A man, now in custody, is suspected of committing a series of West Valley crimes that took place in the first week of January, and police believe he is connected to more.
Detective Armando Monarrez told KNX News' Pete Demetriou that they believe the suspect's intention was not to steal property, but "We think that he's going in there with the intent to contact the person inside the home."
Monarrez said the break-ins all happened on the same night within a one-mile radius of each other near Tampa Bulvard and Vanowen Street.
[iframe https://www.google.com/maps/embed?pb=!1m18!1m12!1m3!1d2402.063710719859!2d-118.55193472587199!3d34.19359431025609!2m3!1f0!2f0!3f0!3m2!1i1024!2i768!4f13.1!3m3!1m2!1s0x80c299623663d443%3A0xf97f07a164107cc!2s19100%20Vanowen%20St%2C%20Reseda%2C%20CA%2091335!5e1!3m2!1sen!2sus!4v1705544116541!5m2!1sen!2sus allowfullscreen="" height="450" loading="lazy" referrerpolicy="no-referrer-when-downgrade" style="border:0" width="600"]After the fourth burglary in the area, Monarrez said they had enough physical and other evidence to proceed with the arrest of 30-year-old Diamon Smith.
Police are holding Smith on a charge of residential burglary and assault, but Monarrez said they are concerned he was responsible for similar crimes elsewhere in the San Fernando Valley.
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Investigators hope that circulating his image will lead to other potential victims coming forward, solidifying a prosecution on multiple felony charges.
"So our concern is that there are other victims, and that's part of the reason why we reached out to the media... to try to convince those people to come forward and identify who they are," said Monarrez.
Smith has served a previous prison term for burglary.
Anyone with information about the investigation is asked to call detectives at 818-374-7742 or 818-374-7611. Those who wish to remain anonymous are encouraged to call Crime Stoppers at 877-527-3247.
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