Investigators are seeking any possible additional victims of a “Hot Prowl” burglary crew. After a nine month long investigation into residential burglaries across three counties, three suspects have been arrested.
Cash, jewelry and personal valuables worth nearly a half million dollars, were stolen from over 25 homes. The suspects often utilized rental cars and vehicles with “paper license plates.” These burglaries occurred in the Antelope Valley, the San Fernando Valley, and Ventura County.
Several search and arrest warrants were served at three locations in the Antelope Valley on July 31st by detectives from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s (LASD), Major Crimes Bureau (MCB), Burglary-Robbery Task Force (BRTF), along with detectives from the Palmdale Sheriff’s Station and the Ventura County Auto Theft Task Force (VENCAT).
During this search operation, detectives arrested five adult suspects and recovered three illegally possessed firearms, one of which was equipped with a thirty round magazine.
Suspect Brooks Hall, 20, of Palmdale, was booked on charges of multiple Residential Burglaries (459 PC) and illegal possession of a High Capacity Magazine (32310 PC).
Suspect Gerald Young, 19, of Palmdale, was booked on charges of multiple Residential Burglaries (459 PC).
Suspect Clarence Steele Jr.,19, of Palmdale, was booked on charges of multiple Residential Burglaries (459 PC).
These three suspects remain in custody pending an appearance in the Antelope Valley Superior Court. Two additional adult suspects, not believed to be involved in the burglary spree, were both arrested for being felons in illegal possession of firearms. They were both booked into custody and those cases are currently ongoing.
If any residents feel they are possibly victims of these suspects, their crew, or if they have information regarding these incidents, they are urged to contact MCB by e-mail at BRTF@LASD.org.
Residents should call 911 and/or their local police business line if a life threatening emergency is detected or if a suspicious person or vehicle is observed. For tips, questions, or concerns, the MCB BRTF can be contacted via e-mail at BRTF@LASD.org.
To provide information anonymously, call “Crime Stoppers” by dialing (800) 222-TIPS (8477). By smartphone, download the “P3 Tips” Mobile APP on Google play or the Apple App Store, or use the website http://lacrimestoppers.org
The investigation and arrest of these suspects is a result of the ongoing cooperation and collaboration between the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department Major Crimes Bureau and local LASD station detectives, along with other Southern California agencies, as all are committed to impacting the Southern California wide burglary, and violent crime trend. The LASD Major Crimes BRTF works closely and consistently with most Southern California agencies in its mission to identify, investigate, and arrest organized burglary and robbery suspects.
The LASD MCB BRTF was formed over ten years ago to combat the ever increasing trend of organized crews who are committing daytime residential burglaries along with violent robbery crime trends. The MCB BRTF works closely in support of all LASD station’s detective bureaus, as well as other Southern California law enforcement agencies. Residents and business owners are reminded to secure their properties, be aware of suspicious and unusual persons or vehicles, and to alert their local law enforcement immediately if suspicious activity is observed.
