LAPD Wilshire Officers Arrest Serial Window Smash Burglars NR12273cj

UPDATE
June 15, 2012

As part of the burglary investigation below, detectives have recovered vintage  currency that has been dated to the late 1800s through early 1900s.  It appears to be collectable and is in clear plastic protectors for preservation. Some of the money is currency and bank certificates from the Confederate States. Other currencies are in the form of gold and silver certificates.

Detectives believe the money is stolen property from an unknown victim or business.  Wilshire Area burglary detectives are asking for the public’s assistance in identifying any victims of a crime where vintage and/or antique money may have been stolen.

Attached is a photo of a small portion of the money and certificates in question. Members of the media may make arrangements for interviews and to film some of the material by contacting Lt. Bryan Wong before 4 p.m. today  at (213) 922-8262 or through the Wilshire Area watch commander’s office at 213-473-0467.  Below is a photo showing a sample of the currency.

Los Angeles: Los Angeles Police Department Wilshire Division Officers arrest serial window smash burglars and recover stolen property.

On June 13, 2012, around 4:30 a.m., LAPD Wilshire officers were on patrol and were armed with recent information of a series of window smash burglaries in the Melrose Village, Fairfax Districts.  Over the past month, Wilshire Area had identified a series of commercial burglaries that were occurring during the early morning hours.  The involved suspects would smash the plate glass windows of closed businesses and enter, stealing cash or merchandise.  Wilshire officers were aware of the description of the involved vehicle and suspects, which were connected through previous tactics and video surveillance obtained by Wilshire Burglary Detectives.

Wilshire patrol officers spotted the car described by detectives and conducted a field investigation, which led to evidence that connected the driver and a co-suspect to a burglary that had occurred just thirty minutes prior to the detention of the described car.

Wilshire Burglary Detectives have assumed the investigation and have connected the suspects to potentially ten burglaries in the Wilshire Area and at least one similar burglary in North Hollywood.  The suspects were arrested for commercial burglary and booked at the Metropolitan Jail Section.  The suspects have been identified as 22-year-old Rickie Porter of Lancaster and 24-year-old Cleveland Black of Palmdale and 52-year-old William Black of Los Angeles.  Each suspect is held on $20,000 bail.

Wilshire Detectives have served a search warrant in the City of Palmdale and recovered property related to several Mid-City commercial burglaries.

Although the investigation is continuing, there is belief that this crew may be involved in additional commercial windows smash burglaries between the Mid-City area and communities north towards the San Fernando Valley.

Wilshire Detectives wish to stress the value and importance of video surveillance equipment and the value of high resolution video.  The resolution of surveillance obtained during the investigation of this series played an important role during this investigation.  The businesses who invested in quality high resolution video are equally responsible in the success of these investigations.

If anyone has any additional information regarding this crime contact Wilshire Burglary Detective Paul Quan at 213-922-8251 or 213-922-8205. During non-business hours or on weekends, calls should be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (877-527-3247). Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477).  Tipsters may also contact Crime Stoppers by texting to phone number 274637 (C-R-I-M-E-S on most keypads) with a cell phone.  All text messages should begin with the letters “LAPD.” Tipsters may also go to LAPDOnline.org, click on "webtips" and follow the prompts.