Suspect arrested for breaking into 3 vehicles in Lawndale

07/16/2013

On July 5, 2013, at approximately 12:30 a.m. Los Angeles County Sheriff's Deputies from South Los Angeles Station/Lawndale Service Center received a call of a vehicle burglary in progress at 154th Street/Osage Avenue, Lawndale.

Deputies arrived and arrested Sergio Martinez, 23 year old male from Lawndale for breaking into three vehicles. Martinez had numerous stolen items in his pants pockets (Garmin GPS unit, stereo face plate, three cell phone chargers, cell phone case, key chain, remote control unit, and an identification card belonging to one of the victims.)

One of the victims said that he heard his car alarm sounding and when he looked outside, he saw Martinez inside his locked vehicle. The victim called the Sheriff's Station to report the crime. Martinez exited the victim's vehicle and tried to break into several other vehicles but was unsuccessful. The victim watched as Martinez was able to break into a second vehicle. As Martinez walked away from the second vehicle, deputies arrived and arrested Martinez for vehicle burglary. During the deputies' investigation they were able to locate a third vehicle burglary victim.

Detectives from South Los Angeles Sheriff's Station conducted an in-depth investigation which resulted in the District Attorney's Office out of Torrance Court to file vehicle burglary charges on July 9, 2013.

Lieutenant John Hocking indicated, "This is a perfect example of the Lawndale community working with the Sheriff's Department to take this suspect into custody. The deputies and detective did an outstanding job."

Martinez is being held in lieu of $25,000 bail. His next court date is July 23, 2013.



Lieutenant John Hocking

South Los Angeles Sheriff's Station

Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department

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