Blotter: Alleged Booze Thieves Nabbed

The Redondo Beach Police Department had a busy May 30 through June 3, if their recent law enforcement events news release is any indication. Officers helped out with a successful police search in Torrance, but were unsuccessful in tracking down two purse-snatchers.

Police: Suspected Alcohol Thieves Drove Wrong Way

Four adults and one juvenile were arrested on burglary charges after police found more than $600 worth of alcohol in their car, Lt. Jim Acquarelli wrote in the news release.

The four adults walked into an grocery store, filled several bags with bottles of alcohol and ran out of the store, police said. A parking enforcement officer spotted the four as they got into a car and drove off, going the wrong way on the one-way Matthews Avenue.

Police stopped the car and arrested the people inside on burglary charges without incident, Acquarelli wrote.

Officers Arrest Driver Suspected of DUI, Causing Wreck

Redondo Beach police arrested a person suspected of driving under the influence and causing a five-car wreck that sent a passenger to the hospital May 30.

Acquarelli said police believe the driver made a left turn in front of ongoing traffic at the intersection of Inglewood Avenue and Manhattan Beach Boulevard.

Police Dog Catches Burglary Suspect

A police dog from the Redondo Beach Police Department helped Torrance police find and capture a burglary suspect May 31, Acquarelli said. Offices searched for the suspect in back yards near 173rd Street and Eastwood Avenue. The suspect was booked into the Torrance Jail on a burglary charge.

Purse-Snatchers Hit Galleria

Also on May 31, police searched unsuccessfully for two people who stole a purse from a woman in the Galleria.

According to police reports, someone approached the woman and grabbed her purse. As the woman struggled to keep her purse, someone else ran toward the pair.

Apparently, the woman thought the second person would hit her, so she let go of her purse.

The two people fled in a blue Nissan Altima through the parking lot onto Kingsdale or Grant Avenue, police said. Officers did not find them.

For questions about this blotter, email nicole.mooradian@patch.com.