VAN NUYS (CNS) - A pair of suspected ``knock-knock'' burglars were in custody today after being caught in the act and investigators said they believe the suspects are likely linked to a string of recent similar-type burglaries in the San Fernando Valley.
Investigators with the sheriff's Burglary-Robbery Task Force observed two suspects commit a residential burglary around 8:05 p.m. Wednesday in Van Nuys.
The investigators saw the suspects, who were in a white 2003 Audi A4 Sedan, slowly driving through neighborhoods.
They later saw the Audi parked along the curb in the 7400 block of McLennan Avenue. After several minutes, detectives watched both suspects emerge from the front door of a residence, according to Deputy Trina Schrader of the Sheriff's Information Bureau.
One suspect was carrying a safe and the other was carrying a pillow case as they ran back to the vehicle, she said. Authorities discovered the home had been ransacked and found a smashed bedroom window.
Investigators coordinated with officers from the Los Angeles Police Department's West Valley Division, who assisted by attempting to stop the suspect vehicle.
A vehicle pursuit ensued leading officers from the San Fernando Valley to the parking structure of the Kaiser Permanente West Los Angeles Medical Center near La Cienega Boulevard and the San Monica (10) Freeway in the Mid- City area, Schrader said. A short time later the suspects were detained while walking away from the hospital property.
The suspects, identified as 27-year-old Trent Harris of Los Angeles and 28-year-old David Brown of Rialto, were arrested at the scene and about $3,000 worth of stolen property, including cash and jewelry, was recovered, Schrader said. Authorities also recovered the safe, which contained a loaded firearm.
The suspects were booked on suspicion of residential burglary and felony police evading. Harris was being held on $85,000 bail and Brown was being held on $50,100 bail, according to Schrader.
Authorities handling the investigation will determine if these suspects were involved in additional recent residential burglaries in the San Fernando Valley area, Schrader said.