CRIME TIME : Jan 18-24

Multiple fraud cases during the week demonstrated increasingly sophisticated social engineering tactics, with victims losing significant sums to scammers.

In the most costly incident, a victim in the 500 block of Pier Avenue called a number displayed on a pop-up ad claiming to be from Microsoft on January 21. The suspect was given access to the victim's computer and remotely accessed bank accounts. The victim went to the bank and wire transferred money to the suspects before realizing it was a scam, losing $16,000.

In a similar cryptocurrency scam on January 20, a victim in the 2400 block of Hermosa Avenue received a call from someone claiming that someone in Germany was attempting to hack their accounts. The victim worked with the subject to "secure" their cryptocurrency account, and money was then removed from the victim's accounts.

Another victim on Pier Avenue had their account accessed without permission between January 19-21, with $3,600 withdrawn.

Two IRS check interception cases were also reported—one where a check mailed between April-January was intercepted, washed and cashed, and another where a check mailed in September 2025 was similarly altered. These mail fraud cases represent a long-standing pattern of check theft and alteration.

E-Bike Thefts Continue Unabated

Two more e-bikes were stolen during the week, maintaining the alarming trend that has persisted since early December. On January 23, an unlocked e-bike was stolen from outside a store in the 700 block of Pier Avenue. On January 21, an unlocked e-bicycle was stolen from a residence in the 800 block of 13th Street.

Notably, both thefts involved unlocked bikes, suggesting that while thieves have demonstrated the ability to defeat locks in previous incidents, opportunistic theft of unsecured bikes remains common.

This brings the total e-bike and e-motorcycle thefts since early December to at least 11 reported cases across the city.

Three Vehicle Thefts

The week saw three separate vehicle thefts across the city. On January 16-19, a vehicle was stolen from the street in the 900 block of 1st Street. Two additional vehicles were stolen—one on January 23 from 5th Street and Pacific Coast Highway, and details of location were limited for the third theft.

"Swatting" Call Draws Police Response

On January 23, police responded to a shots fired call in the 100 block of Palm Drive. It was later determined to be a "swatting" call—a false report designed to provoke a large emergency response—and no shooting had occurred. Swatting incidents waste police resources and can pose dangers to both officers and residents.

Assault with Metal Knuckles

On January 22, a victim in the 1200 block of The Strand asked a suspect to turn down their music, which led to the suspect threatening the victim. The suspect was located, arrested, and found to be in possession of metal knuckles, an illegal weapon.

Retail Burglary and Theft

On January 18, three subjects entered a store in the 100 block of Pacific Coast Highway, took multiple items including hair care products and alcohol, concealed the items and left without paying.

A suspect stole a purse hanging from the back of a chair at a restaurant in the 00 block of 22nd Street on January 20.

An employee removed a wedding band while working in the 1300 block of Hermosa Avenue on January 18, and it went missing.

Package Theft

A package was stolen upon delivery on December 14 from the 200 block of 10th Street, with the theft signed for by an unknown person.

DUI Arrests

Two DUI arrests were made during the week—one on January 18 at 5th Street and Pacific Coast Highway, and another on January 19 at Pacific Coast Highway and Pier Avenue.

Narcotics and Warrants

On January 19-20, a subject contacted at Ardmore Avenue and Pier Avenue was found to have outstanding warrants and was in possession of controlled substances.

Traffic Enforcement

A traffic stop on January 20 at 16th Street and Pacific Coast Highway found the driver to be on probation and also the restrained person listed in a court order from the passenger in the vehicle. The subject was arrested.

One citation was issued for driving on suspended/revoked license on January 18 at Gould Avenue and Valley Dr.

Identity Theft

On January 21, an unknown subject used a victim's identity without permission in the 1300 block of Hermosa Avenue.