Crime Log: Property taken from 11 Hill cars left unlocked

Personal property was recently reported stolen from 11 cars in one day on the Hill, according to Cpl. Michael Henderson, public information officer for the Seal Beach Police Department. “In every single case, the vehicle was unlocked,” Henderson said.

The thefts occurred on Thursday, May 28, on Seabreaze, Beachcomber, Island View and Catalina.

Crime Log Compiled by Charles M. Kelly

IN SEAL?BEACH

Thursday, May 21

Petty Theft—8:01 a.m.—15th Street—Someone took the caller’s wallet sometime during the night. The caller said this was the second time this had happened. The previous report was taken on May 18.

Transient—11:26 a.m.—Seal Beach Boulevard—The caller reported an individual who was apparently described as a transient sleeping in the dining room, refusing to leave. Police unit 106 interviewed him in the field.

Friday, May 22

Disturbance—12:33 a.m.—14th Street—The caller said it sounded like someone was trying to get into the upstairs neighbor’s apartment Someone pulled up in a vehicle in front of the parking area and was banging on the neighbor’s door and then looking around. Police contacted an individual in the alley on the north side of the building. Police arrested Thomas Benjamin Deweese on suspicion of possession of methamphetamine.

Suspicious Person—4:17 a.m.—First Street—The caller said a man with a flashlight was walking through the parking lot, looking into vehicles. The man was seen going in and out of the same car for some time. Police contacted him and determined no further police services were necessary.

Petty Theft—12:02 p.m.—Seal Beach Boulevard—Loss: a sandwich and a newspaper. The caller said there was an on-going problem with the same individual committing petty thefts.

Suspicious Person—12:48 a.m.—Ocean Avenue—A man rode by the caller on a bicycle and yelled, “Don’t worry, I’m a cop.” The caller said he also seemed to be bothering some females—the log did not say if they were minors or adults—walking nearby. The man was last seen at the foot of the Seal Beach Pier, near the flag. Police were unable to located him.

Animal Information—11:34 p.m.—Purdue Circle—The officer in police unit 207 returned a dog that got into the officer’s vehicle.

Saturday, May 23

Domestic Violence—7:21 a.m.—Marina Drive—The caller reported a man hitting a woman near the tennis courts. The woman was last seen sitting on the ground. The man was standing up. The caller flagged down the responding officer. Police unit 107 arrested Joseph Edward Lane on suspicion of inflicting a corporal injury on a spouse or cohabitant.

Welfare Check—10:27 a.m.—10th Street—The caller said dog was inside a vehicle that had been parked in front of the caller’s residence for the past 15 minutes. Police found that the window had been left cracked open, with water and food in the vehicle, which was parked in the shade. The officer determined no further police services were necessary.

Disturbance—6:36 p.m.—Main Street—The caller said a man was refused service inside a restaurant due to his intoxicated state and was now standing in front of the business door. According to police unit 241, he walked away and was possibly on Ocean Avenue. Police contacted the individual at 6:57 p.m. The man was transported home. No further police services were necessary.

Possible Petty Theft—10:34 p.m.—Ocean Avenue—The caller said two men on bikes took yet a third bike from a bike rack. The bike they took was described as a black fixed gear bike. Police were unable to locate the suspects.

Sunday, May 24

Assault—7:39 p.m.—14th Street and Ocean Avenue—The caller reported being punched in the face by a neighbor. The caller and another individual were arguing while walking their dogs when a man came out of his home and told the caller not to argue with the person he had been arguing with. The man then punched the caller in the face and knocked him down. Police contacted and counseled the caller. Police were unable to locate the man who reportedly punched the caller.

Monday, May 25

Suspicious Occupied Vehicle—12:22 a.m.—Heather and Lampson—The caller said the driver of an SUV with red and blue lights tried to pull her over. The caller said the driver laughed and drove away when she stopped. The call saw the SUV try to stop several vehicles. The caller could not give a description of the driver. Police were unable to locate the SUV.

Traffic Stop—1:31 a.m.—Seal Beach Boulevard and St. Andrews Drive—Police unit 931 arrested Samantha Martinez on suspicion of driving under the influence. Police unit 206 secured her vehicle in the parking lot.

Petty Theft Report—9:56 a.m.—Marina Drive—The caller reported the theft of a purse within the previous 30 minutes. Contents: credit cards, cash, car keys and cell phone. Report taken.

Counseling—4:06 p.m.—College Park Drive—The caller said he was receiving threatening texts and Facebook messages. The caller was advised about getting a restraining order. Counseled.

Suspicious Occupied Vehicle—7:30 p.m.—Kitts and Westminster—The only occupant of a sedan at the gate refused to leave. Most of the log entry was blacked out. Jose Angel was arrested on suspicion of failure to comply with a lawful order by a law enforcement officer and possession of methamphetamine.

Tuesday, May 26

Petty Theft—10:20 a.m.—Row A, Surfside—The caller said someone took cash, checks and miscellaneous other items from the caller’s vehicle between 8 p.m., Monday, May 25, and 9 am., Tuesday, May 26.

Citizen Assist—11:07 a.m.—Ocean Avenue and Fifth Street—The caller said her car battery was dead and the doors would not unlock. Assisted.

Panhandlers—7:43 p.m.—Seal Beach Boulevard—The caller said a juvenile, described as 13 to 14 years old, was trying to sell cards to people. The caller said he cursed people who turned him down. The caller said he was with a grown man. Police contacted two individuals, juveniles, and interviewed them in the field.

Wednesday, May 27

Burglary—7:10 a.m.—Montecito Road—The caller said someone pulled the door off the hinges of the storage unit at the caller’s parking space. Unknown loss at that time. Report taken.

Petty Theft—8:11 a.m.—Main Street—The caller said someone took a bag filled with prescription pills within the last hour.

Suspicious Occupied Vehicle—10:14 a.m.—Seal Way—Police unit 443 observed a man who appeared to be drunk attempting to get into houses. Based on a bench warrant, Kevin Chongkook Lee was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence. Vehicle secured at the location.

Transient—2:25 p.m.—Seal Beach Boulevard—The caller said an individual who the caller apparently described as a transient was in the drive thru, asking customers for money. When the caller advised him to stop, he became hostile and aggressive. He was last seen walking toward Sprouts. Police were unable to locate him.

Petty Theft—5 p.m.—Lampson Avenue—Someone took a $250 racquet from the pro shop. Report taken.

Petty Theft—9:50 p.m.—Seal Beach Boulevard—The caller said two juveniles were in custody for petty theft. Items taken: make-up and undergarments. The juveniles were arrested and released to their parents.

Thursday, May 28

Welfare Check—1:24 p.m.—Lampson Avenue—The caller reported a pick up truck on the sidewalk. Police arrested George Paul Najpauer on suspicion of driving under the influence.

Welfare Check—5:08 p.m.—Main Street—The caller said a dog was locked in a vehicle. The windows were cracked open. The caller thought the dog should be checked on. However, the call was cancelled prior to dispatching a police unit when the driver of the vehicle in question drove away.

Possible Burglary—11:12 p.m.—Seventh Street and Central—The caller said two men were going in and out of the construction area. Police unit contacted one individual who apparently had nothing to do with the call. Police contacted the caller, who said the suspects left. Police contacted two individuals who said they were tile guys. Police determined that the men were contractors trying to meet a deadline. No further police services were necessary.

IN LOS?ALAMITOS

Saturday, May 2

Vandalism—6:45 a.m.—10851 Los Alamitos Boulevard—The caller said someone shot a marble at the front window of the business causing it to shatter. An employee was inside at the time of the incident, but was too busy to call the police.

Saturday, May 2

Disturbance—6:44 p.m.—Los Alamitos Boulevard—The caller said a man, a woman and child were standing at the front entrance.

The caller said it’s an on-going problem with these individuals loitering in front of the church, and the caller wanted them advised about trespassing.

They were gone when police arrived.

Sunday, May 3

Vehicle Burglary—11:03 a.m. — Carlsbad Drive—The caller reported a vehicle burglary that occurred sometime between 12:30 and 5:30 a.m., by an unknown suspect. The point of entry was the driver’s side rear window. Loss: a black wine bag valued at $1,050. Report taken.

Monday, May 4

Missing Property—1:51 p.m.—Reagan Street—A citizen sent a wedding ring to an insurance company through the mail and claimed that someone removed it from the envelope.

The citizen was referred to the U.S. Postal Inspections, as the ring was taken during transportation via the postal service.

The citizen will file a claim with them due to having purchased mail insurance, and has also filed a claim with her ring insurance carrier.

IN ROSSMOOR

Thursday May 14

Suspicious Person or Circumstances—7:57 p.m.—Walker Lee Drive—Patrol checked for two men who were knocking on the caller’s door and said that they were there to collect money for caller’s electric bill. The suspects were described as men in their 20-30s, wearing plaid shirts. No further description provided. The subjects left on foot, but it was unknown in what direction.

Thursday May 14

Suspicious Person or Circumstances—12:31 a.m.—Los Alamitos Boulevard and Katella Avenue—The caller reported hearing a woman screaming. Patrol was unable to locate the source of the noise. Patrol only found a cleaning crew at the restaurant location.

Wednesday May 13

Drunk in Car—10:07 p.m.—Montecito Road—The caller located a red Mustang legally parked in a  carport. Nothing suspicious and no other suspicious vehicles were located. The motorist drove into the garage and then kept getting in and out of the vehicle.

Laurie Hanson of the News-Enterprise contributed to this article.