CRIME TIME: December 28 – January 3

The first crime report of 2026 brings familiar Hermosa Beach themes: public intoxication arrests downtown, identity theft, and a couple of unusual incidents that stand out from the typical weekly log.

Smash & Grab Lottery

Someone smashed through the glass door of a PCH business with a brick around 3 AM on January 3rd and made off with lottery tickets.

The Mani-Pedi Caper

In what might be the most audacious incident of the week, a suspect received a manicure and pedicure at a salon on the 1100 block of Pacific Coast Highway on December 30th, then discovered they couldn't pay the bill. After attempting to use fraudulent credit cards and getting into a confrontation with employees, the suspect fled. The incident was classified as robbery.

Identity Theft and Fraud

Two identity theft cases were reported. In one, someone's Social Security number was used to purchase a cell phone. In another case with a date range stretching back to August 2023, a credit card account was opened in a victim's name with an address in Oregon.

A Facebook Marketplace transaction went sideways on New Year's Day when a buyer attempted to purchase a computer with counterfeit money. The seller recognized the fake bills, and the would-be fraudster took the bogus cash back and left empty-handed.

E-bikes, E-scooters, E-crimes

Electric two-wheelers continue to create headaches. An e-bike was stolen from a locked pillar in an underground carport on 3rd Street. A locked electric scooter was stolen from the bike rack on the Pier plaza on December 29th.

Meanwhile, two e-moto bicycles fled from officers near Monterey Boulevard and Pier Avenue, running stop signs, speeding, splitting lanes, and weaving through traffic to escape.

DUI Arrests

Officers made two DUI arrests during the week. One occurred on December 27th at 6th Street and Pacific Coast Highway, the other on New Year's Eve at Neptune Avenue and Manhattan Avenue in Manhattan Beach jurisdiction.

Public Intoxication

Eight arrests for public intoxication were scattered throughout the week, concentrated in the downtown area. A particularly eventful Saturday afternoon (December 28th) saw two subjects arrested near 800 block Hermosa Avenue after they were spotted looking through packages and into a golf cart—both were found with items not belonging to them.

One arrest on December 29th at 10th and Monterey also included a charge for resisting arrest.

Public Urination Citations

Three citations for public urination were issued during the week, with two occurring at the same location—the 00 block of 11th Street—within days of each other.

Vandalism

Someone smeared black tar on a vehicle and stop sign on the 300 block of 28th Street overnight on December 27th-28th. The vehicle was also scratched and had part of its mirror broken off.

Retail Theft

Shoplifting hit the 3100 block of Manhattan Avenue on December 30th when subjects loaded items into a cart, concealed merchandise in their clothing, and left without paying.

Miscellaneous

A dog bite was reported on Valley Drive. Someone stole multiple newspapers from a residence on Loma Drive. A Christmas gift bag containing multiple stolen license plates, a thumb drive, and a parking citation was found in a mailbox on The Strand. And LA County lifeguards turned in a bag of found property from the Pier Avenue area.

Happy New Year, Hermosa. Stay safe, lock your e-bikes, and please try to use the public restrooms.