Suspect Arrested In String Of SoCal Car Burglaries

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — Detectives on Thursday said a two-time parolee suspected in a string of Southern California car burglaries was in police custody.

KNX 1070's Margaret Carrero reports now police want to reunite victims with their stolen property.

Officers from LAPD Rampart Division arrested 38-year-old Frank Chibbaro on Jan. 1 after he was found hiding in a carport after an extensive search.

Police said Chibbaro's vehicle contained over 150 items of evidence which investigators believe was taken from vehicles in other areas of Los Angeles and Torrance.

"We believe he is working alone, he does have a criminal record," said Lt. Joe Losorelli.

Chibbaro spent 8 years in state prison on two convictions and has been on a burglary spree since he was paroled in November of 2011, Losorelli said.

Investigators say Chibbaro seemed to focus his activity on vehicles located in underground parking garages.

"We have a lot of garage door openers," said Losorelli. "We think what he was doing is he would get himself into a location, he would steal the gate control so that he could come back later and commit additional burglary from motor vehicles."

The recovered items include laptops, iPhones, cameras, handbags, cash, and jewelry, Losorelli said.

Anyone who believes they may have been one of Chibbaro's victims are asked to view the recovered items at the LAPD's Rampart station at 1401 West 6th Street.

Photos of the stolen property were also expected to be posted on the LAPD's Rampart Facebook page.