Transient arrested for WeHo auto burglary spree
By Edwin Folven, 8/16/2012
An auto burglary suspect was arrested on Aug. 9 in West Hollywood after allegedly breaking into a car in the 1000 block of Laurel Avenue. Investigators believe the suspect is responsible for a spree of vehicle burglaries that have occurred over the last month within the city.
Marcus Wauford, 21, was taken into custody around 6:30 a.m. in the 1100 block of North Crescent Heights Boulevard. A witness provided a description, and a deputy detained Wauford. Sgt. Mike Caprioli, with the West Hollywood Sheriff’s Station, said the witness later identified Wauford, and police found items allegedly stolen from the vehicle in his possession. Wauford allegedly had other property that linked him to additional auto burglaries in West Hollywood.
“He is a transient, and he has been involved in other auto burglaries in the city in the past,” Caprioli said. “It was good police work.”
Wauford had previously been convicted of misdemeanor vehicle burglary in March, and has prior arrests for robbery burglary, battery and narcotics violations. He received 10 days in jail and 36 months probation for the conviction in March, according to Jane Robison, a spokesperson for the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office. He is currently charged with nine counts of first degree burglary, and pleaded not guilty on Aug. 13. Robison said Wauford is due back in court on Aug. 23 for a preliminary hearing.
Caprioli said there has been a series of auto burglaries occurring within the city, primarily in subterranean parking garages. Because the suspect allegedly entered a parking garage and burglarized the vehicles, the suspect can be charged with first degree burglary, a felony, as opposed to misdemeanor vehicle burglary, he said. No further vehicle burglaries have been reported after the arrest of Wauford. Caprioli added that Wauford was smashing windows and stealing small items left in plain sight, such as cell phones, GPS devices and sunglasses.
“Since we’ve gotten these guys in custody, it’s been pretty quiet,” Caprioli added.
Anyone with information about the burglaries is asked to contact investigators with the West Hollywood Sheriff’s Station at (310)855-8850.
