During the past several weeks, a number of vehicle burglaries have taken place in various parking lots near LA Fitness health clubs in the Santa Clarita Valley. The suspect’s targeted vehicles they perceived to be associated with LA Fitness patrons.

This morning, detectives from the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff Station’s Burglary and Theft Team, along with the station’s Community Interaction Team (CIT), conducted surveillance operations at several LA Fitness locations in Santa Clarita. During the surveillance operation, a suspect was seen breaking into a parked vehicle and stealing property from it. Nearby deputies were called in and apprehended the suspect as he was attempting to leave the area.

The suspect was arrested and his vehicle was impounded. Inside his vehicle, detectives found property taken during the vehicle burglary they observed today and additional property belonging to other victims who had previously reported their vehicles were broken into. The detectives served a search warrant at the suspect’s residence where additional property was also recovered.

The Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station would like to remind all residents about how they can reduce the likelihood of being a victim of burglary or theft. Despite the fact that several burglars and thieves have been arrested over the past several weeks, more groups seem to show up in their place. The single biggest crime prevention tip we can provide pertaining to these burglaries is to avoid being an easy or inviting target. Please read the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station crime prevention information on our web site at the following link: www.scvsheriff.com/prog_tips_burglary_prevention.asp

The suspect, MH/19 of Saugus, was booked at the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station on felony Burglary charges. He is being held in lieu of $20,000 bail pending future court proceedings. Due to the ongoing investigation the suspect’s name is not being released at this time.

The investigation is continuing and there is no further information available at this time.