Arcadia Man Allegedly Part of Burglary Ring Targeting Residents on L.A. Times Vacation List

Sheriff’s detectives said an Arcadia resident and three others carried out a string of burglaries throughout the San Gabriel Valley, targeting residents who were on vacation and had directed The Los Angeles Times to hold delivery of their newspaper subscriptions while they were gone.

San Gabriel Valley investigators, including detectives from Arcadia PD, assisted in the investigation that led to the arrests of Duane Van Tuinen, 51, of Azusa; Randall Whitmore, 43, of La Verne; Joshua Box, 43, of Arcadia; and Edwin Valentine, 52, of Covina. According to Sheriff’s detectives, Van Tuinen obtained the vacation lists and passed them on to a group of thieves, including Whitmore, Box and Valentine.

Detectives said the thieves stole valuables from more than 25 residents in the San Gabriel Valley, including Diamond Bar, Walnut and Chino Hills, and share the profits with Van Tuinen.

Van Tuinen was an office machine repairman contracted by distributors of the Los Angeles Times.

Detectives believe once inside the businesses, Van Tuinen would steal the vacation lists.

The investigation led detectives to a West Covina storage locker Thursday where hundreds of pieces of stolen property were recovered.

“Although much of the stolen property has been returned to the rightful owners, we are still trying to locate additional victims”, said Detective Jack Jordan of the Major Crimes Bureau in a written statement.

Stolen property included collectible coins, musical instruments, collectible swords, computers and jewelry from the suspects’ homes, and cars.

Any residents who believe their property was stolen as part of this burglary ring can call LASD Detective Jack Jordan at 562-946-7893.