Full Notification

The following is a synopsis of crimes reported for the week of May 5, 2024 – May 11, 2024.        
 
May 5, 2024

• No significant activity.

 
May 6, 2024

• Aggravated Assault:

1600 Mountain Avenue (Walmart). On May 6, 2024 at 8:30 PM, the suspect, a male hispanic adult wearing a black shirt and blue jeans, was harassing customers inside the location. The victim, a store employee, contacted the suspect and was escorting the suspect out of the store when the suspect turned around, produced a concealed knife, and pointed it at the victim while threatening to harm him. Deputies responded and arrested the suspect who was still in the area. Surveillance video is available.  
 
May 7, 2024

• Robbery (Force):

1322 Huntington Drive (Grocery Outlet). On May 7, 2024 at 5 PM, the suspect, an unknown female black adult wearing a black shirt and blue jeans, was observed exiting the location passing all manned registers failing to purchase a pack of scrunchies. The victim, a store employee, contacted the suspect and attempted to detain her, when the suspect lunged at the victim attempting to punch her. The victim pulled out her phone and told the suspect she was going to record her, at which point the suspect attempted to smack the phone out of the victim’s hand, hitting her in the process. The suspect was last seen walking west on Huntington Drive and out of view. The loss was approximately $2.00. Surveillance video is available.
 

• Burglary (Vehicle):

1000 Las Lomas Road (Duarte Golf Course). On May 7, 2024 between 4:53 PM and 5:43 PM, suspect(s) unknown shattered the passenger side front window to the victim’s vehicle, a red 2017 Mercedes GLK350. The suspect(s) entered the vehicle and stole the victim's “Louis Vuitton” purse and its contents that was in plain sight. The loss was approximately $3,900. No surveillance video is available.
 

• Petty Theft (Shoplifting):

1600 Mountain Avenue (Walmart). On May 7, 2024 at 12 PM, suspect unknown, a male hispanic wearing a grey sweater, was observed in the liquor aisle walking towards the restroom with a six pack of beers. The suspect exited the restroom without the beers and exited the location in an unknown direction. Store asset protection checked the restroom and found six emptied beer cans. The loss was approximately $17. Surveillance video is available.
 
May 8, 2024

• No significant activity.

 
May 9, 2024

• No significant activity.

 
May 10, 2024

• Grand Theft:

3400 Block of Brookridge Road. On May 10, 2024 at 2:52 AM, suspect unknown was observed on the victim's “Ring” camera entering their unlocked grey 2021 Chevy Tahoe. The suspect stole the victim's Apple iPad, a pair of Ray-Ban, and miscellaneous gift cards from inside of the vehicle. The loss was approximately $1,250. Surveillance video is available. 
 
May 11, 2024

• No significant activity.

  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. Park your vehicle close 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.