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Organization: Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff's Station
Date: June 16, 2009
A Partnership In Crime Prevention
Monday, June 15, 2009 — 2:35 p.m. — Unincorporated Los Angeles County — Canyon Country
Detectives from the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff's Station and the City of Santa Clarita's Sheriff's Business Alliance, working in direct partnership with representatives from a local retail business, proved to be too powerful of a partnership for a local crime duo.
The Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff's Station has been actively investigating a number of incidents of commercial burglary and grand theft occurring at local area Target stores in Valencia and Canyon Country. At least four incidents of crime, apparently being perpetrated by the same individuals, had been reported over the past three weeks resulting in the theft of thousands of dollars worth of portable electronics and other items. Each incident was caught on highly sophisticated video surveillance systems and that information was shared between all the concerned investigative entities and patrol deputies from the Santa Clarita Sheriff's Station.
All the hard work and partnership paid off Monday afternoon at the Target store located at 19105 Golden Valley Road, Canyon Country, when loss prevention officials spotted the male suspect and a female accomplice in the store. The Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff's Station was immediately called in and deputies did not waste any time in apprehending the two as they were leaving the store.
Deputies report that the two suspects were in possession of methamphetamine and counterfeit United States Currency. Deputies took the suspects' 11 month old baby boy into protective custody.
Further investigation resulted in the search of the suspects hotel room at Extended Stay America, 24940 West Pico Canyon Road, Sunset Point, where deputies recovered more than 40 items they suspect were stolen during other incidents of commercial burglary and theft in the Santa Clarita Valley. Among the items recovered were computers, cameras, video games, two-way radios, tools, carving knives, an IPOD and dozens of other items. Deputies also recovered more counterfeit United States Currency and more than 200 papers containing identification and credit card information belonging to other individuals. Additional follow-up investigative operations are expected in the coming days.
Both suspects, Richard Hetherington, MW/41, and Pamela Schaffer, FW/39, of Canyon Country were transported to and booked at the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff's Station. Suspect Hetherington was booked on felony charges of Burglary, Identity Theft, Possession of Counterfeit United States Currency, and Possession of a Controlled Substance. He is being held in lieu of $130,000 bail pending future court proceedings. Suspect Schaffer was booked on felony charges of Burglary, Possession of a Controlled Substance and Identity Theft. She also had several outstanding warrants for theft and is being held in lieu of more than $340,000 bail pending future court proceedings.
"This is another example of how proactive our Sheriff’s Department is in their partnership with the businesses in the City of Santa Clarita," stated Mayor Frank Ferry of the City of Santa Clarita. "These criminals need to realize that it's just not worth it. With the technology, communication, and community involvement being so good, they are going to get caught."
Anyone with information regarding these suspects or the crimes is asked to contact Detective Jeffrey Jackson of the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff's Station at (661) 799-5151.
The investigation is continuing and there is no further information available at this time. -ref 08981, 08999, 09950, 10201
If You See Something, Say Something! Report non-emergency crime anonymously by visiting the following link: Crime Tips or calling (661) 284-2-TIP / (661) 284-2847.
