You don’t see a hearse in Seal Beach every day. On early Tuesday afternoon, Nov. 17, a citizen saw a white hearse with a casket in the back that was parked on Fuchsia Street.
This struck the citizen as suspicious, prompting the Seal Beach resident to call the Seal Beach Police Department. The citizen said the hearse had been seen in the area before. However, this was the first time it appeared with a casket.
Police contacted the registered owner of the hearse, who said the casket was just a prop.
That would have been the end of the story, if not for a second call about a white hearse parked on Birchwood Avenue. The call reached the police at about 6:42 p.m.
The second caller said the hearse belonged to the son of an area resident. The caller was offended because the vehicle was apparently parked in front of the home of an elderly Seal Beach resident.
Police determined that the hearse was legally parked and there was no violation of the municipal code.
No Los Alamitos Crime Log this week
For technical reasons beyond our control, the Los Alamitos Crime Log was not available by press time this week.
Crime Log Assembled by Charles M. Kelly
The crimes listed in the Sun Newspapers were reported to Seal Beach Police Department, Los Alamitos Police Department and Orange County Sheriff Department between Nov 16. and Nov. 26, 2009. Only street names are used; times given are reported times, not incident times.
Crime Log entries are based on preliminary information. Space limitations make it impossible to publish every incident. Until proven guilty in a court of law, all suspects are considered innocent.
IN SEAL BEACH
Monday, November 16
Disturbance, Juvenile—9:04 a.m.—17th Street—The caller’s 15-year-old daughter refused to go to school. Police counseled the caller.
At 10:28 a.m., the caller contacted the police again. She was still having trouble getting her daughter to go to school. Report taken.
Warrant Service—4:06 p.m.—Seal Beach Boulevard—A man was arrested on two no-bail warrants.
Panhandling—7:18 p.m.—Seal Beach Boulevard—A white woman in her late 20s was reportedly pushing a 2- or 3-year-old child in an umbrella stroller as she asked people for money. Police were unable to locate her.
Tuesday, November 17
Suspicious Person—10:24 p.m.—B Row, Surfside Colony—The caller said a man was going up to the doors of vehicles and pulling at the handles. Police contacted a man who, as it turned out, was not the suspect. The man police spoke with was out for a walk.
Transient—10:52 p.m.—Pacific Coast Highway—The caller reported that a woman who appeared to be a transient was talking to herself. Police unit 123 contacted her and sent her on her way.
Wednesday, November 18
Suspicious Person—3:53 p.m.—Bolsa Avenue—A 65-year-old white man was seen taking a soccer ball away from children. Employees at the location thought he might be under the influence.
Petty Theft Report—7:12 p.m.—Seal Beach Boulevard—A Wii console and games were taken from the shopping cart of a customer in the electronics department after the items were purchased. Security had a video of the suspect. He was described as a bald Hispanic man, 25 years old, wearing a black shirt, plaid shorts and dark shorts. The name of the store was redacted (blacked out) in the Crime Log.
Transient—8:59 p.m.—Pacific Coast Highway—The caller said a man had been sleeping near the front door of the location for the past several nights. Police contacted a man who might have been the individual in question and interviewed him in the field.
Burglary—11 a.m.—13th Street—The caller chased an intruder out of the house. The suspect was described as 25 years old. He was last seen traveling on foot on 13th Street, possibly headed toward the beach. He was carrying items in his hands that he stole: a make up bag with jewelry in it. Apparently, he got in through an open side balcony. Additional loss: wallet, credit cards and identification.
Thursday, November 19
Illegal Peddler—12:47 p.m.—Seal Beach Boulevard—The caller reported a panhandler was being aggressive toward elderly people. Police contacted the man. No further police service was necessary.
Friday, November
Burglary Report—7:05 a.m.—Apollo Court—The crime apparently occurred between 3:15 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 18 and 6:55 a.m., Thursday, Nov. 19. According to the caller, nothing was taken. Point of entry: a roll-up delivery door was punched in and damaged. Apollo Court is located inside the Pacific Gateway Business Center.
Fraud Report—12:53 p.m.—Twin Hills Drive—The caller said someone in Georgia was using her credit card number.
Saturday, November 21
Suspicious Person—12:52 p.m.—Electric Avenue—The caller saw the suspect walk into the caller’s garage and open the refrigerator door. At 12:53 p.m., the caller had detained the suspect with the help of others. Police arrested the suspect, a man, for burglary.
Sunday, November 22
Burglary Report—11:45 a.m.—7th Street—The crime apparently occurred between 3 and 8 p.m., Friday, Nov. 21. Point of entry: a side door. Loss: a Mac computer, a Toshiba computer and an i-Phone. Report taken.
IN LEISURE WORLD
Friday, November 20
Fraud Report—9:03 p.m.—Del Monte Drive, Mutual unknown—Someone charged $400 on the caller’s credit card. The card disappeared on Wednesday, Nov. 18
IN ROSSMOOR
Tuesday, November 24
Suspicious Person in Vehicle—10:10 p.m.—Rowena Drive.
Wednesday, November 25
Suspicious Person or Circumstances—9:21 p.m.—Martha Ann Drive.
Fraud Report—3:26 p.m.—Argyle Drive.
Petty Theft Report—1:47 p.m.—Foster Road.
Thursday, November 26
Petty Theft Report—3:30 a.m.—Martha Ann Drive.
Terrorist Threats Report—4:19 a.m.—Martha Ann Drive.
Illegal Peddling—8:46 a.m.—Seal Beach Boulevard and St. Cloud Drive.
Petty Theft Report—4:49 p.m.—Kempton Drive.
Reckless Driving—6:59 p.m.—Blume Drive.
IN SUNSET BEACH
Monday, November 23
Suspicious Person in Vehicles—1:08 a.m.— S. Pacific Avenue and 11th Street.
Wednesday, November 25
Disturbance, Music or Party—9:31 p.m.—17th Street.
Brian Smith of the News-Enterprise contributed to this article.
