Los Alamitos Police arrested a man Sunday, Jan. 23 for residential burglary after he reportedly tried to force his way into a house on Vicksburg Circle.
“It looks like he thought it was his house,” said Los Alamitos Police Capt. Bruce McAlpine.
The following is the Los Alamitos Police Department’s account of the incident.
The man had been warned about trespassing at a home on Vicksburg Circle, according to the Los Al PD Weekly Crime Summary.
He reportedly returned shortly after midnight.returned on Jan. 23.
McAlpine said he demanded that the residents leave the house.
He made several attempts to enter the house through windows and doors. McAlpine said he apparently pounded on windows.
He threatened to harm the people living at the address and continued trying to get into the residence.
McAlpine said police confronted him in the front patio area of the house.
He reportedly admitted to being in the possession of a methamphetamine pipe.
McAlpine said the incident report did not say whether he had lived at the address at one time or if friends of his had ever lived there.
McAlpine said charges have been filed in the case. He has been charged with one felony count of burglary, one felony count of making criminal threats, and misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia.
The suspect’s name was Edward Leslie Howard, age 48. His identification indicated Howard is a Los Alamitos resident. According to McAlpine, he was scheduled to be arraigned today, Thursday, Feb. 10.
According to the Orange County Sheriff’s Department Web site, he is being held on $85,000 bail.
The sheriff’s Web site does not contain information concerning criminal charges faced by suspects in custody.
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Crime Log Assembled by Charles M. Kelly
The crimes listed in the Sun Newspapers were reported to Seal Beach Police Department, Los Alamitos Police Department and Orange County Sheriff Department between Jan. 23, and Feb. 5, 2011.
Only street names are used; times given are reported times, not incident times.
Crime Log entries are based on preliminary information. Space limitations make it impossible to publish every incident. Until proven guilty in a court of law, all suspects are considered innocent.
IN SEAL BEACH
Monday, January 24
Wrong Way Driver—6:38 p.m.—Pacific Coast Highway and Balboa—The caller said a man was driving northbound in the southbound lanes of Pacific Coast Highway. The wrong-way driver pulled into a parking lot. Police unit 217 contacted the wrong-way motorist and determined the driver was confused.
Dead Skunk—9:20 p.m.—12th Street and Pacific Coast Highway—The dead animal was reported in the number two southbound lane of Pacific Coast Highway. Referred to Long Beach Animal Care Services.
Tuesday, January 25
Patrol Check—3:20 a.m.—Electric Avenue—The caller heard the sound of either a person or an animal walking between the caller’s residence and a neighbor’s home. The caller did not see anyone. At 3:21 a.m., the caller reported hearing the sound again. The caller described hearing footsteps. Police unit 241 checked the area and determined no further police services were necessary.
Possible Attempted Burglary—9:21 a.m.—Seal Beach Boulevard—The caller reported that two locked exterior doors were pried during the night. The incident apparently occurred between 4:30 p.m., Monday, Jan. 24 and the time of the call to police. Pry marks were apparently left by a crow bar or large screwdriver, according to the dispatch log. As far as the caller knew, no one actually entered the building. Report taken.
Petty Theft—4:18 p.m.—16th Street—The caller reported inviting a man into a residence for an estate sale. The man reportedly took a wallet from a purse inside the residence. The suspect, described as a 62-year-old white man, left the scene on a bicycle.
Animal Information—11:20 p.m.—7th Street—The caller reported a skunk trapped in the parking lot. Referred to Long Beach Animal Care Services.
Thursday, January 27
Found Property—8:26 a.m.—Seal Beach Boulevard—Found wallet. Report taken.
Extra Patrol Check Requested—5:57 p.m.—16th Street—A young man knocked on the caller’s door at 4:20 p.m. and said he left his wallet in the caller’s back yard.
After the young man left, the caller noticed the side gate was open.
The suspect was described as a black man, 19-20 years old, clean cut, 5 feet 10 inches tall, thin, wearing a dark T-shirt and multi-colored board shorts. He was driving a small, older model brown Toyota pick up truck with a single cab. Message delivered.
Friday, January 28
Petty Theft Report—3:16 p.m.—Seal Beach Boulevard—Loss: a catalytic converter. The crime apparently occurred between 5 a.m. and the time of the call to police. Report taken.
Traffic Hazard—6:09 p.m.—Electric Avenue and 15th Street—Juveniles reportedly moved traffic cones, confusing drivers and blocking street accent. Police unit 217 moved the cones. Matter solved.
IN LEISURE WORLD
Wednesday, January 26
Person Down—2:01 p.m.—Pelham Road, Mutual Unknown—A woman fell down. The caller said she was up and standing with another citizen. Medics were en route. Police unit 116 determined it was a case of a trip and fall on private property.
Counseling—3:06 p.m.—Monterey Road, Mutual 2—A Leisure World woman walked into police headquarters to report receiving calls from a sweepstakes. The calls were not harassing or repetitive. The woman was given information about having her named removed from a variety of phone and mailing lists. Log item.
IN LOS ALAMITOS
Friday, January 28
Traffic Hazard—8:59 a.m.—Cerritos Avenue and Los Alamitos Boulevard—A tan vehicle with flashers on was reportedly blocking traffic. The owner requested aid in moving the vehicle.
Citizen Assist—11:58 a.m.—Katella Avenue—A man was screaming profanities and running at vehicles. Police assisted him to the sidewalk, where he walked away.
Family Dispute—7:40 p.m.—Green Avenue—The caller reported being harassed by family members because of an on-going dispute over property left by elderly mother.
Saturday, January 29
Fire—1:41 a.m.—Los Alamitos Boulevard—Fire in a trash can, possibly set by a man in a tan jacket. Police assisted the Orange County Fired Authority.
Theft—9:19 a.m.—Cerritos Avenue—A car battery was apparently taken sometime between 5 p.m., Friday, Jan. 28 and 9 a.m., Saturday, Jan. 29
Sunday, January 30
Graffiti—8:14 a.m.—Maple Street—Someone painted graffiti on a fence overnight.
Disturbance—10:01 p.m.—Howard Avenue—The caller said five males in dark hoodies were being loud and possibly drinking. They were smoking in the alley. Police advised them to be quiet and they said they would comply.
Monday, January 31
Family Dispute—8:58 a.m.—Howard Avenue—The caller heard yelling and door slamming. Police found a husband and wife in a verbal dispute over daughter being late for school.
Property Loss—9:12 a.m.—Cerritos Avenue and Bloomfield Street—The caller lost a diamond watch and wanted notification if someone turned it in.
Tuesday, February 1
Suspicious Occupied Vehicle—7:57 a.m.—Linda Way—A man was involved in a verbal dispute with his ex-girlfriend. Police contacted the ex-girlfriend, who said that he had followed her home. Both parties were counseled.
Family Dispute—1:48 p.m.—Howard Avenue—The caller said her boyfriend was trying to take their daughter without a custody order. She told police that the boyfriend owns a gun. On arrival, police found boyfriend cooperative and sitting on couch. The boyfriend left without daughter. The caller took the children to stay with her mother.
Wednesday, February 2
Suspicious Circumstances—1:11 a.m.—Pine Street—The caller heard noise on the side of residence and then a radio playing in his garage. The caller and his wife live by themselves. Alarm clock radio found set to turn on at 1 a.m. The caller did not recall setting the alarm.
Thursday, February 3
Traffic Hazard—9:55 a.m.—Farquhar Avenue—The caller reported a stray dog, possibly a beagle, with no collar. The Caller had been trying to capture the dog. The caller lost the dog in the business complex at Cerritos and Lexington.
IN ROSSMOOR
Monday, January 31
Fraud Report—10:17 a.m.—Druid Lane.
Found Bicycle—10:31 a.m.—Weatherby Road.
Tuesday, February 1
Illegal Peddling—9:02 p.m.—Baskerville Road.
Wednesday, February 2
Suspicious Person or Circumstances—12:27 p.m.—Tigertail Drive.
Disturbance, Music or Party—3:48 p.m.—Newbury Road.
Citizen Assist—7:06 p.m.—Salmon Drive.
Thursday, February 3
Suspicious Person in Vehicle—2:32 a.m.—Los Alamitos Boulevard and Orangewood Avenue.
Brandishing a Weapon—7:26 p.m.—Bostonian Drive and Rossmoor Way.
Friday, February 4
Disturbance, Music or Party—9:44 p.m.—Pemberton Road.
Saturday, February 5
Assault—2:24 a.m.—Los Alamitos Boulevard.
IN SUNSET BEACH
Monday, January 31
Assist Outside Agency—5:39 p.m.—S. Pacific Avenue and 16th Street.
Wednesday, February 2
Suspicious Person in Vehicle—4:06 p.m.—18th Street.
Friday, February 4
Suspicious Person or Circumstances—8:47 a.m.—N. Pacific Avenue and Warner Avenue.
Shelley Henderson of the News-Enterprise contributed to this article.
