SHERMAN OAKS─Burglary Detectives from the Los Angeles Police Department’s West Valley Division revealed the arrest of one burglary suspect and are asking for the public’s help in identifying a second burglary suspect who evaded police officers.
The suspect in custody is Donte Caldwell, 27, of Los Angeles. The second suspect is described as a male who was wearing dark clothing. No car was seen or associated with the suspects.
On February 17, 2020, at about 6:00 p.m., Caldwell and the second suspect were spotted by officers fleeing the location of a burglary in the 15500 block of Moorpark Street in Sherman Oaks. A foot chase ensued, but officers lost sight of the two men. Caldwell forcibly entered an occupied residence in the 4800 block of Orion Avenue where he used the resident’s cell phone to call a conspirator. The resident was able to alert authorities and Caldwell was subsequently arrested.
In 2012, Caldwell was sentenced to six 6 years in prison for a series of burglaries including burglaries in Encino, Northridge and Monrovia. After being released, he was arrested a second time for a series of burglaries in 2015 and sentenced in 2016 to eighteen 18 years in state prison. During the second case, burglaries were committed in Pacific Palisades and Ventura County. In both cases, it is believed that Caldwell was working with other burglars as a member of various “Knock-Knock” burglary crews that are associated with the Crips street gang.
Also convicted during the September 2016 case were Elanee Marie Jarrett, 25 received 10 years, Everald Martin Fisher Jr., 27, was sentenced to 9 years in state prison and Chivetta Lanae Overstreet, 26 was sentenced to 5 years in prison. All four pleaded open to the court to one count each of first-degree residential burglary and grand theft of personal property, jewelry and purses, in case SA090598. An open plea is one made to the court when there has been no plea agreement.
He was given an early release in August 2019. Investigators are conducting follow-up investigations to determine if Caldwell has been an active burglar since his release from custody.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Dunn, West Valley Burglary Unit, at (818) 374-7769. During non-business hours or on weekends, calls should be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (1-877-527-3247). Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should contact the LA Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477) or go directly to www.lacrimestoppers.org.
Tipsters may also visit www.lapdonline.org and click on “Anonymous Web Tips” under the “Get Involved-Crime Stoppers” menu to submit an online tip. Lastly, tipsters may also download the “P3 Tips” mobile application and select the LA Regional Crime Stoppers as their local program.
