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The following is a synopsis of crimes reported for the week of February 4, 2024 – February 10, 2024.
 
February 4, 2024

• Burglary (Vehicle):

900 Block of Junipero Drive.  Between February 3, 2024 8 AM and February 4, 2024 8:30 AM, suspect(s) unknown shattered the driver’s side windows to the victim’s locked vehicle, a 2012 black Dodge Ram, that was parked at the location. The suspects ransacked the vehicle and removed his “JBL” 10-inch subwoofer from the rear floorboard. The value of the stolen property was approximately $300. No surveillance video is available.
 

• Grand Theft Auto:

2200 Block of Huntington Drive. Between February 3, 2024 6 AM and February 4, 2024 9 PM, suspect(s) unknown stole the victim's parked vehicle, a green 2006 Mazda. No surveillance video is available.
 
February 5, 2024

• Robbery (Estes):

1050 Huntington Drive (Target). On February 5, 2024 at 1:37 PM, the suspect, a male hispanic adult wearing a red hoodie over his head and black shorts, entered the location, walked to the sports card aisle, and selected six boxes of MLB trading cards. The suspect exited the store’s entrance/exit without attempting to purchase the items. As the suspect exited the location, he was contacted by loss prevention, who identified himself as such. The suspect pushed the employee with both hands and fled the location with the stolen merchandise. The cards were valued at $330. Surveillance video is available.
 
February 6, 2024

• Burglary (Residential):

1900 Block of Royal Oaks Drive. On February 6, 2024 at 2:50 PM, suspects unknown, two male hispanic adults, one wearing a black and white jacket with a gray hoodie and light green pants and the second wearing a black jacket with a red hoodie and black pants, attempted to enter the residence by breaking into the rear bedroom window using a garden hoe. The suspects fled the location when they observed the victim was home. Surveillance video is available.
 
February 7, 2024

• Grand Theft (Shoplifting):

1050 Huntington Drive (Target). On February 7, 2024 at 9:27 PM, Duarte Deputies were conducting surveillance at the location with Target Loss prevention. They observed a male hispanic adult wearing a black jacket and black hat and a female hispanic adult wearing a burgundy jacket, conceal multiple items of cosmetics on their person and in the female suspect’s purse. The suspects proceeded to the entrance/exit of the location without attempting to purchase the items.  As the suspects exited the location, they were contacted by awaiting deputies where they were arrested for grand theft shoplifting. The stolen merchandise (60 items) was valued at approximately $1,615 in value. Surveillance video is available.
 
February 8, 2024

• Grand Theft Auto:

2500 Block of Huntington Drive. Between February 2, 2024 8 PM and February 8, 2024 7 AM, suspect(s) unknown stole the victim's parked vehicle, a silver 1999 Isuzu Rodeo. No surveillance video is available.
 
February 9, 2024

• No significant activity.

 
February 10, 2024

• No significant activity.

  The reason is the value of the metals used in the manufacturing of 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. Park your vehicle closes to a building entrance or the nearest access road when parking in a public lot. 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.