Crime & Safety

Crime Blotter: Bicycle Hit and Run, Property Crime, Fraud Investigations

A week in crime in Arcadia.

Crime blotter details provided by Arcadia Police Department

Sunday, August 11:

1. Just before 2:00 p.m., an officer responded to the Santa Anita Mall security office, 400 South Baldwin Avenue, in regards to a theft report. Unknown suspect(s) stole a purse from the family lounge. The victim set the purse on top of her stroller and looked away for a few seconds. No witnesses were located. 

2. Around 4:00 p.m., an officer was dispatched to the 300 block of West Lemon Avenue regarding a residential burglary report. Unknown suspect(s) entered the location through an unlocked door, ransacked the bedrooms, and stole mail and several bottles of wine. No evidence was left behind.

Monday, August 12:
3. At approximately 11:43 a.m., an officer responded to the Mobil gas station, 679 West Duarte Road, in regards to a fraud report. While an employee was inspecting a gas pump whose credit card reader was malfunctioning, he discovered a skimming device had been attached to the reading mechanism. No one knew who placed the device there or for how long, and no signs of forced entry were located. 

4. Around 5:44 p.m., an officer was dispatched to a traffic accident on Sunset Boulevard, north of Portola Drive. A bicyclist was struck by a vehicle that veered out of its lane. The victim was unable to retrieve a description of the driver as the person fled the scene without stopping. The suspect vehicle is described as a possible blue or grey Toyota Highlander. The victim was transported to Arcadia Methodist Hospital for treatment. 

Tuesday, August 13:
5. At about 2:30 p.m., an officer responded to the Arcadia Police Department front counter in regards to a battery report. The victim explained her boyfriend became upset and hit her in the face multiple times causing swelling, a one-inch laceration above her eye, and a swollen lip. At the time of the report, the victim was unsure of the suspect's location. Further investigation is being conducted by the Detective Bureau.

6. Around 2:15 p.m., an officer responded to a residence in the 100 block of West Las Flores Avenue in reference to a residential burglary report. The victim was lured outside of his home by two suspects who claimed to work for a tree trimming company. The suspects directed the victim to the backyard and explained a need to conduct measurements. As the distraction carried on, another unknown suspect(s) entered the residence and stole a large sum of cash from inside a bedroom. Shortly after, the suspects left the location. 
The suspects are described as Hispanic males, approximately 30-years-old, between 5 foot 4 inches to 5 feet 9 inches tall, 180 lbs., with black hair and brown eyes, wearing blue and orange helmets. 

Wednesday, August 14:
7. Just after midnight, an officer conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle for driving with no headlights on in the area of Foothill Boulevard and Santa Anita Avenue. Upon contact with the driver, the officer detected an odor of alcohol emitting from inside the vehicle. An investigation revealed the 28-year-old male driver was under the influence and a record check revealed he had an outstanding misdemeanor warrant issued by the Burbank Police Department. He was arrested and transported to the Arcadia City Jail for booking.  

8. Around 2:25 p.m., an officer responded to Walgreens, 253 East Foothill Boulevard, in reference to a theft report. An unknown Hispanic male concealed merchandise inside a used shopping bag and fled the location in a newer model PT Cruiser, which he had parked in front of the location. The suspect is described as approximately 20-years-old, 5 feet 8 inches tall, 170 lbs., with a mustache and beard, wearing a pink tank top, blue jeans, dark colored shoes, and glasses on his head.  

Thursday, August 15:  
9. At about 6:40 p.m., an officer responded to JCPenney at the Santa Anita Mall, 400 South Baldwin Avenue, in regards to a theft report. A 16-year-old Chinese male concealed merchandise while inside a fitting room and exited the store without making payment. An investigation revealed the suspect was a French citizen here on vacation without his parents. He was arrested, transported to the Arcadia City Jail for booking, and later released to a relative. 

10. At approximately 9:30 p.m., an officer was dispatched to Albertsons, 298 East Live Oak Avenue, in regards to a theft investigation. An employee noticed the store was completely out of men's and women's razors, crest white strips, and Oil of Olay products. Video surveillance revealed that on August 14th, two suspects concealed the merchandise inside their clothes and exited the store without making payment. Both suspects are described as males in their mid-twenties.  

Friday, August 16: 
11. Just after 6:35 a.m., an officer located a male subject with known warrants in the area of Myrtle Avenue and Brisbane Avenue. The subject was in possession of methamphetamine and a records check confirmed the warrants. The 33-year-old White male was arrested and transported to the Arcadia City Jail for booking. 

12. At about 3:20 p.m., an officer was dispatched to the Arcadia Police Department front counter in regards to a fraud report. The elderly victim's power of attorney discovered a large sum of money missing from her bank account. The victim had recently written three checks, for approximately $38,000 total, to an air conditioning company called "Outdoor Air Quality." However, the victim could not recall writing the checks and did not know if any work was performed on her air conditioning unit. 
An investigation revealed two males had come to the victim's house to work on her air conditioning; however, they were not from the company that installed the unit. The officer was unable to find any business information for the listed company. Further investigation is being conducted by the Fraud Investigations Unit.  

Saturday, August 17:
13. Just after 2:20 a.m., an officer was dispatched to a residence in the 300 block of Chelsea Drive in reference to a request for report documentation. A father heard whispering coming from his 16-year-old daughter's bedroom and discovered she was talking to a male subject whom she had allowed inside. The father advised he had never met the subject who was not welcome inside his house. Upon request, the officer advised the 18-year-old subject that if he returned he would be arrested for trespassing. The subject stated he understood and left the location. 

14. At approximately 8:30 p.m., an officer conducted a traffic stop on a bicyclist on the northwest corner of Fairview Avenue and Hungate Lane for riding with no lights on. An investigation revealed the subject was in possession of drug paraphernalia and had an outstanding misdemeanor warrant. The 31-year-old Hispanic male was arrested and transported to the Arcadia City Jail for booking.


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