Police seek suspects in rash of burglaries

A slew of “hot prowl” burglaries have occurred over the last three weeks in Huntington Beach neighborhoods, according to the Huntington Beach Police Department.

“Hot prowl” refers to crimes committed while a resident is home.

There have been more than 20 reported cases of residences and vehicles being broken into in the areas of Indianapolis Avenue and Bushard Street and Indianapolis Avenue and Newland Street.

The most recent burglaries happened Feb. 1 and 2 near the Bushard Street intersection.

The break-ins have occurred between 1 and 4 a.m. while residents were sleeping, according to police. The suspects were apparently gaining access into houses through unlocked sliding back doors or side doors. Vehicles that were broken into also had unlocked doors, police said.

There were some attempted burglaries, but locked doors prevented the suspects from entering, according to a Huntington Beach Police Facebook post regarding the crimes.

Police patrol has been increased in the area, but police are asking for residents to lock all their doors and report any suspicious activity, Sgt. Jerry Abrahams said.

Det. Jerry Goodspeed added that residents should remove any valuable belongings from their vehicle to remove some of the lure for thieves.

According to the Facebook post, the suspects are two males in their early 20s driving a white panel van. The post includes a surveillance photo.

The first string of burglaries occurred Jan. 23 in the area of Indianapolis Avenue and Newland Street. Cash, iPads and jewelry are the main items being stolen from houses and vehicles, police said.

About a week later, on Jan. 28, another batch of burglaries popped up in the same neighborhood.

Those with information are asked to call Det. Goodspeed at (714) 536-5653 or Sgt. Abrahams at (714) 536-5949.

anthonyclark.carpio@latimes.com

Twitter: @acocarpio