Odd Solicitor

The below incident took place in the area of Maryal and St. Marks.

I had an odd contact with a door-to-door solicitor about 4 pm Thursday, (Dec 16). He knocked on the door and when I answered it, asked me, "Do you live here?"

I said, "Yes."

Then he said, "This is Thursday, isn't it?" I nodded, then he went into a spiel about a low-cost attorney legal plan. Told him I wasn't interested and closed the door. When he left, he didn't close the gate of the little fence out front, so I went out to close it and saw him walk around the corner, not visiting any other houses.

I just thought it was a little off. Description -- a middle aged, somewhat heavy set African American man in a rumpled beige sport jacket and wrinkled chinos carrying a briefcase.

Vehicle Theft

During the night of 15-16 Dec:

From Andy: A Toyota pickup was stolen. The truck is a 1989 Toyota pickup standard cab. It is painted Flat (not glossy) Beige, with raised suspension and black wheels. It also has a very distinctive marking stenciled on the tailgate in black paint that reads 2 Wheel Drive. If anyone sees this truck please call the CHP Communications office at 861-1300. The license plate is 7X16481.

On Villa Vista, a Christmas decoration was stolen. It was a motorized see-saw, with Santa on one side and 3 reindeer on the other. It was stolen from the house that was awarded the "Rudolph" award by DPMHOA.

Please remember that if are a victim of a crime (no matter how small)to make a report with the Sheriff's Department.

Multiple Vehicle Burglaries - 3800 block Duran, and Loreto

Last night between 11 PM and 7 AM, four vehicles had their vehicle windows broken. One, on Duran Circle, had the rear hatch window broken and several thousand dollars worth of professional equipment was stolen. One vehicle on Loreto had the passenger window broken and the vehicle was ransacked. Another had the driver side and passenger side window broken, and the glove compartment rifled through. The fourth vehicle had the rear hatch window broken, but entry was not made. The vehicle with 2 windows broken had a garage door opener in the glove compartment which the owner believes was accidentally activated, and caused the thieves to leave the area. A dark, "newer" possibly Chevrolet truck was seen speeding away from the houses.

Dog Poisoning Burglars

Forwarded by Chuck:

My Mom lives by Del Paso Country Club. She received this e-mail today from her neighbor:

“There are some people going around our area, poisoning
dogs, then break into the homes mid-day and robbing them.

Cory's dogs were poisoned two days ago, Cole died and Taffy is barely hanging on but
luckily someone was home and they did not get into his house. A home on
Carson Drive last week lost both their labs. The thieves broken in and stole all
their computers, cameras and other electronics. A total of three homes
have been hit so far in our area.”

This is just awful! I thought people should know in our neighborhood because it is happening right by us. Can you please send this out to everyone?

If I recall correctly, deliberately poisoning a dog is a misdemeanor on its own.

Mail Theft

From Chuck:

Yesterday mail was stolen from a mailbox on the 3900 block of Loreto.

The suspects were two young girls in a white SUV. The theft was witnessed by a neighbor, and another neighbor saw this vehicle crusing around. If you happen to notice this vehicle and occupants please collect whatever info you can.

I [Chuck] will notify the post office that these thefts are occurring.

With identity theft rampant, it's an unfortunate reality that it may be time to replace your mailbox with one that locks to provide some slight barrier to thieves.

Car Burglaries, 2800 blocks of Ione and Barbarell

Last night, after 1AM, a vehicle was burglarized on Barbarel. The thieves broke a car window to gain entry and stole a camera and other items which were not in plain view. Another vehicle, 6 houses away on Ione St., was buglarized in a similar fashion and a briefcase was stolen.

It is of note that at one location there was very little lighting.

Auto Burglaries 2400 block of Catalina, Laverne St. and nearby neighborhoods

The Toyota PU reported stolen off Hazelwood was recovered in Carmichael.

Monday, November 8th:

This morning when I went to get in my car I noticed that my son had forgotten to lock his car last night - someone got into it during the night and tried to get his stereo out - they didn't succeed but did break it. Unfortunately this kind of thing happens alot around our area - of course he should have locked his car - and usually does - but to know that someone is walking around our neighborhood checking for unlocked cars really bothers me. Please let everyone know so they can be more vigilent - we live in the 2400 block of Catalina

Tuesday, November 9th:

I guess it was last night or early this morning when someone broke into my car (1999 Honda Accord)parked in my driveway ( La Verne Way ) and:

· broke the driver’s side front window and glass is all over the inside of the car pry marks are on the driver’s side door at the top and side

· stripped the inside panels off all four doors

· emptied the ashtray of my coins (about $3-5 worth)

· went through the glove compartment and the arm rest (front and back) checking for anything to steal

· removed the driver side front tire (fairly new) but left it laying on the ground (why?)

· I cannot get into the trunk to see what is or is not there.

· a lug wrench and its plastic pocket was laying on the ground (I think it might be from the trunk)

· a jack is hold up the front of my car – I assume it is my jack

· stole the battery (about two years old)

· took the caps off the engine block (why?) – could they have poured something down into the block?

· a rug mat was laying several feet away from the car; did they drop it?

· I cannot find the hood prop, but maybe I just didn’t see it I was so upset

Nearby neighborhood incidents, near Mira Loma High School:

Wednesday, November 10th

I received a call from a neighbor on Wood Pointe Circle telling me that his neighbor's Truck Camper Shell was broken into last weekend. He wanted me to let our neighbors know

Near Cowan Fundamental School:

Wednesday, November 10th

Last night a car window was smashed in on Eastwood, here are the details from their email:

I'm on the 3200 block of Eastwood (near the Regent end). This morning I realized that my driver's side window was smashed. I had been parked on the street. I don't think they took anything, but they did go through my change compartments.

I looked outside last night at around 4 am and it looked like my car windows were steamed up, but I didn't think anything of it at the time. I think I may have interrupted the guy, because he didn't take the $5 from my work vest or the can of pepper spray in my glove compartment.

I did file a report with the Sheriff's Office.

As a friendly reminder, please leave your porch lights on at night.