The Lake Havasu City Police Department has seen an increase in residential and commercial burglaries over the past few months. Multiple reports have been taken since approximately April 1, 2017. No specific area of town has been targeted and the burglaries have occurred in all areas of the city.
Officers of the Lake Havasu City Police Department along with the Criminal Investigations Unit and Street Crimes Unit have been actively patrolling neighborhoods, conducting extra patrols and following up on tips received from the community resulting in several arrests.
On August 8, 2017, at approximately 3:40 a.m., officers responded to the 2000 block of McCulloch Boulevard for a report of an audible alarm at a business. Upon arrival officers discovered broken glass and forced entry into the business. A display case was broken and items had been removed; however, no subject(s) were immediately located. After reviewing video surveillance in the area and following up with a witness, two suspects were able to be identified. Jacob R. Bawden, a 31-year-old Lake Havasu City resident was taken into custody later that same day around 4:00 p.m., and Michael J. Barnum, a 40-year-old Lake Havasu City resident was taken into custody around 9:40 p.m. Bawden and Barnum were each charged with burglary and possession of drug paraphernalia. Both subjects were held on a $10,000 bond during their initial appearance on August 9, 2017, and transferred to the custody of the Mohave County Sheriff’s Office.
On September 7, 2017, at approximately 3:00 a.m., officers contacted a subject for a traffic violation in the area of Huntington Drive and Avalon Avenue. Officers observed landscaping tools in the vehicle and recognized some of the items as having been reported stolen during a commercial burglary that occurred on September 4, 2017, in the 1500 block of Countryshire Avenue. The driver of the vehicle, 36-year-old Lake Havasu City resident Jim E. Wright was arrested and charged with possession of stolen property, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia and driving on a suspended license. Wright was held on a $1500 bond during his initial appearance and transferred to the custody of the Mohave County Sheriff’s Office.
On September 10, 2017, at approximately 3:30 a.m., officers responded to a business alarm in the English Village. The Street Crimes Unit was in the area conducting extra patrols and observed two subjects running from the business after hearing the alarm. The subjects were caught a short distance away. One of the subjects was found in possession of cash that was confirmed to have just been stolen from the business after forcing entry through a side door. Tyshon Scisum, an 18-year-old Lake Havasu City resident and Jayson Cranford, a 20-year-old Lake Havasu City resident were both arrested and charged with burglary and minor in possession of liquor. Scisum was additionally charged with possession of drug paraphernalia. Scisum and Cranford were held on a $10,000 bond and transferred to the custody of the Mohave County Sheriff’s Office.
On September 16, 2017, at approximately 7:30 a.m., officers responded to the 2700 block of Inca Drive for a report of a female subject going through vehicles in the area. Officers contacted the female, later identified as 23-year-old Lake Havasu City resident Tangerine J. Thomas inside of a vehicle that did not belong to her. Thomas was arrested and charged with three counts of burglary, possession of dangerous drugs and possession of drug paraphernalia. Thomas was held on a $40,000 bond and transferred to the custody of the Mohave County Sheriff’s Office.
On September 16, 2017, at approximately 7:50 a.m., 22-year-old Lake Havasu City resident Casey J. Street was arrested for shoplifting that occurred on September 9, 2017 in the 1800 block of McCulloch Boulevard. Officers recognized Street from prior contacts. Street was found in possession of a ring stolen from a residence he had previously been staying at in the 3100 block of Caravelle Drive. Street was also wanted for questioning for a residential burglary that occurred on September 6, 2017, in the 2300 block of Souchak Drive. As a result of the investigation and based on witness identification, Street was charged with the burglary on Souchak Drive. Street was additionally charged with two counts of theft and shoplifting. Street was held on a $65,000 bond during his initial appearance and transferred to the custody of the Mohave County Sheriff’s Office.
The Lake Havasu City Police Department continues to investigate these burglaries and actively patrol neighborhoods around town during day and night time hours. The police department strongly encourages residents to report any suspicious activity, people or vehicles in their neighborhoods. If something appears out of the normal routine for your neighbor, such as a suspicious vehicle in the driveway or unknown persons roaming around the neighborhood, please contact the police department.
Anonymous information can be called into Lake Havasu Silent Witness at 928-854-TIPS (8477). Silent Witness will pay a cash reward for information leading to the arrest of the suspect(s) involved. Citizens can utilize the police department’s anonymous text messaging tip service by texting LHCPD and your message to “CRIMES” or 274637. Tips can also be submitted anonymously through a web page based tip service at www.tipsoft.com or via the “TipSubmit” mobile application. Anyone using Android, Windows or Apple platforms can download the LHCPD App and submit a tip through the app as well.
Public Information Officer: Sergeant Tom Gray (928) 855-1171