Earlier this month, a Seal Beach woman saw a man she didn’t know coming out of her house. When she asked him who she was, he said he was a stanger and ran off. (For details of the incident, see the June 1 “Suspicious Person” incident on this page of the Crime Log.) Police took a prowler report. But local law enforcement officials advise against seeking a confrontation with a suspect.
According to Seal Beach Police Sgt. Michael Henderson, the Police Department’s public information officer, Since Jan. 1 of this year, there have been four daytime residential burglaries and five others that occurred at an unknown time.
According to Henderson, last year, there were 13 daytime residential burglaries and 21 residential burglaries at an unknown time in Seal Beach.
According to Henderson, “If you suspect there is an intruder in your home, there are a number of things you can do.
“Never try to catch a burglar; nothing is worth your well-being.
“If you encounter a burglar, retreat to a place of safety. If you are home and a burglar enters, retreat to a closet or a room with a locked door and call the police.
“Burglars are put off by the presence of people or dogs. If a suspected burglar knocks on the door, make some noise and let him know you are there.
“If you come home and see signs of a break-in, like the front door is open or a screen is removed, do not go in. Find a safe place and call the police.”
Crime Log Compiled by Charles M. Kelly
IN SEAL?BEACH
Monday, May 30
Identity Theft—9:39 a.m.—College Park Drive—The caller said someone was using the caller’s Social Security number and license number. The caller apparently learned about the identity theft after receiving information from a bail bond company. Report taken.
Welfare Check—12:23 p.m.—Seal Beach Boulevard and Westminster—The caller said a man was walking in the lanes of traffic on Seal Beach Boulevard. The caller thought he might be impaired or under the influence. Police were unable to locate him.
Shots Heard—2:18 p.m.—Lampson Avenue—The caller was at the driving range and something that sounded like a shotgun blast. By 2:26 p.m., police determined the sound had been caused by a tire blow out. No further police services were necessary.
Smoke—5:38 p.m.—Birchwood Avenue—The caller said smoke was coming into her yard from the house behind hers. The Orange County Fire Authority was en route. By 5:50 p.m., the source of the smoke had been traced to a barbecue. No further police services were necessary.
Fireworks—7:28 p.m.—Elder Avenue—The caller reported juveniles setting off fireworks in the area. The juveniles were gone by the time police arrived. Police unit 206 contacted the caller. The caller said the juveniles went inside after setting off one firework.
Tuesday, May 31
Suspicious Person—12:39 a.m.—Forrestal and Seal Beach Boulevard—The caller said a man at the gate was acting irrationally. He was on the ground and crying. Police unit S24 arranged to have someone give him a ride. As of 1:34 a.m., he had been picked up.
Transient—8:40 a.m.—Ironwood Avenue—The caller said a transient man had set up camp behind the caller’s home. He had a bicycle and was picking up cans. Police unit 141 interviewed the man in the field.
Extra Patrol Checks Requested—8:58 a.m.—Marina Bridge—The caller said individuals in cars and on bicycles were running stop signs on the weekends and during the week. Police received another call, possibly from the same citizen, with the same complaint, at 10:28 a.m., Saturday, June 4.
Vehicle Burglary—10:52 a.m.—Seal Beach Boulevard—The caller reported a car burglary. Point of entry: a broken window. Loss: unknown. At 10:52 a.m., the caller offered to stand by the car in the parking lot while waiting for the police to arrive. By 11:08 a.m., the caller did not want to cooperate with the police. The caller offered to come to police headquarters later. At 3:45 p.m., the caller came to police headquarters. Report taken.
Malicious Mischief—11:45 a.m.—Violet Street—According to the caller, between 9 p.m., Monday, May 30, and 8:30 a.m., Tuesday, May 31, someone put dog waste on the caller’s car, scratched the car and punctured three tires. A few details were blacked out in the log. Report taken.
Illegal Peddler—2:27 p.m.—Westminster Avenue—The caller said a man was asking customers for money. Police unit 107 advised the man in question to stop and he apparently said he would comply.
Animal Noise—6:28 p.m.—13th Street—The caller reported a barking dog at the location. The caller didn’t know if the residents were home. According to the caller, the dog’s barking was causing other dogs in the area to also bark. Police unit 207 determined the barking dog’s owner was not home. Residents at the rear told police they would advise the homeowner when that person returned.
Wednesday, June 1
Municipal Code Complaint—5:21 a.m.—Seal Beach Boulevard—The caller complained about noise from some type of power washing equipment. Seven minutes later, the caller contacted police again to complain while an officer was on the way. Police unit 206 contacted sewer technicians and advised them about the noise and the smell from their work. They apparently said they would comply with the municipal code.
Traffic Hazard—7:32 a.m.—Pacific Coast Highway and Seal Beach Boulevard—The caller said 20 bicyclists were riding in the right lane, creating a traffic hazard.
Police were unable to locate them.
Transients—10:06 a.m.—Fifth Street and Electric Avenue—The caller, relaying third-hand information from volunteers, said there might be a homeless camp in the area. Police unit 106 determined there was no camp. Police found one transient sleeping on the lawn. That person checked out. No further police services were necessary.
Counseling—10:43 a.m.—Ocean Avenue—The caller said someone drew swastikas and “NWOC” in the dirt and the dew on a car parked in a carport to the rear of the location. Police unit 107 determined there was no damage to the car. Log entry.
Suspicious Person—12:45 p.m.—Ocean Avenue—The caller was in her garage and saw a man leave the side of her residence. The caller asked who he was and his response was “a stranger.” The caller did not know at that time if there was any loss. The caller speculated that the man thought no one was home and ran off when she surprised him. Crime report taken for prowler. Police were unable to locate the suspect.
Transient—3:04 p.m.—Seal Beach Boulevard—The caller said a man carrying a pillow was being confrontational with people as he walked. At 3:06 p.m., a second caller reported that the man was yelling at people and attacking them. At 3:10 p.m., the man was described as being under the influence. He grabbed a cart and threw it at the door. The caller, relaying second hand information, said the man was bothering customers as they walked into the store. At 3:15 p.m., he was seen walking southbound on Seal Beach Boulevard, approaching Lampson. He was described as jumping up and down and screaming. Police unit 106 contacted him at 3:19 p.m. Police counseled the man and sent him on his way.
Transient—4:12 p.m.—Bike Path—A man, possibly the same one from the 3:04 p.m. call, was taking swings at passersby. The caller said he swung at her while she was riding her bike but missed. She did not desire contact. The man was last seen on the bike path, headed toward the riverbed. Police were unable to locate him.
Municipal Code Complaint—6:24 p.m.—Seal Way—The caller complained about soccer balls hitting the palm trees on the sand side of Seal Way. The caller asked the soccer coach to move over and he refused. According to the caller, the Seal Beach Municipal Code prohibits organized sports on the sand. Counseled.
Thursday, June 2
Disturbance, Noise—3:07 a.m.—Ocean Avenue—According to the caller, a truck had been circling for the past half hour, revving its engine and driving around. Police were unable to locate it.
Suspicious Person—3:27 a.m.—Crystal Cove Way—The caller was leaving when he saw two individuals, possibly teens, hiding behind a car. Police were unable to locate the suspects.
Municipal Code Complaint—3:11 p.m.—Fifth Street and Ocean Avenue—The caller said a dog was defecating on the beach as the owner stood by. Police unit 107 issued a citation to the owner. The log did not include the owner’s name.
Friday, June 3
Vehicle Burglary—8:19 a.m.—Montecito Road—Point of entry: a broken window. Loss: possibly a charger for the vehicle. No suspect information. Some details were blacked out in the log. Report taken.
Arrest—9:30 a.m.—Ocean Avenue—The caller, relaying second-hand information from employees, said a man was creating a disturbance in front of the store. The man was yelling on the phone. Police unit 141 found the man between two businesses with his property all around him. The man had been served and told police he was going to move on. At 10:10 a.m., police unit 141 contacted the man again about creating a disturbance in front of the location. Police arrested Todd Street on suspicion of public intoxication and for using offensive words in a public place.
Malicious Mischief—1:36 p.m.—Montecito Road—Between 8 p.m., Thursday, June 2, and 1:25 p.m., Friday, June 3, someone moved the caller’s motorcycle from one carport to another and pushed the motorcycle over, causing damage. Log entry.
Theft from a Vehicle—2:42 p.m.—Catalina Avenue—The caller reported a petty theft from an unlocked car. Report taken.
Disturbance—5:53 p.m.—Seal Beach Boulevard—The caller said a man and a woman “verbally assaulted” the caller and her mother while they were walking. The caller believed the man and woman were under the influence of something. The caller hung up before police could obtain any more information. A few details were blacked out in the log. Police were unable to locate the suspects.
Saturday, June 4
Trespassing—12:49 a.m.—Avalon Drive—The caller saw someone climb the fence into the park. It was too dark to see, so the caller could not provide a description of the suspect. Police were unable to locate anyone.
Possible Traffic Hazard—10:34 a.m.—14th Street and Seal Way—The caller said the apartment complex on the corner was having a garage sale. Items were being displayed in the street. However, police unit 141 determined that a fire truck and other emergency vehicles could access the area without problems. The garage sale was going to end at noon.
Disturbance—4:48 p.m.—Seal Beach Boulevard—The caller said a man was asking customers for money and he was refusing to leave when asked. Police unit 141 apparently advised the man to leave and he apparently agreed to comply.
Domestic Violence—5:46 p.m.—12th Street and Central Avenue—The caller said a woman was pulled back into a car. She hit her head as she was being pulled back. She got out of the car and the man was again trying to pull her into the car.
By 5:47 p.m., the man and woman had calmed down but were still arguing. By 5:55 p.m., police had contacted them. Some details were blacked out in the log. Police arrested Alexandro Aguilar Acevedo on suspcion of domestic battery.
Suspicious Circumstances—7:46 p.m.—Seal Beach Boulevard—The caller said a car parked in front of the store had a smashed rear passenger window. Report taken.
Disturbance, Fight—7:46 p.m.—Apollo Court—The caller said four to six individuals were fighting over a basketball game. Some of them claimed to have guns. The caller said a game was going on at the complex that was about to let out and the caller thought there would be problems. Police contacted 60 juveniles and their parents. Police patrol checked the area. One police unit determined that there was a physical fight between two teams. Police remained present to keep the peace while everyone dispersed. The games were done and everyone left the area.
Disturbance, Juveniles—10:03 p.m.—Marina Drive—The caller complained about three juveniles on skateboards at the first tennis court on Marina. They were gone by the time police arrived.
Sunday, June 5
Municipal Code Complaint—7:12 a.m.—Catalina Avenue—The caller said painters started work at 6:30 a.m. The caller said their van was in the driveway. Police were unable to locate them.
Extra Patrol Checks Requested—8:43 p.m.—Yale Lane—The caller requested extra patrol checks in the area at all hours.
Coyote—8:55 p.m.—Crestview and Avalon—The caller saw a coyote going westbound at Avalon, possibly into the back yard of a home. Message delivered to Long Beach Animal Care Services. Coyotes are nocturnal animals and nighttime sightings would be considered normal.
Monday, June 6
Smoke—6:23 p.m.—First Street—The caller said there was smoke in the hall way. The caller didn’t know where it was coming from. The Orange County Fire Authority was present. The source of the smoke turned out to be burnt food thrown in a trash bin.
Fire Back Up—8:51 p.m.—Wisteria Street—The caller said something exploded upstairs in her home. She didn’t know if the home would catch fire or not. Some details were blacked out in the log. As of 9:02 p.m., the Orange County Fire Authority was present. It turned out that a water pipe burst in the upstairs bathroom. The light was broken. The power and the water to that area were turned off. Assisted.
Suspicious Person—11:53 p.m.—Fourth Street and Ocean Avenue—The caller said a man was squatting in the middle of the street and yelling. It was too dark for the caller to provide a description. As of 11:55 p.m., the caller said the man got into a dark SUV. The SUV left going northbound on Fourth Street.
Tuesday, June 7
Presumed Transients—7: a.m.—14th Street and Seal Way—The caller complained about two individuals apparently described as transients sleeping near the Lifeguard tower. The caller requested they leave the area. However, police unit 107 determined they were not transients. The two individuals were just enjoying the beach.
Stray Animals—7:48 a.m.—Sixth Street and Ocean Avenue—Police advised Long Beach Animal Care Services that two small dogs were running around as several individuals tried to chase them down. Police detained one dog. The other was reportedly on Main Street. As of 8:14 a.m., Animal Care Services gave an estimated time of arrival of 20 minutes. As of 8:22 a.m., police unit 141 had both of the dogs and would take them to the Seal Beach Animal Care Center.
Attempted Petty Theft—3:41 p.m.—Marvista Avenue—The caller said she watched a man walk up to her house, carrying a letter in his hands to cover his face. He took two large packages from her porch. When she confronted him and chased him, he dropped the packages. He drove away. Report taken.
Wednesday, June 8
Petty Theft Report—3:35 p.m.—First Street—A citizen reported the theft of a mountain bike. Some details, including the estimated value of the bike, were blacked out in the log. Generally, petty theft is the taking of cash or property worth less than $950. The citizen in this case did not want a report, just a log number.
Vehicle Burglary—5:54 p.m.—Marina Drive—According to the caller, at 3:30 a.m., Wednesday, June 8, someone took blankets and jackets from the caller’s car. Point of entry: unknown.
Report taken.
Check Area—6:47 p.m.—Westminster Avenue—The caller heard a loud boom. The caller did not see anyone. The caller apparently spoke with a woman who was parked in front of the Post Office and she told the caller she saw black smoke in the parking lot. But the caller did not see the smoke. However, police unit 206 determined that the boom and the smoke were the result of construction going on to the rear of Leisure World. No further police services were necessary.
