TRANSIT SERVICES BUREAU WEEKLY REPORT – JULY 14 – 21, 2023
7/21
Grand Theft (Copper Wire / Suspect Arrested)
TSB Detectives observed a person (suspect) stopped in his white pick-up truck along the shoulder of 105 Freeway just west of the 710 Freeway, adjacent to a Metro Power Sub Station. This location has had more than ten recent copper wire thefts in two months. Upon contacting the suspect, the detectives observed approximately 1000 feet of copper wire in the rear bed of the vehicle along with burglary tools. The suspect was detained pending a copper wire theft investigation. The detectives located an open manhole approximately 20 yards away from the vehicle, which is owned by Metro and contains copper wire. More than $30K of copper wire had been stolen from the location.
07/20
Battery (Suspect Arrested)
TSB Deputies responded to Santa Monica Passenger Station regarding a battery call for service. A Metro security guard (victim) was assaulted and detained the suspect. The suspect proceeded to push through the turnstiles and bumped the victim’s left shoulder. The victim said the suspect swung twice at him and missed. The suspect was placed under Private Persons Citizen’s Arrest by the victim.
Attempt Robbery (Suspect Arrested)
TSB Deputies responded to Citrus Passenger Station regarding a possible assault with a deadly weapon call for service. Upon arrival, the deputies were contacted by Metro Security regarding an assault with a deadly weapon that occurred on the train. The deputies contacted a female adult (Victim) who stated she boarded the train at the Azusa Passenger Station and was traveling to Citrus Passenger Station. A female adult (Suspect) approached her and attempted to forcibly take the victim’s fanny pack. The suspect was detained and arrested.
Assault With a Deadly Weapon (Knife / Suspect Arrested)
TSB Deputies responded to Irwindale Passenger Station regarding a person with a knife / possible assault with a deadly weapon call for service. The deputies contacted a female adult (victim) who stated she boarded the train at Azusa Passenger Station and was threatened with a knife by a female adult (suspect) in a wheelchair. As the victim walked past the suspect who was blocking the pathway, the suspect became irate and began to yell expletives at the victim. The suspect produced an approximately 10-inch knife and threatened the victim with it. Deputies coordinated with responding units to locate the suspect, who was arrested without incident.
Elder Abuse (Suspect Arrested)
TSB Deputies were conducting a patrol check of the Willowbrook Passenger Station when they heard a commotion on the platform. They observed a male adult (suspect) fighting with an elderly (71 years old) male adult (victim). Upon seeing the deputies, the suspect fled on foot and boarded a Metro bus. The suspect was located and arrested without incident.
Felony Vandalism (Elevator Glass / Suspect(s) Outstanding)
TSB Deputies were conducting a patrol check of Hawthorne Passenger Station when they observed the glass in the west elevator shattered. It is unknown when the incident took place; deputies verified with Metro this incident had not been reported. A video request was completed to attempt to locate the suspect(s). The damage is estimated to be approximately four thousand dollars.
Burglary (Elevator Control Room / Suspect(s) Outstanding)
While conducting a patrol check of Hawthorne Passenger Station, TSB Deputies observed a broken door handle on the elevator control room door. Upon further investigation, the deputies also observed the alarm system in the room to be tampered with. It is unknown when this incident took place and has been verified with Metro this incident has not been reported. A video request was completed to attempt to locate the suspect(s). It is unknown if anything is missing from the room.
Assault (Suspect Outstanding)
TSB Deputies responded to the Lakewood Passenger Station. Deputies contacted the victim who said she was traveling on the metro train from Norwalk to Long Beach Blvd. A female Black (suspect) walked up to her. Without any warning or provocation, the suspect pinched the victim’s upper torso and bit the victim twice on top of the head. The victim exited the train at the Lakewood station where the suspect attempted to forcibly take the victim’s walking cane. The suspect left on foot in an unknown direction. The victim sustained several scratches on both arms.
7/19
Battery on a Peace Officer (Suspect Arrested)
TSB Deputies responded to Willowbrook Passenger Station regarding a disturbance call for service. The call stated a black female (suspect) with red hair was disturbing patrons and pinched a bus operator. The deputies safely detained the suspect and walked down toward their patrol vehicle, which was parked directly in front of Willowbrook station. As they walked the suspect toward their vehicle, she resisted by stopping. The suspect sat on the ground and began kicking both deputies. Once assisting units arrived, the suspect was arrested without further incident.
7/16
Battery on a Peace Officer, Resisting Arrest, & Driving Under the Influence (Suspect Arrested)
A TSB Deputy was driving southbound on Vermont Avenue at El Segundo Boulevard when he saw a car traveling southbound on Vermont Avenue approximately 100 yards ahead of him at a high rate of speed. By the time the deputy caught up to the driver (suspect), he had parked and was walking away from his vehicle. The deputy contacted the suspect and noticed the suspect’s gait was unsteady and was swaying from side to side. As the deputy placed the suspect’s arms behind his back, the suspect immediately spun to his left, breaking away from the deputy’s grip, and assaulted the deputy by elbowing him on the abdominal area. Two civilian bystanders came to the deputy’s aid. Both bystanders held the suspect down as the deputy placed the suspect’s hands behind his back and handcuffed him without further incident.
07/14
Assault with a Deadly Weapon (Box Cutter / Suspect Arrested)
TSB Deputies responded to Maravilla Passenger Station regarding a fight onboard a westbound train. Upon arrival, they contacted the victim, who told them he was riding the train and talking to his girlfriend when the suspect, an adult Hispanic male interrupted their conversation. When the victim told him to leave them alone, the suspect became irate, produced a box cutter, and began stabbing the victim. The suspect fled westbound from the location. The victim refused to be transported to a hospital for further medical treatment. TSB Deputies located and arrested the suspect.
If you have any additional information regarding the above incidents, please contact Transit Services Bureau Detectives at (323) 563-5207. If you would like to remain anonymous, you can submit a tip by calling 800-222-TIPS or visiting lacrimestoppers.org.
