LOOT AT THE LOCKUP STOLEN VALUABLES AWAIT IDENTIFICATION BY OWNERS.

Byline: Holly Edwards Staff Writer

SANTA CLARITA - After a monthlong rash of burglaries, boxes full of stolen goods are stockpiled at the Santa Clarita sheriff's station waiting to be claimed by their rightful owners.

But investigators say they are having as much trouble finding victims as suspects.

``We have suspects in custody who have told us they burglarized someone, and we have to spend hours knocking on doors trying to find the victims,'' said Detective Chris Christopher of the Santa Clarita station. ``We've actually gone to houses and said: Are you missing a TV? And the person will say: Yeah, but I didn't think it would do any good to report it.''

Some burglary victims also say they have been too busy to file a crime report, while others might not know anything has been stolen, Christopher said.

There have been more than 100 reports of auto break-ins since mid- January, and burglary investigators have been among the busiest at the station.

Reports of auto break-ins continue to pour into the station despite the arrest of more than a dozen people in connection with the crimes, said Sgt. Mitch Clark, who oversees the burglary team at the station.

Eleven people were arrested last month on suspicion of auto burglary, and four more were arrested this week, officials said.

Clark said there appears to be no connection among many of the suspects.

``We think there are a bunch of smaller groups involved because a lot of these suspects have no idea who each other are.''

Home and business burglaries are also more numerous than usual, authorities said.

While most of the stolen property has not been recovered, some sits in boxes at the station while investigators continue their search for victimized owners of cell phones, car stereo equipment, videocassette recorders, compact disc players, jewelry, tools and cameras. In particular, Christopher said, he is searching for owners of the property discovered after the recent arrest of 19-year-old Chad Fort of Saugus, who remains jailed in lieu of $120,000 bail.

Fort was arrested Tuesday on suspicion of stealing firearms. While investigating that case, authorities found other property they believe to have been stolen, Christopher said.

The items include a battery charger marked ``Simmons'' and ``Illisions,'' a Browning shotgun, gold and diamond jewelry, car stereo equipment, walkie-talkies, a CD player and a camera.

Authorities did not find the guns Fort is suspected of stealing, Christopher said.

``Guns disappear so fast. They can be in the hands of two or three dozen people in a week or two,'' he said. ``Anybody will buy a gun. I've seen a $400 gun sell for just a few dollars on the street.''

A vast array of property has also been recovered since the arrest last week of Robert Noriega, 30, of Canyon Country on suspicion of burglary, auto theft and possession of stolen credit card numbers, Christopher said.

Recovered property is housed at the station for 30 days and then shipped to the Sheriff's Department headquarters bureau in Monterey Park, he said. Items unclaimed for a year are auctioned or destroyed.

``When we find a suspect, we almost always find stolen property,'' Christopher said. ``And all year long, we're knocking on doors trying to find the owners.''

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Photo:

(color) Detective Chris Christopher sorts some of the property seized after a burglary suspect was arrested.

David R. Crane/Staff Photographer