35 JAILED IN BLITZ ON BURGLARY RING VICTIMS ASKED TO ID PROPERTY.Byline: CHARLES F. BOSTWICK Staff Writer PALMDALE -- A burglary ring that for months has targeted Palmdale, Lancaster and Quartz Hill residences was attacked Thursday in a massive operation involving more than 250 law enforcement officers. In dawn raids Dawn Raid The action of a firm or investor buying a substantial amount of shares in a company (making it a target firm) first thing in the morning when the stock markets open. This is done by a stock broker acting on behalf of a company. on 25 homes in Palmdale and Lancaster, sheriff's deputies and parole and probation officers arrested 16 juveniles and 19 adults, confiscating enough property to fill eight vans. ``The information we got indicates they were involved in residential burglary, they were involved in vehicle theft and carjacking The criminal taking of a motor vehicle from its driver by force, violence, or intimidation. The u.s. justice department categorizes the crime of carjacking as a "completed or attempted Robbery of a motor vehicle by a stranger ,'' Detective Mark Machanic said of the suspects, who are believed to be connected to a street gang with members in the Antelope and San Fernando valleys San Fernando Valley Valley, southern California, U.S. Northwest of central Los Angeles, the valley is bounded by the San Gabriel, Santa Susana, and Santa Monica mountains and the Simi Hills. . ``It appears they also were starting to put their fingers into identity theft.'' Property seized at the homes will be put up for display Saturday for theft victims to inspect, sheriff's officials said. Theft victims must bring a copy of their crime report, or the report file number, issued within the past 12 months. The viewing will be 10a.m. to 4p.m. Saturday at the Palmdale sheriff's station, 750 E. Ave. Q. No suspects' names were immediately released. Sheriff's officials said that on Monday, they expect to release more information about the case, which they have been investigating for months. Detectives noticed an upswing Upswing An upward turn in a security's price after a period of falling prices. in burglaries beginning about six months ago, many of them occurring during the daytime and sharing other similarities. The burglars usually stole jewelry, weapons, cash and electronics. Juveniles were arrested during the ensuing en·sue intr.v. en·sued, en·su·ing, en·sues 1. To follow as a consequence or result. See Synonyms at follow. 2. To take place subsequently. months in connection with the crimes, officials said. In some cases, the intruders stole vehicles from the homes they burglarized to carry off their loot. In other cases, they took car keys from homes and returned at night to steal the vehicles. Detectives believe the older criminals were tutoring the younger ones and using them to commit the crimes, knowing that the courts deal more leniently le·ni·ent adj. Inclined not to be harsh or strict; merciful, generous, or indulgent: lenient parents; lenient rules. with juveniles, Machanic said. Detectives think the group was responsible for a large number -- possibly hundreds -- of crimes, including burglaries of homes and businesses, robbery, carjacking and auto theft, as well as credit card and check fraud. Besides arresting 35 people, authorities took three children into protective custody An arrangement whereby a person is safeguarded by law enforcement authorities in a location other than the person's home because his or her safety is seriously threatened. . Some of the homes were in upscale neighborhoods, but six were ones rented with federal Section 8 subsidies, and deputies said they expect the renters' subsidies will be revoked as a result of the arrests. CAPTION(S): 2 photos Photo: (1 -- color) A sheriff's deputy leads a woman in handcuffs hand·cuff n. A restraining device consisting of a pair of strong, connected hoops that can be tightened and locked about the wrists and used on one or both arms of a prisoner in custody; a manacle. Often used in the plural. tr.v. on Thursday morning away from an Avenue Q-2 house where deputies found a stolen truck and a sedan Sedan (sədäN`), town (1990 pop. 22,407), Ardennes dept., NE France, on the Meuse River. A noted textile center since the 16th cent., Sedan also has metal and brewing industries. The town became part of French crown lands in 1642. . (2) A sheriff's deputy checks a Buick sedan with a Nevada handicapped license plate and an altered vehicle identification number at an Avenue Q-2 home Thursday. Charles F. Bostwick/Daily News |
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