CRIME TIME: March 8-14

The week of March 8-14 was marked by the most serious crime Hermosa Beach has seen in recent memory when a homicide investigation concluded with a multi-hour standoff Friday afternoon on The Strand.

Homicide Investigation

Officers responded to a residence on the 500 block of The Strand Friday afternoon at 12:37 PM for what developed into a standoff lasting until approximately 10:30 PM. A subject was arrested after the extended incident. The victim was found deceased inside the residence. HBPD has not released additional details about the circumstances of the death or the relationship between the suspect and victim. This represents an extremely rare occurrence of violent crime in Hermosa Beach.

Hit and Run Pattern

Four separate hit and run incidents with property damage were reported during the week, suggesting either a pattern or coincidental cluster of flee-the-scene collisions. The incidents occurred at Hermosa Avenue and Pier Avenue on Friday (March 7), The Strand near 800 block on January 25, 34th Street and Palm Drive on Friday, and 19th Street and Golden Avenue on Saturday morning. All involved property damage only with no reported injuries.

Retail Theft & Fraud

A persistent shoplifter was arrested Sunday evening after stealing various items on multiple occasions from a business on the 700 block of Pier Avenue. Employees had told the subject to leave, but they returned. When located, the subject was found in possession of stolen objects and arrested.

A sophisticated email fraud scheme cost a victim on the 100 block of Neptune Avenue a significant sum Monday morning. The victim received an email requesting payment for work that had been completed and wire transferred the money, later discovering the email was fraudulent.

Identity theft struck when an unknown subject attempted to open an account in a victim's name using information from someone on the 500 block of Pier Avenue. The attempt was discovered between March 6-12.

An e-bike battery was stolen from the 1600 block of Pacific Coast Highway on Tuesday morning.

Vandalism & Threats

A parking dispute on Saturday turned criminal when a verbal argument over a parking spot on the 00 block of 13th Court escalated. When the victim returned to their parked vehicle hours later, they found a word had been scratched into the door.

A victim on the 2800 block of Ingleside Drive received a threatening email on Thursday, while another incident early Sunday morning involved a subject making threats on Pier Avenue.

DUI & Traffic Enforcement

One DUI arrest was made early Wednesday morning at Gould Avenue and Morningside Drive.

Traffic enforcement resulted in multiple citations for driving with suspended or revoked licenses, including two specifically suspended for prior DUI convictions. One citation was issued on 11th Street, another at Bard Street and Pier Ave, and a third at 24th Street and Ardmore Avenue.

A traffic stop at Pier Avenue and Bard Street revealed confusion in the stolen vehicle system when a vehicle believed to be stolen was pulled over. The vehicle had previously been recovered by another agency but had not been updated in the stolen vehicle database.

Public Intoxication & Disturbances

Two public intoxication arrests were made during the week. The first occurred Friday evening on the 700 block of Pier Avenue. The second, late Friday night into early Saturday morning on Pier Avenue, involved a subject who was acting erratically, throwing items, and resisted arrest.

A verbal altercation inside a store on the 1300 block of Hermosa Avenue Thursday evening involved an intoxicated subject. Friends intervened and walked the subjects home, preventing escalation.

Noise Complaint

A noise control citation was issued Saturday morning on the 100 block of 30th Street after a subject was playing loud music on an amplified speaker and yelling. Officers initially asked the subject to turn down the music. When they returned, music was still playing. The subject closed doors and windows, but music could still be heard, resulting in a citation.

Lost & Found

A lost purse was successfully recovered early Tuesday morning using modern technology. The subject lost their purse while at a restaurant/bar on The Strand. The phone was pinged and located on the beach.

Found property during the week included four wallets (500 block of Pier Ave, 2nd Street and The Strand, 500 Pier Ave again, and 500 Blk Pier Ave), one bicycle (800 block of Valley Drive), a music textbook (2500 block of Valley Park), paintings and papers (500 block of Pier Ave), and documents (500 block of Pier Ave).

HBPD reminds residents to remain vigilant, secure their vehicles and property, and report any suspicious activity immediately. Anyone with information about the homicide investigation or any other crimes should contact HBPD.