Burbank police issued a press release for their DUI and drivers license checkpoints which they held on December 21 near Glenoaks and Cedar in Burbank from 9 pm to 2 am.

During the checkpoint, 914 vehicles pass through and were screened according to the release. Police issued seven sobriety tests which all drivers passed. Four drivers received tickets for driving without a license or driving with a suspended or revoked license and three tickets were given out for hazardous driving violations.

Police feel the low number of arrests is a direct result in drivers making better choices using alcohol and drugs and also using designated drivers and ridesharing services.

Funding for the checkpoint is provided in a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety administration.

Burbank police combined their land and air skills to arrest a man after a report of a man in the hills with a possible rifle.

Around 2:55 pm on Monday police were called the the hiking trail above the Wildwood Canyon Nature Center for an individual who was allegedly hunting with a ‘long gun’ (rifle) according to Burbank Police Sergent Derek Green.

A police helicopter was dispatched to see if they could locate the man and they found an individual inside a tent with what appeared to be a long gun besides him. With Burbank police responding to the area, the air unit made an announcement over their loud speaker for the man to come down to officers. The commands were ignored.

“Due to reports that the man was possibly armed with a rifle or similar weapon, additional resources were deployed, which included members of the Burbank Police SWAT.” according to Green. He said the operation involved about 15 officers.

Over the next couple of hours, Burbank Police started to develop a plan to get to the man who had now started a small fire by the tent. They called in the Burbank Fire Department’s ‘Gator 16’, which is a four wheel drive vehicle used to navigate the hillside, to help transport officers up the hill. They also deployed their new drone to assist officers.

Once officers reached the small camp, the man immediately complied to officers and was taken into custody without further incident.

The Nature Center was closed during the incident and the staff was relocated to McCambridge Park during the operation.

Green said that once officers had the man in custody, they located two BB guns, a pistol and rifle, near his encampment.

The man, identified as Nelson Rivera, a 28-year-old transient, was placed under arrest for starting an unlawful fire. He is being held on $20,000 bail and was due in court Wednesday. Green said that formal charges are pending review by the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s office.

Green also reported that it appears that this was the same person contacted on December 5 near Burbank Blvd. and Whitnall Highway after reports of a man with a gun. 

According to the Burbank Police Facebook Page post at the time:

Burbank Police responded to the area of Burbank Blvd. and Whitnall Highway after someone reported seeing a man carrying a backpack with what appeared to be a rifle attached to it. The man reportedly had a “camping gear” backpack, and also a knife strapped to his leg (clearly visible and not concealed).

Police located and contacted the man. They determined the item to be a B.B. gun. Police officers documented the response and released the individual.

The B.B. gun was not brandished, was not used in the commission of a crime, was not fired, was not used to threaten anyone, was possessed legally, and did not violate the California Penal Code or the Burbank Municipal code. The knife was possessed and carried legally. Therefore, only a detention was made in order to investigate the report, which led to the determination that no crime had been committed. An arrest, or a detention beyond what was reasonably necessary to complete the investigation, was not justified in this case.

“There was no crime at that time.” according to Green.

UPDATE: On Thursday morning, Burbank Police Sergent Derek Green released a little more information: “It is not known if the victim was specifically targeted. Detectives are continuing to investigate. The suspects are believed to be in their 30s.

According to the victim, this began when one of the suspects came to the front door and knocked several times. After not receiving an answer, it is believed the suspects went around to the back of the house before entering through the rear, unlocked door. This tactic has been seen before and are common in “knock-knock” or distraction type burglaries. The Burbank Police Department discourages citizens from answering the door to anyone they do not know or recognize, but encourage residents to make their presence known. Also, the Burbank Police Department urges residents to keep all doors locked at all times, even when home.  Report suspicious persons or activity to our non-emergency number, at (818) 238-3000.”

Green also said the man injuries were considered minor.

A Burbank man was rushed to a local trauma hospital after he called for help after two men broke into the back of his home Wednesday night on the 1100 block of West Palm Ave. just before 7:00 pm.

It was reported at the time that two men allegedly went to the front door and when the homeowner did not respond, they circled around to the back and entered the house. KNBC reported the man was 73 years old and that cash was taken from the residence.

The two men reported as possibly Armenian, left on foot. No vehicle was scene. Police arrived on the scene quickly and used air resources but were unable to find the suspects.

The Burbank Police Department has received a $120,000 grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) for a one-year traffic enforcement and education program. The money will fund various activities intended to reduce deaths and injuries on California roads.

“The safety of motorists and pedestrians on our roadways is a top priority for the Burbank Police Department,” said Chief of Police Scott LaChasse. “This grant supports our mission to continue educating the public through various enforcement campaigns throughout the year, in order to reduce the number of injuries and deaths attributed to traffic collisions and unsafe driving habits.”

The grant-related activities are for the 2020 federal fiscal year which runs from October 1, 2019 through September 30, 2020. The grant will be used for numerous programs and activities, including:

• DUI and driver license checkpoints.
• Patrols that specifically look for suspected alcohol and/or drug-impaired drivers.
• Patrols that focus on enforcing California’s hands-free cell phone law and vehicle code violations by drivers, motorcyclists, bicyclists, and pedestrians.
• Patrols that focus on reducing the primary causes of crashes: unsafe speed, improper turns, running stop signs or traffic signals, right-of-way violations, and driving on the wrong side of the road.
• Patrols that specifically look for seat belt and child safety seat violations.
• Traffic safety education presentations for youth and community members on distracted driving, impaired driving, and bicycle and pedestrian safety.
• Creating “Hot Sheets” to identify repeat DUI offenders.
• Police Officer training in identifying suspected impaired drivers and conducting sobriety tests.

Funding for this grant is provided by the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.