Suspects Arrested in Connection with Cell Phone Thefts

Long Beach Police has arrested five people in connection with a string of cell phone thefts that hit the city recently.

The suspects, whose names were not immediately released, may also be connected to an attempt robbery and three other robberies that occurred in the city’s East and West Divisions.

The investigation that led to the arrests began after detectives noticed an increase in the number of reported cell phone thefts over a period of weeks, police officials said.

One such theft occurred about 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 11. Police were called to the 1700 block of East Second Street. Police said a suspect approached a man, took his cell phone then ran from the scene.  A half hour later, another robbery occurred in the area of Fourth Street and Rose Avenue.  Police said the armed robber approached two victims and demanded their cell phones and cash.

Two people were arrested and the investigation is ongoing, according to officials.  Police would only identify the suspects as men, one from Los Angeles and the other from Bellflower.

On Dec. 12 the Long Beach Gang Enforcement detectives said they arrested three juveniles for robberies that occurred on Nov. 23 in the 3900 block of East Broadway and on Nov. 22 in the area of Division and La Verne.

Detectives also executed four search warrants and recovered jewelry, cell phones, and additional evidence, officials said.

Detectives are checking the possibility that their suspects may be responsible for other incidents in the area south of Fifth Street and east of Alamitos Avenue during the past few weeks.

“Those robberies were crimes of opportunity where the suspect spotted a potential victim who was distracted, approached the victim, displayed a handgun, snatched the victim’s cell phone, and then fled,” officials said through a news release. “The suspect(s) have been described as male African-American(s), ranging in age from teens to mid-twenties, and armed with a handgun, which may be a real or replica firearm.”

Police ask anyone with information regarding recent robberies is urged to call the Long Beach Police Department Robbery Detail at (562) 570-7464.  Anyone wishing to remain anonymous may call (800) 222-8477, or text TIPLA plus your tip to 274637 (CRIMES), or visit www.LACrimeStoppers.org.