LONG BEACH -- Police have issued a warning to residents these these are no longer the good old days, when one could leave their doors and windows unlocked without concern.
The warning comes on the heels of a trio of break-ins in Belmont Shore where suspects gained easy entry to the unsecured homes of women who were alone.
"During each of the incidents the victims were home alone when they discovered a male suspect inside their residence," said Nancy Pratt, a Long Beach Police Department spokeswoman. "The suspects fled the location without taking anything or attempting to sexually assault the victims."
The first two cases occurred near Second Street and Termino Avenue with the first reported on July 24, at about 7 p.m.
The suspect in that incident was described as a male African-American in his late 20's to early 30's, approximately 5'6" tall and with a stocky build.
The second incident occurred on Sept. 4, at approximately 3:15 a.m. That suspect was described as a male African-American, approximately 30-years-old and 5'8" tall with a medium build and short hair.
"Based on the physical description and circumstances of the crime, detectives believe these two incidents may be connected," Pratt said.
The third incident was on Monday at approximately 1:30 a.m. in the area of Second and Bayshore Avenue. The suspect in that case was described as a male Hispanic, 30 to 40 years-old, 5'6"tall, with a stocky build and brown eyes.
In all three cases the suspect fled when the victim began to yell or scream, Pratt said.
The motive for the break-ins are unknown, she said.
To guard against such crimes residents are strongly encouraged to:
* Keep doors and windows secured at all times
* Purchase devices for your windows that will allow adequate ventilation without jeopardizing your safety
* Install security lights with motion sensors outside your home
* Prevent hiding spaces by keeping bushes and shrubbery trimmed
* Know your escape routes
* Immediately report any suspicious activity by calling 911 regardless of how insignificant you may feel it is; let police determine its importance
Anyone with information regarding these incidents should call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or visit www.lacrimestoppers.org.
The warning comes on the heels of a trio of break-ins in Belmont Shore where suspects gained easy entry to the unsecured homes of women who were alone.
"During each of the incidents the victims were home alone when they discovered a male suspect inside their residence," said Nancy Pratt, a Long Beach Police Department spokeswoman. "The suspects fled the location without taking anything or attempting to sexually assault the victims."
The first two cases occurred near Second Street and Termino Avenue with the first reported on July 24, at about 7 p.m.
The suspect in that incident was described as a male African-American in his late 20's to early 30's, approximately 5'6" tall and with a stocky build.
The second incident occurred on Sept. 4, at approximately 3:15 a.m. That suspect was described as a male African-American, approximately 30-years-old and 5'8" tall with a medium build and short hair.
"Based on the physical description and circumstances of the crime, detectives believe these two incidents may be connected," Pratt said.
The third incident was on Monday at approximately 1:30 a.m. in the area of Second and Bayshore Avenue. The suspect in that case was described as a male Hispanic, 30 to 40 years-old, 5'6"tall, with a stocky build and brown eyes.
In all three cases the suspect fled when the victim began to yell or scream, Pratt said.
The motive for the break-ins are unknown, she said.
To guard against such crimes residents are strongly encouraged to:
* Keep doors and windows secured at all times
* Purchase devices for your windows that will allow adequate ventilation without jeopardizing your safety
* Install security lights with motion sensors outside your home
* Prevent hiding spaces by keeping bushes and shrubbery trimmed
* Know your escape routes
* Immediately report any suspicious activity by calling 911 regardless of how insignificant you may feel it is; let police determine its importance
Anyone with information regarding these incidents should call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or visit www.lacrimestoppers.org.
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