by Timothy Rutt
Altadena sheriff detectives arrested a Sun Valley man who deputies say was found with loot from a series of Altadena car burglaries.
Raul Penaloza, 26, was arrested Nov. 26 following a warrant search in Sun Valley where detectives recovered several items that were stolen in car burglaries, as well as a stolen Dodge Durango.
According to the release, numerous cars in Altadena were broken into between November 1 and 2, with purses and walets stolen. The Durango was likewise taken from an Altadena residence on Nov. 2.
Several of the stolen credit cards were used at locations in Sun Valley, and detectives managed to match surveillance video of the suspect, tracing the fraudulent transactions to a residence in Sun Valley, the release said.
After obtaining a search warrant, detectives recovered numerous items of stolen proeprty from burglaries reported in Altadena, Santa Clarita, and the San Fernando Valley. Among the stolen items recovered were wallets, purses, credit cards, checks, laptop computers, iPads, iPods, iPhones, and other electronic items.
Detectives arrested Penaloza at the location for burglary and auto theft. According to the press release, Penaloza is currently on probation for possession of a controlled substance and has prior convictions for burglary, receiving stolen property, and vehicle theft.
The Los Angeles County District Attorney's office has filed seven felony burglary counts against the suspect. He is currently being held in Men's Central Jail in lieu of $185,000 bail.
