Seaside police warn residents to lock up after rash of burglaries

Seaside police said its handled nearly two dozen burglary cases within the last three days and all of them car break ins. Police said there’s a trend in Seaside and Wednesday the department made an arrest connected to at least three of the break-ins.

With that arrest, Seaside police wanted to remind residents to be extra cautious around their houses and cars because sometimes even forgetting the littlest of things like locking your doors, could cost you.

“Don’t make yourself an easy target,” Ron Guth said, a resident and Seaside cop for more than 30 years.

That’s a simple phrase with even simpler solutions.

“If the burglar can reach though a mail slot, they can reach up and open your door,” Guth said. “You just want to leave enough for ventilation, put that on there and tighten it up and the window won’t go any further.”

On top of telling his neighbors and police when he goes out of town, perhaps his most trusted line of defense is Guth’s dog Mario. He doesn’t look menacing but maybe that’s a good thing.

“If you’re not supposed to be here, he’ll let you know,” Guth said.

Police said regardless of what errands you’re running, if you have valuables, close your doors, lock them and roll up those windows, even if it takes you a little bit longer to do it. If you’ve been living in Seaside recently, those precautions are definitely warranted.

“In the last three nights, there’s been almost 20 break-ins to cars in various neighborhoods in seaside,” said Sgt. Nick Borges.

Police said at least three of those cases are tied to John Corey Vandenham, 36, who was arrested Wednesday.

“I had a very good conversation with the suspect in this case, uh, he was very honest about his actions and I will say he informed us that his actions are a result of drug addiction,” Vandenham said.

Police said they can’t point to why there’s been a rise in break-ins. But as a former cop, Guth knows any easy target is an easy thing to be if you’re not careful.

“Common sense doesn’t always prevail so we have to remind people what to do,” Guth said.

Other tips like hiding valuables in safes when you go on vacation, getting motion sensor lights for the outside are all good steps to take. Guth said he signs up for “close patrol,” allowing residents to report when they are on vacation, for how long and you’re address. Police said they will swing by your house more often when you are away.

Seaside police said Vandenham was seen on surveillance video and had stolen items with his when he was arrested. He was taken to the Monterey County Jail.