Full Notification

Over the past several weeks, Los Gatos Monte Sereno Police Department initiated an investigation into three recent residential burglaries. On November 22, 2016 at approximately 12:30 p.m., a residence in the 400 block of Dardanelli Lane was ransacked by four male suspects who fled with an undisclosed amount of jewelry and currency. Video surveillance captured images of the suspects exiting the residence, and fleeing in a vehicle which was later determined to be stolen out of San Jose.

On November 26, 2016 at approximately 2:00 p.m., a residence in the 16800 block of Leroy Ave. was also burglarized and memorabilia, jewelry, and currency were stolen.

On December 5, 2016, Los Gatos Monte Sereno Police Officers responded to a report of suspicious subjects seen transferring a firearm from one vehicle to another in the 100 block of Knowles Drive. Upon arrival, officers located a vehicle which was reported stolen out of San Jose. The other vehicle had fled the area with several subjects prior to officers’ arrival. Later that day, a residential burglary was reported at a residence in Monte Sereno in the 17300 block of Eaton Lane. Suspects stole jewelry, a firearm, and the victims’ vehicle. Detectives determined that the burglary was related to the call of the suspicious subjects on Knowles Drive, and the suspects were driving and in possession of the victims’ vehicle and stolen property. Detectives were able to identify the juvenile suspects through working with the Santa Clara County Department of Juvenile Probation and San Jose Police Department.

In conducting further investigation, Los Gatos Monte Sereno Police Detectives collaborated with the Santa Clara County Regional Auto Theft Task Force and the Santa Clara County Specialized Enforcement Team in conducting surveillance and executing search warrants and probation searches at known suspect residences in San Jose. Four male juvenile suspects out of San Jose, were linked to the three residential burglaries in Los Gatos and Monte Sereno, and were subsequently booked into Juvenile Hall on multiple counts of CA Penal Code 459- Burglary, 496a- Possession of Stolen Property, and CA Vehicle Code 10851- Possession of a Stolen Vehicle. Searches at the suspects’ residences yielded a partial recovery of stolen property from the residential burglaries and the recovery of the outstanding firearm from the Monte Sereno burglary. Police detectives are continuing the investigation in the identification of additional burglaries in the Santa Clara County, for which these suspects may be responsible.

The Los Gatos Monte Sereno Police Department worked extensively on this investigation in conjunction with allied agencies, and note that the success solving these burglaries is a collaboration of adjoining law enforcement agencies and the valuable contribution of residential surveillance systems, which captured images of the suspects. “Like other law enforcement agencies, our Department continues to value the success of residential and business video surveillance systems in the identification of criminal activity. In addition, this case is another example of the partnerships with our allied law enforcement agencies and our community,” stated Chief Matt Frisby.

The Los Gatos Monte Sereno Police Department reminds the community to be vigilant witnesses to these types of incidents in their neighborhoods, and encourages them to contact the Police immediately when suspicious subjects or activity is observed. In addition, the Department encourages citizen participation in the “Los Gatos On Watch” program. This program partners the Police Department with the community in identifying surveillance camera locations present in so many of our local residences, which may capture incidents of crime that will assist and expedite investigations leading to the arrest of persons involved in illegal activities. Interested persons may register or get further information regarding this program at www.JoinOnWatch.com

If you have additional questions in regards to these incidents or the department’s “On Watch” program, you can contact the Los Gatos Monte Sereno Police Department at (408) 354-8600.