Police Blotter: Fraud

For the period of Sept. 4, through Sept. 10, the responded to 909 calls for service, 100 of which required formal investigations. Here is a summary report of the major incidents handled by the Department during this period.

Sept. 4:

After seeing a vehicle for sale on Craigslist, a man came to the 1900 block of Seventh Place to inspect and purchase the advertised vehicle.  Upon completion of the transaction, the victim drove the newly purchased vehicle home to a neighboring city. While on his way, he noticed some mechanical problems and decided to return the car. The victim learned the sale was fraudulent when he attempted to return the car to the 44-year-old man who sold it to him. 

Sometime between 11:40 a.m. and 8:30 p.m., a vehicle theft occurred from the parking lot of the . The suspect(s) stole a 1994, red, 2-door, Honda Civic.

Sept. 5:

At about 11:03 a.m., officers responded to the 900 block of La Cadena Avenue regarding a grand theft. Three pieces of gardening equipment had been stolen from the bed of a truck while the equipment's owner was working in the front yard.

Officers responded to in the Westfield Santa Anita Mall at about 2:10 p.m. A woman reported seeing a man looking at her from over the wall of the dressing room stall. The suspect reportedly was aiming a black cell phone at the victim. When the victim yelled at the suspect, he immediately ran out of the dressing room and store. The victim described the suspect as possibly Hispanic, standing approximately 5 feet, 9 inches tall, and weighing 210 lbs. He is around 30-years-old, with facial stubble, and wore a red and blue UNICEF soccer jersey with blue jeans. 

Sept. 6:

Between Sept. 5 at 2 p.m. and Sept. 6th at 9 a.m., an auto burglary occurred in the 500 block of West Huntington Drive. The suspect(s) entered the vehicle by smashing the front passenger window open. Once inside, the suspect(s) stole a red and white motorcycle jacket and an iPod.

At approximately 10 a.m., officers responded to the 700 block of East Norman Avenue regarding a residential burglary that occurred between Aug. 26 at 6 p.m. and Sept. 3 at 7 p.m. The suspect(s) entered through an open window and stole a computer while the home was being fumigated..

Sept. 7:

At around 1:49 a.m., officers conducted a traffic stop on Santa Clara Street and Second Avenue on a driver who failed to obey a turn signal. Officers determined the 21-year-old driver was intoxicated and placed her under arrest for D.U.I. 

Shortly before 9 a.m., officers responded to the 400 block of West Duarte Road regarding a fraud investigation. The victim told officers that on Aug. 11, he received a phone call from a man he believed was his grandson. The caller said he had been in a car accident while on vacation in Mexico and needed money to pay for the repairs to the vehicle and the medical bills. The victim wired the requested amount through Western Union, only to find out later his grandson had never traveled to Mexico or asked for any money.

Sept. 8:

A residential burglary occurred in the 400 block of North Old Ranch Road between 11 a.m. and 2:35 p.m. The resident returned home and found the house had been ransacked, with jewelry and two antique pistols missing. The suspect(s) had entered the home through the unlocked bay doors on the east side of the residence. 

Between 10:40 a.m. and 12 p.m., a residential burglary occurred in the 1100 block of Hugo Reid Drive. The suspect(s) entered the home by kicking in the exterior door and a second internal door. The suspect(s) stole a watch, cash and costume jewelry.

Sept. 9:

Shortly before 3 p.m., loss prevention personnel from H&M Clothing at the Westfield Santa Anita Mall detained a 28-year-old woman for theft. The suspect hid merchandise in a stroller and left the store without making payment. Security recovered other items from , and . She was taken into custody for commercial burglary.  

An auto burglary occurred in the 400 block of East Huntington Drive between 1:45 p.m. and 4 p.m. The  suspect(s) smashed the front driver's side window and stole a wallet.

Sept. 10:

An officer conducted a traffic stop at  3:36 a.m. on East Huntington Drive and First Avenue. The officer observed the driver making a left-turn from the right-turn lane. The officer arrested the 39-year-old driver, who had several outstanding misdemeanor warrants.

Units responded to the after an anonymous caller reported a suspected drunk driver. Officers located the reported vehicle and conducted a traffic stop. Officers placed the 42-year-old driver under arrest for D.U.I.