LOS ANGELES – A Lancaster man and a Palmdale man were arrested Wednesday for committing a series of early morning window smash burglaries at businesses throughout Los Angeles, authorities said.
Rickie Porter, 22, of Lancaster and Cleveland Black, 24, of Palmdale are accused of smashing the plate glass windows of closed businesses to force their way in and then stealing cash or merchandise, according to Los Angeles Police detectives.
The burglars hit various businesses in the Melrose Village, Fairfax Districts during the early morning hours, according to an LAPD press report. Officials identified the men and the vehicle involved through video surveillance obtained by Wilshire Burglary Detectives, the report states.
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 30 minutes prior to the detention of the described car.
Detectives believe the men are connected to ten burglaries in the Wilshire area and at least one similar burglary in North Hollywood.
Wilshire Detectives served a search warrant in Palmdale and recovered property related to several of the burglaries, according to the press report.
Detectives believe the men may be connected to additional commercial window smash burglaries between the Mid-City area and communities north towards the San Fernando Valley.
Porter and Black were arrested for commercial burglary and booked at the Metropolitan Jail Section. Another suspect, 52-year-old William Black of Los Angeles, was also arrested in connection to the crimes.
Anyone with information regarding this incident is urged to contact Wilshire Burglary Detective Paul Quan at 213-922-8251 or 213-922-8205. If you would like to provide information anonymously, you can do so by calling Crimestoppers at 800-222-8477.
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