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Harbor Gateway Residents Warned Of Warm Weather Burglaries

TORRANCE (CBSLA.com) — Harbor Gateway authorities Wednesday warned residents about a recent rash of warm weather residential burglaries.

More than 24 break-ins have occurred since April 28 in Wilmington and San Pedro-area communities, authorities said. In Torrance, 81 break-ins have been reported since January.

Detectives say in most cases, the suspect enters homes through windows or screen doors left open due to the warm weather.

"They're taking jewelry, cash, they're taking things they can conceal easily. They're in and out of the resident with in two to three minutes," Sgt. Robert Watt of the Torrance Police Department said.

On May 30, surveillance video caught a suspect removing a screen from an open window to burglarize a home in the 2200 block of 237th street in Torrance, police said.

Harbor Gateway Residential Burglary Suspect
Harbor Gateway Residential Burglary Suspect (credit: Torrance Police Dept.)

Authorities believe the suspect caught on video is also the same man who attempted to burglarize a home on the morning of May 14 in the 16700 block of Ainsworth Avenue.

He allegedly removed a screen from a window to enter the home but was confronted by the owner and fled the residence.

Anyone with information about the suspect is urged to call the Torrance Police Department.

Police recommend residents close and lock their windows and doors to prevent further break-ins.

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