201910.23
0

4 Long Beach residents arrested in Costa Mesa, suspected in regional ‘knock-knock’ burglaries

by in News

Four Long Beach residents suspected of carrying out a series of knock-knock-style burglaries across Southern California were facing possible charges Tuesday following their arrests in Costa Mesa.

Los Angeles County sheriff’s detectives were conducting a burglary investigation that led them to the Orange County city on the afternoon of Oct. 15, when they saw three suspects “quickly run from the side yard of a residence and enter (a) silver Mercedes Benz SUV that was idling nearby,” according to the Sheriff’s Department.

“The vehicle quickly drove away from the area,” according to a Sheriff’s Department statement. “Detectives confirmed a burglary had in fact occurred, with a rear window forced open and interior of the home ransacked.”

The deputies coordinated with Costa Mesa police to conduct a traffic stop of the Mercedes, and detectives recovered stolen jewelry, personal property, and burglary tools from within the vehicle, sheriff’s officials said.

Authorities arrested the four occupants of the vehicle: Chanddries Srey, 20, the driver; Izaiah Yeav, 18; a 15-year-old boy, and a 17-year-old boy. The names of the juveniles were not released.

All four are facing possible charges of residential burglary. Srey is also facing possible charges of receiving stolen property, conspiracy and contributing to the delinquency of a minor.

“The Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department’s Burglary-Robbery Task Force is working closely with the Costa Mesa Police Department and other Southern California police agencies in determining what recent residential burglaries may be associated with the criminal crew,” according to the Sheriff’s Department.

The task force deals with “the ever-increasing trend of organized crews who are committing daytime residential burglaries,” a sheriff’s statement said.

“Typically known as ‘Knock-Knock’ burglars, these crews, often formed by gang members, utilize high-end luxury vehicles and rental cars to blend in to middle class and affluent neighborhoods where they break into homes and businesses, ransacking and stealing valuables such as cash, jewelry, and weapons,” the statement said.

The task force can be reached at brtflasd.org for tips, questions or concerns.

Anonymous tips can be submitted through Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS or lacrimestoppers.org.