Alhambra Neighborhood Watch News

     Crime in Alhambra is seeing an overall decrease this year however, there are some areas where thieves are finding their opportunities.  For instance, the months of August and September found an increase in residential burglary. The hot weather certainly may be a contributing factor as folks are tempted to cool off their homes by leaving windows open which provide burglars an easy opportunity to get inside.   The most common method of entry in residential burglaries has, and always has been, through windows left open and/or unlocked. This is a friendly reminder that window screens are not security devices and can be easily cut open. Leaving a window open to cool down the home while you are away is not a good idea if you want to keep the contents inside your home left in place.  You can prevent this crime from happening to you by taking the time to think safety and lock up all doors and windows when you leave your home unattended.

     Two of September’s burglaries were what we call “distraction burglaries”.  In other words, the homeowner was distracted by a caller at their front door and while engaged in a conversation with the caller, the caller’s accomplice sneaked inside the home and found valuables to walk away with.  In a few other instances, neighbors reported subjects knocking on their door.  When they answered, the caller at their door asked for a person not associated with the residence and the caller would then promptly leave.  It appears that these “callers” were checking to see if anyone was home by knocking on doors.  If someone answered, they made up a story and moved on to the next house.  If no one answered the door at a particular home, the suspects would “break in”, or “crawl in” if a window was left open.  In these situations, CALL THE POLICE immediately for assistance.  Working together we can put crooks out of business in Alhambra.

     Recently the Alhambra Police Department reported in the local newspaper that a series of street robberies were occurring in our city.  Victims of these crimes were attacked for cash, jewelry, and cell phones.  Apparently the subjects would drive around town looking for victims and would attack when there was an opportunity.  Based on suspect descriptions and information about the attacks from victims and witnesses, Alhambra patrol officers spotted a vehicle with occupants matching the information from the previous victims and witnesses.  The officers stopped the suspicious vehicle and their preliminary investigation led to the arrest of four subjects who are suspected of committing these robberies. Further investigation to those arrested and their involvement in the aforementioned crimes is ongoing.