Full Notification

On March 29, 2018, at approximately 10:35 a.m., officers responded to the 1900 block of 236th Street in the City of Torrance after a neighbor reported suspicious activity.  Officers discovered a victim had interrupted a subject burglarizing their residence.  The subject then armed himself with a small shovel and assaulted the victim before stealing the victim’s car keys.  The subject attempted to flee in the victim’s vehicle, but was unable to maneuver around other parked vehicles.  The subject then abandoned the vehicle and fled on foot.
 
Responding officers observed the subject fleeing on foot in the area of Knolls Lodge located in the 23600 block of Western Avenue.  Officers established a containment, and later formed search teams comprised of patrol, traffic, and K-9 officers.  The Torrance Police Department also deployed their Drone Team to assist with the investigation.  Joseph Valdes, 21 years old of Lomita was ultimately located and apprehended within 3 hours.  The Torrance Fire Department also responded to treat the victim at the scene.
 
Investigators discovered Joseph Valdes to be on parole for “Assault with a Deadly Weapon”.  Investigators will submit the case to District Attorney’s Office for felony filing consideration.
 
This call for service was initiated by an alert neighbor who immediately called police when they observed suspicious activity.  The Torrance Police Department continues to encourage its residents to report all suspicious activity. “See something, Say Something.”  The Torrance Police Department is also grateful to all of our neighboring agencies who assisted with this investigation.
 
 
 
Sergeant Ronald Harris

Torrance Police Department Public Information Officer

(310) 618-5688 [email protected]