West Covina Prowler Report a “Textbook Case” of How 911 Calls Help Police

A desperate 911 recording was released Wednesday depicting a woman who hid inside a bedroom with another woman, a teenage girl and two babies while an alleged intruder prowled through her West Covina home.

Police called the scenario that led to the capture of a suspected prowler a textbook example of how residents and police can work together.

Officers received two separate calls early Tuesday morning, both reporting break-ins from residents in the 900 block of West Lucille Avenue.

“Someone is in my house,” the woman, who does not want to be identified, told the 911 operator. “Please hurry. Someone’s in my house. Do you hear me?”

“Is he inside?” the operator asked.

“Yes. We’re locked inside our bedroom. Hurry,” the woman said.

The police were already on their way, answering a break-in call made by the woman’s neighbor at about 5:30 a.m.

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Police said the woman made the right choice when she suspected an intruder had crawled into her home through a window while she slept.

“When they dialed 911 the woman was smart enough to get her family, taking them out of harm's way, and then proceeding to give the information we needed,” said Cpl. Rudy Lopez of the West Covina Police Department.

Law enforcement also called the incident a textbook case of how a 911 call helps police.

“The first caller got the officers en route. And when the second call came in the officers were right around the corner,” Lopez said.

Alfredo Garcia, 29, of Baldwin Park, was arrested on suspicion of burglary and possession of methamphetamine. He is being held on $50,000 bail.

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