Following the convictions of three distraction burglars who preyed on elderly residents, including a 90-year-old wheelchair-bound Glendora woman, Los Angeles Police Department detectives and Glendora Police are seeking the public’s help in identifying the owners of stolen jewelry recovered from the burglaries.
At 3 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 24 in the community room of the LAPD West Valley Division in Reseda, LAPD detectives will host a press conference with the unclaimed jewelry on display to find the rightful owners.
a 90-year-old woman confined to a wheelchair was approached at her home by three suspects pretending to be tree trimmers. The female suspect engaged the victim in a conversation while the two male suspects entered the home and stole cash and jewelry.
In June 2012, LAPD detectives arrested three individuals for committing distraction burglaries in the San Fernando Valley. One of the suspects arrested matched the description of the female suspect in the Glendora burglary.
The Glendora victim positively identified 38-year-old Ann Carter of Van Nuys in the January burglary. Charges were filed against Carter and her two accomplices, Alex Davis, 52, and Matthew Rictick, 29.
All three received state prison sentences for their crimes.
Visit this link for more information on Thursday’s press conference.
Glendora Police released the following tips to avoid becoming a victim of a distraction burglary.
- If you are unsure who is at your front door, do not open it. Verify the identity of the person at your door by calling the company they are purporting to be from (i.e. gas, electricity, water, or police).
- Use the telephone numbers listed in your local directory or provided independently by your service provider. Do not use any telephone numbers provided by the person at your door, as they may give a fake telephone number.
- Don't keep large quantities of cash at home; put it in the bank where it is safe. Place jewelry in a locked drawer.
- Keep doors locked and windows secure at all times.
- Do not allow someone to coax you out of your house. Be suspicious of anyone asking you to step out of your home, especially for unscheduled visits.
- Not sure? Do not open the door and call the Glendora Police Immediately at (626) 914-8297.
