A blaring home alarm in Alhambra turned into a two-city police chase on Friday, ending with two arrests, a suspect hiding under a tree, and the discovery of a signal jammer, according to police.
In a Facebook update, the Alhambra Police Department said officers responding to the alarm watched a white Mercedes leave the area without its headlights on while another vehicle was later stopped by Monterey Park police. The post identifies the two arrested as Carlos Gaitan and Brandon Robertoroldan, who were booked into the Alhambra Police Department jail.
How Police Say the Arrest Unfolded
"Officers responded to a call regarding an audible alarm that was triggered," the department wrote in its Alhambra Police Department post.
According to that account, one of the vehicles involved drove into a cul-de-sac, where the driver bailed out and ran. After a short foot chase, and with help from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s Aero unit, officers found the suspect hiding under a tree.
Monterey Park officers stopped the other vehicle and, according to the same post, found the driver wearing a mask and gloves and discovered that the license plate on the car did not match the vehicle.
Signal Jammers and Public-Safety Risks
Investigators say they recovered a signal jammer at the scene. Federal authorities warn that such devices can interfere with Wi-Fi, GPS and cellular signals and can even prevent 9-1-1 calls from going through.
Federal resources also note that it is illegal to operate or market jamming equipment and that suspected jamming incidents should be reported. Guidance on reporting and risks is available through GPS.gov and other federal agencies.
What Residents Should Know
For homeowners, the incident is a reminder to make sure doorbell and security cameras are online and to keep local backups of footage when possible, since wireless devices can be disrupted by signal interference. Motion-activated lighting and hard-wired cameras can provide a useful backup if wireless signals are jammed.
Anyone with information about the case is asked to contact the Alhambra Police Department or submit a tip through the city’s police webpage, according to the Alhambra Police Department. Police did not immediately list charges in the Facebook update and say the investigation remains active.
