CRIME TIME: July 19-25

Hermosa Beach police responded to 48 reported incidents during the week of July 19-25, marked by a serious robbery on Pier Avenue where a group of subjects targeted a pedestrian with threats of gunfire, multiple vehicle thefts including one recovered from another city, a sophisticated identity theft involving impersonation of a Verizon employee, and a continued surge in e-bike component theft.

Robbery with Gun Threats

Saturday evening on Pier Avenue, a victim was walking when followed by a group of subjects who told the victim to give up their belongings and threatened to shoot them. The victim kept walking, but the suspects threw them to the ground, punched the victim, and pulled off a chain before fleeing the area.

Sophisticated Identity Theft & Account Takeover

Thursday evening on the 500 block of Manhattan Avenue, a victim was contacted by a supposed Verizon employee. The suspect claimed the victim's account had been used to purchase iPhones and asked the victim to verify account information. The suspect stated he was going to fix the issue, but instead gained access to the victim's account and took it over. The victim has not yet suffered financial loss, but the suspect threatened the victim regarding photos in the account if the victim did not pay.

Vehicle Theft Surge

Three vehicles were stolen from street parking during the week. Sunday on the 1300 block of Manhattan Avenue and Monday on the 2000 block of Manhattan Avenue, vehicles were stolen from the street.

A stolen vehicle from the 1500 block of Hermosa Avenue was tracked to another city. The victim met a deputy to recover the vehicle, but discovered that the ignition had been tampered with and was unable to be started. Various items had been stolen from inside the vehicle.

Package & Retail Theft

A baseball card purchased online was authenticated and shipped to a purchaser on the 700 block of Pier Avenue. The package arrived but the baseball card was not inside. A package was stolen from a doorstep on the 2900 block of Morningside Drive.

E-Bike Component Thefts

Helmet and decorative front license plates were stolen from a locked e-bike on the 00 block of Pier Avenue on Wednesday. An unlocked bicycle was stolen from the 16th Street and The Strand area on Tuesday.

Multiple DUI Arrests

Six DUI arrests were made during the week. Saturday evening on the 800 block of Hermosa Avenue, a subject was arrested for DUI, reckless driving, and DUI enhancement for speed while driving with a license suspended for DUI. Early Sunday on Herondo Street and Valley Drive brought another DUI arrest. Tuesday on the 00 block of Pier Avenue, a subject was arrested for DUI with a suspended/revoked license and forging/altering vehicle registration. Thursday early morning on the 400 block of Hermosa Avenue and Friday on the 21st Street and Hermosa Avenue area brought additional DUI arrests. Early Saturday at Pacific Coast Highway and Pier Avenue, another DUI arrest was made.

Weapons Arrest

Saturday morning on the 14th Court and Hermosa Avenue area, a traffic stop revealed a driver on felony probation. The subject was found to be a felon in possession of OC spray and was arrested.

Assaults & Threats

Sunday afternoon at the 1100 block of The Strand, subjects at a FIFA watch party had a dispute when one subject threw a can at others' heads. The suspect then picked up a thermos to hit the victim, changed to a chair, and swung it at the victim. Neither weapon made contact.

Wednesday evening on the 200 block of 28th Street, a subject reported being threatened by a former client.

Quality of Life

Four public intoxication arrests were made during the week at various locations on Pier Avenue and residential areas. A traffic stop on the 2000 block of Hermosa Avenue found both passengers in possession of paraphernalia; subjects were cited and released.

Fraud & Identity Theft

A student loan was opened in a victim's name on the 100 block of Lyndon Street for school the victim has never attended, spanning from April through July. A subject ordered an iPhone on the 1200 block of 11th Place using a victim's account information. A vehicle believed stolen from Baja Sharkeez was ultimately located at Baja Sharkeez in Manhattan Beach.

Traffic Enforcement

Multiple citations were issued for driving on suspended or revoked licenses. Hit-and-run incidents with property damage were reported.

Found Property

Found items included wallets, license plates, cell phones, and multiple items of found property turned in.

Other Incidents

A nitrous oxide tank and Glock airsoft BB gun were taken for destruction. An electric Segway was stolen from a front porch on the 900 block of 6th Street.