Editor’s Note: This week’s Crime Log is based on three detailed versions of the log provided by the Seal Beach Police Department, covering the period from Dec. 13 to Dec. 22. Combined, the three documents included 97 pages of information.
In Seal Beach
Friday, December 13
• Suspicious Vehicle—6:14 a.m.—Candleberry Avenue (College Park East)—The caller reported that a brown or silver Acura had been parked for the past two hours with both driver-side doors open.
• Traffic Collision—6:43 a.m.—Seal Beach Boulevard and Pacific Coast Highway—A tan truck was turning left from south-bound Seal Beach Boulevard to east-bound Pacific Coast Highway then veered off to the right onto the other side of the road. A bus bench was damaged.
• Suspicious Person—6:54 a.m.—Montecito Road—The caller stated that a person that they believed was possibly under the influence and wearing a black hooded sweatshirt had been sitting in the stairwell for at least 30 minutes. The person in question was gone when police arrived.
• Reckless Driver—8:12 a.m.—Lampson Avenue and Heather Street (College Park East)—The caller reported a white Scion swerving and going into turn lanes in order to pass vehicles. According to the caller, the vehicle was held together by tape. Police arrested Jose Gonzalez Contreras on suspicion of driving a motor vehicle upon a highway without a valid driver’s license.
• Hazard—9:19 a.m.—Seal Beach Boulevard—The caller stated that a woman was setting up a booth in the parking lot in traffic lanes. As this occurred on private property, it was determined to be a property owner issue.
• Disturbance—11:28 a.m.—Main Street—The caller reported that a man in a blue and black plaid jacket carrying a large duffel bag was inside disturbing employees. After the man left, he loitered in the area and began yelling.
• Welfare Check—1:27 p.m.—Ocean Avenue—The caller stated that there was a man lying down in the parking lot but moving around. Police responded and determined that the man was fine.
• Disturbance—4:28 p.m.—Main Street—The caller reported that a man in black clothing was drinking and yelling. Police picked up Michael Anthony Roach on suspicion of violating parole.
• Suspicious Person—4:46 p.m.—Hazelnut Avenue and Heather Street (College Park East)—The caller reported seeing a man on a skateboard that appeared to be watching kids play at the park. The caller then saw the man make contact with a teenager and child. Police were unable to locate the person in question.
• Fraud—5:06 p.m.—Weeburn Road (Leisure World)—The caller stated that they were scammed out of $500 via a computer scam.
• Identity Theft—6:03 p.m.—5th Street—The caller reported that an unknown person opened several different credit cards in their name.
• Criminal Threats—7:05 p.m.—Masthead Court—A person stated that someone threatened her, texting her saying that he was going to kill her over money. Police counseled the individual.
• Suspicious Person—9:02 p.m.—2nd Street—The caller reported that a man was standing near the neighbor’s mailbox, but the caller didn’t believe that it was a person who lives there. According to the caller, the individual in question told them that he was looking for some checks in the mailbox. Police determined that the individual was visiting a neighboring resident.
• Possible DUI—9:23 p.m.—North Gate Road and Seal Beach Boulevard—A silver Honda Accord’s left rear tire was flat by the 405 on ramp. The driver was acting erratic and still attempted to drive, in spite of the flat tire, before exiting the vehicle. The vehicle was sent to impound.
• Reckless Driver—10:05 p.m.—Seal Beach Boulevard—The caller reported a white truck doing donuts in the parking lot. Police were unable to locate the vehicle.
• Possible DUI—10:58 p.m.—Pacific Coast Highway and Main Street—The caller reported a Toyota swerving and stopping randomly. Police were unable to locate the vehicle.
Saturday, December 14
• Suspicious Person—3:02 a.m.—Seal Beach Boulevard and Electric Avenue—The caller stated that a person with a cart was near the bus stop. The caller requested that the individual leaves. Police checked and determined there was no crime.
Friday, December 20
• Dumpster Diving—7:04 a.m.—6th Street—The caller stated that a person in a blue and grey sweater was going through the trash. The individual was gone when police arrived.
• Traffic Hazard—8:30 a.m.—Seal Beach Boulevard and Adolfo Lopez Drive—The caller stated that there were boxes in the roadway. Police removed the boxes from the road.
• Hazard—12:34 p.m.—Electric Avenue—The caller reported that a wire was pulled down by a truck that passed in the alley. Police determined that the wire appeared to be a cable wire—not a live wire—that belonged to a private resident. The wire was moved out of the alley.
• Suspicious Vehicle—12:55 p.m.—Bolsa Avenue and Seal Beach Boulevard—The caller stated that a mini cooper had a yellow light on top of it. Police were unable to locate the vehicle.
• Traffic Hazard—1:17 p.m.—Seal Beach Boulevard and Westminster Avenue—The caller reported that a woman in a light gold sedan was on the wrong wide of the road. Police were unable to locate the vehicle.
• Petty Theft—3:45 p.m.—Seal Beach Boulevard—The caller stated that a man was concealing items in a satchel, including three gold chains, headphones and other miscellaneous items. Jamie Cruz was arrested on suspicion of theft of items the total of which amounted to less than $950.
• Disturbing Juveniles—4:43 p.m.—Avalon Drive—The caller reported that two juveniles at the entrance to the park were digging trenches. The individuals were gone when police arrived.
• Cross—6:23 p.m.—Sandpiper Drive—The caller reported that children were playing lacrosse. The caller had talked to the parents, but the children continue to play the game. The caller’s property has been damaged previously by this game. Police counseled the individuals.
• Disturbance—6:36 p.m.—Pacific Coast Highway—The caller stated that a man who was panhandling was starting to disturb people who refused to give him anything. The man was gone when police arrived.
• Suspicious Person—11:45 p.m.—Pacific Coast Highway—The caller reported that a man inside the store had concealed alcohol on his person and was now asking an employee to open a higher end liquor cabinet. The person then tried to break into the liquor cabinet. Police arrested Michael Armijo on suspicion of burglary, the value of goods totaling less than $950.
• Disturbing Juveniles—11:58 p.m.—Avalon Drive—The caller stated that approximately 12 individuals were at the entrance of the park. The juveniles were gone when police arrived.
Saturday, December 21
• Auto Theft—10:07 a.m.—6th Street—The caller stated that their Subaru Outback was missing. She advised that her boyfriend is now looking for the vehicle on Main Street, stating that she possibly parked it on Main Street and then walked home.
• Urine Trouble—12:17 p.m.—Main Street and Electric Avenue—The caller reported that a woman urinated on the sidewalk. Police were unable to locate urine on the sidewalk, and also unable to locate the caller. They did see a female transient who was advised not to urinate in public.
• Abandoned Vehicle—3:09 p.m.—Marvista Avenue—The caller stated that a black Ford Ranger had been parked for four days.
• Possible DUI—4:59 p.m.—Seal Beach Boulevard and North Gate Road—The caller reported that a blue Dodge Magnum was being driven erratically. Edward Lopez was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence.
• Assist—5:37 p.m.—Avalon Drive—The caller requested that police close the park.
• Ticked Off at TP—5:39 p.m.—Seabreeze Drive—The caller stated that she could see a person with a “bowl cut” on her Ring doorbell walking back and forth in front of her residence. The caller added that her home has been toilet papered 17 times and felt that this individual is part of the problem. The person in question was captured on video but the quality was poor, rendering them unrecognizable. The caller requested additional patrol checks throughout the weekend.
• Disturbing Juveniles—6:06 p.m.—Ocean Avenue—The caller reported seven or eight juveniles climbing on the lifeguard towers.
• Suspicious Person—10:44 p.m.—Pacific Coast Highway—The caller stated that a man in his 50s or 60s opened a carton of milk in the store and began drinking it before heading to the floral department to play with balloons. Police responded and determined no assistance was needed.
Sunday, December 22
• Disturbing Music—2:56 a.m.—Ocean Avenue—The caller reported that a white sedan was in the parking lot near the playground, with its three occupants drinking beer and listening to loud music.
