Tag Archives: Burbank Police Department

Catalytic Converter Thefts on the Rise Trio Arrested while Caught in the Act

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In the last week, Burbank Police have reported they have taken several reports of Catalytic Converter thefts in all parts of the city.

Courtesy Burbank Police Department

 

According to PIO Derek Green, an alert citizen was helpful in the apprehension of four suspects that were in the process of stealing a catalytic converter on busy Buena Vista near Burbank Blvd.

The citizen called police because they saw a van parked next to a parked car with what appeared to be a person under the parked car, Burbank officers were nearby and when they arrived on the scene they detained 4 suspects. 

The suspects Mario Maldonado, 30, Los Angeles, Carlos Hernandez, 42, Los Angeles, Arnulfo Bernal, 49, Los Angeles and Israel Lopez, 29, Los Angeles. they were all booked for suspicion of grand theft and their car was impounded.

 

 

Police Arrest Two After Discovery of Several Stolen Employee Development ATM Cards & Cash

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Photo by Ross A Benson

Late Saturday night at 2:55 am an alert citizen reported to The Burbank Police of possible fraudulent activity at The Bank of America located at 4123 W Olive Avenue. The witness provided a vehicle description and that of the two males involved. The responding officer arrived in the area they saw the vehicle leaving, the officer waited till they had sufficient backup units and made a stop at Bob Hope and Riverside Drive.

Once stopped the investigation led to the discovery of numerous EDD cards in other people’s names and a large amount of cash.

Both suspects were placed under arrest on suspicion of possessing/using unauthorized access cards. They have been identified as Erik Shontee, 39, of Dayton, Ohio, and Miguel Jimenez, 33, of Oxford, Georgia.

Burbank Police issue a Community Bulletin on Unemployment Insurance Fraud https://myburbank.com/Burbank-police-a…-insurance-fraud

 

Burbank Police Ask You Look Out for Unemployment Insurance Fraud

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Since the onset of Covid-19, the State of California Employment Development Department (EDD) has seen a significant increase in fraudulent unemployment claims. The EDD is aggressively fighting fraud in the wake of unscrupulous attacks on the unemployment program here in California and across the country. These perpetrators are often using stolen identity information from national and global data breaches, as well as exploiting expedited payment efforts in the federal Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) program. Claims identified with suspicious account information have been closed and EDD investigators are partnering with local, state, and federal law enforcement to expose and prosecute offenders to the fullest extent of the law.

EDD VISA Card Example

Unemployment benefits are commonly distributed on VISA debit cards, and can sometimes carry a balance of several thousand dollars. Recently, Burbank Police have made several arrests of individuals found to be in possession of EDD VISA cards in other people’s names.

To help combat the increase in unemployment fraud, merchants and retailers are reminded to check identification for purchases made with credit and/or debit cards, especially those issued by the EDD.

Residents are encouraged to monitor incoming mail and to “return to sender” any unexpected mail from the EDD.

The best way to report unemployment fraud is to submit a Fraud Reporting Form online. You can also fax the form to 1-866-340-5484, or call the EDD Fraud Hotline, at 1-800-229-6297.

Penalties for unemployment insurance fraud can include prosecution by government authorities, possible jail or prison sentences, repaying the unemployment benefits collected (plus penalties and fines), loss of future income tax refunds, and losing eligibility to collect unemployment insurance benefits in the future.

Unlawful or unauthorized possession or use of an EDD VISA card is also a crime.

For more information, visit the State of California EDD Fraud and Penalties page.

Two Suspects Arrested for Stealing Copper From Burbank Power Station

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(Photo by Ross A Benson)

Burbank Police responded at 1:30 am to the Burbank Water and Power Distribution Station located at 3101 W Victory Blvd. Police were notified of a possible trespass in progress/ and theft activity after receiving a call from an alert Security Guard watching the property from a remote location.

According to Sgt. Derek Green, the Police Department PIO the officers who responded located two males and detained them. Upon further investigation, they found them to be in possession of wire cutters, and pieces of wire belonging to the Burbank Water and Power.

(Photo by Ross A Benson)

The two alleged suspects have been identified as Michael Corp, 38, of North Hollywood, and Jason Fischer, 33, of North Hollywood. Both suspects also had outstanding warrants for their arrest.

The suspect’s car was located nearby and impounded.

The value of the wire has not been determined at this time and was recovered.

 

Burbank Police Arrest Four On Grand Theft After being Caught Stealing Catalytic Converters

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Late Thursday night an alert citizen living in the 1800 Blk of Richard Street called Burbank Police and said he just scarred off a trio of males attempting to steal his catalytic converter from his parked vehicle in front of his house.

The victim gave the dispatcher a good description and the description of the suspect’s car a white Dodge Neon, Burbank police dispatched several cars and an officer saw the suspect’s vehicle at the intersection of Keystone and Glenoaks and made a felony stop with the assistance of backup units. 

Once the car was emptied of the suspects and detained the victim who witnessed the crime was driven to the location by officers and made a positive identification of the suspects. An inspection of the suspect’s car revealed a stolen catalytic converter inside the trunk, tools that are used to steal converters a floor jack, and other tools. 

(Photo Courtesy BPD Facebook Page)

Burbank Police at the scene of the original crime was provided security camera footage neighbors cameras and it showed the trio stole the converter located in the trunk from a neighbors car. 

The suspects were arrested and booked on suspicion of attempted grand thief and possession of the stolen property they are Erick Ruiz, 29, of Los Angeles, Verenice Cruz, 22, of Huntington Park,  Gustavo Dominguez, 36, of Los Angeles and Wilfred Revolorio, 32, of Los Angeles. The driver and owner of the getaway car were identified as Gustavo Dominguez. The suspect’s car was impounded as evidence.

 

Burbank Police have recently reported that stolen catalytic converters have been on the increase because of the precious metals that are inside the converters. Replacing them can cost upwards of $2000.00 on newer cars. 

 

 

Burbank Extends Relaxed Parking Enforcement and San Fernando Blvd. Closure Through September

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With the pandemic emergency still hanging over Sothern California, Burbank has decided to extend earlier actions to help both businesses and residents.

Parking Enforcement:

With many people continuing to stay home during the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, the Burbank Police Department has extended the temporary suspension of enforcement for certain parking violations through September 30, 2020.

The temporary suspension of parking enforcement pertains to the following parking restrictions in the City of Burbank:

• Street sweeping

• Overtime parking restrictions in residential neighborhoods

Although 72-hour violations will not be enforced during this time, if Burbank Police discover a vehicle that has been obviously abandoned, enforcement action will be at the discretion of a Traffic Bureau Supervisor.

As a reminder, the suspension of the above parking enforcement operations will be in effect until September 30, 2020 at 11:59 p.m. PDT, and is subject to further extension. Please know that our response to emergencies and other non-emergency calls for service has not changed, and we will continue to deliver uninterrupted police services in our community.

For questions related to the issuance of parking citations, please call (818) 238-3101.

San Fernando Blvd. Closure:

Extending the success of outdoor dining on Burbank’s San Fernando Boulevard, City Manager, Justin Hess, issued a continuance of the  Emergency Order that closes portions of San Fernando Boulevard in Downtown Burbank from Magnolia Boulevard to Angeleno Avenue until October 4, 2020, at 11:59 p.m. 

“Closing sections of San Fernando has been hugely successful,” said Hess.  “Our Downtown restaurants are able to offer outdoor dining in a safer COVID environment that includes social distancing and fresh air.”

“\We are grateful to Downtown Burbank and the City for keep our business running.”  Raymond Joe and Monic Jin from Fuji Ya Sushi stated.

The Downtown Business Improvement District (BID) was instrumental in making this happen. They advocated for the closure and provided funding for the barricades along with tables, chairs, umbrellas and decor for open seating along the boulevard.  “We were glad to help. The BID is here to support the viability and growth of Downtown and this is something that we can partner with the City for both our businesses and residents.” said Michael Cusumano,  Chair of the Downtown BID Board.

The closure includes the following blocks of streets along San Fernando Boulevard.

  • Angeleno Avenue to Olive Avenue
  • Olive Avenue to Orange Grove Avenue
  • Orange Grove Avenue to Magnolia Boulevard

Angeleno Avenue, Olive Avenue, Orange Grove Avenue and Magnolia Boulevard will remain open to vehicular traffic.  The emergency order will be confirmed by the City Council at a future date.

Restaurants will still have to provide a plan and obtain a permit to use the City Right- of-Way for dining space. If a restaurant would like to apply for the permit, they should contact the Economic Development Team who will provide them assistance and answer questions at 818-238-5180.

Some of the currently open restaurants include: 

•          Don Cuco’s

•          Fantasia

•          Fuji Ya Sushi

•          Gordon Biersch

•          Granville

•          Gyu-Kaku

•          India’s Tandoori

•          Kabuki

•          Knight Restaurant

•          Kopan Ramen

•          Over/Under Public House

•          Shake Shack

•          Story Tavern

•          The Great Grill

•          Toro Sushi and Poke

•          Urban Press Winery

•          Wild Carvery

•          Wockano

•          YardHouse

Burbank Police Suspend Certain Parking Violations Through September 30, 2020

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With many people continuing to stay home during the ongoing Covid-19
pandemic, the Burbank Police Department has extended the temporary suspension of
enforcement for certain parking violations through September 30, 2020.

The temporary suspension of parking enforcement pertains to the following parking restrictions
in the City of Burbank:

(Photo by © Ross A Benson)

• Street sweeping
• Overtime parking restrictions in residential neighborhoods

Although 72-hour violations will not be enforced during this time, if Burbank Police discover a
vehicle that has been obviously abandoned, enforcement action will be at the discretion of a
Traffic Bureau Supervisor.

As a reminder, the suspension of the above parking enforcement operations will be in effect
until September 30, 2020, at 11:59 p.m. PDT, and is subject to further extension.

Please know that our response to emergencies and other non-emergency calls for service has not
changed, and we will continue to deliver uninterrupted police services in our community.

For questions related to the issuance of parking citations, please call (818) 238-3101.

Burbank Police DUI Checkpoint Results

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The Burbank Police Department Traffic Bureau conducted a DUI and
driver license checkpoint on August 15, 2020. The checkpoint was held on Buena Vista Street
between Olive Avenue and Verdugo Avenue, from 9:00 p.m. until 1:30 a.m.

(Photo By Ross A. Benson)

Locations for DUI checkpoints are chosen based on a history of DUI crashes and arrests. The
 primary purpose of these checkpoints is not to make arrests, but to promote public safety by
deterring drivers from driving while impaired.

According to Lieutenant John Pfrommer of the Burbank Police Traffic Bureau, over 500 vehicles
were screened. The average travel time for vehicles passing through the checkpoint was about
30 seconds. Of the vehicles screened, the following are results of the checkpoint:

(Photo By Ross A. Benson)

 Eight citations were issued for either driving without a valid license or driving with a
suspended and/or revoked license.
 66 warnings were given for traffic infractions.
 Field sobriety tests were administered to four drivers.

There were no arrests made for driving under the influence. This statistic suggests that drivers
are making responsible choices by not consuming alcohol or using drugs that cause impairment
before driving, or that they are making arrangements for transportation using designated drivers
or ride-sharing services.

(Photo By Ross A. Benson)

The goal of a DUI checkpoint is not to make arrests, but rather to deter impaired driving with
high-visibility enforcement and well-publicized DUI operations. The Burbank Police Department
will continue to deploy DUI saturation patrols in the months of August and September.

Funding for these operations is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through
the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Medical Emergency Causes Driver and Car to Crash into House

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(Photo by Ross A Benson)

Burbank Police received the call as a Car into stairs of a house in the 700 block of Clybourn Street and the occupant was unconscious. The dispatched included several BPD units some responding from several parts of town rolling Code-3 Lights and Sirens.

The Burbank Fire Department Paramedics were dispatched at the same time, once everyone got on scene they found a newer Mercedes hit the curb and proceeded up the front yard until it came to rest against the stairs to the house.

Paramedics and Fire Fighters removed the female occupant and she showed no signs of trauma but appeared to remain unconscious so they started treated and transported her to a local hospital to be checked out.

The car was towed away and the steps received minor damage.  

Burbank Police to Conduct DUI Checkpoint Utilizing Grant Funds Saturday

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The Burbank Police Department will hold a DUI Checkpoint on Saturday,
August 15, 2020, beginning at 7:00 P.M. at an undisclosed location within the city limits.

Locations for DUI checkpoints are chosen based on a history of DUI crashes and arrests. The
primary purpose of these checkpoints is not to make arrests, but to promote public safety by
deterring drivers from driving while impaired.

(Photo by © Ross A Benson)

During the checkpoint, police officers will be looking for signs of alcohol and/or drug impairment
and checking drivers for valid licensing.

The Burbank Police Department would like to remind drivers that impaired driving is not specific
to alcohol. Some prescription medications and over-the-counter drugs can also cause
impairment and interfere with the ability to drive safely. Always read the warning labels on
medications and follow all directions for use.

Marijuana can also cause impairment and lead to a DUI. While medicinal and recreational
marijuana use is legal in California, driving while under the influence of marijuana is not.If you plan to drink alcohol or are using medications that may impact your ability to drive safely,
plan accordingly, and enlist a designated driver.

A DUI can cost drivers an average of $13,500 in fines and penalties, as well as a suspended license.

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