Month: August 2011

Gardeners’ Trucks and Tools Stolen

Advisory Message has been issued by the LAPD – West L.A..
Wednesday August 3, 2011 9:00 AM PDT Stolen Gardeners’ Trucks Trend in West LA

A trend occurring this year in West Los Angeles, especially the Brentwood, Pacific Palisades, and Century City areas, is gardeners’ trucks being stolen. The unknown suspect(s) take the unattended vehicle while the gardeners are in the backyard. The suspects often drive the vehicle two to four blocks away, take all the gardening equipment, then abandon the vehicle.

If you have a gardener or know someone in this area that does, please advise the gardener of the trend and have them lockk & secure their vehicle. Do not leave the keys in the ignition or on the driver’s seat. The trucks are often taken from 9:00am to 1:00pm.

If you or the gardeners see unusual activity, please call 877-ASK-LAPD or 911.

Attempted Burglary in North Oval

From a neighbor in North Oval:

Just wanted to alert you to the fact that there was an attempted break-in on the 3800 block of Marcasel Avenue (north of Washington Place and about 1 1/2 blocks south of Venice).  It occurred yesterday around 12:30 p.m. on Tuesday August 2, 2011. The suspect was not deterred by a barking dog in the backyard of the location.  He attempted to remove a lock from a large gate facing the main street, which would have given him entry into the backyard and garage.  He ran after being seen by a neighbor through her window that directly faced the gate where the suspect was attempting to remove the lock.

The neighbor called the police and described the suspect as follows:  early to mid-twenties, about 5 feet 6 inches tall, of Ethiopian descent, dressed in a dark leather coat and white T-shirt.  The police responded to the scene and canvassed the area but was unable to locate the suspect.

This attempted break-in is very bothersome.  As it occurred during daylight hours, the suspect was not deterred by a barking Pit Bull (which was visible through the spaces of the gate), the gate in question faced a main well traveled street, and the suspect was only deterred by direct eye contact with the neighbor through her window.  Thank God for alert and caring neighbors!!!

Like you, we will keep our eyes and ears open for this and other suspects preying on our neighbors.  Please feel free to edit and blast this to the members of our neighborhood association to alert them to be on the lookout for this particular individual.