Seven third-row seats were stolen from College Park East cars during an eight-day period in recent weeks.
In other crime news, three Hill area homes were burglarized last month.
College Park East car seats
Seal Beach Police Sgt. Phil Gonshak, the department’s public information officer, said seven third row seat thefts took place from Nov. 23 to Nov. 30.
He called the thefts “pretty extensive.” Gonshak said that there is a spike in crime during the holiday season.
According to Gonshak, because people feel safe in Seal Beach they don’t always take the precautions that they should take.
Gonshak advised Seal Beach residents and visitors to lock their cars at all times and to remove their valuables to reduce thefts.
As previously reported, last year there were 13 third row car seat thefts in Seal Beach.
At the time, SBPD crime analyst Kevin Edwards said that third-row thefts occur in cycles.
“Essentially, the third-row seat market is comprised of third-row seat victims,” Edwards said.
“After discovering the hefty price of purchasing a third-row seat at the dealership, many people will turn to purchasing their seat online or at a salvage yard where they retail for roughly $1,000,” Edwards said.
“The problem is that these third-row seats online and in salvage yards are, more often than not, stolen,” he said.
burglaries on the Hill
Gonshak said three Hill residences were burglarized from Nov. 1-30.
To protect their homes, Gonshak advised residents to get an alarm system, install video surveillance, trim bushes, get motion sensitive lights and to start a Neighbor4Neighbor group.
SBPD names Joe Miller as new commander of support services
Staff report
The Seal Beach Police Department recently named Joe Miller commander of the Support Services division. Commander Miller has more than 27 years of experience. The city hired him directly from the Golden West Police Academy. He has worked a variety of assignments during his career, including: motor officer, SWAT officer, field training officer, Explorer advisor, investigations sergeant, Police Officer Association president, and Police Management Association president. Miller has also supervised the Traffic Bureau, Bicycle and Beach Patrol, and played a significant role in the creation of the West County Major Crimes Task Force. As investigations sergeant, Miller recently managed Operation Crossover and Operation Money Wash. Miller is also a graduate of the Sherman Block Supervisory Leadership Institute.
“With his 27 years of experience working within the Seal Beach Police Department, Joe is a natural fit to our City Management Team,” said Police Chief Joe Stilinovich. “He has a wealth of knowledge in the operations and inner workings of our department, and I am extremely confident he is capable of advancing our mission of driving down crime and improving the quality of life for residents and visitors of Seal Beach.”
Crime Log Compiled
by Charles M. Kelly
IN SEAL?BEACH
Wednesday, November 25
Transient—6:40 a.m.—Lampson Avenue—The caller, relaying second-hand information, said a transient was sleeping in a tent on the driving range.
Welfare Check—5:48 p.m.—Ocean Avenue—The caller saw someone swimming in the ocean. The swimmer was near the end of the Seal Beach Pier. It was too dark for the caller to provide police with a description of the swimmer. Police called Seal Beach Lifeguards. Police contacted the Orange County Sheriff’s Department’s Harbor Patrol, which sent a unit. As of 5:55 p.m., Lifeguards were en route. At that time, the caller saw the swimmer about 75 yards from shore. Seal Beach Police unit 207 took a position on the beach. At 5:59 p.m., the swimmer was 15 yards from shore. At 6 p.m., police sent a message the Lifeguards canceling the call. The swimmer was interviewed in the field. The log did not include the name of the swimmer.
IN LOS?ALAMITOS
Sunday, November 22
Keep the Peace—10:06 a.m.—Farquhar Avenue and Little Cottonwood Park—The caller reported a 45-year-old man on a scooter who had his 12-year old son with him. The caller was advised to call the police if she observes him again so he can be counseled on scooter riding. The father reportedly threatened to beat up the caller on their last encounter. He was now with his wife and son, and they were on foot at the corner of the park entrance. He was last seen standing by the entrance on Farquhar Avenue. Patrol was unable to locate.
Monday, November 23
Disturbance—4:30 p.m.—Katella Avenue—The caller reported two visitors were in a verbal argument. The caller was argumentative with dispatch and disconnected. The caller was back on the line and said the individuals were in a verbal fight now, and that in the past it has been physical. Patrol contacted one individual. Both were involved in a minor verbal argument about information concerning his mother and significant other. The man grabbed the paper from the woman’s hands. She hit him in the face with her elbow, knocking off his prosthetic nose. Both parties counseled.
Tuesday, November 24
Disturbance—9:53 a.m.—Katella Avenue—The caller reported an irate former employee in the human resources office, refusing to leave. He was upset about his termination. He was escorted to his vehicle, and made threats towards the manager and the human resources director. The man’s threats were not a crime. The caller was advised to call the police if he returned. Assisted.
Belmont SHore
November 3
Robbery—12:30 a.m.—Ximeno Avenue—An individual was robbed.
November 5
Drugs—7:03 p.m.—E. 2nd Street—An individual was arrested on suspicion of simple possession of methamphetamine or ecstacy or GHB, etc.
November 7
Robbery—12:58 a.m.—Granada Avenue—This was a commercial robbery.
Drugs—7:05 p.m.—E. Ocean Boulevard—An individual was arrested on suspicion of possession of less than 28.5 grams of marijuana.
November 8
Drugs—3:22 p.m.—E. 2nd Street—An individual was arrested on suspicion of simple possession of methamphetamine or ecstacy or GHB, etc.
November 9
Assault With Deadly Weapon—10:20 p.m.—E. Ocean Boulevard and S. 54th Place.
November 11
Robbery—11 p.m.—Bay Shore Avenue—Robbery of inhabited dwelling or commercial carrier.
November 14
Drugs—8:15 p.m.—E. Ocean Boulevard—An individual was arrested on suspicion of simple possession of heroin or cocaine or another controlled substance.
November 19
Drugs—12:12 p.m.—E. 2nd Street— and Covina Avenue—An individual was arrested on suspicion of simple possession of methamphetamine or ecstacy or GHB etc.
November 25
Automobile Burglary—9:30 p.m.—Argonne Avenue.
November 27
Car Theft—10:01 a.m.—E. 2nd Street.
Laurie Hanson of the News-Enterprise and Jeff Miller of the Belmont Shore Residents Association contributed to this article.
