After five recent incidents of male suspects entering residences where women were home alone, the Long Long Beach Police Department (LBPD) is urging the public to take precautions by keeping all doors and windows locked and reporting any suspicious activity.
At 7:20am last Wednesday, near the corner of San Antonio Drive and Orange Avenue, police responded to an “unknown trouble” call where an intruder had entered the home of a lone woman and engaged in a lewd act. The woman had yelled and pushed him out the front door, then she called the police. After the responding officers acquired a description of the suspect, they located a man who matched it and booked him for “indecent exposure.” The suspect may face additional charges, and the investigation is ongoing.
On Wednesday, Sept. 22, at approximately 12:30pm, a woman alone in her residence in the area of Broadway and Bayshore Avenue discovered a male suspect had entered her residence, and he fled when she began yelling. It was determined that the suspect had entered the home through an unlocked door.Â
Three similar incidents had occurred prior to these in the last two months. In each case, the suspects gained easy access to residences through open doors or windows of women who were alone at the time. When the victims discovered the suspects and screamed, the suspects fled without taking anything or attempting to sexually assault the victims. The motives for the entries are unknown.
The first two cases occurred in the area of 2nd Street and Termino Avenue. The first incident occurred on Saturday, July 24, at approximately 7pm. The suspect was described as a male African-American in his late 20s to early 30s, about 5’6″ tall, and with a stocky build. The second incident occurred on Saturday, Sept. 4, at approximately 3:15am. The suspect was described as a male African-American, about 30 years old and 5’8″ tall with a medium build and short hair. Based on the physical description and circumstances of the crime, detectives believe these two incidents may be connected.
The third recent incident occurred on Monday, Sept. 13, at approximately 1:30am in the area of 2nd Street and Bayshore Avenue. The suspect in this case was described as a male Hispanic, 30 to 40 years old, 5’6″ tall, with a stocky build and brown eyes. In the fourth case, the suspect was described as a male Hispanic, 25 to 30 years old, 5’8″ tall, a stocky build, with a medium complexion and short dark hair.
The LBPD strongly encourages residents to practice the following safety tips:
• Keep doors and windows secured at all times
• Purchase devices for windows that will allow adequate ventilation without jeopardizing personal safety
• Install security lights with motion sensors outside home
• Prevent hiding locations by keeping bushes and shrubbery trimmed
• Know escape routes
• Immediately report any suspicious activity or persons by calling 9-1-1, regardless of how insignificant the action may seem— let police determine its importance
Anonymous tips may be sent: via text message by texting “crimes” and beginning the message with the letters LBPD; by visiting longbeach.gov/police to submit an web tip; or by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
