Hermosa Beach police responded to 87 reported incidents during the two-week period of August 2-15, marked by a robbery on Pier Avenue where a victim withdrew cash and was followed and robbed, a burglary of a strip mall with a dentist office targeted, multiple e-bike thefts from secured locations, and a surge in retail theft and vandalism at local businesses.
August 14 afternoon on the 500 block of Pier Avenue, a victim withdrew money from a bank and exited with an envelope in hand. The victim realized they were being followed and called 911 while driving to the police station. The suspect vehicle fled and pursuit ensued. The suspects collided with another vehicle and then fled on foot. Both suspects were arrested.
August 9 evening on the 1100 block of Pacific Coast Highway, a strip mall with a dentist office was entered. Pry marks were found on the door to the dentist office and a dead bolt appeared to have been punched. Nothing appeared to have been stolen, but damage was done to the doors.
August 5 afternoon on the 700 block of Pier Avenue, a subject entered a business, placed multiple items of alcohol into a bag, and when confronted left the store without paying. August 8 evening on the 1300 block of Hermosa Avenue, subjects entered a business and had an issue with a form of payment. They returned with more people, entered the business again, and began damaging items in the store. Upon leaving they threw the outside umbrella.
August 9 afternoon on the 100 block of Pacific Coast Highway, two subjects placed multiple cosmetic items into backpacks and left without paying. August 14 afternoon on the 3100 block of Manhattan Avenue, two subjects took multiple items of alcohol, placing some in the waistband of their pants, and left without paying.
August 10 morning on the 00 block of The Strand, an unlocked e-bike was stolen. August 19 afternoon on the 18th Street and Manhattan Avenue area, a locked e-bike was stolen from a light pole. August 10 afternoon on the 900 block of 1st Street, a locked e-bike in a secured parking garage was stolen with the lock cut.
August 6 evening on Pier Avenue, a purse was stolen from a chair on an outdoor patio. August 3 early morning on the 100 block of Hermosa Avenue, a wallet dropped while a victim was doing laundry was stolen. August 9 early morning on Pier Avenue, an iPhone was stolen while at a business. August 10 afternoon on 2nd Street and The Strand, property left on the beach when a victim went swimming was stolen. An airtag pinged to 2nd and Hermosa and victim found car keys and air pods in a trash can, but wallet, cash and driver's license were not found.
August 3 early morning at 31st Place and Morningside Drive, two subjects were seen inside a victim's vehicle. Subjects fled at high speed in a waiting vehicle. The vehicle's steering wheel was damaged and the vehicle appeared to have been searched.
August 7 morning on the 2300 block of The Strand, a victim received a phone call believing it was her son stating he needed a new cell phone. The victim provided her credit card number and a purchase was made. Another purchase was declined. A utility account was opened in a business name without permission on the 1200 block of 7th Street. August 12 afternoon on the 1800 block of Hillcrest Drive, a victim's credit card was used to make purchases. Packages were delivered and intercepted by someone fraudulently posing as the victim.
Unlocked vehicles were entered and items stolen at multiple locations throughout the period. August 11 early morning on 00 block 19th Street, a victim's account with funds was accessed and funds transferred to another unknown person's account.
August 6 evening on 2nd Street and Hermosa Avenue, a traffic stop for expired registration resulted in the discovery of cocaine in the vehicle. The subject was arrested. August 8 early morning on the 2500 block of Hermosa Avenue, a traffic stop revealed controlled substance and paraphernalia in the vehicle. The subject had multiple priors for controlled substances. August 6 evening on Pier Avenue, a subject was arrested for public intoxication and found in possession of paraphernalia. August 14 early morning on 24th Street and The Strand, subjects were found to be in possession of a nitrous oxide tank.
August 5 afternoon, a bag of narcotics, possibly cocaine, was found on the 400 block of Hermosa Avenue and turned in. August 6 early morning, a second bag of narcotics, possibly cocaine, was found on the 300 block of Pier Avenue and turned in. August 9 evening on 14th Street and Prospect Avenue, a contact with a subject found paraphernalia in possession.
August 13 early morning on the 800 block of Bard Street, a window to a residence was broken with a rock. August 13 morning on the 1900 block of Manhattan Avenue, a window to a residence was broken. August 14 afternoon on the 400 block of 31st Street, a rock was thrown at a home and shattered a window. August 9 early morning on the 700 block of 11th Street, renters of a house damaged multiple doors attempting to gain access to locked areas. August 2 evening on the 500 block of Valley Drive, subjects seen using markers to draw on park benches.
Eight public intoxication arrests were made during the period. August 15 early morning, three public urination citations were issued. August 14 early morning on 15th Street and Hermosa Avenue, four subjects under 21 years were found to be in possession of fraudulent identifications. August 5 Monday on 18th Street, a dog bite was reported. August 13 early morning on The Strand, a trespasser was seen on a victim's property and tampered with exterior pipes. August 15 afternoon on 2600 block Valley Drive, kids playing soccer lost control of the ball and struck a subject in the face.
Five DUI arrests were made during the period at various locations on August 2, August 5, August 8, August 12, August 14, and August 15.
Multiple citations were issued for driving with suspended or revoked licenses, reckless driving, fictitious license plates, driving without a license, and driving with license suspended for DUI. Hit-and-run incidents with property damage were reported on August 2 and August 10. Bikes were impounded for a city event. August 8 afternoon, a citation for animal left unattended in vehicle was issued.
August 9 afternoon on 4th Street and The Strand, a victim realized a phone and credit card were missing. The phone was turned off and cards were used for multiple purchases. July 28 through August 7 on the 100 block of Prospect Avenue, an attempted apartment rental fraud was reported where a victim sent money and personal information for a fraudulent rental. A code enforcement report was filed on August 10. August 8 early morning on 7th Street and The Strand, an e-bike accident resulted in an injury with victim transported for medical care.
Violent robbery with a threat of shooting dominates this weeks Crime Time report.
This week's report dominated by 'beach takeover' incident during which shots were apparently fired and two handguns recovered by police
35 reportable incidents in the week, including a high-speed e-moto pursuit.
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