Police Blotter: Drunk, High Batman Refuses to Leave Mall

For the period of Nov. 4-10, the Arcadia Police Department responded to 931 calls for service, 124 of which required formal investigations. The following is a summary report of the major incidents handled by the Department during this period.

Missing Torrence Woman Found

At approximately 1:06 a.m. on Nov. 4, an officer responded to the area of Santa Anita Avenue and Huntington Drive to check on an elderly woman sitting on the sidewalk. The woman appeared confused and disoriented, and had difficulty standing or walking on her own. A subsequent records check revealed the  78-year-old woman's family had reported her missing to the Torrance Police Department the day before. Officers contacted her family, and paramedics from the Arcadia Fire Department transported her to Arcadia Methodist Hospital for further evaluation.   

Drug Paraphernalia Found on Driver

At 1:43 a.m. on Nov. 4, an officer stopped a black Mercedes on Santa Anita Avenue at Santa Clara Street for a defective headlight. A vehicle search reportedly turned up drug paraphernalia. The 48-year-old driver was arrested on suspicion of possessing a methamphetamine pipe and transported to the Arcadia City Jail for booking.

Warrant Arrest

At 12:56 p.m. on Nov. 5, an officer saw a suspicious man sitting in a vehicle parked on Second Avenue near Colorado Boulevard. A DMV records check revealed the vehicle had a warrant attached to the license plate. The 28-year-old man also had two outstanding warrants. The officer arrested and transported him to the Arcadia City Jail for booking.

Driving With a Suspended License

At 8:11 p.m. on Nov. 5, an officer stopped a vehicle in the area of Baldwin and Longden avenues for expired registration. The officer discovered the driver had a suspended license. The officer cited and released the 33-year-old driver in the field and impounded his car.

Mail Theft

At 3:25 p.m. on Nov. 6, officers responded to the 2000 block of S. Baldwin Avenue regarding two women reportedly stealing mail from mailboxes. Officers confronted one of the suspects as she walked south on Baldwin Avenue. The suspect told officers she got into an argument with her friend and her friend drove away. During a  search of the suspect's purse, officers reportedly found four credit cards with different names on them. The 30-year-old woman was taken to the Arcadia City Jail for being in possession of stolen credit cards and charged with receiving stolen property. The other suspect involved was described as a white woman, 30-years-old, with blond hair and blue eyes.

Batman Refuses to Leave Mall

At 4:03 p.m. on Nov. 6, officers responded to the Santa Anita Mall regarding a man wearing a Batman mask acting erratically and refusing to leave the premises. Officers reportedly noticed signs of drug use and intoxication. The 20-year-old male was taken to the Arcadia City Jail and booked on suspicion of being under the influence of a controlled substance and trespassing.

DUI Leads Officers on High-Speed Chase

At 12:48 a.m on Nov. 7, an officer attempted to stop a vehicle in the area of Duarte Road and Fifth Avenue for speeding. The driver refused to pull over for the officer and sped off. A short high-speed chase through city streets ensued before the driver surrendered to police. The 29-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of recklessly evading a police officer and driving while under the influence of alcohol.

Serial Shoplifter Arrested

At 6:13 p.m. on Nov. 7, an officer responded to Sephora at the Santa Anita Mall regarding a man in custody on suspicion of theft. The suspect had allegedly concealed several cosmetic items in a bag and exited the store without paying for them. Loss prevention officers detained him. The suspect had also allegedly stolen clothing from three other stores in the mall. The 18-year-old was arrested on suspicion of burglary and transported to the Arcadia City Jail for booking.

Car Stolen in Residential Burglary

Around 6:41 a.m. on Nov. 8, officers were dispatched to the 1600 block of S. Santa Anita Avenue regarding a residential burglary. A neighbor noticed the garage door open and the resident's car missing. The resident was out of town at the time. Officers discovered the suspect(s) had attempted to pry open the front door with a screwdriver. He or she smashed a back window with two bricks and cut open the screen. The burglar ransacked several rooms and stole the resident's 2001 white Toyota Avalon and jewelry. There were no witnesses or surveillance cameras.

Shoplifting

At about 6:13 p.m. on Nov. 8, an officer responded to H&M at the Santa Anita Mall regarding two woman in custody on suspicion of theft. The suspects had allegedly concealed several clothing items in a bag and exited the store without paying. They had also reportedly stolen clothing from several other stores in the mall. The 18- and 19-year-old suspects were arrested on suspicion of burglary and transported to the Arcadia City Jail for booking.

DUI Arrest

At 2:01 a.m. on Nov. 9, an officer stopped a vehicle in the area of Baldwin and Naomi avenues for a defective license plate light. The officer reportedly smelled alcohol from inside the vehicle. The 28-year-old driver was arrested and transported to the Arcadia City Jail for booking.

Coin Vaults at Apartment Laundry Room Raided

Around 10:47 a.m. on Nov. 9, officers responded to the 1000 block of W. Duarte Road regarding a vandalism report. Someone had forced opened two coin vaults in the laundry room and stolen an unknown amount of coins.  The door leading into the laundry room was open and unlocked.
 
Bar Fight

At 1:27 a.m. on Nov. 10, officers responded to the Station Bar at 1218 S. Baldwin Avenue regarding a physical fight between two men. As officers arrived on scene, a man reportedly walked towards them yelling obscenities. The 30-year-old refused to comply with the officers' orders and they arrested him on suspicion of delaying an officer and public intoxication.

Passenger in Wrong Way Vehicle Arrested

At 2:01 a.m. on Nov. 10, an officer stopped a vehicle headed the wrong way on Huntington Drive. The vehicle's passenger had an outstanding warrant for his arrest. The 25 year-old was arrested and transported to the Arcadia City Jail for booking.