Police Beat: Mini-bike convoy, SUV collide
by Liz Mullen
A collision between a black SUV and two mini-motorcycles on Saturday, March 16 in South Redondo is being investigated by Redondo Beach Police Department officers. The two mini-motorcycles were part of a mini-motorcycle convoy police estimate to have involved as many as 50 riders.
The driver of the SUV fled the scene, but later called the RBPD to identify himself and give his side of the story, according to RBPD Captain Michael Martinez.
“Technically, it was a hit and run because he left the scene,” Martinez told the Easy Reader in a phone interview. “But he did contact police as soon as he could to explain what happened. That is part of the investigation so I can’t go into details about what he said or why he left.”
The two men who were on the mini motorcycles that were hit were taken to Harbor UCLA Medical Center, according to Jason May, Division Chief/Operations, Redondo Beach Fire Department.
May said the riders had significant injuries, including lacerations and bruises. “Both were expected to survive,” he said.
At least one social media post from someone claiming to be an eyewitness alleged the car driver and some of the motorcycle riders attacked each other.
“At this point, we are just trying to identify the cause of the incident,” Martinez said. “There are some videos posted on social media.”
The bikes the group were riding are not street legal, Martinez said. “These fall into the category of pocket bikes or mini motorcycles….These things are only permitted on private property.”
The RBPD believes the group originated in Long Beach. The RBPD received numerous calls from residents about the bikers, many complaining about the noise.
The vehicles are small, but very loud. “One person said it sounded like a NASCAR race,” Martinez said.
Three robberies in Redondo Beach
The Redondo Beach Police Department is investigating at least three separate incidents in which different suspects stole store items, an electric bicycle, and a bottle of tequila.
On March 8, a suspect entered an open store on Kingsdale Avenue and left after taking a bottle of tequila and concealing it in his backpack.
When confronted by employees, the suspect brandished a knife and verbally threatened them and then fled the store.
In a second incident on March 9 on Avenide Del Norte, two suspects approached a victim while he was attempting to lock his electric bicycle. The suspects pushed the victim to the ground and took his Rad Runner e-bike.
In a third incident, on March 12, two suspects entered a store on Aviation Boulevard and put merchandise in a shopping cart and left without paying. When an employee confronted them, the suspects ordered his dogs to attack the employee and then fled.
RBPD also took reports on four residential burglaries, four vehicle burglaries and a stolen vehicle during the week of March 8 through March 14.
Three vacant home burglaries in Manhattan Beach
Manhattan Beach Police Department officers are investigating two residential burglaries, as well as an attempted home burglary, all at vacant homes in the city, during the week of March 7 through March 13.
On March 7, MBPD were dispatched to an attempted burglary in the 1900 block of Ardmore Ave. at a residence that is vacant. The suspect used a tool to try to pry the door open but was unsuccessful.
On March 8, MBPD officers investigated a burglary in the 3300 block of Ocean Drive where the residence is vacant while it’s being renovated. The owner was alerted to the burglary through security cameras showing suspects in the home. The suspects apparently left the home without taking anything, but left the garage door open.
On March 9, MBPD officers were called to a home that is vacant and for sale. The real estate agent found the sliding glass door open. A safe that contained ammunition and coins was stolen.
There were 38 crime reports taken for the week of March 7 through March 13, including the three residential burglaries, one assault, one business burglary, five vehicle burglaries and 10 thefts.
Airline points stolen in Hermosa Beach
Hermosa Beach Police Department officers took a fraud report from a victim who had 600,000 points stolen from an American Airlines account.
HBPD also dealt with a residential burglary, public nuisance violations, fraud and narcotics during the week of March 3 through March 9
HBPD officers cited two people who were seen inhaling nitrous oxide from a tank inside a parked vehicle on the 00 block of 11th Street on March 2. HBPD also arrested a suspect who was found to be in possession of methamphetamine while on probation.
A house on the 2000 block of Manhattan Avenue that was being fumigated was broken into and items stolen. Burglars slit the fumigation tent and entered the home through a window.
HBPD received information from another law enforcement agency about a possible sexual assault. A woman was found in Gardena and did not know how she got there. The last thing this woman remembered was being at a bar in Hermosa Beach.
“We were notified of an incident that was reported to the LA County Sheriff,” HBPD Chief Paul LeBaron said. “Our detectives are assisting them in the investigation.”
HBPD officers found and returned to the owners: a wallet and open boxes of items that were stolen from a local apartment complex and found on the Greenbelt. ER