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By Lookout Staff

November 13 – Police arrested two Los Angeles residents responsible for a as many as nine burglaries in Santa Monica after they burglarized a home at the eastern end of the city Tuesday afternoon.

Jovani Manuel Morales and Joselyn Keny Galdamez, both residents of Los Angeles, were arrested after a short foot pursuit following a residential burglary on the 2800 block of Arizona Avenue at about 2:30 p.m.

“A neighbor saw a man and woman look into an adjacent apartment window and try to open the front door,” said Sgt. Renaldi Thurston, the Police Department spokesman.

“The man then removed a window screen and was later seen walking away with a television,” Thurston said. “Realizing the actions of the man and woman were suspicious, the neighbor called the police.”

Officers who quickly responded to the area chased the suspects and detained them, police said.

A stolen television and a laptop computer taken from the home were recovered and returned to the victim, Thurston said.

The two suspects are thought responsible for a string of burglaries that included one earlier in the day and another that took place last week in the 1700 block of California Avenue, police said. (“Police Search for Burglary Suspects,” November 7, 2008)

In the burglary last Wednesday, the two suspects entered a home near 17th Street and California and make off with a computer and electronic equipment.

The couple may have staked out area homes posing asa maid service, according to sources.

Police are urging residents to remain diligent during the tough economic times.

The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with additional information should call Santa Monica Police Department Detectives at 310.458.8451, Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., or the Watch Commander at 310.458.8427 anytime.

Anyone wishing to remain anonymous may call the WeTip hotline at 1-800-78-CRIME (27463).