​Serial Thief Ensnared, Connected the Montrose-Area Burglaries

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

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MONTROSE – Alleged stolen items were found in a reported stolen vehicle August 8 after a burglary victim helped deputies track down a pilfered laptop.

The suspect was tracked to a parked vehicle in the 2300 block of Mar Vista Avenue in Montrose. Deputies found a plethora of items in the suspect’s possession believed to have been taken from other vehicles that were broken into, as well as narcotics, narcotics paraphernalia and weapons, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.

The victim of a vehicle burglary reported the theft in the 2100 block of La Cañada Crest Drive in La Cañada Flintridge between 1:15 a.m. and 9 a.m. An app on the laptop helped deputies get a beat on its location, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.

Deputies found a possible suspect and as they approached the parked vehicle where the driver was seated, they observed the stolen laptop within, in addition to more items taken from the initial victim. They also found reported stolen items from other burglaries and numerous pieces of property with identifying information, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.

The vehicle the suspect was seated in was reported stolen in Los Angeles.

The unidentified suspect was arrested. On August 10, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office filed charges, including driving a vehicle without the owner’s consent, receiving stolen property and identity theft. The next scheduled court hearing is September 16, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.

“Crescenta Valley Station Detectives will be searching through the recovered items to see if this suspect is connected with any other recent vehicle burglaries. They will also be searching for victims of possible identity theft,” The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department said in a written statement.