Southeast Torrance Homeowners' Association, Inc.Torrance CA 90501

This report is for Sunday, December 7, 2014 through Saturday, December 13, 2014. RESIDENTIAL BURGLARIES There were 8 in Torrance and none in Southeast Torrance. 4 in North Torrance, 1 in West Torrance, 1 near PCH & Madison, 1 across from Walteria Park, 1 near Madison and Amie. AUTO BURGLARIES There were 9 in Torrance and none in Southeast Torrance. A catalytic converter was taken from a vehicle in the 22700 Block of Cypress on December 8th or 9th.  AUTO THEFT There were 4 stolen vehicles in Torrance and none in Southeast Torrance. COMMERCIAL BURGLARY Three businesses in the 23800 Block of Crenshaw Blvd were burglarized on Saturday, December 13th at 3:46 am.  Suspect (s) pried open/kicked in door for entry, ransacked and took cash. Then suspect  (s) tunneled through from adjacent business and took property.  They tunneled through another business and took a handgun. In Lomita, there was one residential burglary during the same reporting

UPS delivered two packages to a residence in the 1800 Block of 235th Street and they were stolen from the porch today.  No additional details available.   There have been a number of incidents where packages delivered to homes by United Parcel Service (UPS), Federal Express (FedEx), and the United States Postal Service (USPS) have been stolen from porches after being delivered in the South Bay.  There is some evidence perpetrators follow the trucks when they enter a neighborhood and then steal the packages once delivered. There are several things we can do that will assist in deterring these thefts: • If you see groups of youths or a person following UPS, FedEx, or USPS trucks when they enter a neighborhood. Please call Torrance Police immediately.  In one incident in Lomita last week, the suspects rode bicycles. • If possible, consider having packages, especially those of considerable value, delivered to your work location. • Consider mandating

This report is for Sunday, November 30, 2014 through Saturday, December 6, 2014.   RESIDENTIAL BURGLARIES There were 7 in Torrance and none in Southeast Torrance. 5 were in North Torrance and 2 in West Torrance.  Doors were unlocked in 3 of the incidents.  In West Torrance, suspect rang door bell and attempted to open front and side doors but did not make entry.   AUTO BURGLARIES There were 6 in Torrance and none in Southeast Torrance.   AUTO THEFT There were 7 stolen vehicles in Torrance and none in Southeast Torrance.   NO PARKING – STREET SWEEPING SIGNS New “No Parking – Street Sweeping” signs have been installed in some areas of Southeast Torrance.  Signs restrict parking for a 3-hour period on one day a week. There will be a 3- week grace period before parking citations will be issued.       TORRANCE POLICE DEPARTMENT Annual Traffic Report   July 1, 2013 to June 30, 2014   Fatal Collisions                           8 Injury Coll

This report is for Sunday, November 23, 2014 through Saturday, November 29,2014.   RESIDENTIAL BURGLARIES There were 5 in Torrance and 1 in Southeast Torrance.   November 26th, 8:05AM, Wednesday  1900 Block 230th St (Walnut) Suspected knocked on the front door and attempted to pry open the door. Suspect fled when confronted by the resident.   There was 1 residential burglary in the Hickory Park area.  Attempts were made to pry the window screens but no entry was made.   There were 3 in North Torrance.  Suspect attempted to pry off window screen but failed at 1 house.   2 other residences had property losses.  A window was unlocked in one of the residences.   AUTO BURGLARIES There were 10 in Torrance and none in Southeast Torrance.   AUTO THEFT There were 6 in Torrance and none in Southeast Torrance.  

This report is for Sunday, November 2, 2014 through Saturday, November 8, 2014   RESIDENTIAL BURGLARIES There were 9 residential burglaries in Torrance. 1 each in Southeast Torrance, Madrona, Riviera, Marble Estates, Central Torrance and 4 in North Torrance.   Sunday, November 2nd, 9:15 AM to 12:30PM, 236th Place and Cabrillo Suspect pried open sliding glass door for entry.  Property ransacked and costume jewelry stolen.   In two of the North Torrance burglaries, the suspect fled when they realized the victim was home.   AUTO BURGLARIES There were 17 auto burglaries in Torrance and 2 of them were in Southeast Torrance. Perhaps you have wondered why we have all these auto burglaries in Torrance. Take a gander at this list of items left in vehicles just waiting to be stolen.   This is a partial list of the items stolen just the week. Backpack, duffel bag, gym equipment, tablets, laptop, MP3, battery pack, watch, jewelry, hard drive, USB, head

  An auto burglary occurred on Sunday morning, November 9th, in the 1900 block of 234th Street (Walnut St) in Southeast Torrance at approximately 3:15AM.   A male suspect drove a vehicle described as a white Honda Accord south on Walnut Street towards 234th Street.  At 234th Street, the vehicle made an immediate u-turn and parked on Walnut Street headed north.  The suspect exited the vehicle, walked west across Walnut Street and down the north side of 234th Street.  He gained entry to one vehicle by unknown means and then walked back to his car on Walnut Street.  It appeared as if the suspect knew exactly where he wanted to go with the manner in which he drove the car and walked down the street.   The suspect is described as a male, approximately 5’10”, wearing a white T shirts with a flannel jacket, “Dickie brand” khaki shorts and high white shorts.  Returning to his car, the suspect was confronted by a resident accompanied by his pet dog. The suspect got back

  This report is for Sunday, October 26th through Saturday, November 1st, 2014.   RESIDENTIAL BURGLARIES There were none in Southeast Torrance. There were 3 in Hollywood Riviera, 2 in North Torrance and 1 in Torrance Heights.   AUTO BURGLARY There were none in Southeast Torrance.   AUTO THEFT There were none in Southeast Torrance.   John Bailey, President SETHA

On October 21st 2014, Detectives from the Torrance Police Department served a Search Warrant at a hotel room at the “Ramada Limited” in the city of Redondo Beach. The Search Warrant was the culmination of a multifaceted criminal investigation involving Suspect Joshua Pitts, and his involvement in numerous burglaries and thefts throughout the South Bay.   A large amount of stolen property, which had been stolen during numerous residential “fumigation” burglaries and auto burglaries, was seized from Pitts’ hotel room, as well as a sizeable quantity of narcotics. Pitts’ connection to additional burglaries and thefts throughout the South Bay is still being investigated. At this time, Pitts has been charged with three separate counts of residential burglary, related to three residential “fumigation” burglaries that occurred in the city of Torrance; one count of attempted vehicle theft, and two counts of possession of stolen property related to crimes that occurred in surr

This report is for Sunday, October 19th through Saturday, October 25, 2014.   RESIDENTIAL BURGLARIES There were 7 in Torrance and none in Southeast Torrance. There were 5 in North Torrance and 1 in Country Hills between 7:30AM and 3:30PM.  1 in Hollywood Riviera was during the weekend. Open windows were reported in three of the residences.    AUTO BURGLARIES There were 13 in Torrance and none in Southeast Torrance.   AUTO THEFT There were 5 in Torrance and none in Southeast Torrance.   VANDALISM Thursday, October 23rd, 9PM  24200 Block Walnut St Suspect used his fists to pound on victim’s vehicle windshield and cracked the windshield.   

Students at Arnold Elementary in Torrance exposed to whooping cough By   Sandy Mazza , Daily Breeze POSTED:    10/24/14, 7:08 PM PDT   |    UPDATED: 16 SECS AGO # COMMENTS Parents of fourth-graders at Arnold Elementary School in Torrance were told this week that their children had been exposed to whooping cough, to monitor them for symptoms and ensure they are fully vaccinated. School officials learned Thursday that a fourth-grade student was infected with pertussis, commonly called whooping cough. They mailed a letter to parents of students who shared classes with the student, warning not to send coughing children to school. Health officials also said to pursue antibiotics if their child had contact with the ill student and has an underlying medical condition or hasn’t had all the recommended vaccines. All school parents were sent similar information in an e-mail Friday. “If your child has symptoms that include coughing, or your child begins coughing over the

  This report is for Sunday, October 12, 2014 through Saturday, October 18, 2014   RESIDENTIAL BURGLARIES There were six residential burglaries in Torrance. 2 in North Torrance,  2 in Southeast Torrance, 1 in Hollywood Riviera and 1 in the gated communities west of Wilson Park.   October 13th, 4:30PM to October 15th, 11AM     23200 Block Walnut St Suspect cut screen, entered open window in residence tented for fumigation. Property ransacked and comic books, jewelry box, jewelry, knife, sunglasses and camera lens were stolen.   October 15th, 3PM to October 17th, 8AM           2200 Block 232nd St (Arlington) Suspect entered residence tented for fumigation.  Property ransacked and jewelry, laptop and camera were stolen.   AUTO BURGLARIES There were 17 auto burglaries in Torrance and none in Southeast Torrance. 5 were in the 3400 to 3700 Blocks of Newton Avenue on Wednesday, October 15th in the evening or early the following morning.    AUTO THEFT

  Blood donations are needed for the 5-year-old boy  who was seriously injured in a traffic collision at Newton and Madison Streets on 10-21-2014.   A- and O- blood is needed at Harbor UCLA Medical Center (1000 W. Carson St, Torrance, CA 90502).  More information can be obtained at (323) 396-5576.  

  This report is for Sunday, October 5th through Saturday, October 11, 2014   RESIDENTIAL BURGLARIES There were two in Torrance and none in Southeast Torrance. However, there was a  residential burglary in Southeast Torrance, this wee k, in the 23200 Block of Walnut Street.  The house was being fumigated.   1 incident in the 20600 Block of Ladeen St (Emerald St).  Jewelry, cash and computer stolen. 1 incident in the 2800 Block of Sunnyglen Road (Crenshaw Blvd-DePortola Park.  Jewelry stolen.   AUTO BURGLARIES There were 11 in Torrance and none in Southeast Torrance.  Catalytic converters were stolen in two of the incidents.   AUTO THEFT There were 4 vehicles and 1 trailer stolen but none in Southeast Torrance.   THEFT There were 6 reports of property taken from locked lockers at the YMCA 2900 Sepulveda Blvd on October 6th, 7th, 8th and 11th.  Credit cards were taken from the lockers.   MEETING NOTICE    TONIGHT  6:30 PM   The 235th Street

  The 235th Street Neighborhood Crime Watch will be holding a meeting to address problems with illegal drug use or sales and other criminal activity in their neighborhood including possible prostitution and auto burglary.   The area affected is on 235th Street from Western Avenue to Walnut Street but may spill over to adjacent streets in the area.    Meeting Date:            Thursday, October 16th   Time:                            6:30PM to 7:30PM   Where:                        Torrance Airport – Zamperini Field                                      Meeting Room                                     3301 Airport Drive, Torrance CA   Torrance Police Department will have representatives at the meeting to address residents concerns and field questions to prepare for the Police Department’s next course of action.   Even if you don’t live in the impacted area, you are welcome to attend the meeting.  We expect Torrance Police will offer guidance on how

  Torrance Police have issued a statement that the incident has concluded at the Super 8 Motel, 2360 Sepulveda Blvd.  The suspect was found inside a motel room. No suspects are outstanding. A police presence and some street closures will remain for some time as the investigation continues.   Sepulveda Blvd between Crenshaw Blvd and Arlington Avenue has been closed.  No information when it will reopen.  

Redondo Beach kidnapping suspect in possible standoff with police, victim found safe By   Larry Altman , Daily Breeze POSTED:    10/09/14, 6:49 AM PDT   |    UPDATED: 49 SECS AGO 1 COMMENT REDONDO BEACH >> Special weapons team officers surrounded a Torrance motel this morning where a Redondo Beach kidnapping suspect was possibly holed up in a room. The police action at the Super 8 motel on Sepulveda Boulevard near Crenshaw Boulevard shut down Sepulveda from Crenshaw to Arlington Street. Torrance police advised motorists to avoid the area. The kidnapping occurred about 3:20 a.m. when a 22-year-old woman was forced at gunpoint into an older gold Honda Accord sedan in 900 block of Carnelian Street, Redondo Beach police Lt. Joe Hoffman said. The suspect was believed to be the woman’s former boyfriend, Timothy Thomas, 27, of Los Angeles, police said. The woman was located at the Super 8 motel about 5:15 a.m. She was safe with police. “The male suspect is

This report is for Sunday, September 14th through Saturday, September 20, 2014.   RESIDENTIAL BURGLARIES There were 7 in Torrance.   3 in North Torrance, 1 in Old Torrance, 1 in Seaside Ranchos, 1 in Southwood and 1 in Southeast Torrance.   In the Southwood incident, the suspect entered through an  open , second story sliding glass door.   In the Seaside Ranchos incident, the suspect damaged screens on  open upstairs windows  but did not gain entry.   In the Old Torrance incident, the suspect attempted to force an  open window  but did not gain entry.   In one of the North Torrance incidents, suspect entered through an  unlocked door  and at another house,  suspect forcibly removed plywood covering the door opening but got interrupted by Torrance Police.   The Southeast Torrance incident was in the 2200 Block of 232nd Street (Arlington)  between September 17th and 20th. Suspect cut screen, entered window, ransacked and took jewelry, electronics.

This report is for Sunday, September 7, 2014 through Saturday, September 13, 2014.   Green Dot Money Pak Scam   On Wednesday, September 10th at 10:13 AM, a resident of New Horizons received several telephone calls from a suspect posing as his grandson.  The suspect indicated he was involved in a traffic accident and requested the victim to purchase Green Dot Money Pak cards to pay for a rental car, damages, lawyer and bail.  Amount of money lost not disclosed.   Here is some nice to know information on Green Dot Money Pak cards.   Green Dot Money Pak cards have been used to commit fraud, with persons asking callers under the guise of a customer service agent for a utility company, such as an electric company or gas provider.  The agent asks for immediate payment, under threat of disconnection, by asking the caller to head to a store selling Green Dot cards and giving them the card number where the funds were posted.  60,000 retail stores including CVS, Ri

    We need your help!!!!!  The Torrance Police Department continues to receive reports of suspects calling our citizens.  With your assistance, we have been successful in reducing the amount of financial loss by either knowing of the scam or using good common sense. To recap, the suspects will identify themselves as IRS agents, Southern California Edison workers, Law Enforcement personnel, or other governmental agencies , in an attempt to get the victim's attention.  The suspects will then proceed with the scam and tell the victim they owe money for unpaid taxes, electrical bills, warrants or bail for a family member.  If the suspects are successful, they will instruct the victim to put money on a Green Dot card or any Pre-Paid Visa/MasterCard that can be found at any supermarket or drug store.  Once the victim gives the suspects the numbers on the back of the card, the scam is complete and the victim will be out the money that was loaded. If you recei

  SETHA EMAIL - Weekly Crime Report for Southeast Torrance   This report is for Sunday, August 24, 2014 through Saturday, August 30, 2014.   RESIDENTIAL BURGLARIES   There were 4 residential burglaries in Torrance. 1 in West Torrance (no entry – got spooked by witness), 1 in Southwood (kicked in door), 1 in Southeast Torrance, and 1 in Summerwind gated community.   1800 Sepulveda Blvd. (Walnut),  Wednesday, August 27th, 11AM to 3PM Suspect removed multiple screens, damaged security bars on one window. No entry/no property loss.   AUTO BURGLARIES There were 13 in Torrance and 1 in Southeast Torrance.   8/26/14 7:30PM to 8/27/14 6:45AM   23300 Block Arlington Avenue Suspect smashed window for entry and took purse.   AUTO THEFT There were 3 in Torrance and none in Southeast Torrance.   LASD Major Crimes Detectives Nab Serial Burglars, Thurs Aug 28, 2014 On Monday, August 25, 2014, deputies from the Los Angeles County Sherif