On Saturday, February 6, at approximately 8:45 AM, Hawthorne police officers responded on a report of a burglary which had occurred to a business earlier in the morning. The business was a mortuary, located in the 3900 block of Marine Avenue. Based on video footage provided by the mortuary, it is believed that the burglary occurred sometime between 2:00 and 2:30 AM that morning. Officers took a report at the time (HPD DR #21-1470).
On Tuesday, February 9, at approximately 2:45 AM, Hawthorne officers responded on a report of a burglary in progress to a mortuary in the 13800 block of Hawthorne Blvd. Upon arrival, officers were able to confirm that a burglary had occurred, but that the suspects had already fled the scene. (HPD DR #21-1558).
With knowledge of the mortuary being burglarized on February 6, and having just responded to an additional mortuary burglary, officers working the shift decided to conduct a security check on a third mortuary, this one in the 4200 block of Broadway Ave. Upon arrival (about 3:15 AM), officers saw that there were subjects inside the business using flashlights. Officers contained the building until two males exited into the parking lot. Upon being ordered to stop, one of the two subjects complied, while the second attempted to run. He was apprehended almost immediately. Elias Dominguez, a 39 year old transient, and Edwin Jimenez, a 26 year old transient, were both placed under arrest for burglary related charges.
Hawthorne police detectives are now working to determine if the two subjects in custody are also responsible for the burglaries which took place on February 6 (3900 block of Marine) and earlier during the night (13800 block of Hawthorne Blvd.).