By Charles M. Kelly and Ted Apodaca
Orange County Sheriff’s Department deputies arrested four theft suspects during the early morning hours of Monday, Dec. 2 following a traffic stop in Rossmoor.
The case began at about 2:15 a.m., according to Sheriff’s Department Lt. Robert Gunzel, when a deputy stopped a car in Rossmoor. While investigating, the deputy connected the suspect’s car to a second car—an unreported stolen car belonging to a Long Beach resident.
According to Gunzel, both cars contained stolen property, including some property taken in at least one Rossmoor car burglary. Gunzel said the property was returned to its owner.
The investigation resulted in the arrests of two adults and two minors. “Great job by the deputies,” Gunzel said.
One adult suspect was identified by the Sheriff’s Department website as Rafael Arturo Morales, 21. As of 11:30 a.m., Monday, Dec. 2, he was still listed in custody at the Orange County Jail. Bail was set at $20,000.
Crime Log Compiled
by Charles M. Kelly
IN SEAL?BEACH
Monday, November 25
Transient—8:12 a.m.—First Street—The caller said a woman, who the caller apparently described as a transient, tried to grab food in the business.
Parking Issue—8:36 a.m.—Sea Breeze Drive—The caller said an SUV was partially blocking the caller’s driveway. The caller said there was an on-going problem with several different vehicles parking part way into the caller’s driveway. Police counselled the caller, who requested no action at this time.
Burglary Report—11:14 a.m.—Riversea Road—The crime apparently occurred between 9 and 9:30 a.m. The caller saw an individual in the area who the caller considered suspicious, but it is uknown if that person was involved. The log did not say if this was a residential or automobile burglary.
Drugs—1:51 p.m.—Spinnaker Way—The caller reported seeing two young men in their late teens or early 20s in a car, smoking what the caller believed as marijuana. However, they were gone by the time police unit 106 arrived.
Traffic Collision—2:29 p.m.—Main Street and Electric Avenue—The caller said that at about 2:05 p.m., an elderly man on a scooter crossed in front of her car and she lightly struck him. She said she contacted the man and determined he was OK. However, as she left, a witness took a picture of her car and commented on her leaving. The caller wanted the incident documented in case it was reported later.
Suspicious Occupied Vehicle—4:15 p.m.—Riviera and Marlin—The caller said two men in a car were driving slowly around the area, then parking before continuing again.
Tuesday, November 26
Grand Theft Report—10:22 a.m.—Grand Theft Report—The caller said someone stole a 16-piece silverware set. Thirty-five years ago the set was valued at $2,000.
Wednesday, November 27
Welfare Check—9:13 a.m.—Pacific Coast Highway—The caller said an individual who might possibly be a transient was sleeping on a bus bench. The caller saw him lay down the night before and was certain he had not moved since. According to police unit 106, the man was there every day and no further police services were necessary. Log entry.
Thursday, November 28
Suspicious Occupied Vehicle—12:06 a.m.—Bluebell—The caller saw a van occupied by two men driving slowly through the area. The caller said she had seen the van before and it was always late at night. Police unit 241 determined it was a newspaper delivery van. No further police services were necessary.
Sunday, December 1
Found Property—1:04 a.m.—Bolsa Avenue—Police unit 242 found a bicycle and a skateboard. Report taken.
IN LOS?ALAMITOS
Sunday, November 10
Citizen Assist—9:23 a.m.—Katella Avenue—The caller reported a female psychiatric patient walked away from location. Subject was being transported to a locked facility, and should not be violent. Subject was wanting a cigarette. Reporting party called back and had located the subject. Patrol call cancelled.
Monday, November 11
Robbery—9:58 p.m.—Green Avenue—The caller reported being robbed at gunpoint by three black men two minutes prior to calling the Los Alamitos Police Department. The robbery apparently occurred in an alley. Taken: a wallet and cell phone. All three suspects wore masks. The gun was possibly a dark 9 mm handgun. Report taken.
Tuesday, November 12
Welfare Check—7:16 p.m.—Howard Avenue—The caller said a woman in her mid-20s to 30s was sitting in front on the sidewalk, appeared to be mentally ill and kept nodding off. A second caller said the woman appeared drunk or on drugs. The first caller said the woman was last seen on foot westbound through the alley towards Green Avenue, and that she went in between apartment buildings.
Wednesday, November 13
Missing Juvenile—2:04 p.m.—Howard Avenue—The caller reported her daughter missing. The girl, who attends Los Alamitos High School, had been missing since 1:30 p.m. The caller said the girl runs away from parents and school. However, the daughter returned home while patrol was on scene and said she was at an after school golf presentation. Patrol counseled the family.
Medical Aid—7:44 p.m.—Chestnut Street—The caller said her 13-month-old son was having an allergic reaction and was having difficulty breathing. The caller said her son ate egg, cheese and applesauce. The child resumed breathing. Mother and child were transported to Los Alamitos Medical Center. Patrol assisted.
Thursday, November 14
Disturbance—4:13 p.m.— Green Avenue—The caller reported her friend was outside her residence and would not leave. The caller said she was home alone and was afraid of the individual. The other person rode over on his bike from Anaheim. Patrol issued a citation to him.
IN ROSSMOOR
Monday, November 25
911 Hang-up—3:15 p.m.—Kempton Drive.
Suspicious Person or Circumstances—4:24 p.m.—Yellowtail Drive and Silver Fox Road—A deputy performed a patrol check for a man who was seen sitting on the corner in a lawn chair for several hours. The caller was suspicious because the man had two chairs and the man kept moving from corner to corner.
Suspicious Person in Vehicle—10:46 p.m.—Mainway Drive—The caller said four individuals in the bed of a truck were making a lot of noise.
Tuesday, November 26
Open Door—6:19 a.m.—Martha Ann Drive—A resident received a call from someone saying his garage door was open. The resident asked for deputies to check for anything suspicious and to possibly close the garage if there wasn’t anything suspicious. The resident believed he might have left the door open himself.
Fraud Report—3:21 p.m.—Orlando Road.
Suspicious Person or Circumstances—6:18:57 p.m.—Martha Ann Drive—The caller saw what the caller thought might have been in a drug deal. The occupant of one car parked in front of the location, then walked over to another vehicle across the street from the location. The caller followed the first car in an attempt to get the license plate number. Two individuals were still inside the second vehicle at the time of the call to the Orange County Sheriff’s Department.
Disturbance, Mechanical—8:21 p.m.—Loch Lomond Road—The caller complained about loud power tools being used for construction work somewhere near the location.
Friday, November 29
Suspicious Person or Circumstances—1:26 p.m.—Kensington Road and Shakespeare Drive.
Suspicious Person in Vehicle—11:03 p.m.—Drysdale Lane.
Saturday, November 30
Suspicious Person or Circumstances—8:23 p.m.—Silver Fox Road.
Vandalism in Progress—9:53 p.m.—Martha Ann Drive.
Sunday, December 1
Burglary Report—10:02 a.m.—Walker Lee Drive.
Ted Apodaca of the News-Enterprise contributed to this article.
