Theft, Suspicious Vehicle, Follow Up

Tuesday, October 11th:

Suspicious van, Jogger Stroller Theft

I was walking back to my truck at 4:45 PM when I observed a dark green Dodge
Caravan parked in front of 3941 Kings Way, and a white male adult running
towards it pushing a blue jogger stroller. The side door of the van opened,
and another white male helped load the stroller into the van. The van then
pulled out and turned left on Lasuen, driven by a third white male adult in his
mid to late 30's with shaved head, small beard, baseball cap and sunglasses. I
contacted the Sheriff dept to report the theft.

The van's license plate # is CA 3EMM316 [note: follow up indicates this plate is either close, or does not belong to this van], be aware of it in your area, they are
apparently are looking for targets of opportunity.

again it is a

Dark green, Dodge Caravan, CA license 3EMM316 [plate may not be exactly this].

At this sighting, it had 3 White male adults in their mid to late 30's.

Saturday, October 15th

Update to Jogger Stroller Theft, Marijuana Theft, Alarming Alarm Salesman

Update on the jogger stroller theft: Sherri with the Sheriff dept. said that the plate came back to a Geo, not a Dodge. she tried a program that will search through plate variants, and didn't find a match. so, if they dumped the plates, we are still looking for a dark green dodge caravan, with mid 30's white males, cruising the neighborhood.

Marijuana Theft

Monday or Tuesday this week there was a theft from a house in the Del Paso Manor neighborhood that resulted in collateral damage to a neighbor's vehicle, (totaled).

The theft was of marijuana plants. The reportedly 13 plants were being grown under California's medical marijuana law, and according to news reports this time of year is harvest time. Over the last month or so, I had noticed the odor of marijuana, but couldn't directly tell where it was coming from. If I could smell it, others could. Details are not all in, but apparently, the thieves were stealing the marijuana, when the grower caught them at it, and started chasing them. During the chase, the thieves' vehicle slammed into the neighbor's car parked in their driveway, "totaling" it.

California law enforcement cannot do anything about cultivation of marijuana. Growers should note that Federal authorities seem to be making an example of California dispensaries at this time, and they may take interest in growers in the future.

If you notice suspicious vehicles or persons loitering around the area and you suspect that marijuana is being grown in your neighborhood, call the Sheriff dept and inform them of this. persons growing more than legally allowed. The police informed me the legal limit is 8 mature plants or 12 immature plants. Grow operations, even small ones, are inviting more disruption and threats to the neighborhood. No matter how you feel about cultivation of medical marijuana, it is clearly an attraction to thieves, so growers and neighbors must be extra vigilant.

Vandalism (Vehicle egging)

A vehicle was egged last night on the 3800 block of Lasuen. This seems to be the time of year for that. If you notice a vehicle with occupants committing this type of act, get a license number and call the Sheriff dept. Property damage (egg can ruin a paint job) might be recouped through civil channels with a police report.

Alarming Alarm Salesman

There is an individual working for the home alarm monitoring company Select Security canvassing the neighborhood. He has been in the neighborhood for a couple of days. I saw him yesterday and got an email about him last night. I talked to him today and explained to him that when he starts asking personal questions about your home security it puts people on guard. I gave him my email address and told him to send me all the information about his company and their promotion and I would include it, in an alert and allow you to contact him.

After I had talked to him, I got a call from another resident about, this person.

His name is Gus Mcguire and he drives a dark grey Infinity, CA lic 5ZXX040.

He wears a white Polo shirt and has an ID hanging around his neck. He is a white male with a tanned complexion, 5'8", 160 lbs, 30ish, clean shaven, and dark hair. He has sent me an email, but I need more information from him before I send it on, like business license number, picture and such. That information will be included in a future alert.

Note: even people doing legitimate business can sometimes use information you provide in a criminal manner later. It may be best let him know you don't give out personal security information but would be happy to listen to his offer.

Catching up--multiple events

Sorry for the delay in posting these. Several events have happened since last post.

December 18th:

A vehicle was ransacked on the 2500 block of Catalina last night. The intruders gathered together a GPS and a garage door opener, but were left on the passenger seat. The owner thinks that they left the car unlocked. No explanation for the items being left behind.

December 19th:

Another car was ransacked on Cambon. An unsecured ladder and power washer were stolen from a carport on Kings Way in the last days.

Also, a child's yellow rocking chair was stolen from the front porch of a house in the 2500 block of Andrade. It had faded paint, and designs on it. this occurred last week, unsure of which day. (Note: This one is odd and reminiscent of things I've heard from the U.K. where if an item is on your porch and not affixed, someone will steal it even if it is not of any value.)

December 20th:

From Andy, whose truck was stolen: They found my truck! I just got it back from the towing yard. It had been abandoned over on the corner of Verna and Avalon on the other side of El Camino from us. I sure wish I had checked over there….I looked almost everyplace else. The battery was stolen and the gas tank emptied with the gas cap missing as well. They took some change and a few incidentals from the inside but otherwise the truck appears to be fine. There is a dent in the tail gate where it appears they may have pushed the truck possibly to get it out of ear shot of my house. I mention this because I have heard of cars being stolen lately by a “tag team” effort with two other vehicles. One vehicle pulls up behind the car to be stolen and the other is a truck with a tow dolly. The vehicle behind the car to be stolen pushes the car onto the tow dolly and they drive away with their loot. This can be prevented with more careful parking as this method does not work if your car is in a driveway, or if another car is parked behind it. Thanks to everyone for keeping an eye out for it. Luckily enough this one has a pretty happy ending.

December 28th:

After posting the last alert, I was informed that another catalytic converter was stolen from a Toyota pickup. on Cambon during the same period. The Toyota pickup which was stolen and later recovered from Duran Circle was apparently almost stolen again last night. A resident, on Kings Way happened to be awake at the time, noticed a small white or light blue sedan pull up across the street and turn out its lights. The occupant, a white male, was able to unlock the pickup, but the kings way resident, using a laser pointer, let the criminal know that he was being observed and the criminal fled the area. There is no further description at this time.

January 4:

On New Year's Eve, a green Honda was stolen from the 2800 block of Avalon. CHP has recovered the vehicle with a broken window and damaged ignition. No further info available.

January 5th:

Sometime Monday night (January 3, 2011) someone stole the American, California, and a special award flag, for Del Paso Manor School from the flagpole. The cable was locked, but the thief was able to get them anyway. Video cameras captured an image of the thief, and I am working to get a still picture. There have been many incidents at the school over the past few months, and I usually get the info too late, but I connected with the principal today and will be adding her and the school to this network.

Hi Chuck-

Please pass this on to the network.

About 3 weeks ago as I was leaving Macy's at Country Club Plaza, two women pulled up in a small 2005 or newer Honda or Toyota (metallic beige or tan) and asked me for gas money to visit their father in Elk Grove who had just had a heart attack. They said people were laughing at them and noone would help them. I agreed to follow them to the Valero station and gave the attendant inside 15 dollars for their pump. They thanked me profusely and seemed sincere.

Two days ago as I was leaving Sam's Club the same women drove up and were about to ask me for gas money and use the same story, but I turned and said to her "I helped you before." She said "I have a bad memory and even worse luck." This time they had two children in the back.

The driver is a short, heavy-set Philipina or Pacific Islander in her late 20's early 30's, and the passenger looked to be Hispanic with shoulder length hair, thinner build, and also short.

The license plate # is 6CWV936 (at least by my memory juggling a 5 year old and groceries)

They are obviously disingenuous and taking advantage of people.

I made an online report with the Sherriff's dept.

January 5th Announcement:

Many of you may have noticed her in the neighborhood in her blue van with a surgical mask on her face, and many of you have asked how they could help.

Terri Lynn Davis 1/7/1950 - 1/5/2011

Terri was a lady that did not rent or own a home in the Del Paso Manor neighborhood, but was a resident just the same. She passed away peacefully this evening, at the UCD med center. Terri had been struggling with cancer for several years, and just wanted to be her own person and independent.

She took care of her own arrangements, so no help is necessary, but thank you.

Theft off Front Porch

One January 21st 2010, a UPS package was stolen from the front porch of a home on the 2800's block of Ione, near Marconi Avenue. UPS said they delivered the package at 2:56pm, the resident got home at 4:00pm and the package was not there. The UPS driver came back and said he placed the package in plain sight, right in front on the front door facing Ione street.

If you see a set of these headphones they are stolen, they are custom and have only been out for less then two weeks. They are Astro A40's and are meant for gaming, but someone may be walking past your house wearing them with a Mp3 player or Walkman. They have different color covers that came with the package and may be used

Also, two unopened syringes were found on Marilona near Lyle. Caution your children about these, as this in close proximity to DPM Elementary.

Photographs of the earphones:





Photographs of the syringes:

Holiday Thefts

On December 20th about 10:30am a black Honda with a Hispanic male about 200 lbs in all black clothing with a white shirt came screaming down Roslyn way from El Camino. By the time he reached my house [which is several houses down from El Camino] he was driving about 60 to 70 MPH. Then a blue Ford Explorer raced right after the black Honda as I was screaming for them to slow down. About 20 or 30 min. went by, then the blue explorer pulled up and apologized for racing down our street. It was their car that was stolen and they where trying to catch him or follow until the police could take over but he ditched the car in Raley's parking lot before they could catch up.
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On December 18th a white 1995 Honda sedan was stolen from 2800 block of Becerra. This is the second "known" Honda stolen in this area. If you own a 90's Honda you might use the "club" or some other theft deterrent device. The last one was recovered in Citrus Heights, virtually unscathed. (Maybe just taken for a joy ride.) There was also an apparent attempted theft of a Honda on the 2600 block of Verna, the same night as the Vutano theft, but the owners scared the individual away.

Last Saturday night/Sunday morning several vehicles were broken into on Carrisa, and Becerra. Tools and electronic equipment were stolen. At least one vehicle was locked, but access was gained through a locked camper window
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On Friday Dec. 11th we had a 8' inflatable moose stolen from our front yard at 4100s block of Marconi Ave. In the process they also ripped down about 40' of candy cane fence which they destroyed. The next night they came back some time between midnight and 4am and took three more inflatables. One was a snowman on a motorcycle with penguins in a side car, another was a Grinch that was animated coming out of a chimney and the last one was another Grinch pulling a Christmas tree out of a chimney. I'm sure everyone in Del Paso Manor is familiar with my house at the corner of Marconi and Avalon. Due to the thieves in the neighborhood I was forced to take down the rest of my inflatables. I would like everyone to be aware of your surroundings.

Thefts in the Neighborhood

I apologize for my tardy updates. Every incident report matters!

November 5th, Stroller Stolen

From a home in the 2400 block of Cathay, a "bob jogger" twin stroller. This stroller is a $600 item and was taken from the front yard. It is navy blue in color. If you notice one for sale locally, contact the sheriff dept, or email the victims. (E-mail address available on request).



November 7th, Front Yard Items Stolen

From the 2800 block of Ione Street near Marconi on Saturday night, November 7th, a wooden hutch like decor as well as a three wheel metal/plant holder was stolen from the front porch. While it wasn’t worth a lot of money, I thought that I would pass it along to you.

November 12th, Various Items

Yesterday (Veterans Day Nov 11) a sheriff knocked at my door at 7:15am saying a jogger reported that a black man dressed as a jogger jumped my fence and they were here to look around my back yard. (3700 block of Duran Cir) They did not find anyone. But, if you live in the neighborhood and were jogging and reported the activity to the police, thank you so much!

But then this morning at 6:15 am my doorbell rang. By the time I got there, no one was there; there were wet foot prints on my front porch (looked like tennis shoes). The only thing I saw was a Housekeeping business card, don’t know if someone was dropping off the card and ringing my doorbell, or if someone was doorbell ditching. Either way, it’s weird. Within a few minutes I saw a man (looked to be white) walking in dark clothes and tennis shoes with a red hat on…don’t know if he was dropping off the housekeeping cards, or just walking, but he had tennis shoes on and that is what the shoe prints on my porch looked like.

This is the first time in 3 years of living here that I have had anything strange and it’s been twice in two days.

Did anyone else get an early morning doorbell ring, along with a business card?

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Yes, I saw a Hispanic lady placing housekeeping cards on doors yesterday morning. (Alamitos)

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Hello, something was also stolen from our front porch. We live on the 3900 block of Kings Way and someone stole our American Flag. The flag was put up by my husband and his combat brother who served in Iraq with him. It is irreplaceable. If you see anyone on our porch feel free to slap them then direct them to the nearest recruiting station in hopes they may learn respect for something greater than themselves.

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We live on the 3900 block of Kings Way. Our RV is kept on a pad at the top of our driveway, next to our house. Thieves accessed our RV roof mounted solar panel, cut the wires, and stole the panel. This strikes me as particularly aggressive because it was done on an RV roof 10 feet high, in a well lit area, on a well traveled street.

I missed the neighborhood meeting that discussed the possibility of hiring a security patrol vehicle. We would certainly pay our share for this necessary safety precaution.

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The RV roof solar panel was stolen from 3900 Block of Kings Way, and will cost over $1,000 to replace. If anyone has any information on its whereabouts, or the perpetrator , please let me know.

Thanks.

Adrienne

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Remember to be vigilant and report things out of the ordinary. Thank you to the jogger who called in the man dressed in black! A police presence in the neighborhood is a very good thing, even briefly. Criminals will know we watch and call the police.