Police Beat: RB gardner threatened, underage drinking party, e-bike chase
RB gardner threatened by
Robber’s gun in waistband
Robbers stole $4,500 of gardening equipment by flashing a handgun in broad daylight in Redondo Beach earlier this month.
It happened just after noon on Jan. 14 on the corner of Carnegie Lane and Flagler Lane.
“The victim–he’s a gardener and he was doing some work in the area when he noticed a Dodge Ram pickup truck that didn’t have any license plates on it,” Redondo Beach Police Department Capt. Mike Martinez said.
The gardener saw two men exit the gray Dodge Ram, approach his van, and take two of his hedge trimmers, his chainsaw and his lawn mower from his van. The two men then loaded the gardener’s equipment into the Dodge Ram’s truck bed.
“When he confronted them,” Martinez said. “one of the suspects kind of blocked his way. And the second suspect pulled up his shirt to expose his waistband and that’s when the victim noticed what appeared to be a handgun in his waistband.”
On seeing the gun, the gardener retreated.
“He was in fear for his safety,” Martinez said. “He raised his hands and backed away. The two suspects got into the Dodge Ram pickup truck and drove away.”
Martinez said there have not been any reports of similar crimes being committed in the city or nearby cities. “This is an isolated incident,” Martinez said.
RBPD is investigating the incident. Anyone with any information is asked to call RBPD Sgt. Terrance Stevens at 310-379-2477.
Parent cited for hosting
underage drinking party
The Hermosa Beach Police Department made eight DUI arrests, over the recent weekend, took a baby from a mother who had a loaded gun, and shut down a house party attended by 80 to 100 juveniles.
The HBPD received a grant from the state of California late last year for traffic safety and enforcement and has been cracking down on intoxicated drivers for the last several weeks.
“Since December 1 we have arrested 26 people for DUI in our city. Each of those had the potential to kill an innocent person or family,” HBPD Chief Paul LeBaron told the City Council Tuesday night.
On the night of Friday, Jan. 24, HBPD arrested three people for DUI between midnight and 3 a.m., including one driver who collided with the median on Artesia Boulevard.
On Saturday night, HBPD officers stopped a car that had come from a party on the 500 block of 21st Street. Officers found five underage partygoers and open containers of alcohol in the car.
Officers called the parents of the kids who picked them up. Police then followed up on the party.
“They went back to the house where the party was supposed to be happening and found 80 to 100 minors inside, with access to alcohol,” Chief Paul LeBaron told the city council. “The officers shut down the party.” An adult at the home was issued a citation.
Also on Saturday night, HBPD stopped a car for a traffic infraction and found a man, woman and two-month-old baby in the vehicle.
“The man who was driving the car had an outstanding felony warrant for his arrest,” LeBaron said. “The mother of the baby was found to be in possession of a loaded, upholstered handgun and cocaine, both of which were in the diaper bag close to the baby.”
Both the man and woman were arrested and the baby was taken into custody by the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services.
MBPD chase down e-bike their
The Manhattan Beach Police Department arrested an e-bike thief, arrested a felon who was in possession of a gun while on probation, and assisted a neighboring police agency in a carjacking case.
On Jan. 16, shortly after 1 p.m., MBPD was called to Polliwog Park about the theft of an electric bicycle from a student. Officers located the suspect near Marine Park where he ditched the bike and fled.
Officers detained the suspect in the Skate Park and found him in possession of a circular saw and narcotics. The bike was returned to the student and the suspect was arrested.
On Jan. 17 at about 7:50 p.m. MBPD was alerted to a carjacking suspect traveling southbound on Sepulveda Boulevard. MBPD was able to find the suspect and stop him on 15th Street and Ardmore Avenue.
On Jan. 19, shortly after midnight, officers stopped a car on the 500 block of Rosecrans Avenue for a traffic violation. The driver was on felony probation and had a loaded firearm in the vehicle. The driver was arrested and transported to the MBPD jail.