The Antelope Valley Times

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4 arrested after ‘hot prowl’ burglary in Lancaster

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LANCASTER – Four suspects were arrested minutes after a “hot prowl” burglary in Lancaster Wednesday afternoon, thanks to the city’s law enforcement plane, authorities said.

Around 12:06 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 11, deputies were dispatched to the 43000 block of Rucker Street in response to a “burglary call for service,” according to Deputy Kit Gruppie of the Lancaster Sheriff’s Station.

“Utilizing the Law Enforcement Aeriel Platform System (LEAPS), deputies were guided to the location in time to observe two of the four suspects fleeing the location,” Gruppie stated in a news release. “One suspect was immediately apprehended, and the second suspect was detained as he attempted to evade deputies who had established a containment of the neighborhood.”

A third suspect was found hiding in a trashcan, and a fourth suspect was nabbed after he was seen in a vehicle circling the area where the “hot prowl” burglary occurred, Gruppie said. A hot prowl burglary is one in which residents are home at the time of the break-in.

Troy Sweazie, 20, Jason Morehead, 18, Jeremiah Knott, 20, and Tyree Howard, 20, were arrested in connection with the hot prowl burglary Wednesday afternoon, according to Gruppie.

All four suspects were booked at Lancaster Station in lieu of 50,000 bail, Gruppie said.

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Filed Under: Crime/ Safety

52 comments for "4 arrested after ‘hot prowl’ burglary in Lancaster"

  1. Isn’t it funny that other places don’t need a LEAPS style surveillance program? Only Fascism loving, right winger, hillbilly AV seems to need it. Telling, isn’t it?

    • I live near the neighborhood of this occurance, the Sheriff’s Helicopter was was quick to respond & more manuverable than a fixed wing aircraft & closer to the ground which shows LEAPS is redundant, the only reason LEAPS was mentioned was to attempt to justify its massive cost. The money could have been better used to put boots on the ground or to enhance the Sheriff’s helicopter (which can and does fly at night when needed and which LEAPS can not do.) with night time heat seeking technology and/or to put more boots on the ground.

    • LEAPS isn’t needed. It has been forced upon us because Parris is taking care of his contributor and supporter Frank Visco. No one NEEDS LEAPS. We are on the hook for it though. Ten million bucks worth. Must be nice.

  2. I strongly believe at this that People who complaint about the LEAP Program an the cost, it is because they have “CRIMINAL” Relatives?
    Who else could complaint about a good program available to the Community?

    • Anyone who recognizes that the only “good” it does is line the pockets of one of the mayor’s cronies. That’s why NO OTHER CITY, anywhere, has displayed any interest.

      It does the same thing as the helicopters, just not as well and more expensively.

    • I can’t stand criminals. I also can’t stand wasting money on something as redundant as LEAPS. The helicopter does the job. If they would spend the money they are wasting on LEAPS on more people on the ground, then maybe our crime rate would go down instead of up. Maybe the BLVD would be a safe place to walk. Maybe East Lancaster would be a safe place to live. None of this will happen while we are wasting tax dollars on LEAPS.

  3. One step closer to total surveillance. Then you fascism worshipping puzzies will find something else to cower in fear from.

    • You’re a complete idiot…at least until its your stuff being stolen right?? Then you cry “why weren’t you here sooner??” MORON

    • Actually technology right now is there… and they can see you in your home if they want. However they dont. Lol

  4. This happened very close to my house. First, a big thanks to the deputies for their perseverance. Second, both the helicopter & leaps were flying over. They were able to fan out & cover more area for multiple suspects much faster that way. I don’t see leaps as cost effective either but I’m glad they were able to put it to good use & catch all 4.

      • My first thought was “call the sheriff’s department and have LEAPS guide you in,” but then a quick check of Google Map seemed easier. It’s one block east of 30th East, running disjointedly through the developments between Ave J and Ave L.

  5. The only reason why these jerks were caught because there was actually a report on a burglary that happened in that neighborhood ….I know ..trust me…and I am glad they were caught and that nothing was missing… Bastards….need jobs and an education instead of disturbing hard working peoples lives and their families…..

  6. I think this article is priceless! They actually found Moe Howard, Larry Fine & Curly Howard. How long has that fuselage been above us? They’ve caught five people!

  7. Really?
    Since Sunday, The news about crimes around the LA County reported, had been committed by the same type of People (I don’t wan’t to mention “RACE”, because some of them get offended).
    Come on…They get EVERY AVAILABLE SOCIAL Service Assistance…and I guess this is NOT ENOUGH… They are still committing CRIMES every single day.
    We stopped on last Wednesday to pick up a Pizza from one of these Famous Pizza places. I was stunned when two Young Girls (19-23 Years old) were upset when one of their EBT cards was declined. The second girl pulled out of her purse three different EBT Cards. She claimed to be in “HOMELESS”, “CASH”, AND “FOOD ASSISTANCE” program.
    Each one of them had three different EBT Cards on their possession.
    Do I need to say anything else? Yes, Of Course, They were driving a Late model Chevy Suburban, their typical 24″ rims, and they have their truck parked right in front of the store.
    I really found this INSANE. Once they run out of money on their cards, is when they start to burglarizing, and robbing people and businesses… like crazy….

    • The Sheriff’s helicopter does more for $10 million dollar less. Time to mothball that piece of junk.

  9. Hey, well at least they got 4 scums off our streets!! Now this neighborhood has to still keep their eyes and ears open! As there are more then just the 4 of them ! And they break in durning the daytime while you are home. Use neighborhood watch online to beable to know when something is happening in your neighborhood the minute it happens. All the neighbors will know and need to communicate with each other. We had our neighborhood on the lookout ! Set up cameras, alarm systems, tell each neighbor when your leaving, we drive up and down our streets before leaving.these guys will leave because its too hard to even drive through our neighborhood because we follow them out! Sad to say we have to live like this. But scum has no boundaries and no respect for others. They will break in while your sleeping at 4am. Prying the windows open. Purchase the big white bar from Lowes they are $19.99 they can go against the front door so they can not kick it in. Put them in your windows they can not slide the windows open. They also work on sliding doors. Give our police credit they have so many scum to deal with believe me they want to get rid of all of them and make our homes safe. But they need our help too!!!!

    • I have had issues in my home as well I put the bar in the door. I give up I filed a report or tried but they are prowler if they break in without damage. There is a new key crooks use called the bump it key it looks as if they were given a key. The bump it key gets inserted like a key they bump it it opens your lock. Changing front door locks is important these days Lowes will tell you about the proper locks to prevent this new break in trend. Neighborhood watch doesn’t work in my hood.

    • Comment *Hey Randy, what is this big white bar you mentioned at lowes? does it have another name? I tried looking it up, cant find it..thanks

      • It’s made by Master (MasterLock). It is adjustable in length and has a V shaped end that fits under to door knob. They cost around $20. I bought mine at Home Depot on the same aisle as the plastic security gates and locks often used for baby proofing the house.

  10. Time to take one for the team boys. We are going to pretend that you deputies couldn’t find Rucker Street without guidance from the air. The fact that your in car tablet has a map in it…ermmm…well, we’re just going to have to claim you are too stupid to use it. We are really desperate to make this LEAPS boondoggle look good. Sorry.

    • Lets see, tim lives in palmdale, yet bitches about leaps catching four crooks.are you mad, cuz it works? Or that four crooks were caught.just curious, since you pay no taxes to cover the cost, and you dont live here.or do you just bitch about everything?

      • Crooks are caught all the time without LEAPS. Why is Lancaster’s crime rate going up if LEAPS is such an effective crime tool? Why is no other city stupid enough to waste ten million dollars all right. The only thing it does is to line the pockets of the mayor’s political supporters.

    • Why are your panties always in a wad over the police? Never a kind word or an attaboy for a job well done. You have obviously never had to be out there trying to keep the bad guys in check, you coward with a big mouth. I’m glad to have them and hope we get more. If you don’t liike it, leave!

    • Tim, I dislike the LEAPS program as much as the next person — it is a prime example of a waste of money and Rex’s cronyism, but the reason for air support is not to help deputies find the address of a call…it’s to help locate the people fleeing in multiple directions and trying to hide. Someone with an aerial view can gauge a much larger area than one or two patrol cars on the ground. I would just prefer it be from the helicopter’s we already pay for in our contracting with the sheriff’s department and not from some plane owned by friends of Rex.

      • Helicopters are far more mobile and effective. They are also part of what we pay the Sheriff’s Department for. This LEAPS program is redundant and not cost effective. With crime rising, we should use that money for more Deputies.

          • It figures. They’ve been conjuring up stories and uses for it for a while now. It can’t lower crime so they tried to spin it as helping on fires. Like the FD doesn’t have air resources. How pathetic.

        • Despite the contract enabling the use of air support, the helo is not always available (weather, being used elsewhere, lack of available pilots, etc), sometimes its here in the AV, but down for repair, refueling, or break time for the pilots. Even if it was available to respond, if its currently not in the air, it takes time to go through flight checks and get airborne.

          LEAPS is supposed to be more available for use by Lancaster station, by being in the air constantly during certain times, baring refueling and repairs. Do I like that its an available air asset. Absolutely. Do I think it has been useful. Sure. Has it been worth the cost. I really don’t have enough info to answer that. But I’ll ask around if I get the chance with some people who might have more info on the subject.

      • If you look at this story on Facebook you will find the usual pack of “oh so that’s why the helicopter was over my house” comments. It’s pretty apparent that the helicopter was actually there supplying the air support you describe. As to the point that “it isn’t to help deputies find the call,” I agree. But that is what is attributed to it in the story at hand. Usually “AV Times Staff” means a pretty much direct lift from the department press release.

        Between the way LEAPS contribution is described, and the fact that the helicopter was apparently there but is not mentioned, there isn’t much to conclude other than attempted flackery in an attempt to make the expense look justifiable.

        @Desert Rat…anytime you wanna step out from behind the keyboard, just let me know, Mr KC.

        @Claire…Yes, I live in Palmdale. The way that Rex and his cronies are milking Lancaster is a big part of why I live in Palmdale. Clearly I’m not “mad cuz it works.” To be mad about it working I would have to be convinced that it does. Since you don’t do anything but attack me one would think you could at least focus, so that your attacks would make some sort of sense.

        • Sure tim, it says it was there and it worked, but you say otherwise.you are much smarter.if ledford had this up and it worked, youd be creaming your pants on how great it is.you sure spend alot of wasted time worrying about a place where you dont live.someone calls you out, nothing.just my opinion, but as everyone on here knows, we dont get one.

    • @Tim

      Multiple deputies respond to a call of hot prowl. Its a time sensitive situation, and they want to get as many deputies as quickly as possible to the area to respond directly to the incident location, as well as set up a containment in case of suspect (s) running.

      Its FAR easier to have multiple deputies responding to a general vicinity and guide them directly to the location by them listening to radio traffic and looking at street signs as they pass, than to have those same deputies looking down, typing in an address, and then following the lines on a map, thus taking their eyes off the road.

      In addition, the air support can direct units a WHOLE lot more effectively since they have a better overall view of the situation.
      LEAPS also gives the staff at the station the ability to see the overall situation, guide assets and provide feedback to those in the field.

      FYI, the MDC is currently a laptop, not a tablet. The GPS and mapping software is not all that great, so many deputies use other means of navigation. That’s not an intelligence problem, at least with the deputies.

      There are a number of posts on articles here where your words have some merit, but as as usual when you post about anything regarding our local law enforcement, its obvious as to where your mental capacity is lacking.

      • WOW…I am SO embarrassed at being caught out by your greater knowledge! A laptop instead of a tablet you say!?! Why, that just makes ALL the difference in the world!
        /sarcasm

        Your knee jerk apologetics for anything involving law enforcement illustrate the greatest problem with law enforcement. Can we expect someone like you to tell the truth if one of your brothers in blue oversteps, or will you perjure yourself to protect them? I’ll make my bets.

        • For somebody who obviously prides themselves on proving others wrong and being right all the time, I find it slightly amusing to see how you will crawl out from whatever mistakes you make.

          You call others out on their mistakes all the time, trying to prove you are ‘oh so great’, when in fact you are no better than anybody else. You are usually full of incorrect information when it comes to law enforcement, yet on other subjects you actually seem well versed. Perhaps sticking to what you know would be in all our best interest?

          The only consistent knee jerker around here when its comes to law enforcement is you, always with a hard on for cop bashing and misinformation. Pardon me for pointing our your lack of knowledge and actually providing correct information. I would have figured a man with such of habit of pointing out the truth of things would appreciate correct information. Guess it only matters when it aligns with your hateful ways in these matters.

          I don’t expect you to believe me when I say I would call them out. I, in fact, could not care less if you believe me. I KNOW what I would do.

          In the eyes of the public, when one of them screw up, its as if all of them have screwed up. And everybody who has worked hard to get the respect of the public have to work just that much harder to prove not all of them are like that.

          And then there are people like you, who are so stuck in their way of thinking. NOTHING, not matter how positive, seems to be good enough. Any little tiny perceived slight and you toss every single one of them down in the dog house. From the 25 year veterans to the first year rookie, to the Explorers and volunteers, they are all as guilty as the person who screwed up.

          I don’t post replies to you as part of some sick fascination. I do it to point out when you are wrong, just like you do with others. I do it so that your negative way of thinking and bad knowledge of the subject matter doesn’t spread unchecked.

          • While I was sarcastic in my acknowledgement, I did appreciate your correction. Lord only knows what catastrophic results may have ensued if the error regarding use of laptops versus tablets had spread unchecked.

            For what its worth, I knew from a meeting with the captain of the Palmdale station last week that they were laptops. I just considered the difference to be too trivial to worry about and tablet is a word I use for pretty much any device of that sort.

            You are using what is known as a red herring, by the way. Rather than address the issues that result from the “blue brotherhood” you want to talk about a fact that hardly merits being the answer printed on a card in a trivial pursuit game.

            Now, back at the real issue. You say that you would “call them out” and you know it. You also say that you don’t care what I believe in the matter. Yet it seems important to you that “the public” not come around to my way of thinking. Has it occurred to you that I AM THE PUBLIC? Not all of it, by any means, but certainly part of it.

            Rather than railing against me, perhaps you would be well advised to consider that my antipathy was not created whole cloth in some diseased mind, but is a reflection of actual events and attitudes. The attitude of “if you don’t respect law enforcement I dismiss you” has consequences, for example.

            The “I know I would call them out” statement being met with “so why don’t we see it happen?” has consequences, not because of what I say, but because what I say rings true. The number of people who have directly experienced cops committing perjury, or at least know someone they consider reliable who have experienced it, is HUGE. It isn’t me that puts the ring of truth in what I say, and clouds over any truth in what you said.

            When I say that cops are scofflaws that should not be entrusted with law enforcement I get a variety of responses. But no matter what the response I can shift it somewhat my way by saying “I know they buy a lot of cars, but how much can they really be saving by ordering them without turn signals?” That always gets a laugh (even from law enforcement personnel) BECAUSE IT RINGS OF TRUTH, and it wasn’t me that made it true.

            Is there a problem in how the public perceives law enforcement? Absolutely. Is misperception responsible for some of that? Sure. But there is also a huge part of it that stems from the very accurate perception of what cops really are doing. You want to believe otherwise and put all the responsibility on us, great. You want to believe it is all a matter of “a few bad cops” and go blithely on your way, great. But that makes you as much a part of the problem as anyone.

          • I made a short one sentence mention of the correct term to use for the equipment. But if that’s all it takes to make you believe something catastrophic would come about from your mistake you got bigger problems.

            How funny you accuse me of using a red herring. Once again, a single sentence for your tablet mistake. Oodles more info about everything else. I provided correct info on every just about every mistake or assumption you made in your post, yet YOU are the one focused on this particular mistake of yours, not me. So who is trying to use a fallacy?

            When did I mention I don’t want ‘the public’ coming around to your way of thinking? Can you point that out, in my posts, so we can all see it? No, you can’t, because I never mentioned it. So now you are making stuff up to play the victim. The closest was when I mentioned that I don’t want your negative way of thinking and bad knowledge of the subject matter doesn’t spread unchecked. The ‘public’ can make up their own opinions, I’m just providing correct information, not hateful biased rhetoric.

            Attacking me for pointing out your mistakes wont make you right. Twisting my words and making assumptions of my way of thinking doesn’t help whatever cause you are fronting. Oh sure, you will probably move a few from the fence over, but the smart ones will see right through it all. They want facts and truth. Not hateful emotional attacks and name calling.

            You talk about reform and change for law enforcement, yet you have previously stated you openly tell people to spit in LEO’s food, and get in the face of complete strangers and bad mouth them simply for wearing a badge. Do you ever stop to think that possibly THAT ONE COP..right there that you are harassing and or encouraging somebody to commit battery, is one of the good ones. Perhaps that’s the one that makes a positive difference in whatever department they work for, and in the community they care for. But you don’t give a damn. So in that case, who is the real problem? Ignore everything else I have posted, and answer that question truthfully if you can.

          • I can’t answer it truthfully, because there are false claims in the basis of the question.

            I do not encourage anyone to spit in your food. I do inform people in businesses that employment is not a protected class under discrimination laws, so they can refuse service to cops, and I do encourage them to do so. In the course of that I have been told many times that while humble employees and fearful business owners are afraid of blue retaliation for such open displays, but they do secretly spit in their food. I don’t encourage it, but I find it amusing.

            You contend that you never said anything about having concerns that the public might come around to my way of thinking. Yet right here in this post you talk about the “hard work of earning the respect of the public” and excoriate me for my open disrespect. Clearly, if the public comes around to my way of thinking it is counter to this “hard work” that you contend is important and in progress. if you can’t recognize how that all fits together I can’t help you.

            As to “the one cop,” I have considered the possibilities that you raise. If I step in front of this “one good cop” I’m going to provide him with useful information as well as leverage.

            He needs to know that the actions of his fellows have created an environment that he has to work in that is genuinely dangerous due to the cops vs community mentality they display. I consider this an improvement over the alternative, which in notable cases has lead to such things as a mayor saying “there is no tension here between the police and our community” on national television WITH A RIOT GOING ON IN THE BACKGROUND.

            By being informed of this reality the mythical “good cop” may be able to exert more influence over the rest. Instead of whining about “oh the bad man makes jokes about how we don’t use turn signals to try to turn the public against us” maybe this mythical good cop can say “It seems to be working, and how hard would it be to learn to use a turn signal anyway? There’s some sort of lever on the steering column or something, right?” Maybe he might even take the officers assigned to traffic duty aside and say “Hey, when you blatantly perjure yourself to make a ticket stick, you create people who are willing to walk up to armed deputies and say that they hope we die on the job…you should knock that stuff off, because if the feces hits the fan I’d rather not have people like that out there.”

            So, yes, I have considered the possibility that I might encounter this one good cop. Point of fact I believe that I HAVE encountered not just one, but two. One I encountered here typed a good game so I met him in person and believe that he was telling the truth about policing his own and the consequences he suffered for it. The other is the captain in Palmdale, who I met in the course of my campaign to get the city to fire the sheriff’s department.