Residential Burglary Suspects Arrested in Pico-Union NR23717am

October 20, 2023

UPDATE

***Additional suspects sought for residential burglaries in the Los Angeles area, and a photo of the actual vehicle used.  The vehicle is in police custody.***

October 19, 2023

Pico Union: The Los Angeles Police Department’s Rampart Division Burglary Detectives announce the arrest of three suspects linked to residential burglaries in Los Angeles.

On October 04, 2023, Rampart Burglary Detectives realized there were five residential burglaries in the Los Angeles community of Pico Union.  The majority of the victims are of Asian descent. Surveillance footage from the burglaries captured four masked suspects prying rear windows and doors and entering the residences.  Once inside, the suspects ransacked the locations and removed property, US currency, and jewelry.  The suspects exited the locations with the victim’s property and fled in a White 2024 Honda HR-V license plate 9GUG758.

Rampart Division officers responded and conducted the initial burglary investigation.  During the investigation, it was discovered that the suspects took approximately $100,000 in cash and jewelry.  A victim from one location provided surveillance video of the suspects inside the residence.  A second location revealed the suspect vehicle leaving the location.  Officers conducted surveillance on a possible vehicle.  While conducting surveillance, an additional vehicle with an exact match was observed in the area.  A traffic stop was conducted, three male black individuals matching the description, with matching clothing were detained.  Further investigation revealed, all three suspects match the descriptions from the prior burglaries, including tattoo’s, clothing, and physical description.

The District Attorney filed burglary charges on two of the three suspects.  It is believed the suspects are members of a burglary crew that are responsible for approximately 30 residential burglaries in Rampart Pico Union and Hollenbeck Area.  The suspects are:

Jones, Tiyon; DOB: 11/06/1983, Booking No. 6695545, Los Angeles, California
Melgar, Lewis; DOB: 06/25/2005, Booking No. 6695521, Los Angeles, California

Los Angeles Police Department, Rampart Burglary Detectives, continue to investigate the incidents.  Any further information may be referred to Los Angeles Police Department, Rampart Burglary Detectives Michael Pineda and Jesus Plascencia at (213) 841-1824.   During non-business hours or on weekends, calls should be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (1-877-527-3247).  Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call the LA Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477) or go directly to www.lacrimestoppers.org.  Lastly, tipsters may also download the “P3 Tips” mobile application and select the LA Regional Crime Stoppers as their local program.