Suspects In String Of West Hollywood Vehicle Burglaries Arrested

WEST HOLLYWOOD, CA – A man and woman from the San Francisco Bay-area were arrested in connection with a series of vehicle burglaries in West Hollywood.

Earlier this year, detectives from the Los Angeles County Sheriff's West Hollywood Station began investigating a string of vehicle burglaries, specifically in the areas of Melrose Avenue and Doheny Drive, believed to have been the work of Bay Area gang members.

"The preliminary facts of this investigation began earlier in the year identifying multiple Bay Area affiliated gang members committing auto burglaries in West Hollywood," sheriff's Sgt. Jeffrey Bishop said. "Detectives have been working with LAPD Wilshire Division and Beverly Hills Police Department in (an) attempt to identify and apprehend the suspect(s) over the past several months."

Detectives conducted a surveillance operation on Thursday and saw two suspects breaking into several parked vehicles, Bishop said.

"Both suspects were detained and found to be in possession of multiple pieces of stolen property related to multiple auto burglaries," he said.

The suspects were identified as Joseph McWoodson, 32, and Desiree Hernandez, 29. Both were booked on suspicion of burglary, Bishop said.

"Mr. McWoodson is an associate of a Bay Area gang and was arrested on Aug. 3 ... by (the) Beverly Hills Police Department, after committing a vehicle burglary and leading their officers into a vehicle pursuit," Bishop said.

Detectives located a hotel where McWoodson and Hernandez were staying and recovered more than 50 pieces of stolen property – most of it electronics, laptops and high-end purses – with an estimated value between $15,000 and $20,000, the sergeant said.

"At this time, detectives have identified some of the property which belongs to victims from the West Hollywood, Los Angeles and Beverly Hills areas," he said.

Investigators are trying to identify additional witnesses to or victims of auto burglaries in case their property has been recovered. McWoodson was being held in lieu of $500,000 bail and Hernandez in lieu of $40,000 bail, according to sheriff's inmate records.

Anyone with information about the case was urged to call (310) 358- 4026, or email jggaudin@lasd.org to speak with Detective Gaudino.

City News Service and Patch staffer Emily Holland contributed to this post; Image via Los Angeles County Sheriff's West Hollywood Station