Crime & Safety

Police Blotter: Bear On the Loose, Residential Burglary and Shoplifting

Arcadia Police dealt with a variety of calls this week, including a bear trying to get into someone's garage.

From July 31 through Aug. 6, the Arcadia Police Department responded to 950 calls for service, 133 of which required formal investigations. Here is a summary of the major incidents handled by the Department during this period.

July 31:

A burglary occurred at a home in the 900 block of Balboa Drive at approximately 3:50 a.m. The suspect shattered the front door window with a large rock to enter the home. A resident of the home confronted the suspect, who fled on foot. Witnesses described the suspect as a tall man with a light-skinned complexion. He wore dark pants. No loss was reported.
 
Shortly after 9 a.m., officers responded to the 1500 block of South Fifth Avenue regarding a man looking inside a home through a window in the backyard. Police located and detained the man. Further investigation revealed the 23-year-old suspect already had an outstanding warrant for his arrest, so officers booked him on suspicion of burglary and for the warrant. 

August 1:

Arcadia police took a report regarding two men who falsely identified themselves as AT&T employees to gain entrance to a home in the 1100 block of West Duarte Road on July 30. The men said they needed to check the wiring inside the home. Witnesses described the first suspect as a heavyset white man in his mid-30's, standing approximately 5-feet 9-inches tall. Witnesses described the second suspect as a Hispanic man in his mid-30's, also heavyset, standing 6-foot 1-inch tall. The resident of the home followed the suspects around after letting them inside. They left shortly after. Suspicious, the resident called AT&T. The company confirmed it did not send any technicians to the residence that day. No loss was reported and nearby public safety agencies have received a composite of the two suspects.

An auto burglary occurred between 1 a.m. and 2:22 p.m.in the 100 block of North First Avenue. The suspect(s) smashed the front passenger side window and stole a purse containing a wallet, credit cards, a cell phone and cash.

August 2:

A 32-year-old man was pounding on the door of a home in the 00 block of East Colorado Boulevard at 2 a.m. He refused to leave. Officers determined he was under the influence of alcohol and arrested him for being drunk in public.

At about 5:40 p.m., loss prevention personnel from Macy's at the Westfield Santa Anita Mall detained a 14-year-old boy for theft. The teen had taken merchandise, concealed it and walked out of the store without paying. Officers arrested him for theft.

August 3:

At approximately 11:53 a.m., officers arrived at the 00 block of Bonita Street to find a 47-year-old man unconscious. Despite the efforts of Arcadia Fire Department paramedics, the man passed away — apparently from natural causes. Officers found no sign of foul play. The Coroner arrived to determine the cause of death. 

Between 8:30 and 10:50 p.m., an auto theft occurred in the 2000 block of Carolwood Drive. The suspect(s) stole a red, 4-door 1996 Honda Accord.

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August 4:

Between Aug. 2 at 5 p.m. and Aug. 4  at 3:30 p.m., a burglary occurred in the 200 block of West Huntington Drive. The suspect(s) pried open the locked doors of a Champion Broadband Cable utility box and stole four deep-cell batteries.

Between Aug. 3 at 7 p.m. and Aug. 4 at 10 a.m., an auto theft occurred in the 900 block of Arcadia Avenue. The suspect(s) stole an unlocked, blue 1995 4-door Honda Accord.

August 5:

Between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., a residential burglary occurred in the 1800 block of South Eight Avenue. The suspect(s) entered the home and stole a laptop and a tool bag.

At about 1:48 p.m., officers responded to the Westfield Santa Anita Mall regarding a reckless driver in the parking lot. Officers located the suspect vehicle and pulled it over. The 22-year-old driver was intoxicated and officers placed under arrest.

August 6:

At about 12:12 p.m., officers responded to a home inthe 2100 block of Canyon Road regarding a bear trying to get into the garage. Officers attempted to scare the bear away but did not succeed in doing so. When the bear again attempted to enter the garage, officers fired a stun bag round. The bear then headed to the front door of the home, prompting officers to fire a second stun bag round. The bear ran back into the wooded area and out of sight.

At about 4:45 p.m., loss prevention personnel from JCPenney at the Westfield Santa Anita Mall detained three 17-year-old girls for theft.  They had taken merchandise, concealed it and walked out of the store without paying. Officers arrested the girls for theft.


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