Police Blotter: Masked Men Allegedly Rob Restaurant Worker at Knife Point

For the period of Sunday, March 10-16, the Arcadia Police Department responded to 1,040 calls for service, 131 of which required formal investigations. The following is a summary report of the major incidents handled by the Department during this period.

Fight Renders Man Unconcious

At 7:34 p.m. on March 10, officers responded to the intersection of Santa Anita Avenue and Huntington Drive in regards to a fight in progress. The Arcadia Fire Department responded to the scene to treat the victim's injuries and transported him to Huntington Memorial Hospital for further evaluation. The suspect allegedly punched the victim in the mouth, causing him to fall to the ground unconscious. The 43-year-old suspect was arrested and transported to the Arcadia City Jail for booking.

Man Reportedly Under Influence of Controlled Substance

At approximately 8:13 p.m. on March 10, an officer made consensual contact with a man walking in front of Ralphs, 16 East Live Oak Avenue. The man was allegedly under the influence of a controlled substance. The 26-year-old was arrested and transported to the Arcadia City Jail for booking.

Mentally Ill Woman Wanders Baldwin Avenue Traffic Lanes

Shortly after 12:30 p.m. on March 11, officers were dispatched to the 1800 block of South Baldwin Avenue in reference to an area check for a woman walking in lanes of traffic. An investigation revealed the subject had mental disorders and was not taking her medication. She was transported to Arcadia Methodist Hospital and placed on a 72-hour detention for evaluation and treatment.

Shoplifting at Sephora

Shortly after 6:50 p.m. on March 11, an officer responded to Sephora at the Santa Anita Mall, 400 South Baldwin Avenue, regarding a theft report. Two women allegedly concealed merchandise underneath their t-shirts and exited the store without paying. The 23- and 24-year-old women were arrested and transported to the Arcadia City Jail for booking.

Residential Burglary

At around 2:40 p.m. on March 12, an officer responded to the 1100 block of Rancho Road regarding a residential burglary investigation. Unknown suspect(s) forced entry through the front door, ransacked the residence, and took several items including the victim's purse, which contained her car keys. The suspect(s) fled undetected in the victim's vehicle while the entire time the victim was gardening in the backyard. No one reported seeing or hearing anything suspicious. 

Liquor Theft from CVS

At 8:40 p.m. on March 12, an officer was dispatched to CVS Pharmacy, 188 West Las Tunas Drive, regarding a theft that had just occurred. Two men fled the store through the rear emergency exit door with six large bottles of hard liquor, one case of beer, and a can of Red Bull. They entered an awaiting suspect vehicle, a black two-door Geo hatchback, and fled the location eastbound on Live Oak Avenue. Officers conducted an area check, but the suspects were not located.

Woman Accosted

At 6:25 a.m. on March 13, a woman was entering her car parked in the 2800 block of Holly Avenue when she was approached from behind by a man. Fearing for her safety, the victim turned around and kicked the man in the groin area. The man then reportedly punched the victim once in the face and fled westbound on Live Oak Avenue. The officer determined a robbery did not occur; however, the victim reportedly felt the man intended to victimize her in some way. 

Waiter Robbed at Knifepoint

Shortly after 9:35 p.m. on March 13, officers were dispatched to Tasty Garden, 1212 South Baldwin Avenue, in regards to a robbery report. While sitting inside his vehicle, a restaurant employee was approached by two male suspects who both punched him in the head. One of the suspects allegedly  put a knife to the victim's throat and demanded money. The victim handed the suspects $70 in cash and watched them flee the parking lot in a gold or silver colored Japanese-model sedan, possibly a Japanese make. The first suspect is described as a Hispanic male, 19- to 25-years-old, 5 foot 4, with shoulder length black hair. He was wearing a black t-shirt and black shorts. The second suspect is described as approximately the same age and height, and was also wearing a black t-shirt and black shorts. Further investigation is being conducted by the Detective Bureau.  
Theft From Macy's

At 6:31 p.m. on March 14, an officer responded to Macy's at the Santa Anita Mall, 400 South Baldwin Avenue, regarding a theft report. Loss prevention reportedly recognized a man from a prior theft incident and determined he had come back to the store to steal again. He allegedly concealed merchandise inside a used shopping bag and exited the store without paying. The 58-year-old man was arrested and transported to the Arcadia City Jail for booking.

Drunk in Public

Shortly after 11:25 p.m. on March 14, an officer responded to the 1600 block of Holly Avenue in regards to an intoxicated man outside the location. The subject reportedly smelled of alcohol and needed assistance walking. The 48-year-old man was unable to care for himself and was transported to the Arcadia City Jail for booking.

Mail Theft

Around 2:30 p.m., an officer was dispatched to the 200 block of South Third Avenue regarding a suspicious circumstances call. Several residents reportedly observed a woman looking inside multiple mailboxes. One witness confronted the woman and recorded a partial license plate as she fled the location. Officers located the suspected mail thief nearby and searched her vehicle. They found no evidence of mail theft. However, the woman was allegedly under the influence of a controlled substance. The 31-year-old woman was arrested and transported to the Arcadia City Jail for booking.

Vehicle Theft

At roughly 12:21 p.m. on March 16, officers were dispatched to a residence in the 100 block of California Street regarding a disturbance. While a welfare check was being conducted, officers located a stolen vehicle on the property. One of the men inside the residence, a 27-year-old on parole for a felony conviction, allegedly stole the vehicle out of San Gabriel. He was arrested, booked, and later transported to the Los Angeles County Jail.

Fight at Pizza Hut

At approximately 11:04 p.m. on March 16, officers were dispatched to Pizza Hut, 161 East Live Oak Avenue, in regards to a fight in progress. An investigation revealed an argument between two men resulted in a physical altercation. The victim suffered injuries to his ribs, back, and face, and received treatment by the Arcadia Fire Department. The 50-year-old suspect was arrested and transported to the Arcadia City Jail for booking.