Ven-Mar Neighborhood Association

CRIME ALERT - 7/22/2003

Daylight Burglary - especially targeting seniors.

Incident occurred on Tuesday July 22, 2003. Airport Blvd. in Westport Heights (Westchester area).

Three suspects went to the door of a Senior Citizen's residence. Suspect #1 asked for a glass of water. The resident invited them into the house and while suspect #1 occupied the attention of the victim, suspect #2 and #3 ransacked the bedroom. The suspects fled after removing victim's property. The suspects' van was gray in color.
The suspects are described as follows. #1 Male Hispanic 6' 200 lbs 30/35 years, wearing a dark shirt, and blue.
Suspect #2 Male Hispanic 5'9" 170 lbs wearing a dark shirt and blue.
Suspect #3 Female Hispanic 160 lbs wearing a white dress. No further description.

Because it was easy to pull off this common burglary, they may be back. This crime has many various scenarios. " I need water for my baby", "My car broke down", "Could I use your phone to call the Auto Club or the hospital, or my husband etc." "May I look into your back yard, your neighbor wants to trim a tree, or fix a fence", "You remember me I did the lawn work for the lady across the street". They always work with one or two others. Quite often one goes to the door and the others stay in the car until the victim goes to the kitchen. It may be a woman or a youngster that knocks on the door.

The burglars' victims are usually seniors but not always. Our seniors were brought up in a world, when someone came to the door asking for water, they would want to help the caller, but most of us today know that when you invite three strangers into your home you are about to lose something.

If you know some seniors that may be vulnerable please notify them of this crime. If you see a car cruising the street in a suspicious way, perhaps looking for a senior, write down a description of the car, the plate number if you can do so without being seen, and call the Police Station at 877-ASK-LAPD (877-275-5273) for non emergency. Call 911 if a crime is in progress.