Santa Monica Canyon Civic Association

Community Crime Alert from Sr. Lead Officer Chris Ragsdale

Received 09-08-04 - Distraction burgularies in Pacific Palisades

On 9/3/04, between 3:00 PM and 4:30 PM, there was a Distraction Burglary
series that occurred in Pacific Palisades. On 9/3/04, at 3:15 PM, one
suspect approached a lone elderly female victim who was standing in the
driveway of her residence in the 1100 block of Villa View Drive. The
suspect approached the victim and told the victim that he was hired by a
neighbor to cut a overhanging tree and that he needed to speak to
victim's husband. The victim told the suspect her husband was
unavailable and that he would have to speak to her. The suspect then
directed the victim to her backyard where he persisted to ask various
questions and distracted the victim for approximately 15 minutes. When
the victim was returning to her residence she observed an additional
suspect walking from her residence who then approached her and shook her
hand. The victim later noticed that her front screen door was ajar and
later discovered several drawers were tampered with but no property was
missing.

At 3:45 PM, three suspects approached an elderly male resident in his
80's in the 15000 block of Sunset Blvd. The two male and one female
suspects were able to coerce their way into the victim's residence
stating they were hired by a neighbor to do yard work. While two
suspects conversed and distracted the husband and wife by asking for
water, the third suspect made their way through the house removing
costume jewelry valued at $30.

At 4:30 PM, two male suspects approached a residence in the 17800 block
of Porto Marina Way. The suspects solicited a lone female victim to
trim the victim's trees and the victim agreed to pay the suspects.
While one suspect distracted the victim in the rear yard the 2nd suspect
entered the victim's residence and was ransacking through desk drawers.
The victim became suspicious after one suspect continued to ask the
victim questions and attempt to walk her further away from her
residence. The victim ran into the house and surprised the 2nd suspect
inside her home going through her desk drawers. The suspects then fled
from the location taking no property.

The suspects are described as 2 male Hispanics, black hair, 5-7 to
5-11, 140-170, mid 20's to mid 30's, wearing blue jeans, white t-shirts.
The third suspect is described as a male white, Blond spiky hair, 5-9,
170, 35 years old, wearing a white t-shirt. The fourth suspect is
described as a female Hispanic, black hair, 5-6, 130, mid 20's, wearing
black jeans and a white vest. In two of the crimes a red Ford, F-150
pick up was observed at the scene.

Area residents are reminded to remain extremely alert and suspicious
whenever contacted or approached by persons who are unsolicited. Never
allow strangers inside your home at anytime or walk outside your home
with anyone you did not call for service. If you observe any suspicious
activity in progress, call 911 immediately and refer this alert. All
other information should be referred to the West Los Angeles Burglary
detail during regular business hours at 310-575-8441 or you may contact Senior Lead Officer Chris Ragsdale at (Office) 310-575-8423 or (Cellular) 310-622-3980.