Full Notification

The following is a synopsis of crimes reported for the week of April 9, 2023 – April 15, 2023.        
 
April 9, 2023

• No significant activity.

    
April 10, 2023

• Burglary (Commercial):

1401 Highland Avenue (California School of Arts). On April 10, 2023 at 3 AM, deputies responded to an alarm activation at the location, where they located a male Hispanic adult inside the secured location. Upon investigation, they discovered the classroom where the alarm activation was activated had been ransacked, and multiple laptops had been placed near the exit door. The suspect was arrested for burglary. A possible surveillance video is available.     
 
April 11, 2023

• No significant activity.

 
April 12, 2023

• Grand Theft:

1500 Duarte Road (City of Hope). Between April 10, 2023 8 PM and April 12, 2023 6 PM, suspect(s) unknown stole the victim’s catalytic converter from his parked vehicle, a gray 2020 Toyota Tacoma truck. No surveillance video is available.
  

• Petty Theft:

1050 Huntington Drive (Target).  On April 12, 2023 11:43 AM, suspect unknown, a male black adult, approximately 30 years old, wearing a gray and black hooded sweatshirt and red sweatpants, entered the location and walked to the luggage aisle, where he selected an “Open Store” travel bag. The suspect then proceeded to the alcohol aisle, where he selected multiple bottles of “Don Julio” Tequila and used the emergency exit to flee the location without paying for the items. The loss was approximately $650. Surveillance video is available.
 
 April 13, 2023

• Robbery:

2315 Huntington Drive (CVS). On April 13, 2023 at 5:28 PM, suspect unknown, a male black adult 5’11 – 6’00 lbs. wearing a black hoodie and black pants, forcibly took the purse away from the victim as she stood at the self-checkout lane. The suspect ran outside, where he entered a black BMW with a dealer plate. The vehicle was last seen entering the 210 freeway and out of view. The loss was approximately $900. Surveillance video is available.
 

• Aggravated Assault:

1302 Duarte Road (Duarte Liquor). On April 13, 2023 at 2:20 PM, the victim was at location attempting to exit his vehicle when he was approached by his co-worker, whom he previously had an argument with. The suspect punched the victim once on the side of the face causing a 2-inch laceration just under his left eye. The victim wrestled the suspect to the ground to prevent further harm, where the suspect proceeded to bite him in the arm. The suspect broke free and entered his white Honda sedan, and fled the scene. Surveillance video is available.
 
April 14, 2023

• No significant activity.

 
April 15, 2023

• Grand Theft Auto:

1100 Block of Huntington Drive. On April 15, 2023 between 8:30 PM and 10 PM, the suspect(s) unknown stole the victim's parked vehicle, a blue 2015 Kia Optima. No surveillance video is available.
 

• Attempted Grand Theft Auto:

1600 Block of 1^st Street. On April 15, 2023 at 4:30 AM, suspect(s) unknown driving a grey Ford tow truck with no plates attempted to take the victim's parked vehicle, a green 1959 Chevy Bel Air. Surveillance video is available.
 

The Appeal of Catalytic Converters 

The reason is the value of the metals used in the manufacturing of the catalytic converters. Catalytic converters contain platinum, rhodium, and palladium. The metals are expensive, and thieves sell the converters to scrap yards for several hundred dollars per piece, depending on the size of the converter and the current rate on the metals inside it. It can cost you, on average, up to $2000 to replace a catalytic converter, and it is illegal to drive your car without one. The resulting gap in your exhaust system also makes the car run poorly until it is fixed.

How to prevent a catalytic converter theft: 
Always park in well-lit areas when possible. If you have a personal garage, keep your car in the garage with the door closed when the vehicle is not in use. When parking in a public lot, park your vehicle close to a building entrance or the nearest access road. This is due to the increased amount of pedestrian traffic in those areas.

Security devices are available that attach to the converter, making it harder to steal. Having the converter welded in place also makes it more difficult to remove. Video surveillance around your garage or driveway is also useful if you have the budget for it. Engrave your vehicle identification number (VIN) or license plate onto your catalytic converter to make it easier to identify if it gets stolen.