At least 20 burglaries in Huntington Beach blamed on South American gang
South American gangsters have been accused of more than a dozen burglaries in Huntington Beach, causing panic and creating tension between residents.
“There were kids upstairs,” said a neighbour who saw the burglaries, adding she believes they are the work of a South American gang.
Another neighbour said they saw a vehicle with a “gang of guys” around town, and heard them talking about “a big job” in her neighbourhood.
A car with South American gangsters in it is seen at an intersection in Huntington Beach on Wednesday. (Orange County Register/John McCoy)
Police are hoping to find one of the gangsters, who they believe is responsible for about 20 burglaries in Huntington Beach, in connection with two robberies early Monday morning.
The robbers, who are described as being between 18 and 20 years old, broke into a house at 1805 Shattuck St. in the 8300 block, and stole a laptop, a cellphone among other items.
Shortly before midnight, a vehicle pulled up to a house on the 200 block of S. Ocean Boulevard, and someone got out and used a cell phone to find the owner.
A second person got into the vehicle, and a short time later backed out of the driveway and drove away.
While it’s not clear what gang he is affiliated with, police are trying to find out.
Anyone seeing cars with gangsters in the area is asked to call the Los Angeles Police Department at (213) 496-2121.
South Korean consular officials have been called in to help with the case, while California police are also trying to make contact.
It’s not clear whether the South American group is connected with any South Korean community in the area.
In addition, the Department of Motor Vehicles has also been called in in connection to the case.
In response to the case, the Huntington Beach City Council is sending out an emergency notice that it is suspending the license plates of any vehicle with the South American gang plates.
The council