Teens Arrested in Connection with Several Home Burglaries

Five people, four of them teens, were arrested Wednesday after Long Beach Police investigators served several search warrants at homes throughout the city and found what they say are stolen computers and weapons.

Burglary detectives recovered property they identified as stolen from one residential burglary but will be working to identify other items they suspect were taking during other thefts, according to Long Beach Police.

A routine traffic stop on Oct. 21 in the area of Pacific Coast Highway and Cherry Avenue launched the investigation, officials said.  An officer preparing to impound the vehicle of an unlicensed driver found several computers inside, officials said. After running a check, officer found the computers had been reported stolen from a Long Beach residence earlier in the day, officials said.

The driver, 19-year-old Trayon Gaston, of Long Beach, was arrested on suspicion of receiving stolen property.  Three other occupants in the vehicle were released at the scene.

That sparked an investigation that led to the serving of the warrants on Nov. 6 at four homes in the following areas:

• 1700 block of Orizaba Avenue
• 1500 block of E. 5th Street
• 2600 block of Magnolia Avenue
• 1900 block of Pine Avenue

As a result of the search warrants, four more were taken into custody, and several items were seized including nine firearms, an assault rifle, cash, marijuana, electronics and jewelry - including several high-end watches.

Four of the recovered guns were taken in one Long Beach burglary, officials said. An owner for other property has yet to be identified.

The other four suspects booked in connection with the burglaries are:

• Cartier Anderson, 19, Long Beach, on suspicion of residential burglary, possession of marijuana for sales
• Jay Holms, 36, Long Beach, on suspicion of receiving stolen property, possession of illegal assault weapon, possession of gun with altered serial number.
• And two Juveniles ages 16 and 17, both from Long Beach accused of residential burglary.

Authorities planned to present the case against the juveniles today (Nov. 7) to the Juvenile Branch of the Los Angeles County District Attorney Office for filing consideration. On Nov. 8, Investigators will present the case of the adult defendants to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office for filing consideration. 

Detectives suspect these individuals may have also been committing burglaries outside of Long Beach, officials said.  Anyone who believes his or her property may have been recovered during this operation should contact the Long Beach Police Burglary Detail at (562) 570-7353.

Anonymous tips may be submitted by calling (800) 222-8477, or by texting TIPLA plus your tip to CRIMES (274637), or visiting www.lacrimestoppers.org.