By Charles M. Kelly
It started with a phone call about a suspicious bill and ended with the Secret Service launching a federal investigation.
The suspicious bill was reported to the Seal Beach Police Department at 1:20 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 29 by a passerby.
According to the caller, the suspect passed a possibly fake $100 in the Ralph’s supermarket on Seal Beach Boulevard.
The caller followed the suspect, who left in a vehicle going southbound on Seal Beach Boulevard.
Acccording to the Crime Log, the employees of a bank took the suspicious $100 bill into their bank.
Seal Beach Police unit 111 contacted a witness who described the suspect as wearing a blue and white stripped shirt. The witness said there was a passenger seated to the right of the driver of the vehicle.
A business manager told unit 111 that the suspect was a Hispanic man, about 5 feet 4 inches tall, wearing a red shirt.
According to Sgt. Steve Bowles, public information officer for the Seal Beach Police Department, officers stopped the suspect vehicle near Beverly Manor Road.
Bowles said there were five people in the vehicle. Some of them had outstanding warrants. According to the Crime Log, one of them had an outstanding warrant for dangerous drugs.
Bowles said the Secret Service responded and would be filing federal counterfeiting charges in the case.
The Secret Service is a unit within the U.S. Treasury Department that investigates counterfeiting as well as providing protection to federal officials including the president of the United States.
Bowles said the witness who followed the vehicle was a“keen observer.”
Bowles said the case would ultimately be prosecuted by federal authorities.
Los Al detective to speak on women’s safety
Sgt. Sharon Kerbow of the Los Alamitos Police Department will be the instructor for the Women’s Safety Program at 7 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 19 at the Los Alamitos Museum. The museum is located at 11062 Los Alamitos Blvd.
The free program is limited to 18 participants.
Kerbow has been with this program since its inception. Participants will learn tips for safety at home and away from home. Emphasis will be placed on “away from home.”
According to a statement issued by the Los Alamitos Museum, far too many women lack knowledge of safety in parking lots: How should a person approach their car? In what order should a person put a child and their groceries in a car? What does one do if she feels that she is being followed?
One feature added to this year’s program concerns sexual predators prowling the Internet. Kerbow will alert young women on how to recognize a predator and how to block his advances.
There will also be a segment on self defense.
To make a reservation, call the Los Alamitos Police Department at (562) 431-2255.
What was your favorite Crime Log entry in 2009?
As the end of the year approaches, the Sun Newspaper has begun compiling the more interesting crime stories of 2009. If you would like to offer a suggestion, e-mail Assistant Editor Charles M. Kelly at editor2@sunnews.org.
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 Oct. 26 and Nov. 6, 2009. 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, October 26
Disturbance—8:35 a.m.—Pacific Coast Highway—A man the caller described as being a possible transient kept coming in and out of the restaurant to use the restroom. The caller asked him to leave and he refused. Police unit 113 contacted the man and interviewed him in the field.
Animal Information—1:29 p.m.—Ocean Avenue—The caller had trapped an opossum. Referred to Long Beach Animal Care Services.
Disturbance, Noise—8:32 p.m.—Elder Avenue—Juveniles were playing in the yard to thee rear of the caller’s residence. The caller had asked them to quiet down. They refused. Police unit 121 contacted them and advised them to discontinue their behavior. The kids were done for the night.
Tuesday, October 27
Dog in a Car—1:06 p.m.—Main Street—The caller reported a dog in a car had been barking loudly for the past 10 minutes. The caller said the dog was not in distress. At 1:12 p.m., the log noted that the people who had been driving the vehicle returned to their parking space and left the area. The call was cancelled before the police unit arrived.
Theft—3:36 p.m.—Seal Beach Boulevard—Loss: $350 by debit card fraud. The crime apparently occurred on Wednesday, Sept. 30. Crime report requested by a Seal Beach Police detective.
Stray Animal—9 p.m.—Candleberry Avenue and Marigold Street—The caller reported a black pitbull wearing an electronic collar was unattended on Candleberry Avenue and Marigold Street. Referred to Long Beach Animal Care Services.
Wednesday, October 28
Municipal Code Violation—7:29 a.m.—12th Street—Two men described as Hispanic were reported digging through trash and looking at the side of the caller’s residence.
Neighbor Issues—7:47 a.m.—15th Street—The caller said a neighbor’s alarm clock was set too loudly, causing the caller to wake up. Police unit 113 contacted the caller and left a note for the neighbor.
Found Property—12:28 p.m.—Ocean Avenue—The caller found a camera on Saturday, Oct. 17 and took it home with her to Arizona. The caller said she was providing the police with the information in case anyone called to report a lost camera. Log entry.
Thursday, October 29
Baby Locked in Vehicle—10:22 a.m.—Seal Beach Boulevard—The caller reported a baby locked in a vehicle. The baby was apparently not in distress. AAA responded and unlocked the doors.
Trash Digging—8:01 p.m.—Seal Way—The caller reported someone wearing a fuzzy hat and a large coat was digging through the trash. The caller could not tell if the suspect was male or female.
Friday, October 30
Grand Theft Report—1:05 p.m.—Dahlia Circle—A catalytic converter was taken from the caller’s vehicle between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. No suspect information.
Petty Theft—1:28 p.m.—Seal Beach Boulevard—The caller said a man took three fragrances from the store. He left the store with the property. He was detained in the parking lot by a police unit. He was arrested.
Sleeping in Public—8:33 p.m.—8th Street and Central Avenue—A man was reportedly laying on the sidewalk in a sleeping bag. He was arrested for sleeping in public, a violation of the Municipal Code.
Saturday, October 31
Disturbance, Party—9:07 p.m.—A Row, Surfside Colony—The caller just left the party. According to the caller, there were 60-plus people at the party.
Disturbance, Family—9:59 p.m.—C Row, Surfside Colony—The caller said her boyfriend slapped her after breaking into the residence. The caller was at the guard shack. The caller did not require medical attention. Report taken.
Sunday, November 1
Keep the Peace—10:38 a.m.—Old Ranch Road—The caller was going to serve a summons on a homeowner. Assisted.
IN LEISURE WORLD
Monday, October 26
Petty Theft Report—8:38 a.m.—Pelham Road—The caller reported the theft of a green Magnum 15 speed pike valued at $90.
Forgery—2:35 p.m.—Thunderbird Drive—Someone made purchases by putting a Leisure World resident’s account number on blank checks and using the checks to make purchases. Loss: $1,880. Report taken.
Saturday, October 31
Disturbance—9:41 a.m.—Scioto Road—According to second hand information from Leisure World personnel, a resident was in a fight with a neighbor. It was not known if the fight was verbal or physical. A Leisure World Security patrol was en route. Police arrested a man for public drunkenness.
