Tag Archives: Burbank Police Department

Police Warn of Package Snatchers During the Holiday Season

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Burbank police are warning the public to be cautious during the holiday season for potential porch package thieves.

Photo Courtesy Burbank Police Dept.

Police have just released a video (above) of a theft that occurred on December 7 from the 1800 block of N. Maple St. in Burbank around 3:30 pm.  As you can see, the man came up to the porch and stole a package right after a mail carrier left it on the doorstep of the residence.

Please are encouraging residents and package delivery companies to be observant of any suspicious activity this time of year.

Here are also some tips supplied by Burbank Police Department:

If you’re expecting a package, try to be home to accept it or make arrangements to have it delivered at a time when someone is home. Make sure you set up e-mail or text alerts upon delivery and consider having someone you trust accept the package on your behalf if you are unable to. You should also require a signature for packages, especially those which contain valuable items. If you routinely have packages delivered when you aren’t home, explore options for delivery lockers or postal mail boxes.

If anyone witnesses what appears to be a package theft, do your best to obtain a suspect description and vehicle license plate number, if applicable. Report suspicious activity to your local law enforcement agency.

Photo Courtesy Burbank Police Dept.

Photo Courtesy Burbank Police Dept.

Target Hosts “Heroes and Helpers” Shopping Event

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Release from Burbank Police:

(Photo by Ross A Benson)

On December 12, 2018, the Burbank Police Department teamed-up with Target and the Boys and Girls Club of Burbank to help youth in-need purchase holiday gifts for their families in the annual “Heroes and Helpers” shopping event.

(Photo by Ross A Benson)

The “Heroes and Helpers” event was first launched in December of 1990. Since then, the Burbank Police Department has proudly participated each year as part of its commitment to the community and helping those who are less fortunate. This year, Burbank Police are excited to announce that 30 children have been selected by the Boys and Girls Club of Burbank to take part in the event. The children were selected based on their family’s financial income and need.

(Photo by Ross A Benson)

Each child was presented with a $200 gift card, sponsored by Target. The children were then accompanied by police officers, cadets, and explorers as they shopped for holiday gifts for their families. Once the children completed their purchases, they were served a delicious holiday meal, generously provided by the Hilton Garden Inn in Downtown Burbank, and dessert, compliments of Porto’s Bakery. Children were also presented with holiday gift and food baskets, sponsored by The Kiwanis Club of Burbank, Noon Rotary Club of Burbank, Burbank Town Center, and community member Lisa Komorowski.

The goal of the “Heroes and Helpers” event is to provide less fortunate children with a friendly holiday experience they won’t soon forget.

Bomb Squad Checks Suspicious Container on East Cedar

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Press release from the Burbank Police Dept.

Photo supplied by Burbank Police Department

On November 29, 2018, at about 10:50 A.M., the Burbank Police Department responded to the 500 block of East Cedar Avenue in regards to a suspicious container found unattended near an apartment building.

The container was an industrial-grade, rectangular, metal box commonly used to store ammunition. Burbank Police Officers arrived on-scene and saw what resembled computer circuitry inside the container. Due to the densely populated area, coupled with the suspicious circumstances, the surrounding neighborhood was cordoned off as a precaution. Several residential units were also evacuated in the interest of safety.

Investigators from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Arson and Explosives Detail responded to the scene. Using a robot, investigators examined the container and determined it did not contain any explosive material.

Just before 1:00 P.M., the surrounding area was re-opened to vehicular and pedestrian traffic and the affected residents were allowed to return home.

The origins of the suspicious container and how it ended up where it was found is currently under investigation.

Burbank Police Mark 15 Years Since Officer Matthew Pavelka Lost His Life

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Burbank Police Honor Guard placing a wreath at the base of the guardian. ( Photo by Ross A Benson)

Today marks the anniversary of BPD Fallen Officer Matthew Pavelka, End of Watch, November 15, 2003.   Matthew Pavelka was appointed as an officer for the City of Burbank on August 5, 2002.

The BPD had not lost an officer in the line of duty by gunfire for more than eighty-three years.  On the evening of November 15, 2003, that all changed.  Veteran Officer Gregory Campbell had stopped a vehicle, without license plates, containing two males.  The area where the stop was made was well known for drug trafficking and other criminal activity, so Campbell wisely called for backup.

(Photo by Ross A Benson)

The first officer to respond was 26-year old Mathew Pavelka, who had been in the field as a police officer for just ten months.  When Campbell and Pavelka approached the suspect vehicle and ordered the two male subjects to exit the vehicle, they both alighted firing automatic weapons.  Both Campbell and Pavelka were wounded several times, but in the ensuing exchange of gunfire, the officers mortally wounded one of the gunmen.  The other suspect escaped on foot.

Both of the wounded officers were transported to a local hospital, where Officer Pavelka died during surgery and Officer Campbell was treated and remained in critical but stable condition.

On Thanksgiving Day, November 27, 2003, the suspect who fled was taken into custody.

Matthew Pavelka was remembered by more than one of his fellow officers as a charming, light-hearted 26-year-old, with a crown of spiky orange hair, who loved being a cop.

No Pants, No Service: Man Arrested at CVS for Threatening Police

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Police received a call for the CVS at 1015 N. San Fernando at 5:35 am about a possible theft of beer that just occurred from the 24-hour store.

Upon arrival, police found a man out front of the store who was not wearing any pants and was holding a glass bottle in his hand.

Photo By: Edward Tovmassian

According to Sergeant Derek Green, Public Information Officer of the Burbank Police Department, “Police Officers gave orders to the suspect several times to drop the bottle, but he refused. The suspect then broke the bottle, maintaining his grip on a large piece of glass. He then advanced on the officers while holding the glass. Despite repeated orders to stop, the suspect continued. He then began throwing pieces of glass towards the officers.

In order to protect officers from physical injury, and prevent potential injury to the suspect and/or members of the public, police officers deployed and fired a blunt foam impact projectile, which struck the suspect in the rib cage. The projectile had its intended effect and momentarily stunned and distracted the suspect, allowing officers to safely approach and take him into custody.”

Photo By: Edward Tovmassian

Green said that under Burbank Police protocol and procedures, the man, identified by police as 55-year-old Bryan Radford, was first transported to the hospital before being booked in the Burbank City Jail.

According to Green, Radford, who lists himself as a  transient from Burbank, was booked for brandishing a deadly weapon in a rude, angry, or threatening manner, in addition to resisting/obstructing a police officer and petty theft.

Burbank’s City Attorney’s Office filed one count each of these charges against Radford on October 31 who remains in custody on $26,000 bail and is due in court November 19.

Photo By: Edward Tovmassian

Two Accidents Result in Serious Injuries on Burbank Streets

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A pedestrian and a motorcyclist both received serious injuries in two separate incidents.

The first incident involved a pedestrian on November 4 at 5:35 pm on Scott Road at East Street. According to Sergeant Derek Green, Burbank Police Department’s Public Information Officer, ”
The pedestrian, an 82-year-old man, was crossing Scott Road at East Ave. when he was struck by a Toyota Camry traveling south on Scott. The driver, a female adult, remained at the scene and was cooperative.”

The man was reported conscious and was transported to a local trauma hospital.

Green reports neither drugs nor alcohol were factors with the cause still under investigation and no arrests were made.

The second accident involved a motorcyclist on Monday, November 5 about 10:50 pm at the intersection of Naomi and Olive.

Photo By: Edward Tovmassian

According to Green, “An adult male was traveling west on Olive Ave. when a Volkswagen Jetta made a left turn in front him. The motorcyclist collided with the vehicle, ejecting the rider. The driver of the vehicle, also an adult male, remained at the scene and was cooperative.

Drugs and/or alcohol were not factors.” The motorcyclist was transported to a trauma hospital.

Green said the driver of the vehicle was allegedly at fault. “Preliminary findings have found the driver of the VW Jetta to be at fault in this collision.”

 

 

 

Burbank Police Drug Take Back Day Nets 360 Pounds Of Unwanted Meds

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The Burbank Police Department in conjunction with the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) held a Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, October 27.

Burbank Police Explorers and the Community  Outreach Program (COPS Bureau) along with two officers from the DEA collected unused medicines, vitamins and prescriptions from mid-morning until 2:00 p.m.

Burbank police collected 360 pounds of unwanted medicines which was then taken by DEA officials to be destroyed.

Armed Man Arrested at Burbank 7-Eleven

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A 27-year-old North Hollywood man was arrested by Burbank police Sunday morning, October 28, around 3:30 am after officers were called about a man who was reported to have a gun in his waistband.

Police were called after witnesses reported a man inside the 7-Eleven store located at Naomi and Glenoaks who reportedly showed a handgun that was concealed in his waistband, to patrons and the clerk. Customers rushed out and met police to advise them of what they saw.

Police at the scene had a dispatcher help with communication with the suspect through the telephone and had him set down the gun and exit the front of the 7-Eleven.

Photo By: Edward Tovmassian

The suspect, identified as Bismark Rivera-Gonzalez, 27, of North Hollywood, exited the store and was immediately taken into custody by police. Police entered the 7-Eleven and found the handgun.

Witnesses had told police that Rivera-Gonzalez brandished the gun in the direction of the store’s clerk while in possession of store merchandise. Police also said he was opening store merchandise inside the business while in possession of the gun.

Rivera-Gonzalez was booked for attempted robbery, carrying a concealed firearm, and an outstanding arrest warrant for public intoxication. He is currently out of custody on bond and is due in court November 20. The case is pending review by the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s office.

Photo By: Edward Tovmassian

Purse Thief Arrested Near Edison Elementary

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On Wednesday, October 17, around 5:10 p.m., Burbank Police responded to a report of a purse theft that occurred at Burbank Spa and Garden located at 2115 W. Magnolia Blvd.

When police arrived, they spoke with a woman who said her purse had been stolen by a male suspect. He was witnessed running away with her purse and left the scene on a bicycle.

Police saw a man matching the description of the suspect near Edison Elementary School, located at 2110 W. Chestnut St. Officers approached the man and detained him near Myers St. and Chestnut St. He was soon identified as the suspect.

@BurbankPolice tweeted about the incident to ensure that an investigation was being conducted and that there was no threat to the school.

The woman’s purse and its contents were found a short distance from the scene.

The suspect has been identified as Jorge Salazar, 21 of Palmdale. Salazar was arrested and booked for petty theft and receiving/possessing stolen property.

He is currently being held on $1,000 bail and is due to appear in court tomorrow.

Woman Critically Injured After Palm Tree Crushes Vehicle

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Burbank firefighters received a call last Friday night, October 12 at 9:19 pm of a tree that had struck a vehicle at Lakeside Drive and Olive Ave. in Burbank. At the time, rain was strong in the area.

Police arrived first on scene and they discovered a Mercedes convertible that had been struck by a falling tree. The tree landed directly over a woman passenger and just missed the driver directly.

(Photo by © Ross A Benson)

Warner Bros. firefighters arrived on scene right after police had removed both victims from the vehicle and assisted Burbank firefighters with treating both the man and woman, according to Battalion Chief John Owings of the Burbank Fire Department.

The female passenger, whose name has not been released, was rushed to a local trauma hospital in critical condition where she remains. The driver was also taken to the hospital with serious injuries. A second vehicle struck the fallen tree also.

(Photo by © Ross A Benson)

According to Sgt. Derek Green of the Burbank Police Department, “The driver, now identified as Jonathan Ortiz, 29, of North Hollywood, was found to be in possession of a handgun and narcotics while on parole. After being treated at the hospital, Ortiz was placed under arrest and transported to the Burbank City Jail, where he was booked for possessing a firearm while in possession of narcotics.  He is currently being held without bail by the California Department of Corrections.”

Green also reported that the occupants of the second vehicle were not seriously injured.

Police say that the cause of the accident is still under investigation with Owings adding “The cause of the tree falling has not yet been determined.”