altadenablog

Altadena family suffers second home invasion robbery

An Altadena family were the victims of a home invasion robbery Saturday afternoon, with the robbers fleeing with an undetermined amount of cash.

According to Altadena Det. Lt. Joe Dempsey, two Hispanic men armed with a handgun and a baseball bat entered a home on the 1300 block of Avocado Terrace at about 4 PM Sept. 18.  The four occupants --  a woman, age 58, and three men, ages 27, 32, and 36 -- were restrained, the home was ransacked. and an undetermined amount of cash taken.  The suspects fled in a black SUV. The robbery took around 30 minutes.

After the men fled, the  victims managed to free themselves and call the sheriff.

Dempsey said that there was "not a whole lot to work on right now," but they were working on the theory that the victims -- who own a restaurant in El Monte -- were followed home.

"To calm the fears of Altadena residents, the vast majority of home invasions are not just randomly picked," Dempsey said.  "They are usually followed home, and there's some involvement with cash," such as restaurant or business owners, or casino patrons. "We don't have a home invasion robbery problem in Altadena," Dempsey said.

According to Dempsey, the victims of the robbery endured a similar home invasion nine years ago in the same location.

UPDATE 9/21:  More details about the robbery have come to light in this week's crime log.

Deputies rescue attempted murder suspect from suicide try

A 52-year-old Altadena man, a suspect in the assault of his sister last night, was rescued this afternoon by Altadena deputies who found him in a car near the Rose Bowl with a slashed neck and wrist.


According to Altadena Sheriff Capt. Steven McLean, Ronald Poole, 52, had been named as a suspect in the assault of his 66-year-old sister overnight Wednesday night/Thursday morning.  After being found bleeding near the Rose Bowl at about 3 this afternoon, he was transported to Huntington Memorial Hospital, where he was treated for his injuries and is presently in sheriff's custody.  McLean said that Poole will likely be charged with attempted murder for the assault of his sister.

The sister, who was not identified, is presently in the hospital in stable condition, McLean said. A sheriff's report said she had been assaulted with hands, fists, and shod feet.

According to McLean, Altadena Station received a call about 11 AM from a brother-in-law of Poole's, who said that Poole had called him and left messages indicating that he was despondent over the assault and that he would kill himself.  Deputies responded to a residence on the 600 block of Crosby, where Poole was living, where they were let in by another resident of the home.  Deputies found "several pools of blood" on the floor, McLean said, and found that Poole was the named suspect in the assault.

Deputies then organized a search for Poole.  Thanks to what McLean said was "good investigative work," deputies found him in the car with the apparently self-inflicted injuries.

Deputies called paramedics, who transported Poole to the hospital where he underwent emergency surgery, McLean said.

"I believe, thanks to the quick actions of everybody involved, there is a good chance we saved his life, " McLean said.

The home on Crosby is presently being processed as a crime scene, with Altadena detectives investigating.

Crime log: Sept. 6-8

We're re-starting the weekly Crime Log again, with information provided by the Altadena Sheriff's Station:

Mon., Sept. 6:

• Between 4:00 PM & 6:15 PM – A vehicle burglary occurred at Lake Av. & Loma Alta Dr. Suspect(s) shattered the front passenger window of a beige 2009 Toyota Corolla. Loss: black IPod, earphones, and prescription glasses.

Wed., Sept. 8:

• 9:30 PM – A vehicle vandalism occurred in the 1900-blk of Sinaloa Av. Suspect(s) were observed shattering the vehicle windows & headlights of a white 1985 Toyota Pick-Up. A witnessed described one suspect as a male – name of Ismael, Hispanic, 24-25 years, 6’00”, 190 lbs. Suspect(s) were last seen northbound on Sinaloa Av.
• Between 1:00 AM & 5:30AM – A gold 2008 Toyota Tundra was stolen from the 1800-blk of Sierra Madre Villa. No suspect(s) information available.

Over 200 lawmen in gang sweep this morning

LA Times is already reporting it, even tho' it's apparently still going on at about 9 AM per the scanner: about 250 officers from the LA Count Sheriff's Dept., LAPD, Pasadena PD, and Drug Enforcement Administration are conducting a sweep of parole violators, targeting members of the Pasadena Denver Lanes gang.  Says the Times:

One of the 22 law enforcement teams searched three homes in the Altadena area and found a shotgun, shotgun shells and a small amount of marijuana in one of the houses. The person on parole who lived there was arrested.

Locally, our readers reported police activity across from Muir High School, and officers using the Rose Bowl for staging.  More as we get it.

UPDATE 12:30 PM:  Altadena Det. Lt. Joseph Dempsey tells us that the sweep involved 71 locations, trying to find 16 felony probationers and 55 parolees, all members of the Pasadena Denver Lanes.  Officers contacted 16 locations in Altadena and one in La Crescenta.  A total of 15 arrests were made in the sweep, with three for firearms violations and the rest for parole violations, outstanding warrants, and narcotics possession.

The operation started at 4 AM this morning and took about seven hours, Dempsey said, "not counting countless hours putting it together -- Altadena detectives and the Safe Streets group spent weeks planning the operation."

The next step, Dempsey said, is to either file charges or go through parole hearings for violations.  For the parolees who were not at the locations -- sometimes they will give the address of a relative without actually living there, Dempsey said -- officers will seek parole violations charges.

"We're trying to let these gang members know othat Altadena is not a place to pursue gang activites," Dempsey said.  "We're trying to continue the pressure on them."

 

Swine swipes Schwinn

This hits close to home, and we don't like it: some bottom-feeder appropriated a bicycle owned by our regular correspondent Devon Pettengill, and she'd like it back:

My bike was stolen from my yard sometime within the last few days. I'm offering a  $50 reward for it because even though it was a bit rusty, it had some sentimental value. I attached a picture of the bike. It is a modified Schwinn road bike from 1988, model name Voyageur. It's emerald green with gold logos, has mountain bike handles, and a rack on the back for a child seat. Anyone with information about the bike, or helpful tips about where stolen bikes tend to show up, can call me at 626-807-9232.

Thieves or overenthusiatic recyclers? The latest on the "mothership scavengers"

The latest message from the Altadena Sheriff's Dept. regarding the wave of metal scavengers:

An update regarding the individuals stealing items from yards in the Chaney Trail area (as well as the rest of Altadena).  We identified the individuals and located their trucks.  Today we conducted a search of a property in Altadena.  It appears these individuals run a legitimate scrap business.  It seems that they have gotten a bit carried away and have moved away from just taking scrap to taking items from yards.  Unfortunately most of their business is metal and they take the items to the disposed of the same day they obtain them.  We are continuing to follow up with the investigation.  We did issue citations on the trucks and advised the individuals we will be watching them very carefully and advised them Altadena is not a place for them to conduct their business. 

Beverly Way burglars caught in the act, sheriffs say

Two Altadena men, suspected of committing several residential burglaries, were caught in the act Aug. 16 when they broke into a house without knowing that they were being tailed by detectives the whole time, according to the sheriff’s office.

According to a sheriff’s press release, detectives from Altadena Station and Major Crimes Bureau were conducting a surveillance of the two men, who were suspected of numerous burglaries in Altadena and Pasadena.  Detectives saw the men break into a residence on the 1100 block of Beverly Way and arrested them on the way out.  A stolen gun was among the property recovered from the home.

Our readers on the scene reported major police activity during the incident, including the helicopter and several squad cars.  Altadena Sheriff Capt. Steven McLean, at last night’s town council meeting, said that this brings the total of arrested burglary suspects at 42 for the year.

"Mothership scavengers" operating in the Meadows

We've been getting reports from the news groups about "scavenger theft" -- thieves who enter private yards to load their trucks with whatever is not nailed down (pipes, ladders, barbecue grills, etc.), who later offload their booty onto a "mothership," -- a larger truck parked away from the site of the raid.  The large truck then hauls the booty away.

One sharp neighbor managed to take pictures and write a description of the trucks.  If you see them, call the sheriff's station.

 
The reported description follows:

The license plate of the small truck is:
4G49413 (black letters on white with what appears to be a beat up "Ventura" license plate frame)

The license of the large truck is:
8A93709 (with "California" at the top in red cursive font)
There is even a phone number on the bumper of the large truck offering "hauling services" (how ironic):

626.219.3425

Deputies seize drugs near Charles White Park

County parks deputies arrested two men and seized narcotics during a raid Thursday at a home next to Charles White Park, according to the Altadena sheriff's station.

A press release from the sheriff's department says: "On Thursday, Aug. 5, 2010, the Parks Bureau served a search warrant at a house on Mountain View Street, directly adjacent to Charles White County Park.   Deputies seized various narcotics at the location and arrested two males for various narcotic related offenses, including possession for sales of narcotics. "

(Earlier this year, the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Dept. merged with County Police, who are charged with patrolling county parks).

Altadena Sheriff's Capt. Steven McLean told Altadenablog Saturday that possible crack cocaine and methamphetamine had been seized at the home, which had been under observation as a drug haven for some time.

Shots fired, none injured in gang-related shooting Thurs.

PSN has a short story about gang members shooting at other gang members on the 2000 block of El Nido Thursday night at about 9:15.  No one injured, nothing hit, no one caught, but apparently the gang affiliations are known.

Sheriffs update crimefighting efforts

This notice received from Detective Lt. Joe Dempsey of the Altadena Sheriff Station:

Our goal is to partner with the community to make Altadena a safer community to live and work.  We strongly believe that communication is key to achieving that goal.  We will make every effort to release as much information on our activity as possible.  We will release information on arrests and investigations, unless the information would affect an ongoing investigation or would endanger the safety of a person involved in the incident.  We will strive to release the most accurate information possible.      

Here is an update on our efforts to curtail the recent spike in burglary and theft crimes in the Altadena area:   

An update regarding the recent arrest of the burglary suspects in the 1900 block of Mar Vista Avenue on July 25, 2010.  Cases against the two adult suspects were presented to the District Attorney’s Office and felony burglary charges were filed against both suspects.  The case has not been presented to the District Attorney for the juvenile suspect at this time.  Detectives anticipate presenting the case in the following week.   

Our combined efforts (Sheriff’s Department, Pasadena Police Department and the Community) has had a significant impact on reported burglaries and thefts over the past two months.    

Residential Burglaries:   In the past seven weeks our residential burglaries have gone from 12 per week to 3 per week.   In the month of June we had 34 reported residential burglaries.   In the month of July we had 13 reported residential burglaries.   

Thefts (vehicle burglaries, thefts from vehicles, etc.):   In mid June we had 5 reported thefts reports per week.   By the end of June (which correlated with the start of summer break for the local schools) we were up to 18 reported thefts per week.   By the end of July we are down to 5 reported thefts per week.   In the month of June we had 41 reported thefts.   In the month of July we had 38 reported thefts.   

Investigations :  Detectives continue to aggressively pursue each and every burglary and theft case we receive.  They have served numerous search warrants and recovered a great deal of stolen property.  They have identified and arrested numerous people for burglary and theft related crimes.   

Patrol:   Our patrol force has been supplemented by additional personnel from outside the station.  The deputies are working tirelessly to aggressively patrol Altadena in order to strongly deter the criminal element from striking in our neighborhoods.   

Community Relations:   Our Volunteers on Patrol are patrolling the neighborhoods to boost our presence in the community.   They are helping the deputies to deter criminal activity and to be their eyes and ears.  If anyone is interested in the Volunteers on Patrol program please feel free to call or email me.    

Community:   People are becoming more aware of their community.  Residents are reporting crimes in a timely manner.  We highly encourage everyone to report crimes and report them as soon as possible.    As always if you have questions or concerns please feel free to call or email me.  

Joseph Dempsey
jedempse@lasd.org

Burglary arrest case falls apart

The highly-touted arrest of several burglary suspects by Altadena deputies and the Pasadena Police Department last week is falling apart, according to this PSN story by Dan Abendschein.  Charges have been dropped or suspended, some of the suspects were actually arrested weeks before ... Altadena deputies still think they can make a case against three suspects who are now out on bail. though.

Tagging: the sheriff wants your pictures

Carolyn Seitz of the Sheriff's Community Advisory Committee emails us this:

Last week, Lieutenant Joe Dempsey distributed information about graffiti removal and about a new page on the Los Angeles County Sheriff's website (www.lasd.org) with information on a "most wanted taggers" list.

The Altadena Sheriff's Station's Detectives are still requesting that you email photos of graffiti you see in Altadena to them. 

To email photos and location information for the graffiti you're reporting, the email address is:  altadena@lasd.org

To call to report graffiti, you can call the Station number at 626 798 1131.  Please understand that our station is undergoing renovation and for that reason, our calls are being routed to the Crescenta Valley Sheriff's station. 

Calls may be answered by someone unfamiliar with Altadena or the want of our Gang Detectives to get the information timely, so if you can do it, photos and location info by email may work better.

Thanks,
Carolyn

Sheriffs, Pasadena PD nab three suspects in Sunday morning burglary [Updated}

We received a reports from our community collaborators about the helicopter and squad cars clustering  Sunday morning about 3:30 AM.  According to Chris Considine, who was on the scene, sheriff's deputies had staked out the area bounded by New York, Morada, Mar Vista, and Holliston.  

Another correspondent from the area said that the copter was using the spotlight, and at one point the loudspeaker.  A deputy on scene interviewed by Chris confirmed that a burglary occurred on Morada (altho' other reports have said Mar Vista) and several suspects were arrested.

PSN reports that three suspects were arrested at the scene: Nicolas Noles,Harold Brown, 19, and a 17-year-old juvenile. The older suspects are being held in lieu of $50,000 bail each and arraignment is scheduled for Tuesday in Pasadena Superior Court.

UPDATE:  Det. Lt. Joe Dempsey of the Altadena Sheriff's station sent out this release:

On 07-25-10 at 3:31 am, Altadena Patrol deputies responded to a residential burglary alarm call in the 1900 block of Mar Vista Avenue in Altadena.  The deputies determined someone did in fact break into the home.Due to a quick response from Altadena Sheriff's deputies and Pasadena police officers, coupled with numerous calls from residents in the area, the suspects were located hiding in the neighborhood.  All three suspects were arrested for various charges including burglary. 

A great example of the result of a true partnership, the Community, Altadena Sheriff’s, and Pasadena Police Department.

UPDATE 7/27: We received this first-hand account from the site of the arrest (the burglary was apparently on Mar Vista, the arrest on Morada):

The ordeal went on for about 2 hours from approx. 3:30 - 5:30 am with helicopters and police search (with guns drawn!) ... One of the offenders was found hiding in the car outside our front gate (with lots of cell phones, ipods, computers in it) and the other one was in the yard next door behind a bush. He had gone through my husband's car then obviously slipped across the fence to hide in the bushes outside their bedroom window. Quite a night and a bit disconcerting.

Needless to say we double checked our locks and windows the last few nights, although hopefully we won't have that sort of action for a very long time again!

Sheriffs confirm six arrests in local burglaries

We were a little suspicious when some news outlets said at least a dozen burglary suspects were nabbed last week -- the press release we received (and a subsequent email confirmation to us by Det. Lt. Joe Dempsey) confirmed that there were six.  Carolyn Seitz from the Sheriff's Advisory Committee sent out this message  Friday:

Late this afternoon, Captain [Steven] McLean and Lieutenants [Shiela] Sanchez and [Roosevelt] Johnson provided the attached press release about the burglars arrested in Altadena between July 20th and July 22nd and asked that it be distributed across all of Altadena ...

Information in the newspapers saying 12 arrests were made in
Altadena is erroneous.

There were 6 arrests made between July 20th and July 22nd in
Altadena, in a joint operation with Pasadena Police Department.

It is possible that Pasadena made other arrests, but any
information published indicating 12 arrests in Altadena isn't
correct.

The Captain and Lieutenants in Altadena are still asking you to
report suspicious activity. Do not confront suspicious persons,
just call the station phone number - 626 798 1131. For now, the
call may be answered at the Crescenta Valley Sheriff's Station.
If you encounter any difficulties explaining to the person
answering the phone that you are observing suspicious activity
and are asking for Altadena deputies to respond, ask to speak to
the watch commander.

Dan Abendschein @ PSN has an follow-up to the arrest story, including the names of suspects, who are tied to the Bloods gang.

Six gang members arrested in burglary wave, sheriffs say

(This story has been updated from a previous version)

The Los Angeles County Sheriff announced tonight that six men were arrested for burglary and other charges in a joint operation between Altadena deputies and the Pasadena Police Dept.

A sheriff's press release said:

On July 20 through 22, 2010, Detectives from Altadena Station and the Pasadena Police Department conducted a joint operation to combat residential burglaries in both jurisdictions. The operation resulted in the arrest of six male adult suspects on charges such as residential burglary, possession of stolen property and grand theft auto. Two of the suspects were additionally charged for violation of parole.

In addition, several pieces of stolen property were recovered, including a vehicle, laptop computers, big screen television and cellular telephones. All of the suspects are suspected members of a local street gang. The investigation into their connection to additional crimes in Altadena and Pasadena is ongoing.

UPDATE 11 PM: LA Times is saying "at least a dozen" gang members arrested, but we're not sure we trust that number yet.

UPDATE 7/23, 11:45 PM: We were right not to trust that number: sheriffs say Pasadena PD (which LA Times used as a source) is wrong, it's six arrested.  A copy of the press release on this is after the jump.

No injuries in westside midnight drive-by shooting

Details are still sketchy --the Crescenta Valley sheriff's station reports that 13 bullet casings were recovered following a drive-by shooting around midnight near McNally.

A station deputy reported that approximately 20 gunshots were reported being fired at 12:03 AM Saturday morning.  No one was injured, and there is no description yet on the shooters or vehicle.

Smash-and-grab thefts from Eaton Canyon parking lot

Apparently there's no place safe from the burglars. Lt. Joseph Dempsey from the Altadena Sheriff's Station sent us this:

The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Parks Bureau reported that they received three vehicle burglary reports at Eaton Canyon Park on Fri., July 2, 2010.  The burglaries occurred between 8 AM and 12 PM.  In all three of the thefts, the suspect(s) gained entry by smashing a window.  Numerous items were stolen from the vehicles.   

Please do not leave valuables in your vehicles.

Call Altadena Sheriff's Station (626-798-1131) to report any suspicious activity.

Deputies from Altadena Station and Parks Bureau will be patrolling the county parks.

Any questions or information please call or email Lieutenant Joseph Dempsey: 626-296-2131 or jedempse@lasd.org

Sheriff's community meeting on burglaries, July 15 @ Eliot Middle School 7 PM

From the Altadena Sheriff's Station:

The Altadena Sheriff's Station invites you to attend a community meeting Thurs., July 15 at 7 PM at the Charles W. Eliot Middle School Auditorium,  2184 N. Lake Ave., Altadena.

This year, we have seen an increase in the number of burglaries and thefts occurring in your neighborhood. We would like the opportunity to talk with you about this criminal activity and what can be done to abate it.

Specifically, we plan to discuss:

• How, where and when these crimes are occurring.
• What you can do to protect yourself and your neighbors.
• How you can help us prevent these crimes from occurring.

We sincerely hope that you will be able to attend. Because of the subject matter, we ask that you please do not bring children to the meeting. We realize that your time is valuable, but we believe the issues to be discussed at this meeting are important to the community and we thank you in advance for any effort you can make to attend.

If you have questions, contact the Altadena Sheriff’s Station Detective Bureau Commander, Lt. Joseph Dempsey (626) 798-1131 ext. 2131.

Followups on last night's shooting

This morning, other news organizations are saying -- unlike what we were told by the deputy -- last night's incident was an officer-involved shooting.  We've got calls in to Lt. Sanchez and Capt. McLean to get to the bottom of it, and will share it as we get it.

UPDATE: Here's the press release on the incident:

Sheriff's Internal Affairs Bureau Investigators are en route to the 2800 Block of Santa Rosa Avenue, Altadena, to investigate the circumstances surrounding a Deputy-involved shooting.

 

No deputies were injured.

 

Whenever a deputy-involved shooting occurs involving Los Angeles County Sheriff's Deputies, multipleinvestigations immediately begin at the scene. These include separate investigations by the Sheriff's Internal Affairs Bureau as well as Sheriff's station or detective division investigators. Attorneys with the Los Angeles Office of Independent Review also respond to the scene, and have full access to the facts known to the Sheriff's Department throughout every phase of these thorough investigations. Once concluded, every aspect of the shooting is reviewed by the Sheriff's Executive Force Review Committee.

Reader Steve Haussler says the area was still cordoned off at 7 AM.

UPDATE 11:50 AM: Looks like the LA Times is on top of it: story seems to be the individual involved threatened suicide, shot at the deputies who fired back, but then shot himself and died at the scene.  We're still trying to get some information from the local sheriffs and fill in the blanks.

UPDATE 1:30: PSN has the full up-to-date press release in their story.

Chopper hovering around Santa Rosa

At about 9:30 PM, police activity with chopper orbiting around Santa Rosa -- sheriff's station won't talk to us "unless it's an emergency," and scanner isn't helpful, altho' the word "guns" has turned up several times. We're monitoring the situation.

UPDATE 9:43 PM: Per scanner, they've got someone "at gunpoint."

UPDATE 9:55 PM: Deputies coming in from Temple Station, deputies putting cars in place in case somebody runs.  "Hey, were there shots fired just now?" per scanner.

UPDATE 10 PM: Deploying k-9 units -- fire dept. frequency just reported GSW (gunshot wound) in Altadena.  Deputies gathering in Rite Aid parking lot per scanner.

UPDATE 10:10:  Deputies are approaching suspect per scanner-- some of our readers in the area are reporting hearing gunshots during this incident.

UPDATE 10:12 Deputies have recovered 417 (gun) from suspect per scanner.

UPDATE 10:16:  Per scanner: sent the chopper on its way, requested fire dept to roll in (probably paramedics), gathering cops at the Rite Aid parking lot -- sounds like it's over.  Now we'll try and figure out what happened!

Voting booths stolen from polling place Tues. night

Reader Mary Margaret Nesmith sent us this message:

I regularly serve as an election inspector and served [Tues.]  at a polling place at the N/W corner of Altadena Drive and Glenrose Avenue.  Last night, June 8th, sometime between 9:00 and 10:00 PM, during the course of packing up and carrying out our supplies and equipment, two items were stolen.  They are voting booths designed to assist handicapped/visually impaired voters.  When packed up, one looks like a blue plastic square suitcase, approximately 30" x 30" and 10" deep.  The other item looks like an aluminum suitcase, approximately 30" x 30" and 3" deep.

Unreal that someone would stoop so low.

I have reported this theft to the Altadena Sheriff's Department.  If any readers see any items matching the descriptions above, please let the Sheriff's know or e-mail me at nesmith@earthlink.net.

Gardener loses truck in bold daylight theft

A really brazen theft occurred this morning on the 2000 block of Jefferson Dr.  One witness sent out the following:

Someone walked up at about 8:45 AM this morning and stole a gardener's pickup truck while the gardener was working in the customer's back yard. I was outside talking with my neighbor and saw the truck drive away, but nothing seemed remarkable about it. I didn't notice the person get in the vehicle, but I saw it drive away; I just assumed it was the vehicle owner.

A few minutes later, the gardener emerged from the back yard of the house across the street and approached me and my next-door neighbor and asked where his truck was. I told him I didn't really see the person who drove it away, and I just assumed it was a co-worker of the gardener. He said that he was working alone.

Due to his limited English ability, I called the sheriff for him. I'm happy to say they arrived quickly, and there are still a couple of units parked across the street, with deputies interviewing the gardener and another neighbor.

That's pretty brazen to hop in a car in front of potential witnesses and steal it. It goes to show that if you're not looking for something, you may not see it even when it's right under your nose.  Whoever took the truck walked up to it so nonchalantly I never got suspicious.

Residential burglary on Calavaras Thurs.

Got several notices on this, including one from the victim: someone broke into a house on the 200 block of E. Calavaras sometime between 8 AM and 3:30 PM on Thurs, June 3, and left everything behind except a hidden box of jewelry (it was some time after the break-in that they discovered the box missing).

Two shot in Harriet drive-by Sat. night

Deputies are looking for two suspects in a drive-by shooting Saturday night on the 700 block of West Harriet.

Three victims were shot at and two were hit, according to a spokesman from the Altadena Sheriff Station.  The injured were transported to Huntington Memorial Hospital, and the injuries were not considered life-threatening.

According to the sheriff's, the suspects crashed their Volkswagen vehicle down the block as they attempted to flee, and continued on foot.  Deputies have recovered "items of ID" from the vehicle, and are looking for two suspects.  Deputies said that, based on evidence in the vehicle, the shooting appears to be gang-related.

Breaking (if not entering) and mail thefts reported

Received word of two crimes this week worth noting:

First, shared from one of the listservs, a home on Garfias reported June 1:

My wife and I went for an early lunch around 11 AM and came home at about 12:30 PM and found our door handle buckled.  It looks like someone tried to pull it out of place to gain access.  I'm sure they made enough noise to signal my house dog which is a pit bull.  It seems like a bold move to access a house through a front door, but it is possible that they noticed the 2 pit bulls in the backyard and thought that yard dogs were all I have.  If they tried my front door, I'm sure they will try others. Please keep all your deadbolts locked and alarms set when you are out. 

According to a note from Sheriff Lt. Sheila Sanchez, apparently this wasn't reported to the sheriff at the time.

Also, someone reports outgoing mail was stolen from a residential mailbox on Marengo.

Dirty dogs steal pet business' computer and records

Jaime Rosier, proprietor of Goldilocks and the Hound Hikers, her dog and pet care business, told us that someone broke into her car on Calavaras on Tuesday afternoon, and stole her business bag -- which held her computer and paper files, almost all of her electronic and paper business records, including her accounts receivable, and banking documents, as well as personal documents. 

Then, last night, a good citizen recovered her bag on Palm St. near Fair Oaks.  Her computer and records were gone, but someone else's stuff was in it.

So she's asking people to be on the lookout for her computer (Asus model S37S, white pearlescent cover with a silver mesh print design and a broken left corner, serial no. 7BN0AS074151), and any paper files (documents have her name and/or her business name on them, including manila folders in light green and light tan).

She's also looking for the owner of any of these items that were in the recovered bag:

1. Sunglasses - Panama Jack brand, black, metal rimmed, police style, light/clear tint

2. Sunglasses - Ray Ban (black case that snaps w/ red interior), don't see Ray Ban on frames, mirrored lenses

3. Red rear view mirror decoration, chinese style w/ 3 tassles and knot work

4. 4 black cell phone chargers for cars : 3 are  Verizon Wireless models - 1 for  blackberry style, 1 for LG model (maybe) and 1 not sure what model it goes to. And 4th one is a black Griffin brand taped around cord part with black electrical tape near plug in part.

5. 2 ear phone sets for cell phones: 1) black, Magnavox model with ear shaped ear pieces where speakers are 2) black w/ silver stems to ear pieces, no name brand.

6. Yuu Waa (brand) Flash drive manual, start up guide and registration, REGISTRATION # : 0002-4B7F-07D1-04B6-46

Any of this sound familiar?  Contact Jaime at 626-437-4068.

A new wrinkle in crime: junk-hauling trucks and "mother ships"

Greg Stanton, master of the Meadows blog, alerts us to a new wrinkle in crime already in play at Altadena.  Our policy is never to cut and paste articles from other websites, but Greg graciously gave us permission to reprint his original article so that the word can get out as widely as possible:

From a Meadows neighbor:

"You may have noticed a proliferation of Junk Haul trucks parked around. There are several big, ratty looking wood plank sided trucks parked around. They are essentially the “Mother Ships” for smaller pickups that cruise the neighborhoods looking for about anything that can be hauled off, whether the owner wants it hauled off or not.


When they find a haul, they haul it off and unload it into the “Mother Ships.”

I’ve seen these “Mother Ships” on Altadena Drive just east of Lincoln and on Woodbury just west of Fair Oaks.  I’ve seen the smaller trucks cruising around as well.

I have already been victimized. They came up to my property and dug up around 25 feet of old 6” diameter pipes that were exposed when all the brush around them burned during the Station Fire.

When I drove up my driveway I must have surprised them because they ran from around the small hill at the top of my drive way with several pipes, jumped into their pickup and drove off.

Amazingly, I saw those same pipes in the “Mother Ship” on Woodbury later that day.

I notified the sheriff’s office and they came out and took a report.

Keep watch. If you see small pickups with junk in them cruising around, I recommend you notify the sheriff immediately. They will take any metal, junk or not, that they can remove. Beware!"

Neighborhood Watch training in Anaheim, June 28

Carolyn Seitz of the sheriff's Community Advisory Committee has sent out this message on Neighborhood Watch training:

Neighborhood Watch Training Anaheim, CA <http://www.usaonwatch.org/events/register.aspx?EventId=41>
Monday, June 28 • All Day Event
Anaheim Convention Center
USAonWatch website - Click here to register <http://www.usaonwatch.org/events/register.aspx?EventId=41>

WHO SHOULD ATTEND

• Sheriffs’ deputies and police officers who work as Neighborhood Watch Liaisons
• Law Enforcement Officers new to crime prevention and the Neighborhood Watch principles
• Community members who take a leading role in Neighborhood Watch in their community
• Anyone who cares about changing the culture of their neighborhoods

Crime tips: trash pickers, and don't take your alarm co.'s word for it

It's a crime-o-rama tonight. Just received these timely reminders from Carolyn Seitz at the Sheriff Dept.'s Community Advisory Committee:

ISSUE #1
For those of you who have observed people picking through trash, both what you put at the curb, and for some of you what is in your yard, not in the public right of way, please call the Sheriff's Department as soon as you observe anyone around your trash - in your driveway or at the curb.

Do not take for granted that the frail looking elderly gentleman is just trying to feed his family.  Criminals are sophisticated and know very well how to fly under the radar and capture your sympathy when being skeptical is a better idea.

Please call the Sheriff's Department and report immediately when you see someone going through your trash or someone else's trash.  Don't be a victim of theft of your personal property, and don't be a victim of identity theft.

ISSUE #2
If you have an alarm system and your alarm company calls you to tell you that your alarm has been activated and that they've called the Sheriff's Station, DO NOT assume that they did, in fact call the Station.

This week, a resident received a call from the alarm company.  He arrived home and found his kitchen door standing open.  Fearing - rightfully - that the burglar may still be in his residence, he got back into his car and parked on the other side of the street.

Not more than a minute or two later, a black Cadillac Escalade came up the street and headed straight up his driveway.  The resident observed the driver exit the vehicle and then come out of his house with his TV and his laptop.  What did he do?  He watched it, thinking the Sheriff's would be there any second.

The alarm company didn't call the Sheriff's Department.  The guy watched the Escalade back out of his driveway and he followed it.  He lost the car in traffic and didn't get the license number for the vehicle.

Do not be a victim.

Do not assume that the Deputies are on their way because someone else called them. 

Call yourself and do it quickly.

The Deputies had a very good opportunity to catch a burglar on the premises.  They also had a chance to get the guy's vehicle.

Instead, they know that someone in a black Escalade successfully burglarized someone's home and that resident lost things that were valuable to them.

Please don't put yourself in jeopardy.  Call the Sheriff's Station yourself and do it quickly.

Take care of yourself, your family and take care of your neighborhood.

Call the Altadena Sheriff's Station at 626 798 1131.  If you haven't yet programmed that number into your cell phone, here's your reminder to do that now.

Remember that 911 calls you make from your cell phone go to the California Highway Patrol and the dispatcher who answers that call may not know where Altadena is, never mind where your street is.  That will soon change, but the change isn't yet active, so program in the station number 626 798 1131.

Sheriff looking for suspects in car burglary

The Altadena Sheriff's station is looking for suspects who shattered a car window and stole a cell phone in a car burglary that took place in the lot of the AM-PM on 1880 N. Lake Av. on Sunday morning at around 12:45 AM:

Loss: Blk Samsung “Mythic” touch-screen cell phone

Summary: On 5/16 the above subjects were identified as possibly being involved in a vehicle burglary. The subjects were caught on video surveillance arriving at the location in a mid 1980’s older model light gray or silver Toyota Corolla.

The subjects entered the store, purchased some items and returned to their vehicle. Prior to exiting the AM-PM parking area, the suspect vehicle was observed parking next to the victim’s vehicle at which time, a male was observed exiting the Toyota and looking into the victim’s vehicle. As the victim walked to his vehicle, he observed the Toyota exit the parking area at a high-rate of speed. The victim arrived to his vehicle and noticed the driver’s side window had been shattered and a cell phone missing.


At this time, the above subjects are wanted for questioning only. Should you come into contact with the subjects, please  forward the information to Det. D. Gaisford, Altadena Sheriff’s Station.

Any information for Leroy D. Baca, Sheriff, Los Angeles County
780 E. Altadena Dr., Altadena, Ca. 91001
Attention: Detective Dave Gaisford, Phone: (626) 296-2111

Case: 910-01726-0776-340

No suspects in burglary calls this afternoon

Received reports of a possible burglary at the 2200 block of Maiden Lane at about 12:30 this afternoon, which one witness said involved deputies with guns drawn.  The sheriff's station reports that suspects got away.  Likewise a cropper on gardening equipment reported stolen shortly after on the 400 block of Punaho.

Two in custody following Chevron robbery

Altadena sheriffs have two in custody following a robbery at the Chevron on Lake Ave. and Altadena Dr.

Details are sketchy as we write, but Altadena Station deputies received a call about the robbery at 8:54 AM this morning and stopped a car whose license plate and vehicle matched the description of the robbery suspects.

Reader Gary texted us that the suspects were caught on the 600 block of Ventura.

Suspicious flatbed tow truck on Marengo Sun.

Got this note from a friend who lives on Marengo in the "cemetery neighborhood":

... a neighbor and I both walked out to the street because we heard this loud "back up tone" coming from a giant tow truck on Marengo backing up to another neighbor's classic car (some kind of old Cadallac or something). When my neighbor, who got there first, went to talk to the guy who was out of the cab and doing something at the back of the truck, he jumped back into the cab and sped away  — just as I came out to the street. Very suspicious!

Didn't something like this happen in our neighborhood a month or so ago on Mendocino or thereabouts when someone had a car stolen from his driveway? This truck said "United Towing" on it, according to my neighbor who got a longer look at it. Maybe you could post a warning or something for people to be aware of. I called the owner of the car, and he said there's something wrong with it and he's put off fixing it — so it has been out on the street for everyone to see for a couple weeks. He is now motivated to get it off the street!

Our friend took the trouble to look up the previous car theft by tow truck  in the neighborhood, at Visscher Pl. and Mendocino.  Again, keep your eyes open and call the sheriff if you see something suspicious!

Deputies investigate stabbing on Fair Oaks last night

Deputies were called in to a stabbing at the 2600 block of N. Fair Oaks at 10:15 last night.

According to LA Sheriff Lt. Sheila Sanchez, the victim was a male adult Hispanic who was transported to Huntington Memorial Hospital and released after being treated for minor injuries.  A suspect in the incident has not been identified.  Altadena detectives are investigating.

Burglary wave hits Chaney Trail neighborhood

The Altadena burglary wave has now hit the forested Chaney Trail neighborhood.

Crimereports.com reports that there was a residential burglary on the 3800 block of Alzada Rd. on April 26.  Reports from the neighborhood said that the house was locked, and access was through a broken window.

However, residents in the tight-knit neighborhood are known for watching out for each other, and that was the case here.  in an email sent out to the Chaney Trail listserve, moderator Alice Wessen said:

In this case burglars thought they had staked out a home without anyone watching.

Neighbors were.

Due to the quick action of those neighbors, many of the stolen goods were recovered in the crime vehicle, but not all.

Carolyn Seitz of the sheriff's Community Advisory Committee writes:

Thanks to quick action by neighbors who observed suspicious activity or a suspicious vehicle, the Sheriff's Department responded quickly and Detectives located the vehicle on the west side of Altadena and recovered some of the stolen items.

The Detectives are looking for recollections of details from anyone who observed that suspicious activity. 

Detectives were unavailable today for us to get an update on the suspects.

Altadena man arrested at border, accused of smuggling fighting birds

10news.com of San Diego reports that Raul Salcedo of Altadena is facing animal cruelty charges after he was caught apparently trying to smuggle fighting cocks and hens into Mexico over the weekend.  Details here.

UPDATE: San Diego Examiner has the best headline on this story -- we weren't going to use "that word" in the headline, as it'd draw unwanted search engine attention ....

One in custody following Westside chase

Deputies put one man in custody today following a chase on local streets that went as fast as 50 mph.

Sheriffs were called to a disturbance at the 200 block of E. Woodbury at 10:57 this morning with reports of a possible assault with a deadly weapon and reports of a gun.  According to the watch commander, as the deputy arrived at the scene, a Monte Carlo took off at a high rate of speed.

Deputies followed the car, which drove at speeds as high as 50 mph on neighborhood streets (which included Fair Oaks).  Deputies followed the car for a little under two miles until it drove back to location and the driver was arrested.  According to the watch commander, the incident was an altercation between a brother and sister, and no gun was found.  The man in custody is being held on charges of minor assault and evading police.

Wyatt prelim scheduled for May 4

Ralph Wyatt, 49, of Altadena, is scheduled for a preliminary hearing May 4. A registered sex offender, Wyatt is accused of breaking into women's homes and leaving sexually explicit notes of apology.  PSN has the details.

Deputies doing parole sweeps today

Got an email from a reader who witnessed:

about 5 squad cars, two traffic control jeeps and a Deputy Dog on the south side of Woodbury two blocks east of Fair Oaks at 7:30 this morning. Deputies were dressed in tactical gear and appeared to be wrapping up the operation.

According to Altadena Sheriff Capt. Steven McLean, this was a parole sweep -- the deputies are checking on parolees to make sure that they're keeping their noses clean (and judging by the rollout, the deputies mean business).  

Another house burglary -- jewelry taken

PSN reports another burglary this morning, 200 block of West Terrace St.  Resident returned home at 9 AM, and discovered the break-in and jewelry missing.

Sheriffs hold two in burglary at Palm

Altadena sheriff deputies are right now (12:30 PM) investigating a house burglary on the 1400 block of E. Palm. According to deputies at the scene, a back door was kicked in, and alarms went off at about 11:30 AM.  Deputies now have two in custody on the scene, and are sending in a "scent dog" to see if they can be tied to the burglary.

Burglary @ Calavaras and Marengo Fri. night

One of our correspondents tells us that one of their neighbors suffered a break-in on Calavaras just west of Marengo Friday night after 10 PM, and deputies arrived with guns drawn:

Homeowner had returned to broken front window and lights on in his home and called 911 rather than enter the home. Thieves had already absconded with many items of value and torn up house looking for stealables. Stay on alert, they're moving east!

Shooter pleads not guilty in Schureman killing

Via LA Now, Steven Ronald Honma, 54, pleaded not guilty in the shooting of Art Center professor Norman Schureman, 50, of Altadena.  Details here.

Lock up! The burglars are still out there!

Just got a note from  Sgt. Dan Bartlett of Altadena Sheriff's Station:

Just a reminder to send out to everyone in your Neighborhood Watch Groups.  In the past two days we’ve had two burglaries of homes east side.  A home on Midwick was entered during the night through an unlocked door.  On Thursday a home on Midlothian was entered through an unlocked window.  Please remember to lock-up when you leave your home or go to bed.  Be Safe!  Set your alarm if you have one.  Report strange people who are walking, riding, or driving slowly through your neighborhood.  During school  hours report any juveniles walking around who look like they should be in school, but remember, April 5-9 is Spring Break so be extra vigilant!

We are winning.  Another burglar was arrested yesterday!

Sgt. Dan Bartlett

Altadena Station

Sheriffs, volunteers hold Saturday sweep for crime information

Received from Sgt. Daniel Bartlett of the Altadena Sheriff Station:

On Saturday, April 3, 2010, Sheriff’s Department personnel and volunteers will be going door-to-door handing out information on protecting people’s homes and cars from burglary.  The area to be covered includes all homes south of Altadena Drive and west of Fair Oaks Avenue in Altadena.  The event will stage in Charles White Park and run from 9am to 2pm.

 

U-Haul employee stabbed by two attackers

PSN is on top of an attack at the U-Haul at the 2300 block of N. Lincoln this afternoon.  Two men stabbed an employee -- sketchy details here.

No arrests in Saturday night altercation

... at Johnny's Liquor on Fair Oaks.  Relayed from sheriff's liaison Carolyn Seitz:

Lieutenant Sanchez indicated there were multiple calls to the [Altadena Sheriff's] Station reporting a large gathering of gang members and that about ten were fighting.

All of the people standing around outside the store were detained at gunpoint. 

Ultimately no arrests were made.  That would mean there were no outstanding warrants for any of the people detained, no weapons or drugs found.

Sheriff's issue theft advisory

Carolyn Seitz of the sheriff's Community Advisory Committee is passing on this notice from the Altadena Sheriff's Station:

Altadena continues to experience a high number of burglaries and thefts from vehicles.

You are your own best defense.

Please do not leave your vehicle without checking to make sure that there are no cell phones, MP3 players, GPS devices, Bluetooth devices, expensive sun glasses, wallets, handbags, computers, PDA's, satchels, backpacks, briefcases, currency or coins visible, and do not walk away from your vehicle without confirming that you've locked the door to at least slow down the person who wants what you've left visible in your vehicle.

Every day people are calling the Sheriff's Station asking to make a report because they've now been victims themselves.

Please encourage everyone you know to park vehicles in garages and to lock up - out of sight - any and everything that will give criminals a reason to open the door or to smash your windows to take the gifts you've left for them.

Your vehicles aren't safe even if they're parked in your driveway.

These criminals span all age groups from teens to older adults and if you find yourself still saying to yourself that it won't happen to you, guess again . . .

Want to talk to people who have been victims?  They also thought it couldn't happen to them.

LOCK IT OR LOSE IT!

Stay vigilant.  Make sure you protect yourself and your family.

Neighborhood Watch conference a big success [UPDATED]

 ... says the invaluable Bill Westphal about Saturday's confab at Loma Alta Park:

About 70 people attended the Altadena Neighborhood Watch Conference hosted by the Altadena Sheriff's Station Community Advisory Committee. 

Several speakers including Frank Girardot from the Pasadena Star News and Congressman Adam Schiff were on hand and several informative panel discussions provided people with great information on Neighborhood Watch and related items.

(Pictured: PSN's cops & courts guy -- and now editor -- Frank Girardot).

UPDATE, 8 PM:  Frank's own story about the conference appears here.