Advisory: Scam Used to Commit Residential Burglary

The Glendale Police Dept. would like to inform the residents of Glendale about a recent scam used to commit a residential burglary.

On Oct. 7  at approximately 10 a.m., a resident in the 4600 block of Lowell Avenue in La Crescenta received a knock on the door. The suspect explained he was hired by a neighbor on Franklin Street to trim trees on the border of his property. The suspect requested the victim to show him his back yard to make sure none of the cut tree branches had fallen on his property. The victim walked the suspect to the rear of the yard while a newer model, white, full size pick-up parked on Lowell Avenue with two male occupants.

As the victim walked the suspect to the back yard, the suspect began talking on a small hand held radio in a foreign language. The victim’s wife locked the front door and walked out to the back yard and joined the conversation. At this point, the suspect distracted the victims by asking them to move to the side of the home so they could get a better look at the trees. After a short discussion, the suspect returned to his car and left the area.

As the victims returned inside their home, they discovered the suspect(s) had entered the rear sliding glass doors, rummaged through drawers in the master bedroom and stole jewelry.

Suspect description: Male white, 45 years old, 5-7, 250 lbs, wearing a white T-shirt and unknown color pants. The victims were unable to provide a description of the suspects in the vehicle.

Residents should be suspicious of anyone who comes to their door and solicits.

Citizens play a critical role in creating a safe environment and reporting suspicious and criminal activity to the police. We encourage the Glendale community to record details of what they observe (license plates, car and suspect descriptions etc.) and to report those details to the Glendale Police Department at 818-548-4911.

Home Burglary Prevention Information

1.    Always keep all doors, windows, and garages locked whether you are home or not.
2.    Install an alarm system.
3.    Check screens on windows and doors for cuts, openings, slits, and holes. Ensure that the screen is secure and without damage.
4.    Install interior light timers and exterior motion sensor lights to give the appearance of occupancy even when you are not home.
5.    Keep your landscape, including all bushes and trees, trimmed to avoid potential hiding places for invaders.
6.    Keep blocking devices, such as metal bars or track blockers on all sliding glass doors.
7.    Use crime prevention or alarm system decals on windows that are easily accessible.
8.    Never leave packages or other deliveries sitting at your front door. When you are away for a length of time, have a neighbor collect your mail and newspaper to avoid the appearance of vacancy.
9.    Call a family meeting to discuss home safety and security and alert your neighbors if you see suspicious activity.
10.    Never open the door for a stranger, and always ask for a proof of identification if they claim to be a delivery person, repair man, etc., before opening the door.
11.    Photocopy all important documents and keep the copies in a safety deposit box.
12.    Always remember to stay aware of your surroundings.

The City of Glendale is ranked one of the safest cities in the United States. With a population over 196,000, Glendale is a thriving cosmopolitan city that is rich in history, culturally diverse, and offers limitless opportunities. It is the home to a vibrant business community, with major companies in healthcare, entertainment, manufacturing, retail and banking.

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