After Recent Thefts on the Hill, Seal Beach Police Urge Caution

After a spate of home burglaries in the Seal Beach neighborhood "the Hill," police are urging residents to take steps to protect their homes and valuables.

From May 2 to May 24, local residents experienced four burglaries between 6:30 a.m. and 11 p.m. according to Seal Beach Police Department Sgt. Ron La Velle. 

The Hill is, in general, a section of the city bordered by Second Street to the north, Pacific Coast Highway to the south, Seal Beach Boulevard to the east and the San Gabriel River to the west. 

Click here to see a map of the area. 

Authorities said of the four incidents, the suspect most often forced his or her way through the patio door. Once inside, he or she remove small valuables, like electronics and jewelry, and then fled the scene. 

La Velle said there are a number of reasons there could an increase in theft, including high unemployment, narcotic usage and prison realignment.

Bike theft is also a “trending crime in the area,” La Velle said, and he urged locals to keep their bikes locked up even if they are only using them for a short trip. The more often residents use their bikes, La Velle added, the more likely the bike could be stolen.  

La Velle has a couple tips to limit theft risk: 

• Don’t leave your garage door open for a long period of time. That way criminals can’t assess your valuables. 
  
• The police can only return stolen items when proof of ownership has been established, so take photographs of jewelry and other small valuables.
• Record the serial numbers on large items like electronics and bicycles and keep the records in a safe place. 
• Keep your gates, doors and windows locked. 
• Take note of people and things that “seem out of sorts.
• Call the police if you see suspicious activity.