Deputies report spike in smash & grab burglaries

Update: Suspect arrested for smash and grab burglaries on April 12

The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department is trying to solve a spike in “smash ‘n grab” burglaries across the Coachella Valley, and they’re hoping surveillance video may help them.

Deputies say they’ve gotten reports of more than 15 break-ins this past week at businesses mainly in Palm Desert, Indio, La Quinta and Indian Wells.

One of those businesses is Big O Tires in Bermuda Dunes, where Store Manager Peter Hernandez said he saw something out of the ordinary Monday night.

“I thought it was another routine check,” Hernandez said. “When I came in, it’s actually a break-in, and the sheriff’s department is here waiting.”

Hernandez said he saw surveillance video of what appeared to be a person breaking into the tire shop Monday night, and going through their cash register and files, all in less than a minute.

But it’s recurring situations Riverside County Sheriff’s Deputies say that have been all too common lately throughout the valley.

“It’s a sad day, and something we have to investigate,” Riverside County Sheriff’s Department Public Information Officer Mike Vasquez said. “Businesses are sometimes going day to day with income coming in. Some of them are struggling, and some of them are flourishing.”

Vasquez said Riverside County Sheriff’s Deputies believe the people involved in the break-ins were breaking windows to try to get to cash registers.

But deputies said now they’re looking for answers, as businesses hope to move on.

“We want to let them know that we’re doing our best to solve the crime, and we will catch the people that are doing this,” Vasquez said.

Vasquez said the sheriff’s department is working to figure out the identity of the people involved in the break-ins.

Also, one tip Vasquez said he recommends to other businesses to prevent break-ins are making sure all locations have sufficient lighting, as burglars prefer dark places.

Hernandez said he recommends businesses investing in a high-definition security camera setup.

Answer our viewer poll question: Do you think surveillance cameras are a good way to prevent crime?