Police Blotter: Scammers Fool Elderly Arcadia Man Into Wiring Money to Cancún

From the Arcadia Police Department:

Sunday, April 21:
At about 2:40 a.m., an officer conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle for driving with no headlights on in the area of Live Oak Avenue and Peck Road. The officer detected an odor of alcohol emitting from the driver’s breath and person. An investigation revealed the 25-year-old male was under the influence with a blood alcohol level greater than 0.08%. He was arrested and transported to the Arcadia City Jail for booking.

Shortly after 8:00 p.m., an officer responded to the 600 block of West Norman Avenue in regards to a residential burglary report. Unknown suspect(s) forced entry through a window, ransacked the location, and fled undetected with numerous property items including cameras, jewelry, a television monitor, and a purse. No one reported seeing or hearing anything suspicious.

Monday, April 22:
At approximately 5:23 p.m., officers were dispatched to the 400 block of West Huntington Drive regarding a disturbance. An argument between a boyfriend and girlfriend led to a physical altercation in which the female victim was struck in the face. An emergency protective order was issued against the 22-year-old male suspect. He was arrested and transported to the Arcadia City Jail for booking.
 
At about 10:51 p.m., an officer conducted an enforcement stop on two bicyclists for riding without reflectors on Second Avenue at Foothill Boulevard. An investigation revealed one bicyclist was under the influence of alcohol. The 43-year-old male was arrested and transported to the Arcadia City Jail for booking. 

Tuesday, April 23:
Between 5:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m., unknown suspect(s) burglarized a vehicle in the parking lot of the Santa Anita Mall, 400 South Baldwin Avenue. The suspect(s) gained entry by an unknown means and fled with a laptop computer, lunch box, and headphones. Latent fingerprints were discovered on the outside of the vehicle. Further investigation is being conducted by the Detective Bureau.

At approximately 6:45 p.m., an officer responded to the Santa Anita Race Track, 285 West Huntington Drive, in reference to a battery investigation. An unknown suspect hit an elderly male victim on the head with a bottle of liquor after the victim refused to surrender his wallet. The victim fell to the floor and was transported to Huntington Memorial Hospital where he was treated for a broken arm. The 34-year-old male suspect attempted to flee on foot; however, he was later detained in the west-side area of Arcadia County Park. He was arrested and transported to the Arcadia City Jail for booking.

Wednesday, April 24:
Just before 11:00 a.m., an officer made consensual contact with a subject walking in the area of Santa Anita Avenue and Colorado Boulevard. An investigation revealed the subject was under the influence of a controlled substance and had an outstanding no bail warrant. The 34-year-old male was arrested and transported to the Arcadia City Jail for booking.

While conducting daytime enforcement in Arcadia at roughly 3:12 p.m., West San Gabriel Valley Anti-Crime Task Force officers initiated a pursuit of a possible stolen vehicle on Longden Avenue at Sixth Avenue. Shortly after, Arcadia officers joined the pursuit; however, a short time later the pursuit was terminated due to unsafe driving conditions.

The suspects continued to drive at high speeds and ultimately crashed into another vehicle at the intersection of Holly Avenue and Los Altos Avenue. A records check confirmed the suspect vehicle was stolen out of Covina. The 33 and 37-year-old males were arrested and transported to Arcadia Methodist Hospital where they were medically cleared for booking. The driver of the other vehicle was transported to the Arcadia Methodist Hospital as a precautionary measure.

Thursday, April 25:
At approximately 2:44 a.m., an officer responded to the Santa Anita Mall, 400 South Baldwin Avenue, in regards to a subject check. The officer discovered the subject was intoxicated, unable to care for himself, and had an outstanding misdemeanor warrant. The 28-year-old male was arrested and transported to the Arcadia City Jail for booking.

Around 4:57 p.m., an officer was dispatched to the Arcadia Police Department front counter in regards to a theft report. An unknown suspect called the elderly victim on the phone and pretended to be his granddaughter. The suspect asked for cash in order to get bailed out of jail in Cancun, Mexico. The victim wired $2,300 via Western Union and later realized he was scammed after talking to his actual granddaughter who was safe and sound at her home in New York. Further investigation is being conducted by the Detective Bureau. 

Friday, April 26:
Roughly after 2:50 a.m., an officer conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle for failing to use his turn signal at the intersection of Longden Avenue and Myrtle Avenue. The driver provided false information; however, a records check revealed he had four outstanding misdemeanor warrants. The 35-year-old male was arrested and transported to the Arcadia City Jail for booking.

At about 3:30 p.m., an officer responded to Macy’s at the Santa Anita Mall, 400 South Baldwin Avenue, in regards to a theft investigation. Two female suspects concealed merchandise inside their handbags and exited the store without making payment. One of the suspects was in possession of marijuana and had four outstanding misdemeanor warrants. Both suspects were arrested and transported to the Arcadia City Jail for booking.

Saturday, April 27:
At approximately 9:20 a.m., an officer was dispatched to 24 Hour Fitness, 125 North First Avenue, in reference to a theft report. Upon finding out that a product was not on sale, a female suspect became upset, took the product, and exited the store without making payment. The incident was recorded on video surveillance and the suspect’s identity is known.

Shortly after 6:40 p.m., an officer responded to the 400 block of North Old Ranch Road regarding a traffic collision that just occurred. An investigation revealed the suspect was intoxicated, drove his vehicle erratically, and crashed into a neighbor’s front lawn. The suspect was placed on a 72-hour hold for being a danger to himself and others. Further investigation is being conducted by the Detective Bureau.