Two Van Nuys men arrested for string of alleged car burglaries
Two Van Nuys men who sheriff’s deputies said perpetrated a string of “well organized” car burglaries in and near Cabazon over the past two months were in custody on Friday.
Andres Vasquez, 34, and Carlos Lagos, 39, were arrested on suspicion of second-degree vehicle burglary, conspiracy and possession of burglary tools. Both men were booked into the Larry D. Smith Correctional Facility in Banning, where they were being held in lieu of $10,000 bail each.
An investigation into a recent rash of car burglaries indicated the work of “well organized” suspects using “multiple methods of illegally entering vehicles,” said sheriff’s Sgt. Anthony Williams.
The investigation led deputies to conduct surveillance Thursday at around 3:15 p.m. near the 48000 block of Seminole Drive in Cabazon, Williams said. There, deputies saw Vasquez and Lagos allegedly commit another vehicle burglary and arrested them without incident.
Information developed over the course of the investigation also links the men to previous crimes, which are still being investigated, Williams said.
Anyone with information regarding this incident or past thefts was asked to call Investigator Brett Hensley of the sheriff’s Cabazon station at (951) 922-7100.