TPD ARRESTS SEVEN SUSPECTS FOR DISTRACTION BURGLARY 
On Thursday, February 20, 2014, Torrance Police Department arrested seven suspects, in two different cases for distraction burglary. Distraction burglaries are burglaries where suspects distract victims by engaging them in conversation and posing as legitimate workers. The suspects approach mostly elderly homeowners at their residences with the intent of gaining entry under a seemingly legitimate ruse. The real purpose is to divert the homeowner while accomplices search for currency and jewelry. Frequently used ploys include: claiming to be from the local electric company, water department or cable company, roofing, paving or other trade workers, city inspectors, surveyors and tree trimmers. The suspects may be dressed like a worker. The suspects may also inquire about vehicles being for sale (present in driveway or fictitious) as a means of luring victims out of their residences. Once the victim is distracted either inside the house turning on/off a light switch, knocking on water pipes or outside observing damage, areas needing repair, determining property lines, etc the unseen suspect(s) enters the home and removes currency, jewelry, valuables and documents in master bedrooms and/or wallets and purses near front doors.
The Torrance Police Department advises if a subject is at your door unexpectedly asking to go inside or in the backyard to perform work do not let them in. If this situation occurs contact the Torrance Police Department with a description of the subjects if possible a related vehicle and a direction of travel. TPD will check the validity of the subject’s story.
The following are the incidents that occurred on February 20, 2014:
On Thursday, February 20, 2014 at 3:00p.m., Torrance Police patrol officers observed a vehicle with its engine running and its rear hatch open in the 4000 Block of 176th Street. Further investigation revealed the victim’s side gate was open and four suspects were working in concert to distract the elderly female victim in her backyard. The suspects were posing as SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA EDISON utility workers to provide fictitious services, they entered the victim’s residence and took pocketable valuables. When officers attempted to make contact, the suspects fled on foot and were ultimately taken into custody with the victim’s jewelry. Officers located the suspects’ two-way radios, yellow hard hat, large screwdriver and clipboard from surrounding locations where suspects had discarded them.
SUSPECT VEHICLE: Black 2011 Lincoln Navigator SUV, with Texas plates
The other incident also occurred on Thursday, February 20, 2014. Three subjects were observed by Torrance Police detectives committing three attempted and one completed distraction residential burglaries in the City of Carson. The suspects were placed under arrest in the City of Fullerton later that day. One of the arrestees, Arrestee WEST, was also linked to several other South Bay burglaries.
Suspects employ walkie-talkies or cell phones to notify crime partner(s) it is clear to enter victim residences without detection. If suspects were unable to locate an open door or window, they forced entry to the victim residence with the use of a pry tool. Numerous jewelry items and watches were recovered.
SUSPECT VEHICLES: 1.) Black, 2002 Chevrolet Tahoe SUV 2.) Gray, 2007 Chevrolet Silverado pick-up 3.) Red, 2004 Chevrolet Silverado pick-up 4.) White, 2005 Chevrolet SUV 5.) Black, newer Chevrolet Tahoe Z71, paper plates
Click the following links for full bulletins and pictures of the arrestees:
http://www.torranceca.gov/TPD/Documents/14-017_I-Cs_GYPSY_459R_Hassholt_Torrance.pdf
http://www.torranceca.gov/TPD/Documents/14-016_I-Cs_GYPSY_459R_clissold_03-10-14.pdf
If you have any information please contact the Torrance Police Department at 310-328-3456.
“See Something, Say Something”
Emergency 9-1-1
Non-Emergency: 310-328-3456
Forwarded By:
Torrance Police Department –
Community Affairs Division
310-618-6391 or 310-618-6392
www.Police.TorranceCA.Gov
www.YouTube.com/TPDCommAffairs
www.Facebook.com/TorrancePD
www.Twitter.com/TorrancePD
Mark Matsuda
Interim Chief of Police
Torrance Police Department
Address/Location
Torrance Police Department
3300 Civic Center Dr
Torrance, CA 90503
Contact
Emergency: 9-1-1
Non-emergencies: 310-328-3456
