Break-ins Decline After 7 Arrests

From the Star News today, by Mary Gurton.

ALTADENA - Following a surge of break-ins over the past several months, sheriff's officials in Altadena say the arrests of five adults and two juveniles since late last year have lead to a marked decrease in the number of burglaries.

About 77 residential burglaries, 46 commercial burglaries, and 66 vehicle burglaries were reported beginning in November last year through the present, according to Los Angeles County sheriff's Detective Coe Budge, who oversees Altadena station's burglary unit with his partner, Detective Robert Anderson.

"We were getting hit pretty hard through the holidays," Budge said, "but the arrests of these suspects does seem to have had a positive impact on the number of burglaries."
The first of the arrests were made Nov. 6 around 9:25 a.m. when deputies spotted two teenage boys, 13 and 17, from Altadena and Pasadena, leaving a residence near Lincoln Avenue and Ventura Street, he said.

The teens were eventually charged with suspicion of six burglaries and one attempted burglary, Budge said.

"They were using the `lost dog' ruse," Budge said, explaining that the pair went from door-to-door saying they were looking for their dog to find out whether the occupant was home. "So if someone was out, that was their opportunity."

Since the boys' arrests, there have been seven burglaries in the area, he said.

Five adults were also arrested throughout January and February, all apparently leading to the lull in such crimes, Budge said.