Suspects Posing as Cable Installers in South Los Angeles NR13232cj

Los Angeles:  LAPD 77th officer arrest a suspect who posed as cable worker in South Los Angeles his accomplice is still at large.

On May 28, 2013, in the 700 block of East 85th Street, a victim received a knock on his door from a suspect claiming to be a cable installer.  The suspect had been at the victim’s house two months prior so the victim did not think twice in letting the suspect in.  Unbeknownst to the victim the suspect who legitimately worked for a cable company had been fired due to reports of thefts from customers. The suspect entered the home and removed valuables from the victim’s residence.

The suspect continued his criminal activity alone and then included another former cable installer who was also fired for the same suspected reasons.

On June 13, 2013, the suspects, posing as cable installers, went to another victim’s home in the 1500 block of West 51st Street claiming they needed to fix her cable connections in her home.  The victim had not had any cable issues, nor called for service and did not know the two males.  After letting them into her home she observed jewelry missing as they exited the house.  The victim contacted the police and reported the incident.  One of the suspects returned to the victim’s home because he had forgotten some of his tools.  Officers were able to take him into custody and he was booked for two counts of burglary.  The suspect was identified as Armando Guerrero.

The second suspect, identified as Leonardo Vasquez was not apprehended.  He is wanted on six counts of burglary and one count of possession of a machine gun.  Vasquez should be considered armed and dangerous.  He is described as a 29-year-old Hispanic male with black hair and brown eyes.  He stands 5 feet 7 inches and weighs around 180 pounds.  He has a tattoo of a playboy bunny on his right hand and a tattoo of lips on the left side of his neck.

Based on detective’s investigation they were able to identify a total of six victims within South Los Angeles and surrounding Los Angeles communities.

Anyone with information on this incident or may have been a victim at the hands of these suspects is urged to call LAPD Burglary Detective L. Hoffman at (213) 485-4177.  Anyone who sees Vasquez is urged to also call 911.  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.