Car Riflings Prompt Police Alert

Glendora police were put on alert after 11 different cars were burglarized last Wednesday in the 1200 block of E. Walnut Ave. Electronic equipment, including vehicle GPS navigation systems were stolen.

While Glendora police have seen a steady rise in burglaries and theft, another alarming, if not frustrating trend continues—most of these cases could have been prevented, said police.

All of the 11 cars rifled were left unlocked.

Although Glendora remains a lower-than-average crime city, police urge residents to take precautions.  Burglaries in Glendora were up by more than 28 percent in 2009, reaching a total of 228.

Lieutenant Brian Summers said that leaving car and home doors unlocked makes it far easier for burglars to get in and out with stolen goods. Many cases of theft or burglaries occur when victims leave valuables in plain site, said Summers.

“The crime rate is lower here,” Summers said.  “But nowadays you can be a victim anywhere.”

Police consider the down economy as a contributing factor in home and car burglaries. 

“Obviously you should keep homes and cars locked when unattended,” Summers said.

According to Summers, some burglars will break windows of cars, but they would rather avoid that if possible. They might not take the chance of getting caught if the car is locked, said Summers.

Still, locking cars may not always prevent car burglaries.

On Jan. 17 a burglar did break into a locked car. The 2004 Cadillac Escalade was parked in the 1600 block of S. Bonnie Cove Ave. In the early morning break in, the thief took a motor cross helmet and a handicap-parking placard, Lieutenant Joe Ward reported.

In this case, items were left visible from outside the vehicle.

Among the items police say thieves target the most include:

•  Briefcase

• Gym bags

• Checkbooks

• Credit and debit cards

• Wallets

In cases of car rifling, when thieves gain access to cars and search through the vehicle for items to steal, the thief often targets a group of cars in one area.

On Aug. 13, police arrested William Bodzsar, 18, of Monrovia in suspicion of rifling the 11 cars on E. Walnut Ave. after police developed physical evidence that connected the suspect to the crimes. He was charged with grand theft and passion of stolen property. Bail was set at $20,000.

Some of the stolen property was recovered, Summers said. But the chances of catching the thieves and the stolen property are slim when thieves gain easy access to the property and the thief leaves no evidence or DNA behind.

Glendora police have also been on alert after recent cases of residential burglaries. On Jan. 10, a woman in the 1100 block of E. Gladstone St., . The suspect was attempting to remove electronic equipment in her living room.

On Jan. 4, a man’s home was burglarized after. While the victim, who resides in the 1300 block of S. Delay Ave., was with the man in the backyard, another man entered the unlocked home and stole $40 to $50 in jewelry.

Glendora police continue to urge residents and motorists to practice safety precautions when protecting their valuables.

“Good security and safety precautions discourage thieves,” Summers said.