Thefts during holiday at mall

Arcadia Police Department Weekly Activity Report Sunday, Dec. 18-24:

Calls for Service: 857 / Formal Investigations: 123 Total Year-to-Date: * Calls for 2011: 47,509 (Previous year totals — 2010: 48,318 / 2009: 50,371 / 2008: 49,699)

Investigations: 6,254 (Previous year totals — 2010: 6,895 / 2009: 7,092 / 2008: 6,705)

The following is a summary report of the major incidents handled by the Department during this period.

Sunday, December 18:

1. At about 4:38 p.m., an officer responded to H&M at the Westfield Santa Anita mall, 400 South Baldwin Avenue, in reference to a theft investigation. A loss prevention officer observed three female suspects select numerous articles of clothing and conceal them in bags. The suspects were detained after they exited the store without making payment. The 21-year-old Black female, 20-year-old Black female, and 17-year-old Black female were transported to the Arcadia City Jail for booking. The juvenile was later released to a guardian.

2. At approximately 8:19 p.m., an officer responded to Baldwin Avenue at Camino Real Avenue, in regards to a rear-end traffic collision. A vehicle had stopped for a red light, however the driver behind was unable to stop in time. The officer determined the latter was speeding, and no major injuries were reported.

Monday, December 19:

3. Shortly after 3:25 p.m., an officer responded to the Arcadia Police Department front counter, in regards to an identity theft report. The victim explained she received two credit card statements in the mail for accounts she never opened. Unknown suspect(s) made numerous charges, and the victim had no idea who opened the accounts or how they obtained her personal information. 4. Around 9:30 p.m., a victim was walking home from Au79 Tea House, 815 West Naomi Avenue, when he was robbed by an unknown male suspect. As the victim walked eastbound on Camino Real Avenue toward Melanie Lane, a male adult approached him and forced him to the ground. The suspect searched his person and fled with his wallet, two cell phones, and keys. The victim described the suspect as a Black male, 20 to 25-years-old, approximately six-feet tall, stocky build, bald head, wearing a black jacket, red t-shirt, dark pants, and dark shoes, and observed him get into the passenger seat of an awaiting vehicle that drove off westbound on Camino Real Avenue. The vehicle is described as a late 1990’s black four-door Toyota or Honda with tinted window. Officers made contact with nearby residents; however no one saw or heard anything suspicious.

Tuesday, December 20:

5. At about 7:29 p.m., an officer was dispatched to the 1000 block of Rancho Road, in reference to a residential burglary report. Unknown suspect(s) forced entry by smashing out the window of a balcony door, which led into the master bedroom. The victim returned home and observed numerous drawers ransacked, and discovered cash, watches, and several items of jewelry missing. The suspect(s) fled the scene without activating the alarm.

6. At approximately 9:37 p.m., officers responded to the parking lot of President Square, 1300 South Golden West Avenue, in regards to a stabbing that had just occurred. Through investigation, officers discovered that a group of persons were involved in a verbal altercation, after which a male adult suspect stabbed a male victim in the chest. Officers were directed by witnesses to the suspects’ location and detained two suspects inside Money Pot, a restaurant located within President Square. The Arcadia Fire Department paramedics arrived at the scene and rendered aid to the victim. He was transported to the Huntington Memorial Hospital in the City of Pasadena, where he later died as a result of injuries. A 31-year-old Hispanic male and 26-year-old Hispanic male were arrested and transported to the Arcadia City Jail for booking. Further investigation is being conducted by the Detective Bureau.

Wednesday, December 21:

7. Shortly after 3:15 p.m., an officer responded to JC Penney at the Santa Anita Mall, 400 South Baldwin Avenue, in regards to a theft report. While shopping with her two children, a female adult concealed numerous items of baby clothes and other merchandise inside the undercarriage of her baby stroller. The suspect directed her daughter to exit the store with the baby stroller while she made payment for only one item. The 34-year-old Hispanic female was arrested and her children were released to her boyfriend.

8. At about 9:16 p.m., a female victim was walking toward her car after shopping at the Santa Anita Mall, 400 South Baldwin Avenue, when an unknown suspect, described as a male Hispanic, approximately 5’8” tall, medium build, medium complexion, wearing a black hooded sweater, approached her while she was placing her bags inside the car trunk. The suspect grabbed the victim’s purse and ran through the parking lot to a waiting vehicle. The victim observed the vehicle, described as a mid to late 1990’s Acura or Integra with rear tinted windows, flee the parking lot out of sight.

Thursday, December 22:

9. Around 1:45 a.m., officers were conducting a DUI checkpoint at 41 East Live Oak Avenue. Upon contact with a male adult driver, officers noticed an odor of alcohol emitting from his breath and person. Through investigation, officers determined the driver was under the influence and had a blood alcohol level greater than .05%. A bottle of alcohol and small container of marijuana were also found inside the vehicle. The 19-year-old male of unknown race was arrested and transported to the Arcadia City Jail without incident.

10. Shortly after 11:00 a.m., an officer responded to Royal Construction, 11680 Goldring Road, regarding a fraud report. Unknown suspect(s) fraudulently manufactured checks using the company’s account information and attempted to cash three checks. The company was flagged by bank representatives and has no idea how their information was compromised.

Friday, December 23:

11. At approximately 1:02 p.m., an officer responded to the Arcadia Police Department front counter in regards to a theft report. The victim explained he never received a package that he was expecting from Amazon, however the UPS shipping status of his order and receipt state that it was received by an unknown subject. The victim does not know the subject and is desirous of prosecution.

12. At about 8:09 p.m., officers were dispatched to the Santa Anita Mall parking lot, 400 South Baldwin Avenue, in reference to a traffic collision. As an 8-passenger golf cart came to a stop along the sidewalk to pick up another passenger, it was rear-ended by a 15-passenger van. The driver and front passenger of the golf cart were ejected from their seats. The golf cart was not equipped with seat belts and only minor injuries were reported.

Saturday, December 24:

13. Between 9:00 a.m. and 9:50 a.m., unknown suspect(s) stole a white 2008 Suzuki motorcycle parked in the front of Ralphs, 1101 West Huntington Drive. The victim returned to his vehicle after shopping and discovered it was missing. No one saw or heard anything.

14. Shortly after 4:38 p.m., officers responded to the intersection of Baldwin Avenue and the eastbound 210 freeway off ramp, in regards to a two-party traffic collision. As one party attempted to make a left turn off the ramp onto northbound Baldwin Avenue, he was struck by a vehicle proceeding southbound through the intersection on a yellow light. No major injuries were reported.

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Click two images below for two-part video of Police volunteers, including ride-alongs.

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Click image above for video of dedication to Arcadia’s only officer who died in the line of duty.