4 Gang Members Accused In Series Of South Bay Burglaries
LOMITA (CBS) — Police say they've solved a ring of home burglaries in the Rancho Palos Verdes area after they arrested four gang members they believe were responsible for the crimes.
On May 22, Sheriff's deputies in Lomita pulled over a car with four men who matched suspect descriptions given for a series of robberies in Rancho Palos Verdes. They found televisions, computers and jewelry in the vehicle that had been reported stolen earlier that day.
Wardell Ward, 22, of Lancaster, Jeffrey O'Brien, 23, of Los Angeles, Deondre Whitfield, 22, and Wynton White, 19, both of Long Beach, were charged with multiple counts of residential burglary, receiving stolen property and actively participating in a criminal street gang.
The suspects were stopped May 22 in Lomita by deputies, who allegedly found televisions, computers and jewelry stolen from a home in the 27000 block of Pembina Road in Rancho Palos Verdes. More stolen property, including collectible memorabilia that had been stolen during a May 18 burglary in Rolling Hills Estates, was found, authorities said.
Police say the four suspects were part of the Baby Insane Crip gang, a member of which has been charged in the murder of 19-year-old Frank Castro of Long Beach in November of 2009.
If you have further information, contact Lomita Sheriff's Station detectives (310) 539-1661. Or if you wish to remain anonymous, call "LA Crime Stoppers" by dialing 800-222-TIPS (8477), texting the letters TIPLA plus your tip to CRIMES (274637), or using the website <http://lacrimestoppers.org.
