Latest news with #IrvinePD
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Yahoo
Fake Amazon delivery drivers arrested as part of alleged transnational burglary crew
Five people believed to be part of a transnational burglary crew were arrested this week following a month-long investigation into a residential break-in reported on Easter Sunday, the Irvine Police Department said. The suspects, four men and one woman, were taken into custody in Fontana and Colton on suspicion of burglary, conspiracy to commit burglary, and narcotics possession. They were identified as Jhon Osorio Arias, 24; Jesus Hernandez Chavez, 42; John Fredy Sanabria, 42; Duber Salarte, 48; all of Fontana; and Isneidy Ortiz Valencia, 29, of Colton. The investigation began April 20 around 1:45 p.m., when a resident on Cultivate, a residential street in Irvine, contacted police after receiving surveillance alerts showing several unknown men inside his home. The footage appeared to show the men dressed as Amazon and food delivery drivers. Officers responded to the burglary in progress but found the suspects had already fled. The home had been ransacked, with designer purses, shoes and jewelry reported stolen. The homeowner provided still images of the suspects, and a patrol officer later spotted a suspicious vehicle leaving the area. The driver, Osorio Arias, initially claimed to be making a food delivery but couldn't provide a delivery address. Officers found suspicious items in the vehicle, arrested Osorio Arias for driving without a license, and transported him for questioning. Police detectives later determined Osorio Arias was part of an organized burglary ring with ties to Colombia, and identified several alleged associates. Over the following month, authorities surveilled members of the group and were able to link them to additional burglaries throughout Southern California. Video released by police Friday showed one of the robberies believed to be related to this group in which a woman rang the doorbell at a home on March 29, followed by an early morning break-in days later. On Thursday, with help from the Police Department's drone team, investigators coordinated an operation that led to the arrests. Search warrants executed in Fontana and Colton uncovered evidence tying the group to the Irvine burglary, police said. 'The investigation is ongoing, and more charges could be added as detectives sort through the evidence,' the department said. Anyone with information is asked to contact Irvine PD Detective Jeff Hause at 949-724-7085. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
23-04-2025
- Yahoo
LA jewelry thefts targeting seniors on the rise, police warn
The Brief Los Angeles police are warning about a rise in jewelry thefts targeting seniors. The department has received more than 140 reports across the city in the last few months. Officials said the thieves are usually in a pair who offer their victims a "gift" before stealing the real, valuable jewelry right off their bodies. LOS ANGELES - Distraction thefts targeting the seniors have exploded across Los Angeles. The Los Angeles Police Department has confirmed over 140 reports from the San Fernando Valley to South LA. What we know FOX 11 first shared the videos from distraught victims who began contacting us. They all describe a man and a woman, middle aged, with the woman usually wearing a long skirt, and speaking with a heavy Middle Eastern accent. There is usually a van involved. SUGGESTED: Irvine PD looking for woman accused of stealing jewelry with a kiss The suspects approach their victims, either asking for directions, or offering to help. The woman gets close to the victims, complimenting the unsuspecting, and somewhat confused senior, offering a "gift". They quickly put a gold-colored necklace around the victim's neck, at the same time stealing the usually valuable jewelry belonging to the senior. What you can do Mission Hills detectives are warning the public to avoid these encounters and to please report the incidents, as it seems some of the victims are embarrassed about being taken advantage of. SUGGESTED: Criminals using $20 'distraction' tactic to scam victims They are also looking for the cooperation of rental companies, where the vans usually come from. They found some fake jewelry inside an abandoned van at one of the crime scenes they responded to. The Source Information in this story is from the Los Angeles Police Department and previous FOX 11 reports.
Yahoo
17-04-2025
- Yahoo
WATCH: Woman steals Holocaust survivor's diamond necklace, ring off her body
The Brief A 99-year-old Holocaust victim was robbed outside her home, by a woman she said offered to help her. The thief made off with a necklace and a diamond ring worth about $35,000. This robbery is one of several recent cases of jewel thieves targeting the elderly. LOS ANGELES - A 99-year-old Holocaust survivor is a recent victim of a possible crime spree targeting seniors. What we know A few months ago, Abe Knobel's mother was home near Beverly Hills with a caretaker, getting ready to leave for a family get-together, when a woman approached and offered to help carry the 99-year-old's wheelchair. "[The stranger] then proceeds to give my mom a necklace," said Knobel. "A phony necklace. While she does that, she removes my mom's necklace without her knowing about it." In the surveillance video shared with FOX 11, the thief appears to tell the caretaker to go outside for more jewelry that will be gifted to her. Then, the crook grabs the 99-year-old's diamond ring and leaves. In the video, you can hear the 99-year-old sound frustrated and confused, telling the caretaker what happened. What they're saying "It's just terrible," said Knobel. "It's the worst of humanity. How can someone take advantage of the elderly in such a manner?" Knobel said he saw a news report from FOX 11 that aired Tuesday night, about thieves in the San Fernando Valley targeting seniors and jewelry. He contacted us saying it also happened to his mother in her home near Beverly Hills, but isn't sure if it's the same suspect. "I definitely want to warn people," said Knobel. "This is something that people just need to be aware of." SUGGESTED: Irvine PD looking for woman accused of stealing jewelry with a kiss Knobel called it a "racket. They make it seem like they're familiar to the person they're about to rob. Before [the victims] know what's going on, they're gone." Knobel estimates the stolen diamond necklace and ring to be worth about $35,000. FOX 11 reached out to the Los Angeles Police Department about this case, as well as the possible crime trend, but so far we haven't heard back. "I'm just hoping police can do something about this," said Knobel. The Source Information in this story is from interviews with and video from Abe Knobel, and previous FOX 11 reports.
