Introduction to the Incident
Two men caught after undercover detectives said they watched a burglary-in-progress at a home in Woodland Hills Tuesday were charged with first-degree residential burglary, vandalism and for fleeing from officers.
Details of the Burglary
Rondale Strickland and Jerome McClendon, both 20, were accused in a criminal complaint of burglarizing a home – while the residents were inside – in a neighborhood south of Ventura Boulevard near the Taft High School campus.
Arrest and Charges
Strickland was being held with no bail and McClendon in lieu of $300,000 bail, according to booking records. At the time of his arrest Tuesday McClendon was free on bail following a police chase that took place in May, and a previous assault with a firearm case filed last October, according to court records.
The Break-In and Pursuit
The break-in happened around 10 a.m. when a glass door or window at the rear of the residence was shattered, and the thieves were apparently unaware they were being watched by undercover detectives.
The detectives followed the men, and a high-speed pursuit began when uniformed LAPD officers tried to stop their car in the Mid-City area. The chase ended in a crash near 98th and Wall Streets in South LA when the Tesla collided with a parked car, and the men were apprehended following a foot chase and a search of the neighborhood.
Investigation and Statistics
The LA County District Attorney’s Office said it’s filed nearly 800 felony residential burglary cases this year, including this one, and said Friday the case remains under investigation.
Conclusion
The incident highlights the ongoing issue of burglary in the area and the efforts of law enforcement to combat it. The fact that the suspects were caught in the act and charged with serious offenses demonstrates the effectiveness of undercover operations and high-speed pursuits in bringing perpetrators to justice.
FAQs
Q: What were the suspects charged with?
A: The suspects, Rondale Strickland and Jerome McClendon, were charged with first-degree residential burglary, vandalism, and fleeing from officers.
Q: Where did the break-in occur?
A: The break-in occurred in a neighborhood south of Ventura Boulevard near the Taft High School campus in Woodland Hills.
Q: What was the outcome of the high-speed pursuit?
A: The pursuit ended in a crash near 98th and Wall Streets in South LA, and the suspects were apprehended after a foot chase and search of the neighborhood.
Q: How many felony residential burglary cases have been filed by the LA County District Attorney’s Office this year?
A: The LA County District Attorney’s Office has filed nearly 800 felony residential burglary cases this year, including this one.
