Alert neighbors help nab suspected thief

Darlene Heusser didn’t expect she would become part of the news when she walked outside of her home early on Dec. 12 to pick up the morning paper.

Heusser’s keen awareness, in conjunction with the quick actions of her neighbor, Jim McGlothen, assisted Lost Hills Sheriff’s deputies in apprehending a car thief near Patrick Henry Place in Agoura Hills.

While standing outside, Heusser noticed a man, a Caucasian clad in dark jeans and a dark jacket, who appeared to be acting strangely.

“It was just getting light when I noticed someone suspicious looking into Jim (McGlothen’s) truck,” said Heusser.

Heusser became more worried as she observed the figure peer into other cars along the street. A latemodel black Ford truck trailed the man not far behind. Heusser approached McGlothen, who was preparing to leave for a morning swim, and asked him to record the truck’s license plate.

McGlothen took down the license plate number and gave it to Heusser who in turn reported it to deputies at the Lost Hills Sheriff’s Station. To her astonishment, Heusser was contacted by the Lost Hills deputies 20 minutes later and asked to identify a suspect they had apprehended.

“My neighbors had notified me about items being stolen from cars and I’m just glad I was able to help prevent more crimes from taking place,” said Heusser.

Lost Hills deputies said neighborhood car break-ins are the number one crime against property in the area.

—Avi Rutschman