The sketch of a robber linked to over a dozen robberies around San Gabriel Valley. (Courtesy Monterey Park Police Department) |
SAN GABRIEL VALLEY (KTLA) -- Police have arrested a man accused of following women home late at night and stealing their valuables, authorities confirmed Wednesday.
Jose Avila, 29, has been linked to at least 15 robberies reported in Alhambra, San Gabriel, South Pasadena, and Monterey Park in recent weeks, according to Monterey police.
Investigators noted similarities between the reported crimes and formed an area task force to combat the problem, Monterey Park police Cpt. Harris said.
Avila, a Chino resident, was arrested Tuesday around 10:30 p.m. after an area officer spotted a car that matched victim's descriptions. Inside his vehicle, they found evidence they believed linked Avila to the crimes.
After the arrest, they found that Avila was on parole for home invasion and robbery charges. A search of his home also found property belonging to several victims.
In all cases, victims were female and reported being followed home in the late-night or early-morning hours before being robbed of their purses and money, authorities said.
In some, but not all, cases, victims reported seeing a gun.
In at least one case, the gun was fired, Monterey Park police Lt. Tina Montoya confirmed. Whether or not the gun was real or a replica is unclear.
At least six thefts were reported in Alhambra during March and April, as well as five in San Gabriel, three in Monterey Park and one in South Pasadena, authorities said. In one of the Alhambra crimes, a male victim reportedly fought back against the robber, who fled empty-handed.
The Alhambra crimes were reported March 16 in the 1000 block of South 2nd Avenue; March 20 in the 300 block South Curtis Avenue; March 22 in the 100 block of North Bushnell Avenue; March 24 in the 800 block of East Norwood Place; March 25 in the 1500 block of South Sierra Vista Avenue; and April 5 in the 700 block of South Chapel Avenue, authorities said.
Similar robberies occurred last week in the 300 block of Sefton Avenue, April 4 in the 300 block of East Emerson Avenue and April 5 in the 700 block of Hershey Avenue, Montoya said.
A South Pasadena woman was the victim of another similar crime March 24 in the 1900 block of Primrose Avenue, South Pasadena police Sgt. Jim Valencia said.
Investigators are still working on the case. The three agencies will file the charges against Avila in Alhambra court on Friday.
Jose Avila, 29, has been linked to at least 15 robberies reported in Alhambra, San Gabriel, South Pasadena, and Monterey Park in recent weeks, according to Monterey police.
Investigators noted similarities between the reported crimes and formed an area task force to combat the problem, Monterey Park police Cpt. Harris said.
Avila, a Chino resident, was arrested Tuesday around 10:30 p.m. after an area officer spotted a car that matched victim's descriptions. Inside his vehicle, they found evidence they believed linked Avila to the crimes.
After the arrest, they found that Avila was on parole for home invasion and robbery charges. A search of his home also found property belonging to several victims.
In all cases, victims were female and reported being followed home in the late-night or early-morning hours before being robbed of their purses and money, authorities said.
In some, but not all, cases, victims reported seeing a gun.
In at least one case, the gun was fired, Monterey Park police Lt. Tina Montoya confirmed. Whether or not the gun was real or a replica is unclear.
At least six thefts were reported in Alhambra during March and April, as well as five in San Gabriel, three in Monterey Park and one in South Pasadena, authorities said. In one of the Alhambra crimes, a male victim reportedly fought back against the robber, who fled empty-handed.
The Alhambra crimes were reported March 16 in the 1000 block of South 2nd Avenue; March 20 in the 300 block South Curtis Avenue; March 22 in the 100 block of North Bushnell Avenue; March 24 in the 800 block of East Norwood Place; March 25 in the 1500 block of South Sierra Vista Avenue; and April 5 in the 700 block of South Chapel Avenue, authorities said.
Similar robberies occurred last week in the 300 block of Sefton Avenue, April 4 in the 300 block of East Emerson Avenue and April 5 in the 700 block of Hershey Avenue, Montoya said.
A South Pasadena woman was the victim of another similar crime March 24 in the 1900 block of Primrose Avenue, South Pasadena police Sgt. Jim Valencia said.
Investigators are still working on the case. The three agencies will file the charges against Avila in Alhambra court on Friday.
