Suspect in String of Vehicle Burglaries Arrested

Los Angeles Police Department officers at the Rampart Division have arrested a 38-year-old man they believe is responsible for a string of vehicle break ins nearby and, possibly, other parts of the city.

Rampart officers cornered Frank Chibarro, a two-time parolee, early the morning of Jan. 1 after he was spotted in the garage at the Medici apartments at 725 Bixel Street, according to Joe Losorelli, head of Rampart's detective division.

Chibarro was taken into custody after a resident of the building saw him and alerted police, who had a cruiser in the area.

They chased Chibarro, a North Hollywood resident, and, with the help of a K-9 unit, made the arrest.

According to Losorelli, Chibarro had used spray paint to paint over the lens of the surveillance camera in the building.

It is a method that has been used in other recent Burglaries from Motor Vehicles (BFMV) near North Hollywood, said Losorelli.

Losorelli said about 150 items were found in Chibarro's car, including garage door openers, credit cards and jewelry.

Chibarro has already been linked to at least three crimes in Rampart, Losorelli said.

Burglaries from vehicles have risen dramatically in the Rampart division since about mid-October, said Losorelli.

Losorelli as well as Rampart commanders will be presenting the items found in Chibarro's late vintage Mercedes Thursday at a press conference at 11 a.m.