Woman in string of Long Beach thefts caught on camera, police say

LONG BEACH, Calif. (KABC) -- A brazen thief was caught on camera stealing from a Long Beach couple's car, and with the help of an app, neighbors have been able to link her to several thefts.

Celeste and Malik Jones were one of several victims targeted on Sept. 4 along Monogram Avenue, as officials said the thief hit locked cars by apparently using an illegal remote.

"It's very scary especially waking up in the morning and seeing everything has been gone through, we felt really violated," Celeste Jones said.

"I think she's the most brazen thief I've ever seen," Malik Jones said. "To be in someone's driveway, right by their window for an hour and a half, and going next door and taking anything you want, golf clubs, and going back and forth to the car, it's amazing."

The Jones quickly learned they weren't the only victims after they used the Next Door app. The app helps to connect neighbors, and the Long Beach community found video and pictures of the same female suspect hitting house after house.

"I just saw so many posts from different neighbors and I just felt like she was victimizing our whole neighborhood," Celeste Jones said. "This is a really great community, everyone's really friendly and it just felt like we were all being taking advantage of."

In one video, police said the thief was spotted stealing decorations and in another she was grabbing flower pots.

Long Beach police said they were aware of two reported incidents in the area, but needed more victims to come forward.

The Jones said based on what they've seen online, the suspect has been committing crimes from Long Beach to Orange County.

"I'm hoping people will come forward and share the evidence that they have. I've seen a lot of it on Next Door. Send it to the police so they can build a case and catch her because she's not going to stop," Celeste Jones said.

If you have any information that could aid detectives in their investigation, you were urged to call the Long Beach Police Department at (562) 570-7260.