Police Blotter: High-Speed Chase, Catalytic Converters and Third-Row Seats

A driver led Redondo Beach police on a high-speed chase through the Galleria, and thieves stole yet more catalytic converters in the week ended Aug. 22. Since July 26, 26 catalytic converters have been pilfered, with those on Toyota 4Runner SUVs and Tacoma trucks a popular target.

Fast-moving target

Around 1:30 a.m. on Aug. 20, an officer observed an automobile parked on the 2400 block of Curtis Avenue with its lights off. The driver turned on his lights and proceeded a block before turning off his lights again; he repeated the pattern several times as he made his way onto Inglewood Avenue. He sped through the area into the Target parking structure and the Galleria parking lot before driving into Lawndale and circling back into Redondo Beach. Officers finally forced the car out of control at the intersection of Huntington Land and Rindge Lane. The driver tried to flee, but was taken into custody. The pursuit lasted approximately five minutes; the driver was booked on a variety of vehicle code violations.            

Another early morning chase, this one on foot

At 3:15 a.m. on Aug. 21, officers responded to a traffic collision on the 100 block of North Prospect Avenue involving a parked vehicle and suspects fleeing the scene on foot. The suspected driver and passenger were located on the 100 block of South Lucia Avenue, and the alleged driver was arrested on suspicion of misdemeanor hit and run, driving under the influence and being an unlicensed driver. An additional drug charge was later added when police discovered Ecstasy. The passenger was released with no charges. There were no injuries.  

Grand theft auto

At about 3 a.m. on Aug. 16, officers driving a patrol car equipped with an Automated License Plate Reader received an alert about an automobile on the 800 block of Diamond Street. The driver allegedly admitted to being two months behind on the rental agreement and was arrested on suspicion of grand theft auto.

Catalytic catnip

Police responded to several more reports of catalytic converters during the week. One was believed to have occurred sometimes between Aug. 13 and Aug. 16 on the 800 block of Meyer Lane. The victim's Toyota Tacoma truck was parked on the street during that time. The police received two similar reports on Aug. 22: A catalytic converter was stolen from a car parked on the 600 block of Vincent Park over the weekend, and also from one parked on the 200 block of South Helberta Avenue.

More car burglaries

At around 5 a.m. on Aug. 19, police responded to a report of theft from a Cadillac Escalade on the 300 block of Harkness Lane; the car's third row seats had been removed. Later that day, third-row seats were also swiped from a GMC Yukon parked in the South Bay Galleria parking structure; the driver's side door was pried open and speakers and an iPod were also missing. On Aug. 18, police officers responded to a report that approximately $12,000 of filming equipment has been taken from a car on the 200 block of South Broadway Street.

Balcony fire

Police officers and the Fire Department responded to a report of a balcony fire on the 1700 block of Dixon Street at approximately 2 a.m. on Aug. 18. The resident extinguished the fire; there were no injuries.

Disputed ticket

At approximately 9:30 p.m. on Aug. 22, officers received a report that a subject was refusing to pay the parking fee at the pier. The subject failed to obey several directions and was arrested on suspicion of failure to obey lawful police orders, interfering with an investigation and a variety of alleged vehicle code violations.