4 men arrested in connection to series of Los Angeles County knock-knock burglaries

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- Four men, who all have significant criminal histories, were arrested on suspicion of conducting a series of knock-knock burglaries all over Los Angeles County.

Authorities said around 12:35 p.m. Monday, detectives with the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department from several units saw four suspects commit a residential burglary in the Brentwood area. Detectives saw the suspects in a maroon Kia Optima, driving slowly through neighborhoods in West Los Angeles and Brentwood.

The suspects' Kia was found parked in the 500 block of Hanley Avenue in front of several homes, authorities said. Then they saw three suspects run out of a yard and into the Kia. Not long after, detectives were able to confirm a burglary had occurred as the Kia drove out of the neighborhood.

As the suspects left the area, the detectives and deputies coordinated with Los Angeles police in the area to do a traffic stop. When LAPD units were getting close, the suspect vehicle was stopped at Kenter Avenue near Tigertail Road.

The driver in the Kia then accelerated directly into an LAPD vehicle. Detectives, LAPD officers and a Simi Valley police detective were able to detain all four suspects.

Authorities said stolen property and cash were removed from the suspects' possession as well as from inside the vehicle. The recovered property was confirmed to be stolen from the home the suspects were seen fleeing from, authorities said.

All four suspects were arrested and booked at the L.A. County Sheriff's Department's West Hollywood station.

Authorities said the suspects and vehicle were subjects of an ongoing residential burglaries investigation, and they believe the group is likely connected to a series of knock-knock burglaries around the county.

Jawon Buford, 19, of Carson; Arron Molina, 22, of Los Angeles; Kenneth Osteen, 25, of Compton; and Kristopher Pollard, 22, of Los Angeles, were all booked on suspicion of residential burglary and held in lieu of $1 million bail.

In addition to the residential burglary charges for each suspect, authorities said Osteen was also arrested on suspicion of assault on a peace officer.

Prior to the arrest, each suspect had a lengthy criminal history, authorities said, which included previous residential burglaries, weapons violations and felony convictions.

Authorities also said Buford and Molina are documented South Los Angeles gang members.

The investigation is ongoing.