The victim, who runs an animal rescue shelter, had approximately 30 “Petco” gift cards as well as other items stolen from her home during a burglary by unknown suspects. The gift cards had been donated to help the victim operate the rescue shelter.
Detective James Moser received a huge break in the case when he and a local “Petco” employee identified two suspicious suspects who went on a shopping spree using nothing but gift cards. It was through this break he was able to identify the two suspects and link them to the original burglary.
On 1-17-11 Detective Moser and other deputies contained (surrounded the location with sheriff’s deputies) the residence near the 38600 Block of 11th Street, based on information that the two burglary suspects, Brandon Penn, M/24, and Alvaro Paiz, M/25 both of Palmdale, were hiding inside. Deputies located the two hiding in a detached garage near the back of the property and found with them several pieces of evidence linking Paiz to several other burglaries in the nearby area.
Through the investigation, Detective Moser soon identified a residence near the 38700 Block of 12th Street East in which Suspect Paiz had also allegedly broken into and burglarized, but had not taken all of the items inside of the home. He allegedly planned to return later.
Detective Moser and his partner then went to the residence on 12th Street, in an effort to contact the possible victims. When Detective Moser was in the front of the 12th Street residence, he heard a loud explosion come from inside of the home, shattering the front window. As he moved away from the front of residence he saw three unknown individuals flee from the side of the home and over the fence. Deputies later determined that apparently Paiz’s associates had decided to finish the burglary he had begun, and were in the process of stealing the victims big screen television when Detective Moser knocked on the door.
Seeing a sheriff’s detective at the front door, the trio dropped the television, which exploded as it hit the floor. The suspects then fled from the home. Palmdale Sheriff’s Station deputies have been able to identify two of the three suspects that fled the location, and are now seeking the public’s help in locating them, as well as to identify the third suspect wanted for questioning regarding the incident.
Daniel Ramirez is an 18 year old male who has been identified as one of the three suspects. Detectives are looking to speak to him regarding the burglaries, as well as two other Hispanic juveniles that were with him Monday night around 7:00PM.
Paiz and Penn were booked at Palmdale Sheriff’s Station on charges of burglary and are believed to be linked to three additional burglaries in the area. Detective Moser and the Palmdale Sheriff’s Station Detective Bureau will continue to handle the ongoing investigation.
Anyone with information about this crime is encouraged to contact the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, Palmdale Station at (661)-272-2400. If you prefer to provide information ANONYMOUSLY, you can call “Crime Stoppers” by dialing 800-222-TIPS (8477), texting the letters TIPLA plus your tip to CRIMES (274637), or using the website http://lacrimestoppers.org.