Tag: Theft

BEVERLY HILLS—Lt. Elisabeth Albanese of the BHPD indicated in an email to the Canyon News on Wednesday, February 14 that authorities are currently investigating reports of political sign thefts.

At least one theft suspect has been identified, at the present time. Investigators are following up on more leads to identify additional suspects. The individual arrested could face misdemeanor theft charges. All complaints will be investigated and at the conclusion of the investigations, presented to the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office for criminal filing consideration.

Since these investigations are ongoing, the names of any victims or suspects are not being released to the public.

The Beverly Hills Police Department is reminding community members that the taking or destruction of lawfully displayed political signs can be a criminal offense.

“The Police Department takes these matters seriously and investigates reports of theft and vandalism,” the BHPD said in a statement.

“At this time in the investigation we don’t have reason to believe the suspect and victim know each other,” said Lt. Albanese in a statement to Canyon News via email.

By Trevor

LOS FELIZ—On Friday, February 2, the Los Angeles Police Department announced the arrest of a suspect believed to be responsible for multiple incidents where he stole over $31,000 in merchandise from a local business.

The LAPD reported on January 31, around 5:20 p.m., the suspect entered a retail store in the 600 block of North Dillon Street in the Silver Lake area near Los Feliz. The suspect removed over $700 in merchandise and exited the business without paying. Rampart area officers arrested the suspect in the parking lot without incident.

Target Asset Protection employees advised detectives that the suspect stole approximately $31,872.48 worth of merchandise over a 7-month period.

The suspect was identified as Brandon Krause, 34, of Los Angeles. He was booked for 487(a) PC: Grand Theft under booking number 6752035 with $35,500 bail.

Anyone with details about this crime or these types of incidents is asked to contact the LAPD Rampart Burglary Theft Detectives at (213) 484-3490. During non-business hours or on weekends, calls should be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (1-877-527-3247). Anyone wishing to remain anonymous can call the LA Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477) or go directly to www.lacrimestoppers.org.

By Trevor

BEVERLY HILLS—The Los Angeles Police Department, Rampart Division Auto Theft and Burglary Detectives is asking for help in identifying over 200 possibly stolen Apple devices and other electronic devices located during a recent search warrant service at a Westlake District storefront.

The LAPD reported on December 13, officers and detectives from the Los Angeles Police Department’s Rampart Division served a search warrant in the 2000 block of W. 6th Street and arrested a female suspected of receiving stolen property in relation to retail store theft.

While recovering volumes of merchandise taken from retails stores, detectives observed bookcases, storage bins, and bags full of personal electronic devices such as laptop computers, iPads, and iPhones. Detectives believe many, if not all, of the electronics recovered were taken in burglaries of vehicles and homes in the Los Angeles region.

Detectives have already identified an Apple MacBook that was taken in a Burglary from a Motor Vehicle that occurred near Echo Park back in November, in addition to $45,000 worth of cameras and camera equipment. Detectives recovered much of that stolen camera equipment in the store as well. They were able to track down the owner after discovering video in a camera that included an Investigative Reporter associated with a local news station who was recording an on-scene news report in Downtown Los Angeles last month.

Rampart Detectives have identified (8) laptop computers belonging to the Los Angeles Unified School District, (1) laptop computer belonging to the Los Angeles Public Library, and (1) laptop computer belonging to the Beverly Hills Unified School District.

Detectives are asking for the public’s help in identifying additional owners of the electronics recovered and determine if they were also the victim of a crime.

Anyone with details is asked to call or email Rampart Auto Detective B. Gorby at (213) 842-0783, 36118@lapd.online, or Burglary Detective M. Pineda at (213) 484-3424, 36398@lapd.online. During non-business hours or on the weekends, calls should be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (877-527-3247). Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477).

By Trevor

SHERMAN OAKS—The Los Angeles Police Department are investigating a burglary that transpired at J.R.’s Diamonds & Jewelry in Sherman Oaks on Saturday, November 18. According to reports, authorities received a call after 1 p.m. at the establishment located on 15053 Ventura Boulevard.

Cameras captured an SUV ramming into the front of the business, before the burglars got out and started to steal items from the store. A large amount of damage was done to the store in the aftermath.

The company has the following message posted on their website:

“We have the very best, lowest prices based on the jewelers’ bible, “The Rap Sheet.” We not only share this diamond trade publication, we share all we know about diamonds.
We have the largest selection of GIA & EGL USA certified diamonds in the San Fernando Valley, Los Angeles. We are Sherman Oaks’ wholesale jewelry store for everyone.

A lovely experience of shopping at this family owned shop, with 3 generations of knowledge & expertise. And we have loads of 5 star ratings on Yelp!”

No information on the suspects or the amount of damage to the business has been disclosed to the public. Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact the Los Angeles Police Department.

By Trevor

SANTA MONICA—The Santa Monica Police Department arrested two people in connection to an armed robbery that occurred on June 15. The SMPD reported on its Facebook page that they received a 911 call after 1 a.m. of an armed robbery that just occurred near the 1200 block of 3rd Street.

Two suspects, a male and female, threatened the victim at gunpoint and stole his wristwatch and cash. The male suspect had a revolver style pellet gun in his waistband. The female was carrying a bag with a black bandana that she used to cover her face during the incident.

Both suspects were located nearby and placed under arrest by officers. They remain in police custody pending a court appearance. Bail was set at $50,000 each for both suspects. Their names have not yet been disclosed to the public.

HOLLYWOOD HILLS—On Monday, May 15, a home on North Kings Road was robbed while a house party was being held. Footage shows three women entering the home through the front door just before 3 a.m. and leaving around 20 minutes later.

Jewelry, wallets, glasses and clothing were among the items taken. A guest of the home also had a watch taken from her wrist while sleeping in a upstairs bedroom.

“I didn’t see them. I was in the back. They went straight up the stairs, into the bedrooms,” the owner of the home told FoxLA.

The three women were recognized by a bystander at a restaurant on the Sunset Strip two days after the theft. Two of the three women were detained while one remains at large.

Some of the items taken from the home were recovered following the arrest including the wallet of the owner of the home and glasses. Clothing and jewelry remain missing from the home.

After their arrest, it was discovered that the suspect also had an unspecified large quantity of cash in person. The names of the suspects has not yet been disclosed to the public.

By Rob

WEST HOLLYWOOD—British Actress Lily Collins, 34, reportedly had her wedding ring stolen from her after she went to visit a spa in West Hollywood.

Collins, who is the daughter of award winning performer Phil Collins, put her items in a secure locker before she went into the West Hollywood Edition Luxury Hotel and Spa. After her visit she discovered that not only was her wedding ring missing but her engagement ring, some electronics and a few other possessions were gone. The amount of the total items lost equates to about $10,000.

Lily Collins got engaged to her now husband Charlie McDowell in 2020. Her wedding ring is a one-of-a-kind rose-cut diamond by jeweler Irene Neuwirth. 

According to reports there were not any signs of forced entry and a description of the suspects involved have not been released. 

The West Hollywood Sheriff’s Department announced that they are currently investigating a burglary by an unknown number of suspects at a hotel in the 9000 block of Sunset Boulevard and the victim is a “well-known celebrity.” It has not been confirmed if this case is the same or related.

On Wednesday, May 17, the City of West Hollywood announced that they will be hiring more police officers due to the rise in property crime in the city. This vote came shortly after the city council decided to cut LASD funding to help reform the sheriff’s department. 

By Christianne

BEVERLY HILLS—Alfredo Jose Padilla of Lynwood was taken into custody on March 24, by the Beverly Hills Police Department. Padilla is accused of being responsible for a string of thefts of grease from multiple restaurants in Beverly Hills and around Los Angeles. Formal charges are currently pending. 

Inedible kitchen grease, often referred to as used cooking oil, is traded as a commodity and is used in the production of both renewable diesel and biodiesel fuels. The grease is often stored in a tank behind a building and collected by a third party. 

Police officers were conducting a traffic stop at around 2 a.m. on March 24 when they pulled over the suspect’s car. Investigators found a loaded firearm and an unspecified controlled substance in his vehicle.  

Detectives with the BHPD are working with the California Department of Food and Agriculture investigators to identify additional victims.

The Canyon News reached out to the BHPD for more information on the case, but did not hear back before print.
By Christianne