Neighbor helps police nab burglar

DOWNEY - Thanks to a neighbor's quick actions, Downey Police arrested a 19-year-old Pico Rivera man after he allegedly burglarized a house.At about 9 a.m. Wednesday, police were dispatched to the 10300 block of Hasty Avenue after a local resident reported seeing an unfamiliar man jump over a neighbor's fence and into the backyard. Police officers arrived just as the suspect, Joseph Barraza, was leaving, authorities said. Police say Barraza forced his way into a house with the intent of stealing belongings inside. Barraza was arrested and booked for residential burglary. His court date is pending. "This is an outstanding example of the importance of concerned residents looking out for one another and notifying the police when suspicious activity is observed," Downey Police said in a statement. "As a result of the neighbor's quick actions, the police were able to detain and arrest this suspect before he was able to flee the area." Anyone with information regarding this case is asked to contact Detective Jerry Price at 562-904-2359.

********** Published: January 5, 2012 - Volume 10 - Issue 38