Full Notification

The following is a synopsis of crimes reported for the week of July 16, 2023 – July 22, 2023.
 
July 16, 2023

• Grand Theft:

1050 Huntington Drive (Target). On July 16, 2023 at 8:10 PM, the suspect, a male black adult 35 years old, wearing a yellow “Lakers” jersey and blue pants, entered the location and selected multiple items, and placed them inside a “Target” shopping cart. The suspect proceeded to pass all registers without attempting to purchase the items and exited the location. As the suspect was in the parking lot, he observed a deputy driving by and pushed the shopping cart full of stolen property and began to run away. The deputy detained the suspect and confirmed a grand theft had just occurred. The stolen merchandise was approximately $1,200 in value. Surveillance video is available.
 
July 17, 2023

• Domestic Violence:

2900 Block of Royal Oaks Drive. On July 17, 2023 at 4:40 PM, the suspect and victim, who are in a dating relationship with two children in common, were having an argument over relationship issues. Without provocation, the suspect swung a wooden broom handle at the victim, striking him in the arm. The suspect's grandmother called “911” where deputies arrived and arrested the suspect. No surveillance video is available.
 
July 18, 2023

• No significant activity.

 
July 19, 2023

• Petty Theft:

1400 Block of 1^St Street. On July 19, 2023 between 9:52 AM and 6 PM, suspect(s) unknown stole the victim’s package that was delivered to her front door. The loss was approximately $300 in value. No surveillance video is available.
 

• Petty Theft:

1050 Huntington Drive (Target). On July 19, 2023 at 8:30 PM, while conducting surveillance at the location with Target Loss Prevention, Deputies observed a male Hispanic adult wearing dark grey hospital scrubs and a black medical mask place a “Dyson” vacuum cleaner on the bottom portion of the shopping cart and proceed to the self-checkout register. The suspect failed to scan and pay for the item and exited the location with the item. As the suspect exited the location, Deputies arrested him for shoplifting. The stolen merchandise was approximately $920 in value. Surveillance video is available.
 

• Petty Theft:

1600 Mountain Avenue (Walmart). On July 19, 2023 between 12 PM and 4 PM, suspect(s) unknown stole the victim’s electric “Swagtron” bicycle that was placed inside the McDonald's dining area while the victim worked. The loss was approximately $500 in value. A possible surveillance video is available.
 
 July 20, 2023

• Grand Theft:

1800 block of Citrus View Avenue.  On July 20, 2023 at 3:38 AM, suspect(s) unknown stole the victim’s catalytic converter to their parked vehicle, a gray Acura LT. The loss was approximately $2,000. No surveillance video is available.
 
July 21, 2023

• Aggravated Assault:

Gardi Street and Las Lomas Drive. On July 21, 2023 at 8:30 PM, the victim and his girlfriend were driving in the area looking for a spot to park to walk the trails. The victim began to conduct a U-turn on Gardi Street when a light-skinned male Hispanic adult with a thin mustache in his 30s driving a possible white Scion TC drove towards him and began to point a dark grey handgun at him. Fearing for his safety, the victim sped off, where after approximately one mile, the suspect turned onto an unknown road. No surveillance video is available.
 
July 22, 2023

• No significant activity.

Crime and the fear of crime create special problems for the elderly. Crime prevention is everyone's responsibility, not just a job for law enforcement. Seniors can learn how to protect themselves from crime by following these simple, commonsense suggestions. Share these tips with your neighbors and friends to make it tough for criminals to work in your neighborhood.

AT HOME . . .

• Never open your door automatically. Install and use a peephole.
• Lock your doors and windows. (Three-quarters of the burglaries involving older persons involved unlocked doors and windows, and less than one-half of these burglaries are reported.) Keep your garage doors locked.
• Vary your daily routine.
• Use "Neighbor Watch" to keep an eye on your neighborhood. A concerned neighbor is often the best protection against crime because suspicious persons and activities are noticed and reported to the police promptly.
• Don't leave notes on the door when going out.
• Leave lights on when going out at night; use a timer to turn lights on and off when you are away for an extended period.
• Notify neighbors and the police when going away on a trip. Cancel deliveries such as newspapers and arrange for someone - a neighbor's child, perhaps - to mow the lawn if need be. Arrange for your mail to be held by the Post Office, or ask a neighbor to collect it for you.
• Be wary of unsolicited offers to make repairs to your home. Deal only with reputable businesses.
• Keep an inventory with serial numbers and photographs of re-saleable appliances, antiques, and furniture. Leave copies in a safe place.
• Don't hesitate to report crimes or suspicious activities.
• Install deadbolt locks on all your doors.
• Keep your home well lit at night, inside and out; keep curtains closed.
• Ask for proper identification from delivery persons or strangers. Don't be afraid to ask if they are legitimate. They won't mind.
• If a stranger asks to use your telephone, offer to place the call for him or her yourself.
• Never let a stranger into your home.
• Do not leave notes on your door when you are gone and do not hide your keys under the mat or in other conspicuous places.
• Never give out information over the phone indicating you are alone or that you won't be home at a certain time.
• When you are gone for more than a day, make sure your home looks and sounds occupied by using an automatic timer to turn on lights, radio, or TV.
• If you arrive home and suspect a stranger may be inside, DON'T GO IN. Leave quietly and call 911 to report the crime.

WALKING . . .

• If you are attacked on the street, make as much noise as possible by calling for help or blowing a whistle. Do not pursue your attacker. Call 911 and report the crime as soon as possible.
• Avoid walking alone at night. Try to have a friend accompany you in high-risk areas, even during the daytime.
• Avoid carrying weapons as they may be used against you.
• Always plan your route and stay alert to your surroundings. Walk confidently.
• Have a companion accompany you.
• Stay away from buildings and doorways; walk in well-lighted areas.
• Have your key ready when approaching your front door.
• Don't dangle your purse away from your body. (Twelve percent of all crimes against the elderly are purse snatchings and street robberies.)
• Don't carry large, bulky shoulder bags; carry only what you need. Better yet, sew a small pocket inside your jacket or coat. If you don't have a purse, no one will try to snatch it.

WHILE SHOPPING . . .

• Carry your purse very close to you, and don't dangle it from your arm.
• Never leave your purse in a shopping cart.
• Never leave your purse unattended.
• Don't carry any more cash than is necessary.
• Don't display large sums of cash.

IN YOUR CAR . . .

• Always keep your car doors locked, whether you are in or out of your car. Keep your gas tank full and your engine properly maintained to avoid breakdowns.
• If your car breaks down, pull over to the right as far as possible, raise the hood, and wait INSIDE the car for help. Avoid getting out of the car and making yourself a target before the police arrive.
• At stop signs and traffic lights, keep the car in gear.
• Travel well-lit and busy streets. Plan your route.
• Don't leave your purse on the seat beside you; put it on the floor, where it is more difficult for someone to grab it.
• Lock bundles or bags in the trunk. If interesting packages are out of sight, a thief will be less tempted to break in to steal them.
• When returning to your car, check the front and back seats before entering.
• Never pick up hitchhikers.

BANKING . . .

• Many criminals know exactly when government checks arrive each month and may pick that day to attack. Avoid this by using Direct Deposit, which sends your money directly from the government to the bank of your choice. And, at many banks, free checking accounts are available to senior citizens. Your bank has all the information.
• Never withdraw money from your bank accounts for anyone except YOURSELF. Be wary of con artists and get-rich schemes that probably are too-good-to-be- true.
• You should store valuables in a Safe Deposit Box.
• Never give your money to someone who calls on you, identifying himself as a bank official. A bank will never ask you to remove your money. Banks need the use of your money, and they don't want one of their customers to invite crime by having large amounts of cash around.
• When someone approaches you with a get-rich-quick-scheme involving some or all of YOUR savings, it is HIS get-rich-quick-scheme. If it is a legitimate investment, the opportunity to contribute your funds will still be there tomorrow-after you have had time to consider it.
• If you have been swindled or conned, report the crime to your local police. Con artists count on their victim's reluctance to admit they've been duped, but if you delay, you help them get away. Remember, if you never report the crime, they are free to cheat others again and again, and you have no chance of ever getting your money back.