There have been three burglaries on the Hill in Seal Beach since the start of the year, according to Seal Beach Police Cpl. Michael Henderson.
The first burglary took place in the Coves in January. Two more residential burglaries took place in early March. One of the March burglaries occurred between 5:30 p.m., March 1, and 7:30 p.m., March 2, on Catalina Avenue. The log for that date provided little more information: the suspect was unknown and the point of entry was blacked out. The log March 2 and March 3 didn’t provide any further information.
Statistically, burglary is one of the most common serious or “Part 1” crimes reported each year in Seal Beach.
As the Sun reported last week, there were 88 burglaries reported in Seal Beach last year, a figure that combines residential and business burglaries. (The figures for automobile burglaries, which are thefts from locked vehicles, are a sub-category of larceny.) The figures obviously don’t include crimes that victims never bothered to report to the police.
In 2013, there were 95 burglaries in Seal Beach. The change in known burglaries reflected a 7.4 percent decrease in burglaries last year.
Robberies are significantly less common than burglaries. There were just seven robberies in Seal Beach last year. The two crimes are often confused. A robbery is a crime in which a criminal uses violence or the threat of violence to coerce a victim into surrendering money or property to the thief.
Crime Log Compiled by Charles M. Kelly
IN SEAL?BEACH
Monday, March 16
Municipal Code—6:26 a.m.—Ocean Avenue—The caller reported a woman walking a large black dog off leash while traveling northbound from the Seal Beach Pier.
Possible Vandalism—10:26 a.m.—Seal Way—The caller reported possible vandalism upon seeing a man tearing ice plants out of the ground where the beach starts. Police unit 107, however, found a Public Works Department crew removing a dead ice plant.
Disturbance, Juveniles—6:17 p.m.—Neptune and Ocean—The caller said four minors—the caller apparently did not provide an estimate of their ages—were climbing onto the construction equipment on the beach and jumping down to the sand.
Police unit 207 counseled the minors and sent them on their way.
Tuesday, March 17
Burglary—3:10 p.m.—Seal Beach Boulevard—The crime apparently occurred at 10:30 a.m., Feb. 27. The log did not say if it was a business, residential or automobile burglary. Report taken.
Animal Information—8:15 p.m.—B Row, Surfside Colony—The caller said a large, black dog was standing out in front of the location and barking. No owner seen. The caller was afraid to get out of the car. Message delivered to Long Beach Animal Control Services.
Wednesday, March 18
Animal Information—6:08 p.m.—Ocean Avenue—The caller said a dog had been locked in a car for 45 minutes. Message delivered to Long Beach Animal Care Services. Log entry.
In California, leaving an animal unattended in a car under conditions that could harm the animal is a violation of Penal Code 597.7. The first offense is punishable by a $100 fine per injured animal unless the animal dies, in which case the maximum penalty is a $500 fine, six months in county jail or both. The fine escalates with subsequent offenses.
The penalty for leaving a human child of 6 years old or younger in a car unattended by a person who is at least 12 years old may be a violation of Vehicle Code 15620. If the engine is running or conditions place the child’s heath in danger, the crime may be punishable by a $100 fine.
Additional offenses do not result in increased fines, but authorities might file a separate felony charge of child endangerment.
IN LOS?ALAMITOS
Monday, March 2
Counseling—11:30 a.m.—Los Alamitos Boulevard—A citizen reported receiving a threatening call about 15 minutes earlier about a business over an incident that occurred the previous day. Patrol determined no crime had occurred. Patrol talked to the caller about having the manager obtain a restraining order against the individual who made the distressing call. The citizen was advised to contact the police the next time the individual shows up at the bar.
Welfare Check–12:22 p.m.–Howard Avenue–The caller reported hearing a scream, then looked out and saw a woman in an apartment garage.
The caller watched her scream twice. It was unknown what was going on. The garage door was now closed. The woman was apparently on the phone with her mother seeking help regarding her drinking problem.
Wednesday, March 4
Welfare Check—1:58 p.m.—Bloomfield Street and Katella Avenue—The caller reported a girl, about 6 years old, pushing a possible 1-year-old in a stroller by herself on Bloomfield Street. Patrol was unable to locate the children.
Thursday, March 5
Welfare Check–8:01 p.m.—Oak Street—The caller was the daughter of a 91-year-old woman, lives out of the area and had been unable to make contact with her mother for the past couple of days. The caller’s 23-year-old son was staying with her but the caller was unable to make contact with him either as he doesn’t have a cell phone. The perimeter of the residence was secure and all shades were drawn shut. Patrol was unable to make contact at the residence and attempted to contact a neighbor. The 91-year-old’s vehicle was not at the location. The doors were locked and there are no signs of duress. Patrol spoke with the caller by phone and the caller said she would continue to attempt to contact her son.
Friday, March 6
Possible Domestic Violence—7:46 p.m.—Los Alamitos Boulevard—The caller reported a man hitting a female while in a white older vehicle that was parked behind a local business.
There were two men in the vehicle, one in the back wearing a graduation cap and gown. The woman was in the back seat. There were no weapons involved. The vehicle appeared to be an older police vehicle with a black front bumper. The caller was no longer in the area but said the one man was punching the female while he was out of the vehicle, and that he then got into the passenger seat. Patrol determined it was a father disciplining his daughter.
IN ROSSMOOR
Monday, March 16
Suspicious Persons in Vehicle—10:52 a.m.—Drysdale Lane and Pemberton Road—The caller said a man and a woman in a car had been driving around his neighborhood.
Keep the Peace—11:02 a.m.—Orangewood Avenue.
Petty Theft Report—7:05 p.m.—Walker Lee Drive—An individual’s phone was stolen while the individual was riding an Orange County Transportation Authority bus on Tuesday, March 10.
Tuesday, March 17
Suspicious Person in Vehicle—9:37 a.m.—Inverness Drive—The caller requested a patrol check on a car that was occupied by a man. The man in the car apparently turned out to be a worker for someone in the area.
Patrol Check—11:37 p.m.—Blume Drive—A deputy performed a patrol check in Rush Park. The building was secure. The doors and windows were closed and locked.
No one was in the park. Nothing suspicious was seen.
Wednesday, March 18
Fraud Report—10:52 a.m.—Drysdale Lane.
Disturbance—5:58 p.m.—Shakespeare Drive and Martha Ann Drive—Some residents, described as 12-15 years old, were playing basketball in their driveway. The caller complained about the children playing in the street at the location and asked for a welfare check on the children at another location because there were 10 to 20 of them living there and, according to the caller, they were never watched.
Suspicious Vehicle—11:28 p.m.—Orangewood Avenue—The caller reported an unoccupied vehicle in front of the location where the caller’s elderly parents live.
The caller thought it was suspicious because no one ever parks there. The vehicle was marked for a 72-hour violation.
Thursday, March 19
Suspicious Person or Circumstances—6:57 a.m.—Donnie Ann Road and Donnis Road—A deputy performed a patrol check for a man who was walking up to houses and possibly casing them.
Open Window—9:33 a.m.—Chianti Drive.
Friday, March 20
Suspicious Person in Vehicle—8:53 a.m.—St. Albans Drive—The caller said a man in a car was looking at the houses.
Patrol Check—12:45 p.m.—Blume Drive—A deputy performed a patrol check at the park for any criminal activity. None noted.
Suspicious Person or Circumstances—10:02 p.m.—Oak Knoll Drive.
Disturbance, Music or Party—10:23 p.m.—Blume Drive.
Saturday, March 21
Disturbance, Auto Involved—4:10 p.m.—Tigertail Drive.
Shots Heard—7:43 p.m.—Wembley Road— No suspect information.
Disturbance—8:27 p.m.—Silverwood Drive and Martha Ann Drive.
Sunday, March 22
Suspicious Person or Circumstances—3:59 p.m.—Foster Road and Chesney Drive.
Ted Apodaca of the News-Enterprise contributed to this article.
