Police Blotter: Ugly Quarrels and Underage Drinking

Redondo Beach police investigated several cases of suspected domestic violence and one mystery swastika during the week ended Oct. 17.

Wandering toddler

Police investigated a report of a 2-year-old on the street at Pacific Coast Highway and Knob Hill Avenue around 3 a.m. Oct. 13. The toddler, dressed only in sandals and a diaper, was spotted running south on PCH and crossed Knob Hill against a red light. The child said she lived in a nearby hotel with her mother. The mother was eventually found sleeping in her motel room with the door open. Family Services was contacted.  

Galpal spat

Around 11:30 p.m. Oct. 13, a woman came to the station reporting that her ex-girlfriend had hit her at a residence in the 500 block of Earl Lane. The victim, who had a black eye and complained of a head injury, was treated by paramedics. Police determined that former duo got into a spat over the phone, and then the suspect drove to the victim's home and struck her before fleeing. The suspect was arrested for domestic violence.

DUI Arrest

Shortly before midnight Wednesday, officers were dispatched to Inglewood Avenue and Vanderbilt Lane, where an officer found a male exiting a vehicle that had fresh traffic collision damage and a flat tire. The officer arrested him on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol. He initially kicked up a fuss in the police car; after submitting to a blood test, he was booked at the Redondo Beach jail without incident. 

Mystery swastika

On Oct. 14, police investigated a report of vehicle vandalism that apparently had occurred a few days earlier. The victim said she had parked her car in a secure underground parking structure at 1710 Grant Ave. around 3:30 p.m. on Oct. 8. When she returned to it two days later, her tires were slashed and a swastika was scratched on the tailgate of her vehicle.  The victim did not know any reason why someone would vandalize her vehicle.   

Violent quarrel

Around 6 p.m. on Friday, a man and woman began arguing in the 1000 block of N. Catalina Ave. An aquaintance of the woman attempted to kick the male. The man grabbed the victim's leg and pushed her to the ground and then punched and kicked her in the face. He was arrested for assault with a deadly weapon. After he was released on bail, he broke into his girlfriend's house and threatened to kill her if she did not change the statement she made to police the previous night. He was arrested after leaving his girlfriend's house. An emergency restraining order was obtained for the victim and a bail enhancement was requested.   

Bike path chase

Around 5 p.m. on Saturday, police investigated a report of a suspicious person on the bike path between Nelson and Ruhland. The suspect, who was exhibiting signs of  being under the influence of a controlled substance, fled south bound the bike path on foot. Another officer caught the suspect near Artesia Boulevard. He was taken into custody and transported to a local hospital for treatment and then booked without further incident.

Car vs. pedestrian

A male driver traveling north on Aviation around 2 a.m. on Sunday struck a parked car near the intersection of Huntington Lane, pushing the car onto the sidewalk, where it struck a pedestrian, and came to rest against a telephone pole. The pedestrian, cut on his right hand, was treated and released at the scene. The driver of the vehicle was first located by a citizen and was unconscious for approximately three minutes. He was arrested for DUI and transported to a local hospital where he was treated for his injuries. 

Underage bash busted

Around 3 a.m. on Sunday, officers responded to a call of a loud party. They found an underage boy with cuts on his face. Other party-goers ran away, but officers rounded them up and determined that an unsupervised party had been taking place and that alcohol was being consumed. Further investigation revealed that two males were fighting and the suspect struck the victim in the face with a beer bottle. The suspect left the scene but later returned and was arrested.