Full Notification

The following is a synopsis of crimes reported for the week of May 7, 2023 – May 13, 2023.        
 
May 7, 2023

• Burglary (Vehicle):

1565 Central Avenue (Duarte High School). On May 7, 2023 between 8:15 AM and 10 AM, suspect(s) unknown shattered the driver’s side door window and entered the victim’s vehicle, a 2018 Chevy Silverado. The suspect(s) ransacked the vehicle and stole the victim’s wallet that was placed under the seat. The loss was approximately $170. No surveillance video is available. 
 

• Grand Theft:

1600 Mountain Avenue (Walmart). On May 7, 2023 between 2:30 PM and 3 PM, suspect(s) unknown entered the victim’s unlocked vehicle, a 2013 Chevy Volt. The suspect(s) ransacked the vehicle and stole the victim’s iPad and miscellaneous other vehicle keys left in plain view. The loss was approximately $1,920. No surveillance video is available.                 
May 8, 2023

• Burglary (Vehicle):

1100 Block of Calle Malaga. Between May 7, 2023 6:30 PM and May 8, 2023 5:45 AM, suspect(s) unknown entered the victim’s “locked” vehicle, a 2004 GMC Yukon. The suspect(s) ransacked the vehicle and stole the victim’s laptop and iPad from the back seat, a Makita drill from the front floorboard, and miscellaneous items from the center console. The loss was approximately $2,700. No surveillance video is available.   
 
May 9, 2023

• Burglary (Commercial):

1200 block of Highland Avenue. On May 9, 2023 at 11 PM, the victim’s ex-boyfriend arrived at the location unexpectedly and began to bang on her door, requesting to speak to her regarding child custody issues. Fearing that the suspect may break-in, the victim called “911”. As the victim called “911,” the suspect forced his way into the house and began to approach the victim. The victim advised the suspect that he needed to leave and that law enforcement was on their way. The suspect fled the location in a white Porsche. No video surveillance is available.
 
May 10, 2023

• Grand Theft:

1193 Huntington Drive (Planet Fitness). On May 10, 2023 at 12:45 PM, suspect(s) unknown stole the victim’s cell phone and car keys that were left unattended in the men’s locker room. The loss was approximately $1,450. No surveillance video is available.
 

• Grand Theft Auto:

1800 Block of Huntington Drive. On May 10, 2023 between 5:55 AM and 6:50 AM, suspect(s) unknown stole the victim's parked vehicle, a grey 2013 Kia Optima. No surveillance video is available.
  
May 11, 2023

• Grand Theft:

1106 Huntington Drive (Enterprise). Between May 10, 2023 5:30 PM and May 11, 2023 2 PM, suspect(s) unknown stole the catalytic converter from the victim’s parked vehicle, a blue 2021 Nissan Rogue. The loss was approximately $1,500. No surveillance video is available.
 

• Grand Theft:

1470 Mountain Avenue (Best Buy). On May 11, 2023 at 6:40 PM, suspect unknown, a male black adult wearing a blue shirt, entered the location and walked directly to the stereo display area and selected a “Sony” HT-A5000 sound bar valued at $1,000 and exited the location without attempting to purchase the item. Store employees observed the suspect enter a 2003 Nissan UT license plate 8AVC638 and flee the area. The suspect was detained moments later by Glendora PD, where deputies responded and took the suspect into custody. Surveillance video is available.
 

• Petty Theft:

1050 Huntington Drive (Target). On May 11, 2023 at 7 PM, the suspect, a known repetitive thief of the location, a male black adult (Max Graves), was observed inside the location by loss prevention. Loss prevention contacted the suspect and advised him he needed to leave the store. After loss prevention walked away, the suspect walked over to the alcohol aisle, where he selected several bottles of tequila and placed them into a suitcase, and exited the location without attempting to purchase the items. The loss was approximately $755. Surveillance video is available.
 
May 12, 2023

• No significant activity.

 
May 13, 2023

• Burglary (Commercial):

1565 Central Avenue (Duarte High School). Between May 12, 2023 4 PM and May 13, 2023 6 AM, suspect(s) unknown forced entry into the locked storage container and stole multiple pieces of softball equipment. The loss was approximately $7,500. A possible 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 driving your car without one is illegal. 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.