Each week, we will post an arrest of interest pointing toward arrest and crime trends within Arcadia. This past Saturday night to Sunday morning saw a cluster of thefts from unlocked vehicles in the Village area of town off Michillinda Avenue. A couple of the vehicles were reportedly locked, but there was no forced entry found by officers. Cash, credit/debit cards, and a camera were among some of the items taken in the thefts. At least 7 cars were gone through.

Officers recalled detaining a male subject for a similar theft within the last few months in close proximity to this batch of crimes. The subject lives nearby in the unincorporated County area. The officers went to this subject's home and spoke with him, ultimately finding a debit card taken in one of the theft cases from overnight. The subject was arrested and booked on felony charges. However, when the case was presented for filing, the District Attorney's Office felt there was insufficient evidence to proceed at this time and the subject was released. This is not uncommon and means our Investigators will conduct additional follow-up along with submitting physical evidence for forensic examination before presenting the case again. Time restraints do not always allow such investigation before cases are initially presented.

These theft events serve as a good reminder to always remove items of value from your cars and be sure to secure and lock them, even while parked in your driveway or garage. Hide It, Lock It, Keep It!

Anyone with information on this case or other cases is encouraged to contact the Arcadia Police Department at 626-574-5156. Or, if you wish to remain Anonymous, call “LA Crime Stoppers” by dialing 800-222-TIPS (8477), use your smartphone by downloading the “P3 Tips” mobile app on Google play or the App Store, or by using the website http://lacrimestoppers.org. 

Each week, we will post an arrest of interest pointing toward arrest and crime trends within Arcadia. This week's case is an arrest of two suspects who were booked on suspicion of Grand Theft (GPS Bait Package), Identity Theft, and Possession of Controlled Substance.

Officers caught up to this pair of suspects early Sunday morning, December 4, 2016, in the 300 block West Duarte Road. The suspects had stolen a package from a home in the 100 block Lyndon Way. The package was equipped with a GPS device as part of the APD bait program, leading officers right to the suspects and their vehicle, a couple blocks away. During the investigation, officers recovered the bait package, along with money cards, checks, narcotics, and a card embossing machine, all leading to additional felony charges for the suspects.

Arrested and booked at the Arcadia City Jail were Joseph Kamal, 40-year-old male from San Gabriel, and Cristhyn Amador, a 21-year-old female from Temple City.

Anyone with information on this incident is encouraged to contact the Arcadia Police Department at 626-574-5156, case #16-6375. Or, if you wish to remain Anonymous, call “LA Crime Stoppers” by dialing 800-222-TIPS (8477), use your smartphone by downloading the “P3 Tips” mobile app on Google play or the App Store, or by using the website http://lacrimestoppers.org.

We can't express the practice of Lock It, Hide It, Keep It enough!

With the holidays upon us, the likelihood of folks leaving items in their vehicles increases and thieves know this. Please remember to remove items of value from your cars, roll up the windows, lock the doors, and set the alarm if you have one. Taking the opportunity and target away are great ways to help prevent the crimes from happening! Spread the word and pass this along to family and friends!

The holiday season is upon us...are you ordering  presents over the phone, via the Internet, or by mail? Chances are that those packages will be delivered straight to your front porch. The majority of deliveries do not require a signature and are generally left at your door, even if no one is home to accept them. This time of year brings out those looking for a crime of opportunity as well as those thieves that actually target your delivery. Thieves will follow or watch for the UPS, Fed Ex or other delivery trucks and then target a home after a delivery is made.

Here are some suggestions for helping to prevent a theft of your packages:

• Use your workplace as the shipping address.
• Track your shipments by phone, on-line, or by carrier app so you know what day they should arrive.
• Ask you neighbor to watch for your delivery and then hold the items until you arrive home.
• Keep an eye on your neighborhood and report suspicious persons and vehicles sitting or cruising the area. See Something, Say Something!
• Request a signature delivery option, if available.
• Have the shipment be held at the shipping facility such as a UPS office.
• Utilize a "mailbox" businesses in your town and see if they will accept shipment of your item for a fee.
• If you do not receive your shipment on time, check with the company of origin and confirm the delivery. If the item was delivered and you did not receive it, then report the theft or loss to the original company, the shipping company, and your local police.

These tips are good year round, not just at holiday time!