Crime Blotter: A Look at Local Police Activity

For the period of Sunday, September 29th, through Saturday, October 5th, the Police Department responded to 946 calls for service of which 120 required formal investigations. The following is a summary report of the major incidents handled by the Department during this period.

Sunday, September 29:

Around 5:20 p.m., an officer responded to Sephora at the Santa Anita Mall, 400 South Baldwin Avenue, in regards to a theft report. An adult suspect concealed merchandise inside her purse and exited the store without making payment. The 22-year-old Korean female was arrested and transported to the Arcadia City Jail for booking.

Just after 11:10 p.m., an officer located a suspicious vehicle with one occupant parked on Goldring Road, east of Peck Road. A vehicle search revealed the driver was in possession of marijuana and cocaine. The 43-year-old Hispanic male was arrested and transported to the Arcadia City Jail for booking.

Monday, September 30:

At about 1:36 a.m., an officer conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle for making an illegal turn on First Avenue near Huntington Drive. Upon contact with the driver, the officer detected an odor of alcohol emitting from his breath and person. An investigation revealed the driver was under the influence with a blood alcohol level greater than 0.08 percent. The 43-year-old Black male was arrested and transported to the Arcadia City Jail for booking.

Around 5:40 p.m., an officer responded to the Arcadia Police Department front counter regarding a theft report. The victim explained her Louis Vuitton purse was stolen while she was eating at the food court at the Santa Anita Mall, 400 South Baldwin Avenue. She placed her purse on the chair next to her and noticed it missing a few minutes later. She had no idea who took her property.

Tuesday, October 1:

Shortly before 3:00 p.m., officers responded to a residence in the 2200 block of South Eighth Avenue regarding a burglary report. Two unknown suspects forced entry through a rear bedroom window, ransacked the location, and fled with property. Video surveillance showed the suspects leaving with bags in their hands and possibly a police scanner or radio for communication. Suspect-1 is described as a Black male, approximately 18-years-old, 5’7” tall, 150 lbs., thin build with black hair and brown eyes, wearing a blue jean jacket, white baseball cap, white shirt, and white pants. Suspect-2 is described as a Black male, approximately 18-years-old, 5’11” tall, 200 lbs., heavy set with black hair and brown eyes, wearing a grey hooded sweater, white and green striped shirt, blue jeans, and socks gloved over his hands. Officers conducted an area check, but the suspects were not located.

At approximately 11:14 p.m., officers were dispatched to a residence in the 1400 block of San Carlos Road in reference to a burglary in progress. A neighbor heard the location’s alarm sounding and saw flashlights moving through a window. An investigation revealed unknown suspect(s) forced entry through a sliding glass door and ransacked multiple rooms. The total loss was unknown at the time of the report and the suspects were not located.

Wednesday, October 2:

Around 4:11 p.m., an officer conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle for an illegal modified exhaust in the area of Santa Anita Avenue and Foothill Boulevard. The officer discovered the 42-year-old Hispanic male driver had an expired license. He was cited for the expired license and released in the field without incident. 

At approximately 8:52 p.m., an officer was conducting records checks on vehicles parked at Motel 6, 225 Colorado Place, and discovered a vehicle that was reported stolen out of Pasadena. An investigation revealed the abandoned vehicle was not registered to any hotel guests. The vehicle was towed and the registered owner was notified of the recovery by phone.

Thursday, October 3:

Around 9:45 a.m., an officer was dispatched to a residence under construction in the 200 block of Palm Drive regarding a medical assist. A construction worker tripped over a nail on a roof and fell 12 feet to ground, landing face down on a pile of lumber. He was transported to Huntington Memorial Hospital for neck and back injuries. During follow-up, the officer learned the subject suffered two fractures in his back and partial paralysis to his left side. The owners of the location were notified of the incident.

At about 10:45 a.m., an officer responded to the Arcadia Police Department front counter regarding a fraud report. The victim explained he listed a rolling rack for moving equipment on Craigslist and received a check payment from a male subject; however, the check was issued for a larger amount than what was agreed upon. The subject directed the victim to cash the check, send a portion of the money to an unknown subject via a Moneygram, and keep the remaining balance for himself. After depositing the check, the victim’s bank informed him the check was fraudulent. The victim had no idea the check was fraudulent though it looked like it was printed on regular computer paper.

Friday, October 4:

Just before 2:00 p.m., an officer responded to Stacked Sandwich, 18 North First Avenue, in reference to a fraud investigation. The owner received a phone call from an unknown subject who claimed to be a Southern California Edison representative. The subject attempted to solicit a fraudulent utility payment by advising the victim he was late on his payment. The victim confirmed that his payments were current and declined to release any personal information.

At about 4:41p.m., a driver failed to stop his vehicle at the limit line on Longden Avenue at Sixth Avenue and was broadsided by another vehicle traveling north on Sixth Avenue. The driver’s bumper separated from his vehicle and struck another vehicle nearby; however, no damages were reported. The collision resulted in no injuries.

Saturday, October 5:

Around 1:08 p.m., an officer conducted a high risk traffic stop on a stolen vehicle in the area of Highway Esplanade and Maple Avenue. The officer discovered the passenger, a 31-year-old Hispanic male, had stolen the vehicle out of Fontana. The suspect had his relative, a 29-year-old Hispanic female, drive the vehicle for him. Further investigation revealed she had a suspended license and was in possession of burglary tools. Both suspects were arrested and transported to the Arcadia City Jail for booking.

Just after 9:10 p.m., an officer conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle in the area of Fifth Avenue and Santa Clara Street for failing to stop at a stop sign. A vehicle search revealed the 29-year-old Hispanic male driver was in possession of altered credit cards, a credit card reader, and fraudulent credit card making equipment. He was arrested and transported to the Arcadia City Jail for booking. One of three passengers, a 27-year-old Hispanic female, was also arrested for a no bail warrant.