Burglarized Beach-City Vehicles Investigation, Identity Theft, And Credit Card Crime Nets 68 Felony Counts
MANHATTAN BEACH – Surfers’ vehicles were targeted by burglars for their wallets and cell phones. Approximately 35 vehicles parked near the beach were burglarized, announced Manhattan Beach Police this afternoon.
Investigations revealed a timeline of January 2016 through May 2017. The victims’ credit cards were used at different Target stores throughout Los Angeles County. Similar beach-city crimes occurred in the counties of San Diego, Orange, and Ventura.
When Manhattan Beach Police detectives served a search warrant at an Inglewood residence in July 2017, they discovered stolen cell phones, credit cards, and identification cards. Ongoing investigations identified Kevin Lucas (DOB 12/23/98) of Inglewood as one of the burglary suspects.
Manhattan Beach PD detectives learned that Lucas’ activities in San Diego County included several vehicle burglaries. An arrest warrant issued for Lucas resulted in his location and booking into Vista Detention Center in San Diego County.
Lucas was charged with 68 felony counts of identity theft and other fraud-related charges. Thanks to this collaboration of the MBPD, the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office, Oceanside Police Department, Inglewood Police Department, and San Diego Regional Fugitive Task Force, Lucas is currently in custody awaiting his court appearance.
