CRIME TIME: November 23-29

The week spanning Thanksgiving saw 37 reported incidents in Hermosa Beach, with downtown's late-night scene generating the usual mix of public intoxication arrests and quality-of-life citations while officers made several significant arrests involving drugs, weapons, and burglary.

Violent Crime

The most concerning incident occurred early Wednesday morning around 1:30 AM outside a bar in the Pier Avenue area. A woman leaving the establishment was approached by an unknown person who punched her without provocation, causing her to fall to the ground. The attacker fled and remains unidentified. Anyone with information about this unprovoked assault should contact HBPD.

Life-Saving Response

Officers successfully saved a life Tuesday evening when they responded to a medical emergency on the 1800 block of Ardmore Avenue. A subject was found non-responsive and not breathing. Officers deployed CPR and an AED, restoring a strong pulse and increased respiratory rate before the person was transported for medical care.

E-Bike Enforcement

E-bike enforcement remained active throughout the week, in the aftermath of the assault incident on 21st November that has stirred so much discussion within the community. On Monday afternoon, officers cited two riders at Pier Avenue and Valley Drive for unsafe operation after they failed to stop at a stop sign and popped wheelies. Both bikes were impounded. Earlier that day, another e-biker fled when officers attempted a stop near the 1000 block of Monterey Boulevard, dropping their helmet in the process. The helmet was recovered as found property.

Property Crimes & Arrests

A burglary arrest Friday evening demonstrated effective proactive policing. Officers spotted a subject inside a secured parking garage on the 1700 block of Pacific Coast Highway looking into vehicles. When contacted, the person was found in possession of property stolen from local businesses and was arrested.

Saturday afternoon saw a retail theft arrest at a convenience store on the 1100 block of Pacific Coast Highway. The subject was found in possession of controlled substances, paraphernalia, burglary tools, and items bearing other people's names.

Vandalism and property crimes included a passenger side mirror damaged overnight on 4th Street and a locked e-bike stolen from outside a business on the 1600 block of Pacific Coast Highway Monday afternoon. One victim lost keys and a cell phone while chasing after a runaway dog near Pier Avenue late Monday night.

Weapons & DUI Arrests

Tuesday morning brought a weapons arrest at Monterey Boulevard and Pier Avenue when a traffic stop revealed the driver was a convicted felon with cans of pepper spray in the vehicle. On Wednesday night, a DUI arrest at 8th Street and Cypress Avenue resulted in charges for driving under the influence and possession of a collapsible baton.

Traffic Enforcement

Traffic enforcement resulted in two citations for driving with suspended licenses related to prior DUI convictions, and a Redondo Beach incident involving nitrous oxide possession and multiple vehicle violations.

Quality of Life

Public urination citations dominated quality-of-life enforcement, with at least eight people cited throughout the week. The 13th Court area saw particularly heavy enforcement in the early morning hours of Wednesday. Four separate public intoxication arrests were made at various downtown locations.

Identity Theft & Threats

Identity theft hit the north end when someone attempted to purchase a vehicle using a victim's identity on the 200 block of 28th Street. A separate traffic stop resulted in a false ID citation when officers noticed a second fake identification card in a subject's wallet while they were retrieving their actual ID.

Saturday afternoon brought a series of threatening phone calls to businesses on the 1100 block of Pacific Coast Highway, with an unknown caller stating they would attack people. Multiple stores received similar threats.

Other Incidents

The usual assortment of found property included a bicycle recovered on The Strand and sunglasses that went missing from the public beach showers near 2nd Street. As the holiday season continues, HBPD reminds residents to remain vigilant, secure their vehicles and property, and report suspicious activity promptly.

If you have any information relating to any of these incidents, you can contact HbPD on 310 318-0360

Crime Time is a weekly feature of The Hermosa Review summarizing the Hermosa Beach Police Department's public crime log.