Monrovia Police: Burglaries, and the Grandparents Scam

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for April 16-18. - Brad Haugaard]
 
During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 451 service events, resulting in 93 investigations.
 
Residential Burglary
April 16 at 6:45 p.m., police responded to a residential burglary that occurred in the 600 block of Ranchito, sometime between 8:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.  An unknown suspect(s) entered the location through an unlocked door.  Cash and a laptop computer were stolen.  The investigation is continuing.
 
Vehicle Burglary
April 18 at 6:30 a.m., an officer was dispatched to the 1800 block of Eighth Avenue regarding a vehicle break-in.  The victim's GPS was taken.  Investigation continuing.
 
Vehicle Burglary
April 18 at 6:44 a.m., a vehicle burglary was reported in the 800 block of East Lime.  The suspect(s) pried open a window on the vehicle and property was taken.  Investigation continuing.
 
Vehicle Burglary
April 18 at 7:55 a.m., a vehicle burglary was reported in the 1800 block of Eighth Avenue.  The victim's vehicle was broken into and property was taken.  Investigation continuing.
 
Residential Burglary
April 18 at 3:56 p.m., police responded to the report of a residential burglary in the 1500 block of Pilgrim Way.  The reporting party is house sitting, and when she arrived at the location, she found that someone had broken into the home.  Investigation continuing.
 
 
Tip of the Week: Grandparent Scam - Don't Be a Victim
The suspects in this type of scam will call an elderly person and pretend to be a grandchild or young relative of the victim.  They tell the elderly victim they are in some type of trouble and are in jail, and that they need bail money.  They ask the elderly person not to tell their parents.  A second suspect then calls pretending to be the police and proceeds to give the victim instructions on where to wire the bail money.  
 
The suspects target older folks, hoping they can gain an emotional and quick response to the "need" to help out the young relative, and many times it works.  The victims will quickly go to their bank, withdraw and transfer the money in an attempt to help, and by the time they realize the scam, the money has already been picked up by the suspects and is gone.
 
It is so important to spread awareness and to educate those that we know in hopes of preventing this crime from happening.  If you have a loved one, a friend, or perhaps a neighbor that is older, share this information with them and help keep them from becoming a victim.

Comment: Yes! Be careful. This happened to a friend. A variation is that the caller says the grandson/daughter needs emergency treatment after an accident and doesn't have the proper insurance. Please send money. Contemptible! - Brad

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