CRIME TIME: December 21-27

Weapons Arrests Across Jurisdictions

Three significant weapons arrests were made during the week across multiple jurisdictions. On December 21, a subject contacted on the beach in the 2200 block of Waterline was found in possession of a loaded firearm. The suspect had an expired concealed carry permit from Nevada and the gun was not registered in California.

A traffic stop during a DUI task force operation in Hawthorne on December 26 uncovered a loaded non-serialized handgun (ghost gun) with a fully loaded extended magazine, along with drug paraphernalia. The weapon was found in a backpack belonging to a passenger with outstanding warrants.

In Manhattan Beach, a subject previously advised of trespassing at a store was found in possession of tear gas, drug paraphernalia, and multiple ID items in other people's names.

E-Bike Thefts Continue Downtown Pattern

E-bike thefts persisted during the holiday week, with three separate incidents reported across downtown locations. On December 26, locked e-bikes were stolen from a secured parking garage in the 300 block of Hermosa Avenue, continuing a troubling pattern of thefts from supposedly secure locations that began earlier in the month.

On December 20, a locked e-bike was stolen from a bike rack on the plaza at 13th Street and The Strand. In a third incident on December 23, an unlocked electric bicycle was taken from outside a store in the 1300 block of Pacific Coast Highway, demonstrating that both locked and unlocked bikes remain vulnerable targets.

The garage theft on Hermosa Avenue marks at least the second secured parking structure targeted this month, following the triple hit at a Monterey Boulevard location in early December. The pattern suggests organized theft activity with perpetrators equipped to defeat locks and access controlled parking areas.

Retail Theft Surge on Pacific Coast Highway

The 1100-1300 blocks of Pacific Coast Highway experienced a spike in retail theft incidents. On December 21, a suspect grabbed a stack of flannel shirts and fled a business. On December 24, a suspect concealed multiple hair extensions inside their jacket and left without paying. On December 26, suspects entered a store with one going into an employee-only area to attempt stealing clippers before being confronted and fleeing.

Cryptocurrency Scam

On December 23, a victim in the 1000 block of Monterey Boulevard was contacted by a subject claiming to be from Crypto.com, warning of fraudulent activity on their account. The victim accessed a website, entered personal information, and unauthorized transactions were then made on their account. This represents a sophisticated phishing attack using social engineering tactics.

OfferUp Exchange Scam

In the early morning hours of December 27, a victim met a suspect in the 400 block of 29th Street for an OfferUp exchange of shoes for jewelry. The suspect tried on the shoes and fled the location, leaving behind fake jewelry.

Quality of Life Enforcement

Five public urination citations were issued during the week, with four occurring in the early morning hours of December 27 at various downtown locations including Pier Avenue, Palm Drive, and 13th Court. One additional citation was issued on December 23 at Hermosa Avenue and Pier Avenue.

One arrest was made for public intoxication on December 21 at 6th Street and Hermosa Avenue.

DUI Enforcement

Two DUI arrests were made during the week, including one on December 20 that continued from the previous week's checkpoint operation at Bard Street and Pier Avenue, and another on December 21 in the 2400 block of Pacific Coast Highway.

Narcotics Activity

Drug paraphernalia was found on two subjects contacted in the 100 block of Pacific Coast Highway on December 26.

In Redondo Beach jurisdiction, two significant narcotics arrests were made during traffic stops. On December 23, a passenger on federal probation was found with methamphetamine and paraphernalia. On December 24, a driver on probation was found with narcotics for sale and admitted to giving narcotics to a passenger to hide during the traffic stop. Both subjects were arrested in each incident.

Other Property Crimes

A package was stolen from a mailbox in the 400 block of Herondo Street on December 20. Another package was stolen from a residence in the 1200 block of 7th Street on December 22.

An unlocked vehicle in the 1800 block of Pacific Coast Highway was entered on December 24 and various items were stolen.

A vehicle tire was slashed in the 600 block of Hermosa Avenue on December 27.

Traffic Enforcement

Two subjects were arrested on December 19 at Pier Avenue and Bard Street for driving with suspended licenses. Another traffic citation for suspended license was issued in Redondo Beach on December 21.

Unusual Incidents

On Christmas morning at 1:52 AM, subjects were observed manipulating the message sign on pier plaza.

A check fraud case was reported in Redondo Beach where an IRS check mailed between December 14-22 was intercepted, altered, and cashed.

Crime Time is a summary of police activity gathered from the HbPD's weekly crime logs.