Crime Blotter: Family Fears for Children's Safety After Creepy Note

Family Receives Threatening Note

On July 18, a female La Cañada resident on the 3900 block of Hampstead Road contacted the police regarding criminal threats to her family. She and her husband returned home from work and found a handwritten note in the mailbox. The note was written to “Dear Stranger” and mentioned her family. The person wrote, “I like your kids and I was wondering if you’ve ever considered putting them on the market.”

She does not know who would put the note in the mailbox, and if the note was something serious or a joke. She and her family are in fear of their safety.

Fake Green Dot Rep Grabs $499.99

A 55-year-old male reported theft by false pretenses at the at 1535 Foothill Blvd. in La Cañada on July 18. An unknown female representing Green Dot Services called the store and spoke to the store clerk. She told him that they were conducting a loading test for the Green Dot Gift Card System. The store clerk advised the caller that he didn’t know how to run the test. She told him that she would guide him through the process. She had him grab a new green dot card and load $499.99 on it.

Once the clerk loaded the gift card, the system provided a number similar to a PIN number. The clerk gave the unknown female the information for the card at her request. He then told her that his register showed a shortage of $499.99 due to the test and she stated that the money would be wired back to the store in the morning. The store owner called Green Dot in the morning and requested the wire transfer. However, the Green Dot representative told him that he had been a victim of fraud and to contact the police.

Almost $2,000 in Sports Equipment Stolen

On July 21, a 48-year-old male told the police about a theft at his home on the 420 block of Encinas Drive in La Cañada. He had placed his baseball gear on the front lawn, then went to run some errands. When he returned home, he found that someone had taken the equipment, which included $1,735 worth of bats, balls, masks, shin guards, chest protector, baseball gloves, and a sports bag.

Burglars Ransack House

A 52-year-old male discovered safes and credit cards missing from his home on the 220 block of Katherine Drive in La Cañada on July 19. The man had returned home from work and found the master bedroom glass door smashed. The hallways and bedrooms were also ransacked. Upon inspection, he noticed that two safes were missing, one of which contained credit cards. The safes were valued at $800.

Ipod Taken From Car

An Ipod Nano and gray Ipod armband were stolen from the car of a 25-year-old female on July 14. The girl had parked her car at the 490 block of Palm Drive in La Cañada. The front passenger window had been rolled down about a quarter of the way. The total value of the items was $230.