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LASD Needs Public’s Help Locating Burglary Suspects
Arcadia Weekly Jun 13, 2016
- Photo by Terry Miller
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Suspect Anthony Souice and Suspect Joshua Johnson. – Courtesy photo
On May 5, detectives from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Departments Major Crimes Bureau, Burglary-Robbery Task Force, filed a 24-count, 10-defendant residential burglary series case with the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office, High Tech Crimes Division.
This criminal complaint alleged the suspects committed residential burglaries throughout Los Angeles County and surrounding areas, as well as felons possessing firearms, and felony evading of police.
The complaint further alleged these crimes were committed by active criminal street gang members, for the purpose of benefiting their gang.
In March 2015, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Departments Major Crimes Bureau, Burglary-Robbery Task Force (BRTF), began an investigation into a large scale sophisticated residential burglary crew, comprised of suspected South Los Angeles gang members.
The initial residential burglary occurred in early March 2015, in Claremont, where Claremont Police Detectives determined suspects were making phone calls into homes prior to committing the burglary. Claremont Police detectives continued this investigation and shared the information with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Departments Major Crimes Bureau’s Burglary-Robbery Task Force.
In the following months, LASD BRTF investigators determined the Claremont burglary was part of a well-organized southern California residential burglary “crew,” comprised of Los Angeles area gang members.
In May 2015, BRTF investigators arrested Leandrenae Cooke, Ashley Tate, and Tazjanay Herndon, who were suspects in two Santa Clarita Valley residential burglaries and two San Marino residential burglaries.
All four were prosecuted and convicted in late 2015.
Cooke pled guilty and was sentenced; receiving two strikes and is currently serving a two year prison sentence. Herndon pled guilty and was sentenced to one year in county jail with a felony strike and is currently out of custody on felony probation. Tate pled guilty and was sentenced to nine years in state prison with a second felony strike.
In June 2105, LASD BRTF investigators, along with Simi Valley PD, shared information regarding several recent residential burglaries and determined the same suspects were victimizing Simi Valley neighborhoods were also committing residential burglaries throughout Los Angeles County. Both agencies worked together in an effort to identify and arrest remaining active suspects involved in this burglary ring.
In September 2015, LASD BRTF investigators were actively conducting surveillance of three burglary suspects. Investigators witnessed the suspects commit and residential burglary in Sherman Oaks and as detectives prepared to apprehend them, they observed them commit a second residential burglary in North Hollywood. After a brief vehicle pursuit and area containment with the assistance of LAPD, BRTF investigators arrested Rafiki Smith (who was armed with a handgun) and Derrick Smith.
The third suspect was not apprehended.
Rafiki Smith is currently in LA County custody awaiting preliminary hearing on multiple residential burglary and weapons violations and, based on his lengthy violent criminal history, will be facing life in prison. Derrick Smith is currently held in federal custody for weapons violations and is also awaiting preliminary hearing on multiple residential burglary violations.
In October 2015, LASD BRTF and Simi Valley PD witnessed three suspects commit a residential burglary in Simi Valley. The three suspects, Jason Hayes, Diamond Williams, and Vance Zelaya, were all arrested leaving the vicinity. Hayes pled guilty to the burglary charge and is awaiting sentencing. Zelaya and Williams are out of custody on bond and awaiting preliminary hearing.
In November 2015, LASD BRTF investigators were conducting surveillance of vehicle occupied by suspected members of this burglary ring. Investigators observed three males commit a residential burglary in the hillside neighborhood of Pacific Palisades. All three suspects were arrested leaving the vicinity and stolen property from the home was recovered. Rayshawn Marshall, Mark Hundley, and Michael Butler were all arrested for the burglary and are currently in LA County Jail awaiting preliminary hearing. Marshall is facing an additional eight counts of felony residential burglary. Hundley is facing an additional eight counts of felony residential burglary. Butler, who at the time of his arrest was out of custody on bond from a recent residential burglary arrest, is facing an additional two counts of felony residential burglary.
Suspect Eric Netterville and Suspect Alexus Netterville. – Courtesy photo
Following the above arrests, LASD BRTF investigators identified six additional suspects who were actively participated in this burglary ring: Montayo Jones, arrested and in custody held on $140,000 bail, and charged with two residential burglaries; Chivetta Overstreet, arrested and held without bail and charged with three residential burglaries; Anthony Souice, charged with two residential burglaries and currently being sought for apprehension; Joshua Johnson, charged with three residential burglaries and currently being sought for apprehension; Alexus Netterville, charged with five residential burglaries and currently being sought for apprehension; and Eric Netterville, charged with three residential burglaries and currently being sought for apprehension.
Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Burglary-Robbery Task Force investigators believe this burglary “crew” is responsible for dozens, if not hundreds of residential burglaries throughout southern California. They mainly travelled in expensive luxury vehicles and rental cars, generally knocking on a front door to determine if a resident was home. If no one answered, they would force entry through a rear door or window, ransack the home, stealing cash, jewelry, weapons, and other valuables. Typically, the gold and jewelry would be sold all over Los Angeles at “Cash for Gold” businesses and pawn items at locals Pawn shops.
This investigation is ongoing and future arrests are imminent.
Daytime residential burglaries are a significant criminal concern throughout Southern California. Citizens are reminded to be vigilant in quickly notifying local law enforcement immediately if suspicious persons or vehicles are seen in and around their neighborhood.
Anyone with information about these incidents is encouraged to contact the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s Major Crimes Bureau, Burglary-Robbery Task Force at (562) 946-7187. If you prefer to provide information anonymously, you may call “Crime Stoppers” by dialing (800) 222-8477, or texting the letters TIPLA plus your tip to CRIMES (274637), or by using the website http://lacrimestoppers.org.
