Wallet Thief Strikes Westfield Mall

For the period of March 20 through March 26, the responded to 845 calls for service of which 139 required formal investigations.  The following is a summary report of the major incidents handled by the Department during this period.

Sunday, March 20

Between 8:00 a.m. and 8:21 a.m., a residential burglary and grand theft auto occurred in the 900 block of Derek.  Unknown suspects entered an open garage, took car keys that were placed on a hook in the garage, and stole an Acura and Lexus.  The Acura was recovered on March 22 in El Monte, and the Lexus was recovered in Baldwin Park on March 26.

A traffic stop was initiated around 3:50 a.m. at Santa Anita and 210 Freeway for an equipment violation and for swerving between lanes of traffic.  A 25-year-old male driver was arrested for DUI.

Monday, March 21

A vehicle theft occurred in the 2400 block of South Sixth between 7:05 a.m. and 7:17 a.m.  An unattended Mercedes was left running to warm up in the driveway when it was stolen.

Shortly after 6:00 p.m., units responded to the 2300 block of Greenfield regarding a man and woman jumping over a fence to enter a residential construction site.  Upon arrival, officers found a 24-year-old female in the passenger seat of a vehicle, and a 32-year-old male was seen exiting the house.  Stolen property was found in their vehicle, and the woman also had methamphetamine and a glass-smoking pipe in her possession.  The female suspect was arrested for commercial burglary, receiving stolen property, possession of a controlled substance, and possession of drug paraphernalia; the male suspect was arrested for commercial burglary, receiving stolen property, and felony parole violation.

Tuesday, March 22

Around 2:28 a.m., officers were dispatched to the 100 block of North Alta Vista regarding a robbery that occurred at Foothill and Santa Anita.  The victim claimed that while he was walking, two male suspects approached and demanded money and property.  One suspect, armed with a knife, even lunged at the victim resulting in a cut to his hand.  Fearing for his safety, the victim gave them his wallet.

Units were sent to , 9952 Las Tunas, around 7:28 p.m. in reference to theft that just occurred.  Three female juvenile suspects entered the store and selected merchandise.  One suspect left the store with stolen property and when she was confronted by a store employee, she handed over two of the items and then fled on foot.  A 15-year-old also left the store with over $90 in stolen merchandise.  When she was confronted, she said that she was not going to pay for the items and then used her fist to punch the employee in the abdomen.  A private person’s arrest was made, and she was taken into custody for robbery, commercial burglary, and petty theft.  She was later cited and released to her mother.

Wednesday, March 23

A grand theft occurred at located at between 7:30 p.m. and 7:45 p.m.  Two female suspects worked in concert to steal about $2,500 in merchandise. 

Around 9:44 p.m., units responded to regarding a theft that occurred between 4:20 p.m. and 4:26 p.m. at .  The victim left her wallet at the store, and she later checked her bank accounts online and discovered eight unauthorized transactions on her credit and debit cards.  She went back to Fashion Town to review their surveillance video and saw a female suspect, 30-40 years of age, heavyset, blonde curly hair, take her wallet.

Thursday, March 24

While patrolling the parking lot, 225 Colorado, at 9:44 a.m., an automated license plate reader alerted officers to a stolen Volkswagen Jetta parked at the location.  A surveillance of the vehicle was made, and a man and woman entered the vehicle and drove away from the scene.  A felony traffic stop was conducted at Colorado and Baldwin, and a 24-year-old male driver and a 20-year-old female passenger were taken into custody for vehicle theft.

Between 8:10 a.m. and 8:00 p.m., a residential burglary occurred in the 1700 block of Orangewood.  Unknown suspect(s) pried open a backdoor to gain entrance into the residence.  Once inside, the suspect(s) ransacked rooms, forced open two safes, and stole a large amount of gold/silver coins and a Rolex watch.

Friday, March 25

Shortly after 2:00 p.m., officers conducted a traffic stop at First and Bonita for a code violation.  Four male occupants were contacted and investigation revealed that they may have been involved in an auto burglary that just occurred in the 400 block of California.  Mail and checks belonging to other individuals, stereo equipment, a laptop computer, and other property were found in the vehicle.  Two males, ages 23 and 26, and a 20-year-old male were arrested for auto burglary and receiving stolen property.  A 36-year-old was arrested for the same charges, along with possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

A residential burglary occurred in the 200 block of San Luis Rey between noon and 1:45 p.m.  Unknown suspect(s) removed a window screen and then slid open a window to enter the house.  The suspect(s) ransacked rooms and stole a laptop computer and a safe.

Saturday, March 26

Shortly after 2:30 a.m., a traffic stop for an equipment violation was initiated at Live Oak and Fourth.  Officers detected the odor of an alcoholic beverage emitting from the vehicle.  An open bottle of rum was found on the passenger side floorboard and numerous empty beer bottles littered the rear floorboard.  A field sobriety test was conducted and it was determined that the 19-year-old male driver was operating the vehicle while intoxicated.  He was arrested for DUI and minor driving under the influence.

Units responded to located at around 4:35 p.m. in reference to two female juveniles detained for theft.  The girls, ages 13 and 14, selected 10 items, removed the sales tags, placed them in a shopping bag that they had brought with them, and then left the store without making payment.  A private person’s arrest was made, and the girls were taken into custody for petty theft.  They were later cited and released to their mothers.