‘Tree trimmers’ distract, accomplice ransacks

The following information from the Orange County Sheriff’s Department was provided by Rossmoor Homeowners Association.

I am sending this e-mail to alert Rossmoor residents of a disturbing trend with residential burglaries. For the second time in two weeks, two male subjects have gone to the front door of a residence claiming to be “tree trimmers” and told the homeowner/victim if they could go into their backyard to access the trees.

Once the suspect goes into the backyard, another suspect comes into the residence and ransacks the master bedroom. There have been some distinct similarities in these two burglaries, which are detailed below:

1. Both occurred on a Tuesday afternoon between 2:30-4:00pm
2. Both burglaries occurred on Foster Road
3. In both burglaries, the suspects used a distraction by posing as “tree trimmers.”

In today’s burglary (Tuesday, 8/28), witnesses saw a small white compact vehicle (possibly a Chevrolet) leaving the scene. One of the suspects is described as a male Hispanic in his mid-20′s, 5’6″ with a thin build wearing a baseball cap. This suspect also had a “walkie-talkie” in his hand and was speaking to another subject in an unknown foreign language.

If you have anybody approach your house and try to use this scam, please do not let them into your house. Call 9-1-1 immediately. If anybody has any questions regarding these incidents, please feel free to call me at 714-647-7063 or contact

Dave Purser
Investigator David Purser
North Investigations

Related articles

• Distraction Burglary Suspects Arrested (lapdblog.typepad.com)