Crime Blotter: A Look at Local Police Activity in Arcadia

Crime information provided by the Arcadia Police Department

For the period of Sunday, October 6, through Saturday, October 12, the Police Department responded to 876 calls for service of which 123 required formal investigations. The following is a summary report of the major incidents handled by the Department during this period.

Sunday, October 6
Around 12:26 a.m., an officer conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle in the area of Las Tunas Drive and Longley Way for driving on two flat tires. Upon contact with the driver, the officer detected an odor of alcohol emitting from his breath and person. An investigation revealed the 34-year-old Hispanic male was under the influence of an alcoholic beverage. He was arrested, transported to the Arcadia City Jail for booking, and his vehicle was towed.

Shortly after 4:30 a.m., an officer responded to the Mobil gas station, 679 West Duarte Road, regarding a subject sleeping in the driver’s seat of a vehicle. An investigation revealed the 31-year-old White male was under the influence of methamphetamine and had no idea he was asleep for over three hours. He was arrested and transported to the Arcadia City Jail for booking.

Monday, October 7
At about 8:57 a.m., an officer conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle for a broken tail light on Campus Drive, west of Park Avenue. The driver, a 37-year-old Hispanic male, was in possession of a stolen wallet including multiple identification cards. A records check revealed he had a suspended driver license and an immigration hold. He was arrested and transported to the Arcadia City Jail for booking. The passenger, a 40-year-old Hispanic female identified as the registered owner, was also arrested for allowing the suspect to drive the vehicle unlicensed.

Around 3:50 p.m., officers responded to a residence in the 100 block of West Palm Drive regarding a possible burglary that just occurred. An assisting officer observed two subjects matching the suspects’ descriptions running in the 300 block of Las Flores Avenue. After a short foot pursuit, the suspects were detained in the 300 block of West Longden Avenue. An investigation revealed the 25 and 36-year-old Hispanic males forced entry into the residence, stole numerous items of property, and were in possession of a controlled substance, drug paraphernalia, and burglary tools. Both suspects were arrested and transported to the Arcadia City Jail for booking.

Tuesday, October 8
Shortly after 2:40 a.m., an officer conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle for a broken tail light in the area of Huntington Drive and Holly Avenue. The officer discovered the front passenger, a 45-year-old Black male, was in possession of PCP, drug paraphernalia, and had an outstanding misdemeanor warrant. He was arrested and transported to the Arcadia City Jail for booking. The rear passenger, a 58-year-old Black male, was also cited in the field for an outstanding misdemeanor warrant without incident.

At approximately 9:02 p.m., an officer was dispatched to Victoria’s Secret at the Santa Anita Mall, 400 South Baldwin Avenue, in reference to a theft report. Two suspects concealed merchandise inside their purses and exited the store without making payment. Further investigation revealed the suspects also stole from Pac Sun and Wet Seal. The 18 and 19-year-old Black females were arrested and transported to the Arcadia City Jail for booking.

Wednesday, October 9
Around 3:33 p.m., an officer responded to the parking lot of Albertson’s, 298 East Live Oak Avenue, in regards to a hit and run traffic collision. The victim and her two children were sitting inside their parked vehicle when male subject reversed his vehicle into their front bumper. While the victim attempted to take a picture of the suspect’s license plate with her cell phone, the suspect became upset and took the victim’s cell phone from her hands. With the help of bystanders, the victim was able to retrieve her cell phone from the suspect before he fled the location. A short time later, the 49-year-old Black male suspect returned to the location where he was arrested for robbery and transported to the Arcadia City Jail for booking.

At approximately 5:32 p.m., an officer was dispatched to Nordstrom at the Santa Anita Mall, 400 South Baldwin Avenue, in regards to a theft investigation. A loss prevention officer discovered an employee stole approximately $6,600 in cash while working the sales register over a five month period. The 27-year-old Asian female was arrested and transported to the Arcadia City Jail for booking.

Thursday, October 10
At about 10:56 a.m., an officer responded to Abercrombie and Fitch at the Santa Anita Mall, 400 South Baldwin Avenue, in regards to a theft report. Video surveillance revealed two suspects, recognized as members of an organized retail theft crew, concealed merchandise inside their clothing and exited the store without making payment. The suspects are known to wear clothing modified to operate as booster bags. The suspects are described as Hispanic males in their early to mid-40s.

Around 11:14 p.m., an officer was dispatched to a residence in the 500 block of East Live Oak Avenue regarding a burglary investigation. Unknown suspect(s) forced entry through a kitchen window, ransacked the location, and fled with a laptop computer and Chinese currency. Fingerprints and a piece of skin that was detected on a sharp piece of glass are being examined for DNA. No witnesses were located.

Friday, October 11
Just before 8:40 a.m., an officer responded to a residence in the 200 block of East Laurel Avenue regarding a residential burglary that just occurred. The victim heard a loud noise while lying in bed and then observed an unknown male standing in her doorway. The suspect immediately closed the door and the victim climbed through a window to call police using her cell phone. An area check was conducted for the suspect, but he was not located. It appeared the suspect forced entry through a bedroom window; however, no property was reported missing. The suspect is described as Hispanic, approximately 40 to 50 years old, short stature, wearing a white t-shirt and dark colored pants.

At about 4:24 p.m., two vehicles collided in the intersection of Sunset Boulevard and Portola Drive. The officer determined one of the drivers caused the collision because she failed to yield to oncoming traffic. No injuries were reported.

Saturday, October 12
Just after 2:00 a.m., an officer conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle in the area of Baldwin Avenue and Huntington Drive for lane swerving and failing to obey a stop sign. The officer discovered the 32-year-old Hispanic male driver was under the influence of an alcoholic beverage with a blood alcohol content greater than 0.08 percent. The 43-year-old Hispanic male passenger was also determined to be under the influence and unable to care for himself. Both suspects were arrested and transported to the Arcadia City Jail for booking.

Around 6:51 p.m., an officer responded to Sephora at the Santa Anita Mall, 400 South Baldwin Avenue, regarding a theft report. A female suspect concealed merchandise inside her purse and exited the store without making payment. A search of her purse revealed she was in possession of a controlled substance. The 18-year-old Asian female was arrested and transported to the Arcadia City Jail for booking.