Police Blotter: Shoplifters, Drunk Drivers

For the period of Aug. 7-13, the responded to 893 calls for service, 128 of which required formal investigations.  The following is a summary of the major incidents handled by the Department during this period.

Aug. 7:

Between Aug. 6 at 9:30 p.m. and Aug. 7 at 6:30 a.m., suspect(s) entered two unlocked vehicles in the 600 block of San Luis Rey Road and stole a GPS unit from one of the vehicles. Nothing appeared to be missing from the other vehicle. Both vehicles were parked at the same location.
 
At about 5:40 p.m., loss prevention personnel from at the Westfield detained a teen for theft. The 19-year-old took merchandise, concealed it, and walked out of the store without paying. He was arrested for theft.

Aug. 8:

Between Aug. 6 at 12 p.m. and Aug. 7 at 3 p.m., a residential burglary occurred in the 300 block of Altern Street. The suspect(s) entered the residence by cutting the fumigation tent. Once inside, the suspect(s) stole cash and jewelry.

Between 8 a.m. and 5:01 p.m., an auto burglary occurred on Morlan Place, north of Huntington Drive. The suspect(s) smashed the rear driver's side window and stole a purse and clothing.

Aug. 9:

At about 2:46 p.m., units responded to the area of Huntington Drive and Holly Avenue regarding a traffic collision involving an overturned vehicle. An investigation revealed that the driver of the vehicle was a theft suspect who had fled from the Westfield Santa Anita Mall security. Police located the 22-year-old man and placed him under arrest for commercial burglary and other misdemeanor charges. No one was injured in the collision.

At 10:44 p.m., an officer conducted a traffic stop at Fifth Avenue and Colorado Boulevard. The stop led to the arrest of a 41-year-old man for receiving stolen property and an outstanding warrant. The suspect had checks and identification in his car from identity theft victims in several cities.

Aug. 10:

At about 6:43 p.m., officers responded to Nordstrom's at the Westfield Santa Anita Mall regarding a theft. The victim said a 13- to 18-year-old African American male had asked to see her phone to call his mom for a ride. The woman obliged, and the teen suspect took off with her phone. The victim said the suspect wore a dark t-shirt, basketball shorts, had a black and white backpack and rode a scooter.

At about 7 p.m., loss prevention personnel from JC Penney at the Westfield Santa Anita Mall detained a teenage girl for theft. The 16-year-old took merchandise, concealed it, and walked out of the store without paying.

Aug. 11:

At about 10:43 a.m., officers conducted a traffic stop on a bicyclist at Camino Real Avenue and First Avenue for failure to stop at a stop sign. The stop led to the arrest of a 51-year-old man for possession of a controlled substance.

Between Aug. 10 at 9 p.m. and Aug. 11 at 6 p.m., a burglary occurred in the 2100 block of Highland Oaks Drive.  The suspect(s) pried open the door of a utility box and stole four deep cycle batteries.

Aug. 12:

Between Aug. 11 at 6 p.m. and Aug. 12 at 12:28 a.m., an auto burglary occurred in the 1100 block of West Duarte Road. the suspect(s) smashed the front driver's side window and stole an iPod.

At about 4:42 p.m., units responded to the 500 block of Leda Lane regarding a traffic collision. A vehicle had collided into a tree. The vehicle's 30-year-old driver was drunk, prompting officers to place him under arrest for driving under the influence. The man sustained minor injuries and received treatment at a local hospital prior to booking.

Aug. 13:

Shortly before 3 p.m., loss prevention personnel from Hollister at the Westfield Santa Anita Mall detained two teenage girls for theft. The 16- and 17-year-old suspects took merchandise, concealed it, and walked out of the store without paying. Officers placed both girls under arrest for commercial burglary after they admitted they had gone to Hollister with the intent to shoplift.

At about 2:24 p.m., officers arrested a 51-year-old man sitting in  parked car at the at 405 South Santa Anita Ave. The man was under the influence and in possession of a controlled substance. Police also found possibly stolen property in the vehicle. Police booked the suspect on felony and misdemeanor charges.