Over the past few months the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff station’s Crime Prevention Unit and Detective Bureau saw an increase in vehicle burglaries in the Valencia and Saugus area. Their collaboration identified that since January of 2011 over 50 vehicle burglaries occurred at local businesses and parks within those target areas. It was also identified that each of the burglaries was committed by a suspect using the same pattern of smashing the car window, reaching inside and stealing purses, wallets or other items of value.
Active surveillances were established as well as information about the burglaries was passed on to the public and employees at local businesses. Employees of Valencia L.A. Fitness took a proactive approach and when suspicious activity was seen occurring in their parking lot, they approached and were able to retrieve a license plate number and suspect description which they passed on to detectives.
Based on the information, the Crime Prevention Unit and Detectives conducted targeted surveillances to locate and identify the vehicle and/or suspect(s). On June 15, 2011, while conducting surveillance at the L.A. Fitness located at 26455 Golden Valley Road, Saugus, Detectives saw the target vehicle and suspect acting suspiciously while driving throughout the parking lot. As detectives were watching, the suspect exited his vehicle and smashed the window of a vehicle parked in an adjacent stall. The suspect reached in and stole a purse. Detectives as well as Deputies from the Crime Prevention Unit, Crime Impact Team (C.I.T.) and J-team quickly took the suspect into custody.
Detectives conducted follow up search warrants and retrieved evidence which linked the suspect to multiple burglaries which have occurred within the Santa Clarita Valley.
The investigation is ongoing and there is no further information at this time. Detectives are attempting to identify and locate the victims of the recovered property.