Police Arrest Suspected Cat Burglar who Targeted Seniors

Originally posted at 9:45 a.m. May 21, 2014. Edited with new details.

Manhattan Beach police officers believe they have in custody today a prolific cat burglar.

On Monday morning, officers arrested Gaspar Junior Avendano, 39, of Lennox, at the Belamar Hotel, where he was found sleeping in a cabana.

Avendano allegedly had in his possession several items stolen from two residences and a commercial building, according to a Manhattan Beach Police Department press release.

Two residential burglaries were reported that night at the Manhattan Senior Villas, 1300 Park View Ave. Officials allege Avendano entered two apartments through unlocked or open doors and took the victims’ property while they slept.

In addition, police believe the suspect also broke into the Senior Villas management office and stole electronics, cash, personal identification and other items.

Avendano’s bail is set at $50,000, and he is scheduled to appear at South Bay Court in Torrance today.

Jail records show Avendano also was locked up between April 20 and May 6, after being arrested by El Segundo police on suspicion of an unspecified felony, for which he was placed on probation. Records also show an October 2010 arrest by sheriff's deputies in Lennox for another unspecified felony, for which he served 180 days in jail.

--City News Service contributed to this report.