Wilshire Division detectives are looking for a male suspect wanted for two burglaries last month in Beverly Grove and the area near Wilshire and Robertson boulevards.

Authorities released photographs of the male burglary suspect wanted for two break-ins in the Wilshire Division. (photo courtesy of the LAPD)

Police released photographs of the suspect, Herbert Ray Heaton. He was identified after police recognized a man seen in security camera footage at one of the crime scenes as having been arrested for burglary in the area approximately two years ago. A police bulletin that was circulated also helped investigators determine he was likely involved with the recent break-ins, Det. Deann Larkin said.

“It’s mostly crimes of opportunity,” she added. “They mostly involve apartment buildings where he gains access to the parking lot or gets inside when someone goes through the gate and it doesn’t shut right away.”

The first of the recent burglaries occurred around 3 p.m. on April 28 in the 100 block of North La Jolla Street. A burglar entered a garage and searched multiple shelves before he was seen on a security camera and the property owner confronted him using a speaker in the security system. The suspect fled before police arrived.

The second burglary occurred around 1 a.m. on May 17 in the 100 block of Swall Drive. A male suspect entered the lobby of an apartment building, gained access to a parking garage and stole a bicycle before fleeing.

Larkin cautioned residents to be aware of their surroundings and to never let someone that they don’t know into an apartment building lobby. Also, be aware of people following vehicles into parking garages, and keep all valuables out of sight inside parked vehicles, she said.

Heaton is white, 34-years-old, 5 feet 10 inches tall and approximately 160 pounds with blond hair and blue eyes. Anyone who sees Heaton or knows where he is should call 911, Larkin said. Anyone with general information on his whereabouts can call Wilshire Division burglary detectives at (213)473-0557.