The Glendale Police Department apprehended eight burglary suspects within 24 hours from Monday to Tuesday.
On Monday evening, officers arrested four burglary suspects from Colombia. One of them, Bryan Martiniz Vargas, was also arrested three weeks ago in connection with “burglary tourism,” a phrase used to describe “thieves from South America [who] enter the U.S. under the guise of tourism and target affluent neighborhoods for burglaries,” according to police.
The night of the incident, a GPD sergeant noticed a car driving without headlights and exiting a dead-end street near Emerald Isle Drive and Kirkham Drive. Deeming the vehicle suspicious, the sergeant initiated a traffic stop and searched the car.
During the search, officers found a video surveillance device with a battery pack charging system camouflaged with leaves.
“This evidence, combined with the finding of freshly disturbed dirt in a planter in the cul-de-sac, led Glendale detectives to believe that the suspects had strategically placed the camera in the planter,” police said. “This method allowed them to create a sophisticated method to gain a view of residences and know when homeowners would leave.”
Officers also located a construction hard hat and a vest, which they said could be used as a ruse to approach homes with minimal suspicion. Several jewelry boxes were also found in the car.
Police subsequently arrested Vargas, along with Jose Antonio Velasquez, 28, Edison Arley Pinzon Fandino, 27, and Luis Carlos Moreno, 29, on suspicion of conspiracy to commit burglary, police said.
“This arrest underscores the ongoing challenges our officers confront in safeguarding our community,” Police Chief Manny Cid said. “While it is frustrating to apprehend the same suspect for a similar offense, it will not diminish our resolve to protect Glendale.”
Police arrested an additional four suspects on Tuesday after being alerted to a vehicle that was wanted for felony burglary from an outside agency. GPD’s Special Enforcement Detail located the vehicle near Verdugo Road and Mountain Street.
When officers initiated a traffic stop, the suspects led them on a pursuit southbound on the 2 Freeway into Los Angeles. The vehicle pursuit ended near the York Boulevard off-ramp, where the suspects collided with a white van, disabling their vehicle.
Following the collision, the four suspects ran in different directions, police said. With the coordinated efforts of multiple units and air support, officers established a containment. The GPD K9 Unit, supported by the Burbank Police Department K9 Unit, then began systematic searches of the area.
After several hours, Glendale police apprehended all four suspects, with three sustaining minor injuries. They were transported for medical treatment.
Deamontae Pitts, 32, of Pasadena, Leslie Earl Hall, 35, of Los Angeles, Terrence Hall, 28, of Duarte, and Leldon Caldwell, 35, of Pasadena face charges of felony evading, felony hit and run, and resisting arrest, in addition to pending charges from the outside agency, Glendale police said.
First published in the May 25 print issue of the Glendale News-Press.
