Cowan watch group

From the Cowan Group, December 9th Burglary:

Unfortunately, our cars and house were broken into last night, 3300 block of  Brookwood Rd, corner of North Edge.  They broke into our cars and accessed the house via the garage door.

Many things were taken, mountain bikes, Christmas gifts, etc.

Our genie garage remote is still out there so if they ditched, and you see it, please let us know.

If anyone heard anything or saw anything please let us know.

The sheriffs are due out this morning.

We are sad for all the loss, but grateful we are safe.

Another great reminder of how high this time of year crimes like this are.

A follow up:

I wanted to give you updates to the string of thefts in our neighborhood.

On Sunday/Monday morning we are now 1 of 3 homes targeted.

Another car on North Edge was hit and a home on Regent.

The couple that I caught in our neighborhood during the heavy rain storm in November, is the same couple that has been seen in the early hours approaching homes and cars.

They are a white male and female in their 40s, skinny, and on bikes.

She wears a red rain parka/jacket and wears the hood up.

He was in sweat pants and wears a black baseball hat.

This couple has now been seen several times still in the neighborhood.

I found out today from a man that walks our neighborhood, that he saw this couple Thanksgiving week on North Edge. He was out walking early and asked them what  they were doing on the side of a home. They quickly then took off on their bikes.

This couple is targeting our homes and cars.

For the past month they are getting items and will continue too.

Please let's keep an eye out for them and help the Sheriffs arrest them.

CSI was able to lift some prints from our car and garage yesterday. I am hoping they get them from this.

From our neighborhood):

Dec 9 auto burglary  2200 block of Ione

A neighbor on the 2200 block of Ione street reports:   Last night my car was broken into. I'm not sure if it was locked. I have a 2008 Toyota highlander. They took apart my steering wheel and took the air bag. They also stole my kids sporting equipment for both soccer and basketball. One of our neighbors has video cameras so they are going to check them when they get home.  I will let you know if anything comes of that. Just wanted to let you know so you can send out a warning. 

November 27th  bicycle theft  3700 block of Duran Circle

I wanted to let you know that yesterday (Wednesday) while [my husband] was home and going in and out if house someone came into our garage and stole my brand new Santa Craig mountain bike.  Our garage was open but he was home and we had our jeep backed up to the garage.

 

Sometime from December 1st through 6th  license plate theft  2800 block of Marilona

A resident had their rear license plate stolen off of their vehicle.

A note from our crime prevention specialist for the North Division of the Sacramento County Sheriff's Department:

I’m receiving a larger number of emails and phone calls about property theft/burglaries this month and last.   This time of year is seemingly high theft season:

 

If you’re home or off at work or on vacation, make sure that everything is locked up securely.  This includes backyard gates, all doors to your garage, doors from your rear yard to your house and doggy doors when not in use. 

 

Suspicious people loitering, lingering, wandering around going door to door or up on properties in your neighborhood at night should be reported to dispatch as being suspicious.  Describe their behavior to the dispatcher.  If they have a vehicle, get a  good description of everything and be a good witness.  Call immediately, don’t wait.  874-5115.   Don’t tell them you’re calling the cops or tip them off.  DON”T FOLLOW OR CONFRONT.

 

If someone knocks or rings your doorbell, talk through the door.  Teach your kids to talk through the door, but not to open it. 

 

Leave lights on timers on inside your home.  Have timers go off in different parts of your house at different times to mimic that you’re actually home.

 

If you have a work vehicle or trailer, and it contains tools it is a target if it is parked on your driveway or street.

Work vehicles/trailers containing tools must be parked in an enclosed yard or garage.

In the Arden area we are having multiple reports of trailer hasps being cut with saws and metal around the hasps being sawed to enter and steal high dollar items.  Lots of $150 to $3,000 bikes being stolen. Also many vehicle break-ins and gas thefts and numerous mail thefts in many areas of the county.  Cars and motorcycles and dirt bikes and power tools and hand tools and coins, any and all electronic digital cameras and laptops, phones and  presents in the car or wrapped under the tree, designer goods; eye glasses to shoes, cash, guns, jewelry, alcohol are being stolen.  LOCK UP VALUABLES.   Buy an engraver and put your driver’s license number on expensive tools and bikes.  

 

Check your mailbox regularly if your mail is coming late in the day.  Don’t leave mail overnight in your box.  Report mail theft to the US Post office or to the Sheriff’s Department.  Report ID theft/ fraud to the Sheriff’s Department.

NEVER mail outgoing mail from your mailbox.  If you see someone taking mail, call emergency line 874-5111.

 

If you have a vacant house nearby please or know that your neighbor is gone, be alert to unusual lights/activity in the house/garage at night.  Call 9-1-1 if you think that a burglar may be there.    The early cover of darkness and , cold and rain will keep most people inside as soon as they get home.  Its perfect weather for burglars.

 

When you shop, go store to store or arrive home, take everything out of your vehicle.  Never leave anything including jackets or bags.

 

Finally,  please go and visit the elderly neighbors down the street.  See if they have their heat on, if they need to take a trip to the grocery store or might need someone to talk to. 

Multiple Incidents (Catching up)

October Car Burglaries

We had a car break in October 29th on the 2500 block of Catalina. They left all of the doors and trunk open. (Car doors were left unlocked).  The house down the street on the left hand side close to LaSuen has a car that is parked outside that always has its lights on with somebody in it at 4 or 5 am.  When I head to the gym, the light is on in the car.  [Note, I'm not sure of the significance of the car with its lights on--if this is every morning, it's probably a resident who rises early.]

On the night of October 29-30, there was a car burglary on the 2600 block of
Andrade and another one on the night of October 7th on the 2800 block of Alamitos.
 In both cases the vehicles were left unlocked and the thieves, took what was available to them.

Please remember to file a report with the sheriff dept at this address
http://www.sacsheriff.com/online_reporting/index.cfm unless you have an emergency such as a crime in progress--then dial 911.  No matter how small the crime may seem, more reports mean more patrols, which can reduce crime in our neighborhood.

Vandalism, September 17th in the afternoon
On the 2800 block of Avalon a vandal spray painted "Give up, God is here" on the side of a home in red paint.  They also painted what appears to be the Eye of Providence, or eye within a triangle.



From the Cowan Neighborhood Watch Group:
Home Burglary

At 2:50 AM this morning (November 20) I was awoken by a loud metal noise.  I went to go see, and too my surprise it was right next to our home.

 

There were two people in the pouring rain in bikes on the next door neighbor's driveway. They were at the house for sale on Brookwood with the large white dumpster on it. They told me they were only going through for cans and bottles and were leaving. I did not believe them so I continued to drive out of the driveway and to drive around the block to see where they were headed.

After driving around the block I noticed they were back to the house. I noticed the items they had, a small shop vac, and 3-4 black garbage bags of items. I then called the Sheriff's Dept. They took off on bike. The male is white and wore a baseball cap. He was riding an older silver color 10 speed. The woman is white and was in a red rain parka. They took off towards the school.

The Sheriffs came out around 3:10. I told them what had happened and they said they would look into it.

When I pulled back in the driveway I went and walked on the driveway next door. To my surprise I noticed a gas weed eater on the side of it and the backyard gate was open. I let the responding Sheriffs know. They checked out to make sure the house was secure.

 

I assumed they took the weed eater from the yard sale items at the end of Regent and Northwood. They went down and spoke with the owners of that home this morning too. This morning I found a very large metal box end wrench on the side of our home (North Edge side) in the street. Yes, that was what they dropped that awoke me.

I let them also know about the homeless tent at the creek and they said they would look into that.

I KNOW that couple will be back to go after more items left out on the driveway at the end of Regent.

 

PLEASE keep on eye out for them or any others right now.

As we begin the holiday season please look out for our each others homes. Every year stories of home break ins for Christmas gifts are all over the news.

Please call the Sheriffs right away. Please do it yourself and DO NOT assume someone else will.

I am sad to say I think too many people think someone else will.

Here are great phone numbers to save and use:

874-5115 for the Sheriffs Dept Non Emergency

874-5111 for Emergency

 

Update to this story on November 22nd:

 

A home was broken into on North Edge.  The home owner is fixing it up and it is vacant now.

There were many items stolen, as in weed eater, pressure washer, and many other items. I am assuming the large wrench that was dropped on the street outside our window that awoke me was from there.

This same women was seen in the neighborhood this evening too around 7 PM.

 

If the Cowan Group is able to drive these criminals out of their neighborhood, we may be next.  Thanks to the Cowan Group for the communication, and let's stay on the lookout.

Facebook Group

This is just a housekeeping note.  I'll keep updating the blog, but it looks like the gentleman who handles the updates via e-mail also has a facebook page, and incidents may be  posted there quickly than they're e-mailed out.  If you'd like to get updates that way, visit:

https://www.facebook.com/DelPasoManorNeighborhood

Attempted Burglaries, Suspicious Activity, Auto Theft

Bump key used in an attempted burglary

Oct 10 attempted burglary 2700 block of Watson (from the resident)

The residents returned home to find a  strange key in the front door lock.  The sheriff was called, and stated that some burglars use this skeleton key (also called a bump key because of its method of use), by hammering it into the lock.  The sheriff also stated that they hadn't seen this used in a while and removed and took the key.  No entry was made.

Suspicious vehicle 

Oct 7 suspicious vehicle/activity  Kings way/Duran Cir/Butano Dr

A resident on Kings Way was awake at approx 3:25 AM in the morning and observed a vehicle driving up and down Kings Way, Duran Cir, and onto Butano Drive.  The resident had been watching this for approx 20 minutes when the vehicle (a brown "Nissan Quest" style van) pulled up in front of his house.  The passenger (who seemed to be looking at a GPS, or Smartphone) then exited the van and started approaching the house.  The resident made his presence known, and the passenger reentered the vehicle, and the van sped off.  A partial on the license plate was 5EM.

Car Theft 

August 21, 2013, auto theft, 2500 block of Andrade
At approximately 5:15 AM, a small car pulled up to the house and an individual, went to a work van parked in the driveway, opened the door of the van, started it up, backed out of the driveway and sped off.  The owner (who usually leaves and is up at this time) chased after the vehicle.  Upon returning to his house and discovering the thieves vehicle, he called law enforcement.  The abandoned  vehicle was also stolen and a large number of Ford auto keys were left on the seat.  Apparently these thieves had copies of keys and use them to steal vehicles.  If you have an older Ford (ones that don't have the electronic chip) you should have a deterrent, such as a club, type device or an alarm.

Equimpent Theft
Theft 2500 block of Cambon

Late night/early morning of September 1st or 2nd
A resident reported the theft of landscaping equipment after the thieves cut a padlock on a gate.

Another resident several houses from the first had something taken, as
there were drag marks across the lawn, (resident wasn't home, and hasn't
returned as of this notice, to determine what was missing).  A neighbor saw a
truck near the house prior to this.

Auto Burglaries 

September 15,  2500 block of Andrade auto burglaries

3 vehicles had their windows smashed so burglars could gain access during the night.

No further information is available at this time.

From the Cowan neighborhood watch group

We had a break in night and one on Friday afternoon.

Car Burglary

Thursday night (September 19th) a car was gone through and they took stuff from it on Montclaire and Pope.

Attempted Burglary, possibly a Bump Key used

Friday (September 20th), a home was attempted to be burglarized in the afternoon on Brookwood by Regent.  They tried to go in through the door and messed up the locks.

(Sounds similar to the Watson one October 10th.)

Gas theft, Messy Recycling Scavengers

From a neighboring group:
Tuesday, August 13th, all the gas was stolen from my car on North Edge Drive and I was left with so little gas that I could not have driven to a station.  My husband noticed the door to the gas tank was open on my car this morning and had me check, and sure enough all the gas was gone.  My husband has a new car and said that his gas was fine, but he thinks his car was tampered with electronically, maybe to try and steal it, because the calendar was wrong this morning and some other electronic things were acting oddly. 

Messy Recycling Scavengers:
Recycling scavengers were out last night and they caused a problem on my property.  They'd left both cans open, and piled recycling materials high up in my open garbage can, such that the garbage truck probably wouldn't have taken my garbage had they come by before I fixed it.  I had nothing worth their time in my recycling--just cardboard, really.  

They left a few small items strewn about my lawn for me to clean up.  We sleep at the back of the house, so we didn't hear them to call the police, but please, please if you notice scavengers call the sheriff's nonemergency dispatch number and get an officer out.  


A bit of littering is just an inconvenience, but the activity of these people can hide identity theft activities, casing of houses, and even if they have no worse motives, they'll lower your property values just by scavenging.