Police have target in panty burglaries
Lori Consalvo, Staff Writer
Article Created: 09/02/2008 09:51:53 PM PDT


ONTARIO - Police said they are one step closer to catching a panty burglar who plagued residents of the Casitas Apartments during the past year.
Hugo Nunez Ramirez is wanted as a "person of interest" by the Police Department in connection with the 38 reported underwear burglaries at the complex at 1900 S. Campus Ave. since May 2007, said Officer Anthony Ortiz.

Officials believe Ramirez lived at the Casitas Apartments at one time but has since fled.

The 24-year-old man is a self-proclaimed 18th Street gang member and has several gang tattoos, Ortiz said. Ramirez has the word "Hugo" on his right arm, a faded "18" on his left arm and an "LA" on his right hand. He is not considered armed or dangerous, Ortiz said.

In addition to the underwear inquiries, Ortiz said Ramirez has an unrelated $25,000 narcotics warrant for his arrest.

On Aug. 19, police officers and Explorer Scouts went door to door, contacting residents of the 250 units. They were trying to get as much information as possible about the burglar who was entering through locked and unlocked windows late at night, sometimes when the residents were home.

The burglar stole women's underwear and a small amount of jewelry.

The interviews led police to believe Ramirez should be questioned about the thefts, Ortiz said.

Since the canvassing, there have been no reported burglaries.

"It has been very quiet since then," Ortiz said.

Ortiz said however, that they would like to find and catch the thief before something more serious happens.
Anyone with information about Ramirez or the burglaries should contact detectives Mark Ortiz or Gary Naranjo at (909) 395-2965 or (866) 459-1508.



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