Receiving Stolen Property Arrests Aided by Victim Ahead of Time and Social Media

Incident:  Receiving Stolen Property Arrests Aided by Identification of Items and Social Media

Date/Time of Release:  February 25, 2016/12:30 P.M.

On Monday, February 21, 2016, officers of the Arcadia Police Department conducted a traffic stop and arrested four people after finding numerous items of what was believed to be stolen property in their car. The items included a number of purses, jewelry, laptops, phones, iPads, and more. Finding a name engraved on one item, officers confirmed some of the items had been stolen in a Rancho Palos Verdes residential burglary the day prior.

The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office filed felony charges of Receiving Stolen Property on two adults and one juvenile female. The two female adults are Daijah D. Ellsworth, age 19, and Rickeira T. Pearson, age 20, both of Los Angeles. The fourth arrestee, an adult male, was released from custody after charges were declined.

Residential burglaries know no boundary and while many go unsolved, it is important to take steps to assist in the recovery of property should you become victimized. Always record serial numbers in order to provide them to law enforcement, mark items with identifying information when possible, and take advantage of social platforms to actively engage in crime prevention and information sharing. The victim’s in this case did just that and it helped in reuniting them with their stolen goods. 

The Rancho Palos Verdes victim participates in the “Nextdoor” neighborhood social platform and told officers about a post he saw from a fellow neighbor on the day of his home being burglarized. The post described a suspicious vehicle and occupants in the area. This vehicle description closely matched that of the vehicle driven by our arrestees. This information played a role in our investigation. Nextdoor.com is one of the social platforms used by the Arcadia Police Department to actively engage with our community and promote crime prevention. 

Arcadia Detectives continue to work with other law enforcement agencies to identify additional victims and crimes in this case. Over half of the property was able to be returned to the Rancho Palos Verdes victim.

This case remains under investigation by the Arcadia Police Department Detective Bureau. Anyone with information related to this case is asked to call the Arcadia Police Department at (626)574-5150. You can also submit crime tips and information via text, phone or web to LA Regional Crime Stoppers, (800)222-TIPS (8477).

Robert T. Guthrie

Chief of Police

By: Roy Nakamura #430, Lieutenant

Detective Bureau Commander

Case # 16-1046

Weekly Activity Highlights for February 14 - 20, 2016

Weekly Activity Highlights for Feb 14-20, 2016

Weekly Tip - Tax Season is Here, Along with Scams!

Tax season is here! While many folks will have legitimate contact with their tax accountants and the IRS, we would like to remind you of recurring fraud schemes where scammers reach out to you. One of the most wide spread attempts to come between you and your money is by use of phone calls to you where scammers claim to be representing the IRS. Many times, they will threaten you with a law suit or pending criminal action if you don't send payment immediately. These calls can be automated and recorded, directing you to call. Don't fall for these scams!

The IRS will not:

• Call you to demand immediate payment. The IRS will not call you if you owe taxes without first sending you a bill in the mail.

• Demand that you pay taxes and not allow you to question or appeal the amount you owe.

• Require that you pay your taxes a certain way. For instance, require that you pay with a prepaid debit card.

• Ask for your credit or debit card numbers over the phone.

• Threaten to bring in police or other agencies to arrest you for not paying.

Visit the IRS website for additional information on scams.

Officers Honored for Saving the Life of a Despondent Teen

Officer Wally Ashby and Sergeant Jeremy Lachenmyer were honored at this past City Council meeting for saving the life of a despondent teen.

Chief Bob Guthrie described the event that took place in the evening hours on October 5, 2015 during the officer's patrol shift. Officer Ashby came across a 15-year-old, despondent runaway, who had made her way to the railing of the overpass of the 210 freeway over Santa Anita Avenue. The girl was seated on the railing facing the roadway below.

Officer Ashby radioed for assistance and Sergeant Lachenmyer arrived. The pair engaged the girl in conversation, distracting her while maneuvering themselves into a position of advantage in order to prevent the girl from jumping. Officer Ashby was able to get close to the teen, telling her he was directing traffic around them on the freeway. When he was close enough, Officer Ashby grabbed the girl and was helped by Sergeant Lachenmyer to pull her off and away from the railing. The teen was unharmed due to the actions of these officers.

We are proud of the actions of Officer Ashby and Sergeant Lachenmyer and join in saying congratulations and job well done!

The presentation can be viewed during the taped broadcast of the Council Meeting HERE. The presentation begins at about minute 12:00 of the meeting.

Weekly Tip - OMG, LOL...One Text Can End it All!

One text can end it all! Please take the time to view this video. Pass it along to your kids, friends, and fellow parents. Put It Down! Thanks to Distraction.gov for the video.

Weekly Activity Highlights for February 7 - 13, 2016

Weekly Activity Highlights, Feb 7 - 13, 2016

Successful Coffee with a Cop at Hilton Garden Inn

Thanks to all who came out to our recent Coffee with a Cop event, graciously hosted by the Hilton Garden Inn, Arcadia. The event was held last Thursday, February 11th, and about 100 community members visited with our officers and staff. Coffee with a Cop is a great chance for us to meet and engage our community. Take a look at our APD Facebook page for some additional pictures of the event.

Happy Valentine's Day 2016

Wishing everyone the best on this Valentine's Day 2016!

Weekly Tip - A Heart May Not Be All That Is Broken, Break the Cycle of Abuse

Domestic Violence is a very real problem and everyone should know there are resources here in Los Angeles County to help. Valentine's Day is nearly here, and this should be a time of celebration between couples, but it can also be a time of stress and potential violence. If you are a victim, or know someone who is a victim of Domestic Violence, please help Break the Cycle of Abuse. Reach out! HERE is a link to a brochure with a number of resources available in our area, prepared by the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office.

Weekly Activity Highlights for January 31 - February 6, 2016

http://www.ci.arcadia.ca.us/home/showdocument?id=5920

Arcadia Gold Line Grand Opening Celebration - Save the Date!

Save the date for Arcadia's Gold Line Grand Opening Celebration, Saturday, March 5, 2016!

Happy Lunar New Year 2016 - Year of the Monkey

 

Wishing everyone the best on this 2016 Lunar New Year!

DUI Enforcement Saturation Patrols

Contact:  Sgt. Kollin Cieadlo – 626-574-5475

DUI Enforcement Operations Planned

Arcadia, CA - Officers from the Arcadia Police Department’s Traffic Bureau will be deploying to stop and arrest alcohol and drug-impaired drivers in the Department’s ongoing traffic safety campaign.  DUI Saturation Patrols will deploy on February 5, 2016 between the hours of 7:00 PM and 3:00 AM in areas with high frequencies of DUI collisions and/or arrests.

In California, this deadly crime led to 867 deaths and over 23,000 serious injuries in 2013 because someone failed to designate a sober driver.  Nationally, the latest data shows over 10,000 were killed by an impaired driver. Over the course of the past three years officers have investigated 119 DUI collisions which has resulted in 76 people being injured.

Recent statistics reveal that 30 percent of drivers in fatal crashes had one or more drugs in their systems.  A study of active drivers showed more tested positive for drugs that may impair driving (14 percent) than did for alcohol (7.3 percent).  Of the drugs, marijuana was most prevalent, at 7.4 percent, slightly more than alcohol. Everyone should be mindful that if you’re taking medication – whether prescription or over-the-counter – drinking even small amounts of alcohol can greatly intensify the impairment affects. 

Law Enforcement emphasizes the preventable nature of drunk driving reminding everyone that all it takes is a little planning ahead. Designate a sober driver or call a cab. But whatever you do, don’t drink and drive. The California Office of Traffic Safety DDVIP (Designated Driver VIP) mobile app is now available for free download on iOS and Android devices. Launched last year, the new DDVIP app offers enhanced features, allowing users to “Map a Spot” with their current location to find DDVIP partnering establishments in their area or a “List of Spots” to search all participating bars and restaurants throughout California. Users will be offered free incentives at each bar to celebrate their life saving role.  They can stay up-to-date with the latest from DDVIP and see what other users are saying via its social tab. Also through the app, for those who want to imbibe but also make it a point to plan ahead, users can easily order a sober ride from Uber, Lyft or Curb – all from one screen. 

The cost of a ride home is cheap, nothing compared to a $10,000 DUI conviction and the ‘inconvenience’ of not driving your own car home is nothing compared to the inconvenience of spending time behind bars.

Funding for this DUI operation is provided to the Arcadia Police Department by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, reminding everyone to ‘Report Drunk Driver – Call 9-1-1.

Robert T. Guthrie

Chief of Police

By: Kollin Cieadlo

Traffic Sergeant

 Don’t forget to visit the Arcadia Police Department News & Information Blog or follow us on Facebook, Twitter or Nixle for other pertinent news and information.  Remember, the solution begins with you!

Weekly Activity Highlights for January 24 - 30, 2016

http://www.ci.arcadia.ca.us/home/showdocument?id=5848

Weekly Tip - What to Do If Involved in a Crash

Traffic collisions can be stressful and confusing. Take the time to be prepared ahead of time so that collecting information accurately and completely will be easy. Check with your insurance agent or a local body shop, sometimes they will supply you with a pre-printed check list that you can keep in your glove box. Another resource is the DMV. There is a page devoted to collision information, including reporting requirements to the State. See the DMV page HERE.

The first thing to do is to check for injuries to you or any other involved driver or passenger. If someone is injured, call 9-1-1 and report the collision immediately. If there are injuries that require medical attention, leave the vehicles in place until police and fire personnel arrive.

If no one is hurt and the vehicles are able to be moved, remove them from the roadway. Pull to the side of the road, into a parking lot, or on to a side street - out of traffic. Evaluate the damage and if there is substantial damage or injury, the police should be called to the scene. If the damage is minor and no one is injured, exchanging information between drivers is acceptable. Most drivers believe that a police report is always required. This is NOT the case and some agencies will not even respond to minor collisions. Absent prosecution for major collisions, death, hit and run, unlicensed drivers etc, the police report is simply paperwork for the insurance companies.

When exchanging information, record the following:

•Date, time and location of the collision

•Name, address and phone numbers for all drivers and passengers

•Drivers license numbers for involved drivers

•Insurance company name, policy number and policy holder for all drivers or vehicles

•Complete vehicle information of involved vehicles to include license number, make, model, color, description such as pick-up, four door etc and name of registered owner if different

•Description of any damage

•Photographs of damage, or lack there of, other parties and scene if safe to do so

•Note lane position of each vehicle and where the vehicles were prior to and at time of collision

•Note any unusual conditions such as inoperative lights, vision obstruction

•Note/photograph any physical evidence like skids or debris resulting from collision

Remember, you must carry with you and present to a police officer, your driver's license, proof of insurance and current vehicle registration when stopped by an officer or involved in a collision.

In California it is a crime to not stop if you are involved in a traffic collision.  As mentioned above, usually traffic collisions are just paperwork for insurance companies.  When you fail to stop when involved in a collision, you can be charged criminally.  The fact that you don't have a valid driver's license or current auto insurance is not worth being charged with a Hit-and-Run. 

Be safe, slow down, and wear your seat belt!!

Directed Enforcement for Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety

Contact:  Sgt. Kollin Cieadlo – 626-574-5475

Traffic Enforcement Operations Plan for Arcadia

The Arcadia Police Department will step up Bike & Pedestrian Safety Enforcement Operations on Thursday, February 4, 2016 with focused enforcement on collision causing factors involving motorists, pedestrians and bicyclists.

The department has mapped out locations over the past 3 years where pedestrian and bike collisions have occurred along, with the violations that led to those crashes.  Extra officers will be on duty patrolling areas where bike and pedestrian traffic and crashes occur in an effort to lower deaths and injuries. 

Officers will be looking for violations made by drivers, bike riders and pedestrians alike that can lead

to life changing injuries.  Special attention will be directed toward drivers speeding, making illegal turns, failing to stop for signs and signals, failing to yield to pedestrians in cross walks or any other dangerous violation.

Additionally, enforcement will be taken for observed violations when pedestrians cross the street illegally or fail to yield to drivers who have the right of way.  Bike riders will be stopped and citations issued when they fail to follow the same traffic laws that apply to motorists.  All riders are reminded to always wear a helmet – those under 18 years of age must wear helmets by law.  Pedestrians should cross the street only in marked crosswalks or at corners.

In 2013, California witnessed 701 pedestrians and 141 bicyclists killed, accounting for more than 28 percent of all traffic fatalities.

Funding for this program is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Robert T. Guthrie

Chief of Police

By: Kollin Cieadlo

Traffic Sergeant

Don’t forget to visit the Arcadia Police Department News & Information Blog or follow us on Facebook, Twitter or Nixle for other pertinent news and information.  Remember, the solution begins with you!