Friday, October 17, 2008

Police blotter

DAILY SOUND STAFF REPORT

Oct. 10, 12:06 a.m. — An officer checking out a loud party call in the 300 block of Oceano Avenue spotted a black Honda Accord make a wide turn onto the street from Cliff Drive, swerving into the oncoming lane. After conducting a traffic stop, police noted the 22-year-old driver appeared a bit lethargic.

A search of the vehicle turned up a small baggie of pills that turned out to be Xanax, a prescription anxiety drug for which the suspect had no valid prescription. After initially giving a different name, the driver confessed that his license had been suspended due to a prior DUI.
Officers learned the 22-year-old had no proof of insurance and expired registration. Authorities arrested the man on suspicion of DUI, possession of a controlled substance, impersonation, and driving with a suspended license, no insurance and expired registration. He was booked in lieu of $50,000 bail.

Oct. 10, 9:15 a.m. — A 58-year-old woman came to the police station to report that her wallet had been stolen from Ralphs, 100 W. Carrillo St., the day before between 5 and 5:30 p.m. After returning home to cancel her credit cards, she learned a card had been used at Sears to charge approximately $6,200 worth of jewelry.
That evening, the victim received several calls that her wallet had been found and that someone would return it to her. The next morning, she discovered her empty wallet on the front steps of her home.

Oct. 12, 12:14 a.m. — Police received reports of a subject brandishing a knife in the 100 block of Santa Barbara Street and arrived to find a 36-year-old man who said his car had been burglarized and vandalized. The victim told police he had returned to his car when he saw a man rifling through a black bag.
The victim recognized the bag, but walked to his car to be sure it had been stolen. After confirming it was his bag, he returned to the suspect and grabbed his bag back. As he returned to the car, he took a red bag from the suspect and placed it in his car as well.
The suspect became upset and insisted the bags were his, kicking the car’s door. He then pulled out a can of pepper spray and attempted to use it on the victim, who ran away and called police.
The victim also reported seeing the suspect, later identified as a 23-year-old man listed as homeless, pull out a black knife and attempt to break the car’s window. Police tracked down the suspect nearby, but failed to locate a knife. Officers did find him in possession of a black flashlight.
Authorities determined the black bag did belong to the victim and arrested the suspect for burglary and vandalism, booking him in lieu of $20,000 bail.

Oct. 13, 3:30 p.m. — Officers responding to a call of trespassing at a hotel in the 1600 block of State Street learned a subject had been entering rooms as the maid was cleaning them. Police tracked down the suspect in a nearby underground parking garage.
Officers immediately noted a strong odor of alcohol, slurred speech and bloodshot eyes. The suspect also took long pauses to answer questions. Authorities found an open bottle of “bitter chocolate oatmeal stout” beer, two closed beer bottles and a bottle of white wine in his possession.
The 29-year-old said he only spoke Serbian and spelled out a name that turned out to be false. After officers discovered a parole card in the suspect’s pocket, he gave them his true name. A criminal history check revealed he had been released from prison a month earlier.
His actions earned him a trip back for public intoxication, open container and providing false information to a peace officer. Due to a parole hold, he was booked without bail.

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