A Seal Beach Police officer was presented with an award from Mothers Against Drunk Driving at the Monday, March 28, City Council meeting.
Cpl. Dave Barr was honored at the annual Mothers Against Drunk Driving luncheon on March 24. During 2015 Cpl. Barr made 27 arrests of persons suspected of being under the influence of alcohol or drugs. This was the highest number of DUI arrests made by a Seal Beach Police Officer for 2015. This is the fourth MADD DUI award Cpl. Barr has received, having earned this recognition in 2005, 2006, and 2014. Cpl. Barr has been with the Seal Beach Police Department for 12 years, having worked assignments in the Patrol Bureau and Detective Bureau. While assigned to the Detective Bureau, Cpl. Barr investigated elder abuse, crimes against children, and forgery & fraud. He is also an instructor at the Coastline Community College District Specialized Investigator Academy.
“The choice to get behind the wheel of a vehicle after consuming alcohol is often life changing,” Barr said. “I believe that our agencies enforcement effort, specifically concerning drunk drivers, saves lives of not only those potential innocent victims but those of the drivers we arrest.”
Los Al police investigate hit-and-run
Staff report
Los Alamitos Police are investigating a hit-and-run that left two individuals injured last weekend. A driver has been arrested on suspicion of DUI and felony hit-and-run causing injuries.
Officers responded to the area of Katella Avenue and Los Alamitos Boulevard at approximately 2:04 a.m. due to a possible collision in the area on Saturday, March 26. Upon arrival they found a collision had occurred on Katella Avenue, east of Los Al Boulevard involving two individuals with potentially significant injuries who were transported to local trauma centers. Katella Avenue was temporarily closed so police could investigate the scene.
Based on the circumstances, the regional Significant Traffic Accident Response Team investigated the crash.
Patrol officers detained a driver who was later arrested. Police have not released the suspect’s name.
The two injured parties were treated and it was found they were not suffering life threatening injuries.
Police are asking anyone with information about this collision to call Officer Krogman at 562-431-2255 ext. 479, or the on-duty Watch Commander at 562-431-2255 ext. 426.
Crime Log Compiled by Charles M. Kelly
IN SEAL?BEACH
Wednesday, March 16
Traffic Collision—6:23 a.m.—Plymouth and Seal Beach Boulevard—The caller was rear ended and speculated that the other driver was driving under the influence. Details were blacked out in the log. Police unit M8 arrested George Peralta on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol and suspicion of possession of a controlled substance.
Welfare Check—7:09 a.m.—Lampson Avenue—The caller, a passerby, saw a man wrapped in blankets sleeping on the sidewalk near the tennis courts. Police unit 107 advised the man against sleeping there and he said he would comply. As of 7:30 a.m., he was apparently on his way somewhere else.
Transient—7:40 a.m.—Lampson Avenue—A man was observed urinating in the bushes. As of 7:41 a.m., he was cleaning up his camp. Police kept doing patrol checks in the area.
Bees—10:47 a.m.—Seal Beach and Heron Point—The caller said the bees were located on Seal Beach Boulevard, south of Heron Point, near the gutter. Referred to Public Works.
Injured Animal—3:57 p.m.—Marina Drive and First Street—The caller reported an injured duck on the bridge. Referred to Long Beach Animal Care Services.
Welfare Check—4:25 p.m.—Pacific Coast Highway and Balboa—The caller reported a man walking southbound in the northbound lanes. At 4:33 p.m., police unit 107 contacted a transient who might have been the individual the caller had been talking about. The individual who the police contacted was not in the street and checked out OK.
Transient Camps—4:53 a.m.—College Park Drive—The caller requested extra patrol checks in the late evenings for the homeless camps that have sprung up lately around the park. The caller didn’t know if it was related, but knew that neighbors were complaining that some of their gardening tools had gone missing recently. Log entry.
Thursday, March 17
Municipal Code Complaint—6:49 a.m.—Ocean Avenue—The caller said a large dog was off leash on the sand on the north side of the Seal Beach Pier. An unknown man, possibly the owner, was nearby. The caller refused to provide further information. The big dog was gone by the time police arrived.
Suspicious Occupied Vehicle—8:52 a.m.—Elder Avenue—The caller said a man was sitting in a car in front of a restaurant. The man told the caller that he needed his car to be jump-started. The car was gone by the time police arrived.
Suspicious Occupied Vehicle—12:04 p.m.—Catalina and Avalon—The caller said a man had been driving slowly and looking into houses. The caller reported seeing the same man three weeks ago. Police were unable to locate him.
Disturbance, Juveniles—4:58 p.m.—Bolsa Avenue—The caller said approximately six boys were skateboarding in front of the school. The caller requested that they leave. The caller said this was an on-going problem. The caller did not want contact with the police. Police unit 106 advised three juveniles to leave and they said they would comply.
Friday, March 18
Hail By Citizen—12:05 a.m.—Main Street—A citizen flagged down police unit S23. Police contacted a woman who had been drinking. A disturbance was apparently in progress—unit S23 requested additional police units. There were 40-50 individuals at the location. The bar was shut down. At 12:52 a.m., one individual was arrested on “unknown charges,” according to the log. Details were blacked out in the log, including the time at which unit S23 notified dispatch that all bars were closed and empty.
Vehicle Burglary—7:02 a.m.—Montecito Road—The crime apparently occurred between 9:30 p.m., Thursday, March 17, and the time of the call to police. Someone broke into the caller’s car. Loss: unknown. Point of entry: unknown. Report taken.
Disturbance—8:32 a.m.—Seal Beach Boulevard—The caller reported a man with a knife in his pocket creating a disturbance with security at the main gate. He did not pull the knife on anyone. The knife was in his pocket. He was reportedly verbally abusive toward security. He was gone by the time a police unit arrived.
Suspicious Person—9:03 a.m.—Ocean Avenue—The caller said unknown men put dye in the park “where the ducks are.” The caller did not provide a further description. When dispatch tried to call back, the call went to voice mail. Police were unable to locate anyone or anything suspicious.
Identity Theft—1:38 p.m.—10th Street—Someone opened a credit card account using the caller’s information. Report taken.
Petty Theft Report—2:52 p.m.—Main Street—The caller said that at 1:56 p.m., a woman hid a tip jar in her purse and walked out with it. Report taken.
Identity Theft—3:18 p.m.—College Park Drive—Someone opened multiple accounts using the caller’s personal information. Report taken.
Transient—4:15 p.m.—Seal Beach Boulevard—The caller said a man was sitting in front of the location, screaming at passersby, “I’m going to kill you.” The caller did not see any weapons. Police unit M7 contacted the man, who was apparently known to the local police. He was advised to stop threatening people and he apparently agreed to comply. As of 4:24 p.m., he was back en route to Long Beach.
Vehicle Burglary—4:25 p.m.—Montecito Road—Sometime during the night, someone stole electronics and a gate opener from the caller’s car. Point of entry: unknown.
Transient—6:08 p.m.—Main Street—The caller said a man was in front of the liquor store. His pants were mostly down and he was exposing himself. Police were unable to locate him.
Disturbance, Music—7 p.m.—Fir Avenue—The caller complained about a band practicing at the location. An elderly neighbor had already asked them to quiet down so they closed the garage door. However, according to the caller they were still too loud. Police unit 206 advised the band to quiet down and they said they would comply.
Saturday, March 19
Graffiti—9:59 a.m.—Ocean Avenue—Someone spray painted “Norwalk” in black on a Lifeguard tower platform and in white on the Lifeguard tower. Report taken.
Transients—1:40 p.m.—Main Street and Electric—The caller said a transient was on the greenbelt. She said there was an on-going problem with transients hanging out there and it scared her when she had to walk by. Police determined no crime had been committed.
Attempted Petty Theft—3:31 p.m.—Seal Beach Boulevard—The caller said a suspect ran out and dropped all the clothing he was carrying. He ran into the parking lot. The caller recovered all the merchandise he took. Report taken.
Sunday, March 20
Municipal Code Complaint—6:51 a.m.—Ocean Avenue and Fourth Street—The caller reported three dogs off leash defecating on the beach between Fourth and Fifth streets. Police unit 107 contacted a man and advised him against violating the Municipal Code.
Petty Theft Report—11:53 a.m.—Montecito Road—Point of entry: an unlocked car Loss: a wallet and credit cards. Report taken.
Vehicle Burglary—11:54 a.m.—Montecito Road—Point of entry: unknown. Loss: clothes, money and the vehicle registration. Report taken.
Monday, March 21
Municipal Code Complaint—2:41 p.m.—Sandpiper Drive—The caller said a man was going door-to-door selling magazines. The man told the caller that he was in high school, but the caller said he looked older than a high school student. The caller was concerned that he might be casing. Police unit 107 contacted the man and told him he would need to get a solicitor’s license from the city.
Vehicle Burglary—3:37 p.m.—Montecito Road—The crime occurred between 2 p.m., Friday, March 19, and noon, Monday, March 21. Suspect: unknown. Point of entry: unknown. Loss: a few coins. The caller could smell smoke and noticed a cigarette burn to the passenger seat.
Petty Theft—7:42 a.m.—Pacific Coast Highway—The caller had left his bike in front of the store. When he came out, the seat was gone. No report desired.
IN LOS?ALAMITOS
THURSDAY, MARCH 10
Vehicle Check–3:43 a.m.—Howard Avenue and Lexington Drive—Two individuals in a vehicle sped down Howard Avenue when patrol attempted to pull over the vehicle for a routine stop. A traffic collision occurred moments later involving that vehicle and a second vehicle. The individuals fled the vehicle after the collision but were detained later by police. A “for sale” sign on the vehicle was investigated by police and ultimately the two subjects admitted to stealing the vehicle from the Compton area. Both subjects were arrested. The owner of the vehicle was notified.
Traffic Hazard—8:28 a.m.—Los Alamitos Boulevard and Rossmoor Way—A large box was on the road interfering with traffic. Patrol was unable to locate the box.
Vehicle Burglary—9:45 a.m.—Maple Avenue—A caller reported someone broke into and ransacked his Toyota Tacoma last night. The caller said his wallet and a pair of sunglasses were stolen from the vehicle. Patrol found no signs of forced entry and took a report.
Vehicle Burglary—12:39 p.m.—Reagan Street—A caller reported their vehicle was burglarized sometime last night. The caller did not know how they broke into the vehicle and reported the loss of a subwoofer.
Petty Theft—4:20 p.m.—Catalina Street—A caller reported their tool bag was stolen from the back of the caller’s truck. The caller estimated their loss at $800 and said they had a video of the suspect taking it. Police took a report.
Petty Theft—6:45 p.m.—Green Avenue—A caller reported their laundry was stolen from the laundry room at their residence. The caller checked the area but didn’t find anyone. The loss was estimated at $200-$300 by the caller. No report was desired. The caller would claim the loss through renter’s insurance.
FRIDAY, MARCH 11
Suspicious Person—8:32 a.m.—Los Alamitos Boulevard—A caller reported someone was inside the Laundromat using vulgarity and talking to himself. The person was gone when police arrived.
Suspicious Person—6:39 p.m.—Katella Avenue—A caller reported seeing a man sitting in Starbucks with a cup full of an unknown liquid. The caller said the man looked a little “off.” Patrol made contact with the man and counseled him.
Counseling—8:17 p.m.—Katella Avenue—A person reported they’d like to speak with an officer. The person said someone keeps calling him asking to meet at Subway. The issue was over a relationship the person had with his girlfriend.
SATURDAY, MARCH 12
Disturbance—3:51 p.m.—Los Alamitos Boulevard—A caller reported a man was threatening to punch the caller in the face. The man was upset because the caller told him to stop panhandling. Police made contact with the man and conducted a field interview.
Disturbance, Party—10:36 p.m.—Green Avenue—A caller said he was out in the front yard with several individuals who were causing a ruckus, but the caller said they could not describe the ruckus. Police were unable to locate the cause of the ruckus.
SUNDAY, MARCH 13
Hit and Run—7:32 a.m.—Lexington Drive—A caller reported their car was hit in the parking lot of Building 19. The caller said the front left corner panel of the vehicle was damaged. Report taken.
Dog in Vehicle—2:23 p.m.—Katella Avenue—A caller reported a dog was seen panting inside a vehicle that had the windows partially cracked. No further assistance needed.
MONDAY, MARCH 14
Traffic Collision—7:25 a.m.—Cerritos Avenue and Los Alamitos Boulevard—A caller reported a vehicle went up on the median in the road. The vehicle was moved to the parking lot of El Polo Loco. No property was damaged and the vehicle was left in the parking lot until it could be picked up. Report taken.
Petty Theft—7:50 a.m.—Reagan Street—A caller reported a shop vacuum valued at $86 was stolen off the caller’s porch. The caller did not desire a report but wanted the police to be aware and requested extra patrol checks throughout nighttime hours.
Hit and Run of parked vehicle—10:18 a.m.—Cherry Street—A caller reported seeing a Mustang hit two parked vehicles as it rolled out of its parking spot. No damage was found on one of the vehicles hit. Police were unable to contact the owner of the Mustang. Police left an incident card on the car.
Forgery—2:01 p.m.—Katella Avenue–A caller reported a suspect went to a South Orange County CVS attempting to use fake prescriptions with forged doctor signatures that don’t match. The caller was notified of another occurrence last Friday. Patrol checked with Los Al Medical Center and Long Beach Medical Group to see if any prescription pads were missing. Log entry.
Jesus Ruiz of the News-Enterprise contributed to this article.
