Police Thank Helix Neighbors for Helping Capture Car Burglary Suspect

La Mesa police are cheering local residents who helped in the capture of a car-burglary suspect Friday morning. A victim and other witnesses gave updates on the suspect’s location and direction of travel.

Charged with vehicle burglary was Christopher Raul Prewitt, 25, of San Diego, who was booked into County Jail on $25,000 bail.

His arraignment is set for 8 a.m. Friday, June 22, at El Cajon Superior Court.

About 9:10 a.m., a resident in the 7400 block of Sturgess Avenue, east of Helix Charter High School, saw a man burglarizing his vehicle, police said.

“The victim realized his vehicle window had been broken and observed the suspect holding a screwdriver and stealing property from the vehicle,” said a press release. “The victim called La Mesa police as the suspect fled the scene on foot, jumping over fences and cutting through the back yards of residences.”

The victim followed the burglar from a safe distance and updated his location as officers responded. Other residents did the same, police say.

Officers arrived and detained the man at the intersection of Sturgess Avenue and Parks Avenue. The property taken from the victim’s vehicle was recovered and the suspect was arrested.

“The La Mesa Police Department appreciates the victim and witnesses coming forward and calling the police,” said the release. “This is a great example of neighbors watching out for each other and working in cooperation with the La Mesa Police Department.”