Full Notification

Four suspects have been arrested this past week regarding three separate theft cases.

On February 5, 2015 at approximately 6:13 am, officers were dispatched to Concord Street/Pine Avenue regarding a traffic collision that resulted in the arrest of Esteban Becerra. Becerra is suspected of being under the influence of methamphetamine while entering an open garage in the 800 block of Bungalow Drive. Becerra entered the victim’s unlocked van and located the car keys inside. It is believed Becerra began stealing items from the garage and placed them in the van before taking the vehicle. Becerra used the stolen van to go on a crime spree and steal property from other locations. Becerra collided into a parked car at Concord Street/Pine Avenue and fled the scene while discarding a stolen loaded firearm into the street. Officers located and arrested Becerra in the 600 block of Virginia Street and recovered the gun. Three victims have been identified and were reunited with their stolen property.

On February 8, 2015 at approximately 4:36 am, an officer on patrol saw a white Toyota Previa van without its lights on being driven near the intersection of Center Street and Mariposa Avenue. The officer conducted a traffic stop and detected the odor of alcohol coming from the driver. Further investigation revealed there was a pink bicycle, a vacuum cleaner and other items inside of the van. After questioning, one of the men admitted they had stolen the bicycle and vacuum cleaner from somewhere in the area. Suspects Vincent Torrijos and Ezekiel Funes were arrested on the suspicion of possessing stolen property.

On February 11, 2015 at approximately 5:40 am, officers responded to the area near Oak Avenue/Hillcrest Street regarding two suspicious men looking into parked cars. Officers located the two men and discovered one of them was in possession of several credit cards in other people’s name, an iPod, a large amount of loose coins and other miscellaneous property. Suspect Terrent Zilton was arrested on the suspicion of possessing stolen property. The other male, a documented gang member, was released. During a subsequent interview, Zilton admitted to stealing the items from unlocked cars. Victims in the City of Hawthorne and El Segundo have been located and will have their property returned.

Criminals often target vehicles that are unlocked because it allows easy access into the vehicle and its contents. The public is reminded to always lock your car doors and remove any valuables from plain sight.

If anyone has information related to these arrests or believe you have been victimized by one of these suspects please contact Detective Sergeant Vince Martinez at (310) 524-2261 or [email protected].