The District Attorney’s Office on Wednesday accused four members of an alleged burglary crew of committing their crimes to benefit a gang.
If proven, the gang enhancement allegations could result in longer sentences in the event of a conviction.
The four were arrested on Monday when members of the sheriff’s Metro Detail, Burglary-Robbery Task Force caught them in the act in Pacific Palisades.
The investigators from the Major Crimes Bureau were watching a group of male and female gang members who were using rental cars while committing “knock-knock” style residential burglaries throughout Los Angeles County.
They spotted two men and two women driving a rental car through an upscale residential neighborhood about 12:45 p.m. on Monday, said Sgt. Michael Maher.
They spotted two suspects jump over a side gate into the back yard of a residence, and then walk back out the same side gate, this time with a bag and other items, Maher said.
The rental car came around and picked up the two suspects with the two other suspects inside.
The detectives quickly confirmed the residence had been ransacked and burglarized, and a short distance away, near the corner of Sunset Boulevard and Paseo Miramar, the deputies stopped the car and detained the four suspects without incident.
Stolen property, including jewelry, watches and sentimental heirlooms valued at about $10,000, was recovered from the car.
The suspects arrested were Elanee Jarrett, 20, Chivetta Overstreet, 21, Evarald Fisher, 22, and Donte Caldwell, 22, Maher said.
Bail amounts originally were $50,000 each but because of the gang enhancements, the bails were increased to $1.125 million for Caldwell, $1 million for Overstreet, $175,000 for Jarrett and $140,000 for Fisher.
— City News Service