Crime & Safety

Deputies Arrest Alleged Vodka Bandit

The Los Angeles County District Attorney's office has filed five felony counts of burglary against the suspect, authorities said.

Crescenta Valley Sheriff's deputies arrested a man they believe has swiped several cases of vodka several times from the La Cañada Ralphs.

Ortiz Young, 45, from Los Angeles, was arrested Thursday on suspicion of burglary, Sgt. Debra Herman told Patch Tuesday. 

"He has a past criminal history of theft and an alcohol problem,'' she said, noting Young has been staying with friends in Altadena, although his address is listed in Los Angeles. 

Find out what's happening in La Cañada Flintridgewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Detectives received a tip last week that the suspect who is on video allegedly from last month and in July, was back in the store. 

An employee at Ralphs, 521 Foothill Blvd., reported to deputies on Aug. 2 that she found three empty vodka cases discarded near the liquor aisle. The store was twice burglarized in July, a crime report states, noting on both occasions vodka was removed from the cases, concealeed, and taken out of the store by the same man.

Find out what's happening in La Cañada Flintridgewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Herman said that the burglary case is not affiliated with empty vodka bottles found in an area near 


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