Police Blotter: Car Stolen from Santa Anita Parking Lot

For the period of Jan. 22-28, the responded to 821 calls for service, 115 of which required formal investigations. The following is a summary report of the major incidents handled by the Department during this period.

Sunday, Jan. 22:

At about 2:22 a.m., an officer observed a vehicle with a broken tail light and conducted a traffic stop on Huntington Drive, east of Fifth Avenue. Through investigation, the officer discovered the driver had a suspended license. The passenger was in possession of a valid license, however, he wasn't driving because he had been drinking. The 26-year-old female driver was cited for driving on a suspended license, and the 32-year-old male passenger was cited for permitting an unlicensed driver to drive.

Between 5:50 p.m. and 6:30 p.m., unknown suspect(s) stole a Blue Honda Civic from the parking lot of the . The victim left the vehicle secured with all doors locked, and no one saw or heard anything suspicious. Mall security was advised to check surveillance video for possible suspect information.

Monday, Jan. 23:

Shortly after 12:13 p.m., an officer patrolling the parking lot of at 133 East Foothill Boulevard conducted a DMV inquiry on a Ford F-150 truck. The officer discovered the vehicle had expired registration, and made contact with the driver. As the officer approached the rear of the vehicle, he noticed a fraudulent year registration sticker. The 52-year-old man was cited for false display of registration. 

Around 9:06 p.m., an officer was dispatched to the 000 block of Fairview Avenue in regards to a theft report. The victim discovered his two bicycles had been stolen from his bike rack, which he stored in a designated parking stall. Unknown suspect(s) cut the bike chain by an unknown means, and fled undetected.

Tuesday, Jan. 24:

At approximately 11:30 a.m., officers responded to the Arcadia Police Department front counter in regards to a fraud investigation. The victim discovered unknown suspect(s) attempted to change the address of her Nordstrom credit account, and opened two Chase credit card accounts using her personal information. The victim has no idea how her information was compromised.

At approximately 4:45 p.m., an officer was dispatched to the 000 block of Kingsley Drive in regards to a residential burglary report. When the victim returned home, he discovered two of his bedrooms had been ransacked, and noticed his coins were missing. Unknown suspect(s) forced entry into the home through a sliding glass window. Officers talked to a neighbor, who reported seeing a bluish green metallic truck occupied by two men approximately in their 30's. The vehicle was seen driving away westbound from the north curb line of Kingsley Drive, directly in front of the victim's house.

Wednesday, Jan. 25:

Around 2:44 p.m., officers responded to the area of Baldwin Avenue and Gate 7 at the regarding a possible drunk driver. An investigation revealed the suspect ran a red light at the intersection of Baldwin Avenue, and attempted to make a left turn into Gate 7 but drove into the racetrack fence. He left the scene of the accident, and was located and detained inside the racetrack parking lot. Officers determined the suspect was under the influence and had never held a driver's license. The 32-year-old man was arrested and transported to the Arcadia City Jail for booking.

At approximately 7:11 p.m., an officer responded to at 188 Las Tunas Drive regarding a theft report. The cashier reported observing a man exit the store with a bottle of liquor concealed underneath a jacket. She watched him flee west through the parking lot on a silver bicycle. The suspect is described as a male with light skin, bald, wearing a black hooded sweatshirt, light gray striped shorts, white socks, and tan shoes.

Thursday, Jan. 26:

Shortly after 9:20 a.m., an officer was patrolling the area of Peck Road and Clark Avenue, and conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle for suspended registration. The driver and passenger provided false identities. Through investigation, the officer discovered the driver had a suspended license for DUI, a no-bail felony warrant, two misdemeanor warrants, and was on felony probation. A records check of the passenger revealed an outstanding misdemeanor warrant. The 41-year-old male driver and 28-year-old male passenger were arrested and transported to the Arcadia City Jail for booking.

Around 2:35 p.m., an officer was dispatched to at the Santa Anita Mall regarding a burglary report. A woman returned two Michael Kors watches for a cash refund. Loss prevention personnel later determined the watches were stolen from Nordstrom at the Montclair Mall. The suspect was recorded on video surveillance, and matched the description of a suspect in other related cases.

Friday, Jan. 27:

At approximately 3:23 p.m., an officer responded to the Santa Anita Mall parking lot regarding two adults possibly having sexual intercourse inside of their vehicle. A search of the woman's purse revealed she was in possession of narcotics and controlled substance paraphernalia. The 37-year-old woman was arrested and transported to the Arcadia City Jail for booking.

At about 8:04 p.m., officers responded to the Santa Anita Mall regarding three juveniles involved in a theft investigation. One suspect led officers on a foot pursuit along Baldwin Avenue, and was detained near Gate 9. A second suspect was detained by mall security, however the third suspect was not located. An investigation revealed the suspects stole from , and stole shopping bags from , which they used to conceal merchandise at . The 16-year-old and 14-year-old boys were arrested and transported to the Arcadia City Jail for Booking. They were later released to their parents.

Saturday, Jan. 28:

At roughly 12:32 p.m., an officer responded to the 000 block of Encanto Drive regarding a residential burglary investigation. Unknown suspect(s) entered the home by an unknown means and ransacked four bedrooms. Officers discovered two empty cases and observed the doors pried off. The victim was out of town at the time of the report and was unable to determine what property had been stolen.

Shortly after 11:10 p.m., officers were conducting a DUI checkpoint on northbound Santa Anita Avenue at Saint Joseph Street. Upon contact with the driver of a grey Toyota pick-up truck, the officer smelled an odor of alcohol emitting from the driver's person. The 28-year-old was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence.