Knock-Knock Burglary Task Force Arrests NR17092rh

Los Angeles: Detectives have
released the photographs of suspects arrested on March 28, 2017, by
the Los Angeles Police Department who are actively involved in
Knock-Knock style burglaries in the San Fernando Valley.

Knock-Knock Burglars are organized and target affluent
single-family residences located within the San Fernando Valley.
The members of these Knock-Knock criminal groups are usually
comprised of criminal street gang members who claim territory in
the South Los Angeles area. They select homes based on the
likelihood of having money, jewelry, and/or firearms within the
residence. They are known to knock on the front door to determine
if the residence is unoccupied. Once they determine the residence
is unoccupied, they gain entry through a rear door, side door or
second floor balcony and have been known to disable the alarm. The
residences are often ransacked as they search for money, jewelry,
and firearms. They have even been known to remove unbolted safes
from the residence. Detectives estimate that the Knock-Knock
Burglars are usually in and out of the home within five
minutes.

Diamantie Darthard Justus Jones

On March 28, 2017, a juvenile suspect knocked on the door of a
single-family home in the Valley Village area. The resident
answered the door and the juvenile stated he knocked on the wrong
door and immediately walked away. The juvenile walked to another
nearby single-family residence and met with Darthard and together
they approached the front door of this residence. There was no
answer as Darthard and the juvenile were joined by Jones when they
walked to the side and the rear of the home. As they were
attempting to gain entry to the home, officers assigned to North
Hollywood Community Police Station responded and arrested Darthard,
Jones and the juvenile.
“This is exactly why the San Fernando Valley Knock-Knock Task Force
was created two months ago. To track and arrest criminal street
gang members committing burglaries in the valley,” stated
Lieutenant Todd Hankel, Commanding Officer of West Valley
Detectives. “If the criminal street gang members were smart, it
would be in their best interest not to victimize people living in
the valley,” added Lieutenant Hankel.

In LAPD’s North Hollywood Area, we had over 850 burglaries during
2016. “Burglaries are down by 6.4% this year in North Hollywood
Area,” stated Detective III Noah Stone, North Hollywood Burglary
Coordinator. “We are very appreciative when neighbors look out for
each other and notify the police when they observe suspicious
activity,” added Detective Stone.

The following tips will help prepare residents to protect
themselves and their property from Knock-Knock Burglars:

Use video cameras around and inside your residence with
motion sensors covering entry points.

Install a doorbell with video and audio capability.

Share video which captures suspicious behavior with your
neighbors on social media.

Ensure your “safe” is securely fastened to your residence to
prevent its removal.

Keep valuable items in a bank safety deposit box.

Install an audible alarm system with the speaker out of site
and reach, i.e., your attic area.

Use laminated glass for rear and side doors, as it is more
difficult to remove.

Ensure the property surrounding your residence is properly
lit.

The LAPD is collaborating with the Los Angeles Sheriff’s
Department, Major Crimes Bureau, Burglary-Robbery Task Force to
reduce the number of burglaries in the San Fernando Valley and
throughout both of our jurisdictions.

Anyone with information related to this criminal activity is urged
to call Detective Armando Monarrez, North Hollywood Burglary
Coordinator, at (818) 374-7730.Anonymous tips can be called into
Crimestoppers at 800-222-TIPS (8477), or by texting 274637
(C-R-I-M-E-S on most keypads) with a cell phone. All text messages
should begin with the letters “LAPD.” Online tips may be placed at
www.LAPDOnline.org, click on “webtips” and follow the prompts.