CRIME TIME: March 15-21

Hermosa Beach police logged 33 reported incidents during the week of March 15-21, with financial fraud emerging as an unusually prominent theme alongside the typical downtown public intoxication arrests and a concerning pattern of garage burglaries in the north end.

Financial Crimes & Fraud

The week saw a concentration of financial crimes, particularly involving intercepted and altered IRS checks. Two separate victims reported that their IRS refund checks had been intercepted, washed, and cashed by unknown suspects. One case dated back to June 2025 and was reported from the 800 block of 21st Street, while another was reported from the 500 block of Pier Avenue with the interception occurring between January 14-23.

A third fraud victim on the 200 block of Pacific Coast Highway began receiving emails about loan applications they never submitted, discovering the fraud had been ongoing since late December. Another victim on The Strand hired a contractor who stopped communication and failed to return money owed after the contract was terminated.

Modern financial crimes also made an appearance when funds were transferred out of a cryptocurrency account without permission in an incident reported from the 100 block of Pier Avenue. Identity theft struck the 1200 block of 20th Place when a victim received multiple letters about businesses that had been registered using their name and address.

A business on Pier Avenue reported a fraudulent transaction on their account between late February and late March.

Property Crimes

Garage burglaries hit the 2000 block of Hermosa Avenue twice during the week. In the first incident, discovered Thursday morning, tools and a bicycle were stolen after the garage was opened. Just hours later, another garage on the same block was entered and an e-bike was stolen. The proximity and timing suggest a possible connection between the two burglaries.

A locked bicycle was stolen from The Strand on Sunday evening, and headphones were reported lost from 14th Court on Monday.

Vehicle vandalism occurred Tuesday afternoon when a passenger side window was smashed on a vehicle parked on the 800 block of Valley Drive.

In a concerning incident Monday afternoon, a victim dropped off jewelry at a business on the 1200 block of Hermosa Avenue, but when they returned to pick up the items, the store appeared to be closed.

Assault & Public Safety

An e-bike-related assault occurred Wednesday evening on Pier Avenue when a verbal argument over bike riding on The Strand escalated. The suspect pushed their e-bike into the victim's legs before leaving the area.

DUI & Narcotics

Three DUI arrests were made during the week. Early Friday morning, a driver was arrested at 10th Street and The Strand, while early Tuesday morning brought another arrest on the 1100 block of Aviation Boulevard. The week's first DUI arrest occurred early Saturday morning on the 1100 block of Hermosa Ave.

On Wednesday morning, officers located a subject with an outstanding warrant on the 200 block of Pier Avenue. During the search, controlled substances including methamphetamine were found, leading to arrest.

A bicycle stop late Sunday night at 11th Street and Hermosa Avenue resulted in a paraphernalia arrest.

Quality of Life

Public intoxication dominated quality-of-life enforcement with seven arrests throughout the week. Downtown locations including Pier Avenue, Hermosa Avenue, and the Pier Avenue/Manhattan Avenue intersection saw multiple arrests. One arrest occurred Friday afternoon on the 1600 block of Pacific Coast Highway, breaking the typical early-morning pattern.

Other Incidents

Two bicycles were found and turned in as property on Sunday morning, both near Pier Avenue.

An unusual burglary case emerged Thursday when items were stolen from an apartment on the 400 block of Herondo Street, though the victim had already been evicted from the unit.

A medical emergency Monday required subject transport after treatment, with the vehicle towed for safety. Another information report documented a disturbance at an apartment complex on 2nd Street.

Sunday saw a victim report that they believed they may have been a fraud victim, though no actual fraud was discovered upon investigation.

HBPD's canine unit assisted Redondo Beach Police Department with a high-risk traffic stop on the 1500 block of Pacific Coast Highway on Friday morning.

Residents are reminded to secure garages and outbuildings, particularly in the north end where the recent burglaries occurred, and to report suspicious activity immediately to HBPD.