Note: All suspects are presumed innocent until found guilty in a court of law.
Updated: 4/3/13
Wrong License Plates Lead To Arrest
Officers on routine patrol observed a car drive by with several obvious vehicle code violations early Sunday morning, March 31. When they pulled the red Honda Civic over the Hollywood Way and Chandler Blvd. at 2:25 a.m., they found that the car’s license plate belonged to another vehicle. When they questioned the driver about the plate, he reportedly admitted to stealing the license plate.
As they investigated, the officers found a second license plate in the man’s car which also belonged on a different vehicle. Burglary tools were also found in the car and on the man’s person.
Arrested for possession of stolen property and burglary tools was William Hacker, 33, of North Hollywood. He was booked into the Jail, and released on $20,000 bail. He is due to appear in Burbank Superior Count on April 25.
Knife Wielding Robber Takes Cell Phone
A man walking on Olive Ave. in front of the Olive Recreation Center in George Izay Park was robbed in broad daylight.
The robbery occurred around 4:40 p.m. on Friday. The victim was approached by the suspect who was armed with a knife. The robber demanded the man’s cell phone and money. Fearing for his safety, the victim handed over his phone. The suspect then ran off through the park and out of sight. The victim was not injured.
The suspect is described as a male Hispanic, 16-17 years old, 5’7” tall, with a shaved head. He was wearing baggy jeans and an oversized white t-shirt. Anyone who may have witnessed he robbery, or has information about the suspect is urged to call the Burbank Police Department at 818-238-3000.
Burglars Target Homes Over Weekend
Burglars apparently keep busy over the Easter weekend, with at least three break-ins reported to the Burbank Police Department.
In one of the burglaries, in the 1000 block of N. Niagara St., a suspect was seen. He entered the home through the front door, with no loss reported. The suspect is described as a male Black, about 30 years old, 170 lbs., between 5’7” and 5’9” tall, wearing blue overalls. No vehicle was seen.
Three homes close to each other in the hill area of town, were also burglarized. A break-in occurred at a home in the 1900 block of N. Kenneth Rd., sometime between 4 p.m. on Friday and 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 30. A vent was pried open to gain entry, and gaming equipment and guitars were taken.
A break-in at a home in the 2000 block of Karen St., was discovered at 12:25 p.m. on Saturday. The suspect or suspects, forced open the garage door and entry doors to the home. The resident reported that nothing was taken.
In the third incident, a home in the 2000 block of Jolley Dr. was broken into sometime between 10:30 a.m. and 12:45 p.m. on Saturday. A rear window to the home was smashed. Jewelry and cash were taken.
If residents notice any suspicious vehicles or people in their neighborhood, police urge them to get as much information as possible, including license numbers, then call the police at 818-238-3000.
Thieves Taking Cars One Piece At A Time
The owner of a 1969 Mercedes-Benz won’t be able to honk the car’s horn for a while. Thieves made off with the car’s horn system was taken sometime around 1 a.m. on Friday, March 29, in the 100 block of E. Verdugo Ave.
Apparently thieves like Mercedes-Benz. They made off with the driver and passenger side mirrors from a 2000 Mercedes-Benz parked in the 100 block of E. Orange Grove Ave. The theft occurred sometime between 8:30 a.m. and 11 p.m. on Thursday, March 28.
A similar theft occurred on March 22, between 1 a.. and 1 p.m. in the 700 block of S. Sunset Canyon Dr. The outside mirror was taken from a 2012 Mercedes.
The catalytic converter was stolen from a 2004 Toyota SUV. The SUV was parked in the 800 block of E. Santa Anita Ave.. The theft occurred sometime between midnight and 8 a.m. on Wednesday, March 27. Either the thieves mistook it for a Mercedes-Benz, or they are branching out to other makes of cars.
Grand Theft
4400 block Lakeside Dr.
March 28, at 6 p.m. to 10 a.m. March 29
Entry: Open business
Loss: Laptop computer
Robbers Beat Victim, Take His New Shoes
A man was beaten and robbed by three men, after the car they were in nearly ran into him. The incident occurred at 6:15 p.m. Sunday, at the intersection of Angeleno Ave. and Fifth St.
According to police, the victim had just retrieved a new pair of tennis shoes from his parked car. As he crossed the street, a black car traveling at a high rate of speed came to a stop just a few feet from him. Words were exchanged with the people in the car, three men and one woman. The three men got out of the car and began beating up the victim. As they were assaulting the man, one of the suspect took his new shoes. All three got back in the car and fled the scene.
The suspects are described as White males, 20-25 years of age. Suspect #1 is 6 ft. tall, 185 lbs., brown hair, and wearing black clothing. Suspect #2 is 5’10” tall, 185 lbs., brown hair, and wearing black sunglasses. Suspect #3 is 5’6” tall, 155 lbs., brown hair with a receding hairline, and wearing sunglasses. The woman in the car is described as being White, 20-25 yrs., with blonde hair. The vehicle is only described as being black with 4 doors. No description of the stolen shoes was given.
Driver Tries To Run Over Bicyclist
A man attempting to cross the intersection at Burbank Blvd. and Keystone St. with his bicycle, was nearly run over by an angry motorist Saturday, March 23, shortly after 5 p.m.
The victim was was walking his bicycle, and had just stepped into the intersection, when a SUV turned in front of him. Words were exchanged. According to police, the driver made a U-turn and more words were exchanged. The suspect drove his vehicle in reverse towards the victim. The man had to jump out of the way to avoid being struck. The suspect’s SUV did hit the man’s bicycle. The suspect then fled from the scene.
The suspect is described as a male Hispanic, about 40 years old, driving a older gray-colored unknown make SUV. The incident is being treated as an assault with a deadly weapon, and an investigation is on-going.
Road Rage Leads To Robbery
A “road rage” incident between two men ended when one of them stole the other motorist’s cell phone March 21, around 4:30 p.m.
The incident began in North Hollywood. The two men continued driving into Burbank, finally stopping at Hollywood Way and Verdugo Ave. One driver got out of his car, walked up to the victim, and took the man’s cell phone. The victim told police he was in fear for his safety. The suspect got back into his car and drove away. The victim was not injured.
The suspect is described as a White man about 55 years old, 5’7’ to 5’9” tall, weighing 200-210 lbs., with gray hair. The only description of his car is that it was white with 2 doors. An investigation by police is on-going.
Next time he gets into a road rage incident, the victim might want to roll up his windows.
Thieves Target Mercendes-Benz Mirrors
A thief or thieves took the mirrors from two Mercedes-Benz automobiles in separate incidents. In the first, the mirror was taken from a 2012 Mercedes-Benz, in the 400 block of E. Cedar Ave., between 5 p.m. on March 21, and 2 p.m. on March 22. Due to the value of the high cost of the mirror, it was classified as “grand theft.”
Up in the 800 block of E. Harvard Rd., the mirror was taken from 2011 Mercedes-Benz between 8 p.m. March 21, and 10:45 a.m. March 22. In this incident, the crime was classified as “petty theft.” Apparently Mercedes-Benz mirrors drastically depreciate in value in one year.
Residential Burglary
700 block E. Santa Anita Ave.
March 20, at 5:30 p.m. to 7 a.m. March 21
Entry: Unknown
Loss: Tools from construction site
Suspects: Unknown
Grand Thefts From Vehicle
300 block W. Elm Ave.
March 21, between 7:20 and 9 p.m.
Vehicle: 2008 Chevrolet truck
Loss: Wheels and tires
Petty Thefts From Vehicles
1000 block N. Sparks St.
March 24, between 4:30 and 5 p.m.
Vehicle: 2006 Nissan
Auto Burglaries
100 block N. First St.
March 22, between 1:30 and 2:15 p.m.
Vehicle: 2005 Cadillac
Entry: Door lock punched
Loss: Cell phone, stereo equipment, clothing, watch, and miscellaneous items
100 block E. Orange Grove Ave.
March 22, between 2 p.m. and 4:30 p.m.
March 22, between 1:30 and 2:15 p.m.
Vehicle: 2005 Cadillac
Hard Lesson: Teacher Loses Purse In Classroom
A substitute teacher at Burbank High School learned a hard lesson Wednesday, March 13, when a student stole her purse. The unidentified woman had placed her purse near the front of the classroom. At the end of the 4th period, after she released the students for lunch, she noticed that her purse was missing. The purse contained her car keys, cash, credit cards and identification. Although a student is suspected of taking the purse, no suspect has been caught. According to Burbank Police, the case is still under investigation.
Residential Burglaries
400 block S. Fairview St.
March 17, at 5:27 p.m.
Entry: Unlocked front door
Loss: None
Suspects: Unknown
600 block East Tujunga Ave.
March 17, between 10:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.
Entry: Front door pried open
Loss: Unknown at this time
Suspects: None seen
900 block N. Avon St.
March 16, at 4 p.m. to 12:45 p.m. March 17
Entry: Rear door pried open
Loss: Television, jewelry, Nintendo Wii
Suspects: Unknown
600 block E. Angeleno Ave.
March 15, between 7:50 a.m. and 5:45 p.m.
Entry: Bedroom window
Loss: Two computers, Nintendo Wii
Suspects: Unknown
800 block N.Cordova St.
March 15, between 9:30 a.m. and 11:59 p.m.
Entry: Rear window
Loss: Computer, Playstation
Suspects: Unknown
3300 block Brace Canyon Rd.
March 15, between 9:15 a.m. and 4:45 p.m.
Entry: Rear door pried open
Loss: Compuer, Playstation, miscellaneous games, laptop computer, computer equipment
Suspects: Unknown
1700 block Keeler St.
March 15, at 10 a.m.
Entry: Front door pried open
Loss: None
Suspects: Unknown
Auto Burglaries
900 block N. San Fernando Blvd.
March 16, between 7 p.m. and 8 p.m.
Vehicle: 2000 Nissan sedan
Entry: Window smashed
Loss: Cell phone, purse, miscellaneous papers
100 block N. Rose St.
March 16, at 3:15 p.m.
Vehicle: 2004 Lexus sedan
Entry: Unknown
Loss: Purse, sunglasses
4100 block McFarlane Ave.
March 15, at 8 p.m. to 6:30 a.m. March 16
Vehicle: 2001 Chrysler sedan
Entry: Unknown
Loss: 3 foot long sword
Suspects: Unknown, possibly Ninjas
4200 block McFarlane Ave.
March 15, at 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. March 16
Vehicle: 2010 Dodge sedan
Entry: Window smashed
Loss: Purse, cash, miscellaneous items
700 block Country Club Dr.
March 15, between 12:01 a.m. and 9:15 a.m.
Vehicle: 2006 Volkswagen sedan
Entry: Unknown
Loss: Computer, computer equipment
700 block Country Club Dr.
March 14, at 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. March 15
Vehicle: 2005 Acura sedan
Entry: Unknown
Loss: iPod
300 block N. Maple St.
March 14, at 5:30 p.m. and 8 a.m. March 15
Vehicle: 1999 Nissan sedan
Entry: Window smashed
Loss: Miscellaneous items
Petty Theft From Vehicle
400 block S. Lamer St.
March 15 at 4 p.m. to 3:45 p.m. March 16
Vehicle: 2002 GMC SUV
Entry: Unlocked door
Loss: Gym bag and contents
Kenneth Rd. and Mansfield Dr.
March 14 at 8 p.m. and 8:30 a.m. March 15
Vehicle: 2012 Audi sedan
Loss: Car mirror
Grand Theft Auto
4200 block Riverside Dr.
March 17, between 9:15 p.m. and 10:25 p.m.
Vehicle: 2006 Chevrolet sedan
200 block E. Santa Anita Ave.
March 17, between 1:30 p.m. and 5:15 p.m.
Vehicle: 1995 Honda coupe
1900 block Empire Ave.
March 15, between 5:45 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.
Vehicle: 2003 Chevrolet SUV
Fire Extinguisher Demo Mistaken For Smoke
The Burbank Fire Department rolled out a full assignment of engines, trucks, rescue ambulance, and even a ladder truck from the Glendale Fire Department, after receiving a report of smoke coming from a building on Hollywood Way near Valhalla Dr.
A citizen who was at the Public Storage facility at 2240 Hollywood Way, called to report smoke coming from the building next door, just after 12:30 p.m. Thursday. Ironically, what they saw was the cloud created by a fire extinguisher demonstration being conducted on the rooftop of the Logix Federal Credit Union (formerly Lockheed Credit Union) at 2340 Hollywood Way.
All fire department equipment was release and sent back to their stations, including the ladder truck from Glendale, which was still in route to the scene.
Truck Parked Blocking Sidewalk Leads To Drug Bust
An alert Burbank Police officer on routine patrol Sunday night at 8:40 p.m., noticed a 2000 Chevrolet truck blocking the sidewalk and sticking out into the street on Chavez St. at Alameda Ave. The officer also noticed that the truck was parked next to an open garage with two people inside, a man and a woman, using flashlights.
A check of the three people revealed that the two men had outstanding arrest warrants. When the owner of the truck consented to let the officer search the truck, a bag with several baggies containing what was believed to be methamphetamine and cocaine were found. Also in the bag was a digital scale. The owner of the truck had a large amount of money in his possession. The man who had been in the garage was found to have narcotics paraphernalia in his possession, and a baggie containing what they believed to be methamphetamine, was found next to the man and woman in the garage as they were being questioned.
It was determined that no burglary had occurred. However, all three were placed under arrest and transported to the Burbank Jail for drug related offences. Erik Ellesar Gronich, 45, of Encino, was arrested for possession of narcotics with intent to sell. Brain Wilson, 42, of North Hollywood, was arrested for possession of drug paraphernalia and narcotics. Dolores Riveria, 22, of Los Angeles, was arrested for possession of narcotics. Bail for Gronich was set at $30,000, and $10,000 each for Wilson and Riveria. Alll three are set to appear arraignment in Burbank Superior Count on March 12.
Smart Phone, Not So Smart Owner
An unidentified man was evicted from his apartment in the 2400 block of W. Magnolia Blvd. He returned to his former apartment, which was unlocked, on Saturday at 5:30 p.m. and left his HTC smart phone on charge. When he returned at 8 p.m., to pick up his phone, it was gone. Not a smart move.
Residential Burglary
1800 block N. Kenwood St.
March 6, between 12:01 a.m. and 6 p.m.
Entry: Unlocked garage door
Loss: Collectible figurines
Suspects: Unknown
Auto Burglary
2500 block N. Naomi St.
March 10, between 12:40 a.m. to 8:30 a.m.Vehicle: 1992 Nissan sedan
Entry: smashed window
Loss: Guitar and folding chair
Auto Thefts
1700 block Grismer Ave.
March 8, at 2 p.m. to 12:35 p.m. March 10
Vehicle: 1994 Honda sedan
Keeler St. & Peyton Ave.
March 8, at 8:50 p.m. to 11 a.m. March 9
Vehicle: 1994 Honda sedan
500 block N. Lomita St
March 7, at 6:30 p.m. to 7:45 a.m. March 8
Vehicle: 2004 Chevrolet truck
Jaws of Life Free Accident Victim
Burbank Fire Department personnel used the “jaws of life” to extricate a driver trapped in her car after it crashed early Friday morning, shortly after 5 a.m., on San Fernando Blvd. just north of the Lincoln St. off-ramp to the northbound Golden State Freeway.
According to police, the driver, Laura Guerero, 27, apparently exited the freeway and lost control of her vehicle. The 2005 Honda Civic went into an uncontrolled sideways skid and struck the freeway abutment on the driver’s side of the car. There were no witnesses, and no other vehicles were involved in the accident. The roadway was wet due to rain. The off-ramp, and northbound lanes of San Fernando Blvd. were closed for approximately 3 hours due to the accident.
After Guerrero was rescued from her vehicle, she was transported to Providence Holy Cross Medical Center in Mission Hills. According to police she sustained broken ribs and a broken collarbone, as well as internal injuries. Alcohol does not appear to be a factor in the accident.
Teenaged Girl Attacked On San Fernando Blvd.
One of two sisters walking home from school on San Fernando Blvd. was attacked Tuesday by a man who may have been stalking the girls.
According to police, the 14 and 17 year-old girls saw the suspect standing on the corner of San Fernando Blvd. and Palm Ave., around 3:20 p.m. They passed by the man and continued walking towards the bus stop on Olive Ave. As they walked between Palm and Orange Grove Aves., the man ran up to the 14 year-old sister and squeezed her buttocks. The suspect did not say anything while groping rhe victim. He fled on foot through the pedestrian alley off of San Fernando Blvd.
The suspect is described as Caucasian, 20-35 years old, 5’7” to 5’8” tall, 170-190 lbs, with yellow dyed shoulder-length hair combed back. Police were unable to located the suspect after a search of the area.
Both sisters recognized the suspect as the same man they observed one – two weeks earlier while there were in the area of the Glendale Galleria. They had also seen the suspect on Friday, March 1, at San Fernando and Palm.
Anyone who may have seen the suspect is urged to call Det. Hawver at 818-238-3253. This incident does not appear to be related to the attempted abduction of an 11 year-old middle school student that occurred on March 4.
