MONTEREY PARK (CNS) - Three men were in custody and a fourth was free on bail today after being arrested for allegedly staging a knock-knock burglary in Monterey Park and detectives believe they may be responsible for other similar crimes.
Detectives with a sheriff's department task force saw the four suspects, gang members with criminal histories, allegedly commit the burglary around 1 p.m. Wednesday, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.
“The detectives saw the suspects, who were in two vehicles -- a white Mercedes-Benz SUV and a silver Chevrolet SUV -- driving slowly through quiet residential streets,” according to a sheriff's department statement.
“Detectives located the Mercedes-Benz parked along Floral Drive where the driver was observed approaching the front door of the victim's home, in an apparent 'door knock' tactic. He then returned to his Mercedes-Benz and remained seated. Detectives then saw the Chevrolet arrive and park nearby, and saw two additional suspects exit that Chevy SUV and walk to the rear yard of the victim's property.
“Shortly thereafter, those two suspects are seen quickly walking out of the front door and re-entering their SUV. Both vehicles simultaneously pulled away from the victim's residence and left the vicinity.”
Detectives confirmed a burglary had taken place, having found a rear window forced open and the inside of the home ransacked, and coordinated with police units to stop the vehicles, officials said.
The Chevrolet was pulled over and three suspects -- 40-year-old William Robinson, 42-year-old Kedrick Daniels and 37-year-old Kevin Green, all of Los Angeles -- were detained.
“Detectives recovered stolen jewelry, currency and a police radio scanner from within the vehicle,” according to the sheriff's department.
The Mercedes-Benz was ultimately located in Vernon where the driver -- 32-year-old Frank Tisby of Los Angeles, who investigators say had been seen knocking on the victim's door -- was detained without incident, officials said.
Green, who had been driving the Chevrolet, was booked on suspicion of residential burglary. Investigators say he “has a significant criminal history including arrests for burglary and narcotics violations” and is a convicted felon and documented criminal street gang member.
Robinson, who was out of custody on parole for a previous burglary, was booked on suspicion of residential burglary and possession of burglary tools. He, too, has a criminal history that included arrests on suspicion of residential burglary and narcotics sales.
“He has multiple felony convictions and would likely be a third strike candidate facing life in prison upon additional conviction,” according to the sheriff's department. “He is also a documented South Los Angeles criminal street gang member.”
Daniels, described as a documented gang member, was booked on suspicion of residential burglary and has a record of prior arrests on suspicion of theft, conspiracy, narcotics and weapons violations.
Tisby, a twice-convicted residential burglar who was also described as a documented gang member, was booked on suspicion of residential burglary and is facing a third strike if charged and convicted, according to the sheriff's department.
“This crew is suspected in burglaries throughout Southern California, and the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department's Burglary-Robbery Task Force is working closely with” police in determining if other recent residential burglaries may be associated with them, officials said.
Green was released on Saturday after posting bond, while Daniels, Robinson and Tisby were all being held in lieu of bails exceeding $1 million each, according to the sheriff's department.
Anyone who recognizes the suspects or their vehicles, or who believes they may have been victimized by them, was urged to contact the Burglary- Robbery Task Force at 562-946-7187 or brtflasd.org.
Anonymous tips can be submitted through Crime Stoppers at (800) 222- TIPS or lacrimestoppers.org.
Photo: Los Angeles Sheriff's Department