A sweep of massage parlors by the Sheriff’s Department’s Major Crimes Bureau led to two arrests for prostitution this week, as well as five citations for those businesses, in the wrap-up for the week in crime.

Deputies also made a quick arrest in the case of a Newhall man who’s now facing assault charges for breaking into a Canyon Country home.

Linda Ditrich, of Stevenson Ranch, was arrested on a prostitution charge at Aqua Pearl Day Spa at the 31800 block of Castaic Road.  

Lihua Liu, of San Gabriel, was arrested on a prostitution charge at Oriental Massage, which is on the 18500 block of Soledad Canyon Road.

The businesses involved faced a maximum fine of $50,000 each.

In an unrelated case, Robert Pena, of Newhall, pleaded not guilty to charges related to a break-in and assault in Canyon Country on Monday at Los Angeles Superior Court in San Fernando.

He is currently being held on $260,000 bail. He’s due back in court April 3 in Department S in San Fernando.

Click here for the massage parlor story. Click here for the Canyon Country assault story.

Below are reports from the different Sheriff zone’s throughout the Santa Clarita Valley.

The Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station divides its coverage into five zones for the Nixle reports, which are snapshots of crime in the city. They are listed below alphabetical order.

Here’s a summary of incidents that took place in the last week in Santa Clarita. There’s currently four of the five zones reported. Keep checking back for an update:

Canyon Country East
This week in Canyon Country East we had 9 Part-1 crimes. 

Of those crimes, there were; 1 attempt rape, 2 assaults, 1 residential burglary, 3 larcenies, 1 vehicle burglary and 1 stolen vehicle. 

An attempt rape occurred in the 18000 block of Saratoga Way. As the victim was entering the breeze way leading to the condominium the suspect attacked her and forced her to the ground. The victim fought back and was able to call for help. The suspect ran from the area and forced his way into a nearby residence. The suspect was arrested and taken into custody. Click here for further – https://local.nixle.com/alert/4965565/ 

An assault occurred in the 29300 block of Spencer Drive. The suspect and victim were involved in a altercation. During the altercation the suspect strangled the victim and began to hit her. The suspect was arrested and taken into custody. 

An assault occurred in the 27300 block of Sara Street. The victim claims her mother threw her to the ground and began hitting her. 

A residential burglary occurred in the 18000 block of Sundowner Way. Entrance was made through the side garage door. Personal items were stolen from an unlocked vehicle. A larceny occurred in the 29000 block of Abelia Road. Construction equipment was stolen from the rear yard. A theft from an unlocked vehicle occurred in the 16500 block of Soledad Canyon Rd. Personal items we stolen. Two suspects were arrested after they stole bicycles from a residence in the 28500 block of Sand Canyon. 

A vehicle burglary occurred in Jakes Way and Sandy Drive. The window was smashed and personal items were stolen. 

A 1996 Honda Accord was stolen in the 27500 block of Sierra Highway. 

There were 10 arrest made by proactive deputies for various narcotics violations, assaults and thefts. 

We have seen an increase of residential burglaries throughout Santa Clarita. In most instances entrance is being made through an unlocked side garage door or unlocked or open garage door. – See more here.

Canyon Country West
This past week in Zone 7, the following Part-1 Crimes occurred: 

(2) Aggravated Assaults, (1) Robbery, (2) Residential Burglaries, (2) Commercial Burglaries, (7) Vehicle Burglaries, (1) Theft from an Unlocked Vehicle, (3) Grand Thefts and (4) Petty Thefts. 

On Friday, 02/24/2013, an aggravated assault occurred near the 27500 block of Bernina Avenue. Roommates were engaged in an altercation that became physical. The suspect punched and slammed the victim’s head into several walls. The suspect was arrested yesterday, 02/27/2013, by deputies from the Crime Impact Team. 

A robbery occurred near the 27500 block of Whites Canyon Road on Sunday, 02/24/2013, at approximately 3:30 p.m. The victim was approached by three Hispanic male gang members who produced a firearm and demanded all of his property. The victim complied and the suspects fled shortly after. Later that same day a follow up investigation by proactive deputies led to the arrest of the primary suspect. Gang enhancements and the use of a firearm in the commission of a crime will land this suspect behind bars for a considerable amount of time if convicted. 

A residential burglary occurred near the 27800 block of Camp Plenty Road. An unknown suspect took tools from the victim’s open garage. 

On Wednesday, 02/20/2013, a commercial burglary occurred near the 26900 block of Rainbow Glen Drive. Deputies were in the area looking for a domestic violence suspect (who happened to be the same suspect in this incident) when they observed the suspect exiting the location through the shattered glass door, carrying a computer. When the suspect saw the deputies, he immediately took off running. After a foot pursuit and substantial containment, the suspect was located by responding deputies. The suspect fled to the roof of a nearby house and was arrested by deputies. 

On Wednesday, 02/20/2013, six vehicle burglaries occurred from two separate fitness center parking lots. Three incidents occurred at the LA Fitness located at 26455 Golden Valley Road and three occurred at the Fitness Compound located at 18655 Soledad Canyon Road. All six incidents occurred between the hours of 6:30 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. and all involved purses being left in the vehicle in plain view. 

must reiterate the fact that it is important to remember not leave your personal items out in the open when parking your vehicle ANYWHERE. It is an invitation for criminals to invade your personal space. Please do not make it easy for these guys. I encourage you to advise family and friends to do so, as well.

Newhall
This week Newhall (Zone 6) saw five reported Part-1 crimes. Newhall (Zone 6) has had approximately 15% fewer crimes reported this year, then this same period last year. This is due in part to informed, proactive citizens who are partnering to prevent crime by contacting the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station whenever they see something suspicious. 

I received another report this week of a stolen money order from an apartment rent drop box. Please try and take extra time to hand deliver your next rent payment to your leasing office if you live in an apartment complex (ref -02369). 

A petty theft was reported from the library located on the 24500 block of Main Street. This incident occurred on Wednesday, 02/20/2013, between 8:00 a.m. and 9:20 a.m. The victim reported she placed her IPod and her purse on a desk inside the location. When the victim returned to the desk her wallet was missing from the purse along with the IPod. (ref -02410). 

A domestic violence incident was reported on Thursday, 02/21/13 at approximately 11:50pm. A male suspect was later arrested. (ref -02587). 

On Monday, 02/18/2013 at approximately 11:30 a.m., deputies contacted Emigdio Sedas-Hernandez, a 56 year-old male, outside of a business located on the 22500 block of 14th Street. Emigdio was found lying under a bush in the parking lot with an empty bottle of tequila next to him. Emigdio was placed under arrest for public intoxication (ref -02310). 

A proactive deputy conducted a traffic stop in the area of Newhall Avenue and Valle Del Oro on Monday, 02/18/13 at approximately 10:00 p.m. After an investigation, the female passenger in the vehicle was arrested for possession of a controlled substance and also for possession of methamphetamine (ref – 02332). – See more at: https://local.nixle.com/alert/4966081/#sthash.bcgO8Y4b.dpuf

Saugus
Crime is down to just three reported Part-1 crimes this week. There was a commercial burglary from a business in the 28400 block of Haskell Canyon Road on Monday, 02/18/13. The suspect entered the business to pass a forged prescription. After a good follow up investigation by the handling deputy he was able to track down the suspect who was attempting to leave his residence. The suspect was ultimately arrested without incident. 

There was a grand theft from the 21900 block of Scallion Drive between 01/15/13 and 02/21/13. The victim stated she had jewelry taken from her residence. She believes that someone who has access to the residence is the person responsible for the theft. Detectives are following up on this case. 

There was a grand theft from the 22400 block of Flatwater Court on Wednesday, 02/20/13. Suspects stole miscellaneous lawn mowing equipment from in front of the location. Detectives are actively working the case. 

With the help of hard working, proactive deputies, crime is down in Saugus. Detectives are working hard at getting criminals sentenced to the most amount of time possible. If you see any suspicious activity in your area please contact the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station at 661-255-1121.

Do you have a news tip? Call us at (661) 298-1220, Or drop us a line at community@hometownstation.com