Arcadia Business Burglary: 2 Arrested After Bait Package Alert on Peck Road
Updated: 3 days ago
Two El Monte men were arrested on October 22, 2026, after police say they broke into a business in the 5500 block of North Peck Road in Arcadia. A bait package planted at the business alerted officers, and the suspects were found hiding on the property, according to the Arcadia Police Department as reported by SGV CityWatch on October 26, 2026.
This post covers what happened, what it tells Arcadia business owners about after-hours burglary, and simple steps you can take this week to make your property a harder target.
What happened in the Arcadia Peck Road burglary?
Here are the facts as reported by SGV CityWatch, based on information from the Arcadia Police Department:
When: Thursday, October 22, 2026, at about 10:47 p.m.
Where: A business in the 5500 block of North Peck Road in Arcadia.
How police were alerted: A bait package that had been planted at the business.
What officers found: Signs of forced entry into the business.
The search: A Pasadena Police helicopter located two suspects hiding on the property. Officers set up a perimeter, and Arcadia Police and Covina Police K9 units helped with the search.
The arrests: Both suspects surrendered and were detained without incident. Both are El Monte men, ages 42 and 27.
Next step: Both were expected to appear in Pasadena Superior Court on Tuesday, October 27.
As with any arrest, the people arrested are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
Source: "Burglary Suspects Nabbed with Help from Bait Package in Arcadia," SGV CityWatch, October 26, 2026.
Why do burglars target businesses late at night?
The timing of this case is typical of commercial burglary. Late evening and overnight hours are when most businesses are closed, staff have gone home, and fewer people are around to notice a broken lock or someone walking the back of a building.
Industrial and commercial corridors like Peck Road can be quiet after hours. Long walls, loading areas, back lots and side yards give a person room to work without being seen from the street. That does not mean any one area is unsafe. It means that the hours after closing are when a property depends most on its locks, lighting, alarms and any patrols it has in place.
What worked in this case?
A few things stand out from the report, and they are useful for any owner to think about:
An early alert. The bait package let police know something was wrong while the suspects were still on site. Fast awareness is what gives police a real chance to make an arrest.
Teamwork between agencies. Arcadia officers, a Pasadena Police helicopter and K9 units from Arcadia and Covina all played a part.
A clear perimeter. Once officers knew the suspects were on the property, containing the area made it much harder for anyone to slip away.
The takeaway for owners: the sooner someone knows about a break-in, the better the outcome usually is. Your job is to make sure your property sends that signal quickly and to the right people.
How can Arcadia business owners prevent a commercial burglary?
You do not need to turn your building into a fortress. Most commercial burglaries can be made harder with a handful of basic steps.
Start with a walk-around after dark
Walk your property at night, the same way a burglar would see it. Look for dark corners, broken lights, unlocked gates, roof access points, ladders left out, and doors that are hidden from the street. Write down what you find and fix the easy items first.
Light the places people avoid
Bright, even lighting at doors, loading docks and parking areas removes hiding spots. Motion lights on side and back walls are an inexpensive upgrade.
Harden the doors you rarely use
Back doors, roll-up doors and side entrances are common entry points. Check for solid frames, quality deadbolts, and padlocks rated for outdoor use. Ask your locksmith about door reinforcement plates.
Make your alarm count
An alarm only helps if someone acts on it. Test your system, update your call list, and make sure the right people get notified. Many owners pair their alarm with an alarm response service so a trained officer can check the property. We explain how that works in our post on adding an alarm response company to your alarm service.
Keep valuables out of sight
Move cash, tools and high-value inventory away from windows and doors. Post signs that say no cash is kept on site, if that is true for your business.
Add visible security patrols
Random patrol checks after closing show that someone is paying attention to the property. A marked vehicle and an officer checking doors, gates and the back lot can help deter people looking for an easy target, and patrol officers can document and report anything unusual. Overnight patrols are available in many areas, so contact us to confirm coverage for your address.
Should I hire a security guard or a mobile patrol in Arcadia?
It depends on your property and your risk.
Mobile patrol works well for many small and mid-size businesses. An officer visits at random times during the night, checks the building, and writes a report.
On-site security guards make sense for larger properties, sites with high-value inventory, or places that have already had repeat break-ins. A guard stays on the property for the full shift.
Armed guards are available for higher-risk sites. We help you decide whether armed or unarmed coverage is the right fit.
SGV Patrol has served the San Gabriel Valley since 2012 and has active clients in Arcadia. You can learn more about our local services on our Arcadia security guard services page.
What should I do if my business is broken into?
If you arrive and see signs of a break-in, stay safe first:
Do not go inside. The person may still be there.
Call 911 from a safe spot.
Do not touch doors, windows or items that may hold evidence.
Take photos from outside once police say it is okay.
Make a list of missing items and pull your camera footage.
Contact your insurance company and fix the entry point the same day.
After the police report is filed, review how the person got in and what would have alerted you sooner.
Frequently asked questions
Is Arcadia seeing more business burglaries?
This post covers one reported case. We do not have citywide numbers to share here. For local crime data, check with the Arcadia Police Department directly.
What is a bait package?
In general terms, it is an item placed by police or a business to alert authorities when it is moved or taken. In this case, the report says a bait package planted at the business alerted police to the suspects.
Does a security patrol replace my alarm system?
No. They work best together. Your alarm detects a problem, and a patrol or guard adds human eyes on the property.
Is SGV Patrol licensed in California?
Yes. SGV Patrol is Licensed, BSIS PPO #17353.
Talk to SGV Patrol about protecting your Arcadia business
If this case has you thinking about your own property, we are happy to walk your site with you and suggest practical steps. Call SGV Patrol at (626) 727-1592. Calls are answered 24/7.
About the author
Samantha Stephens writes for SGV Security Brief, the blog of SGV Patrol. SGV Patrol is Licensed, BSIS PPO #17353, and has served the San Gabriel Valley since 2012. You can verify the company license on the California DCA license search. Call (626) 727-1592 for a security assessment. Calls answered 24/7.
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