NEWS LBPD seeking public’s help in locating owners of stolen property
NOvEMBER 11, 2011
Long Beach Police Department (LBPD) investigators are seeking the public’s help in locating anyone who may recognize stolen property seized from the residence of two auto burglary suspects. On Tuesday, Nov. 1, shortly after 3am, LBPD officers were called to the 5300 block of East Canton Street regarding an auto burglary that had just occurred. Within minutes, the first officer arrived and learned that the suspects who committed the auto burglary had fled from the scene in a vehicle. The description of the suspects and their vehicle was relayed to surrounding police units as well as CHP officers. Several minutes later, LBPD officers and CHP officers located the suspects traveling northbound on the 405 Freeway. After the vehicle was stopped, the occupants were identified as the two who had committed the auto burglary. The two arrested were 32-yearold Vincent Benjamin Hamlin and 23-year-old Daisy Serrano, both residents of Long Beach. Officers learned that Hamlin is on parole for burglary and Serrano is on probation for receiving stolen property. Officers searched the suspect’s vehicle and found many stolen items, including cell phones, flashlights, iPods, electronic equipment, jewelry, SIM and SD cards, and GSP
systems. All of these items were seized by the officers in hopes of later finding the owners of this property. The following day, detectives assigned to the East Division became involved in the investigation. Information obtained during their investigation led them to believe that these suspects were possibly responsible for additional auto burglaries. Armed with a search warrant, detectives entered the home of the couple, on the west side of Long Beach, in search of additional stolen property. As a result of the search warrant, detectives found many other stolen items, including property stolen in 2009. Items recovered include a stolen motorcycle, several GPS devices, laptop computers, iPods, cell phones, cameras, jewelry and an extensive amount of gift cards, credit cards, identifications and bank statements belonging to well over 20 victims. Investigators are continuing to search for the owners of the property recovered and to build their case against Hamlin and Serrano. Upon completion of the investigation, detectives will present the case to the District Attorney’s Office for filing of charges. Anyone who has been the victim of an auto burglary recently is encouraged to visit the LBPD’s
Facebook page and view the album “Auto Burglary Property” to see if any of the stolen items belong to them or someone they know. The LBPD would also like to remind the community to take a few simple crime-prevention and safety steps: • Remember to keep windows closed and doors locked. Four percent of auto thefts occur because of unlocked doors or windows left down. • Keep valuable items out of plain sight. It is preferable that nothing of value is kept in the car at all. However, if something must remain inside, ensure it is covered or locked in an interior compartment (glove box, center console) if possible. • Report suspicious activity to the police. If you see anyone looking into cars or residences, call police immediately and let them determine if criminal activity is taking place. Oftentimes people who are caught breaking into cars and homes have a history of auto and/or residential burglary. Anyone with any information regarding these crimes is encouraged to contact LBPD’s East Division Detectives Marcus Briones at (562) 570-5888 or Johnny Dodson at (562) 570-5813.
County Supervisor Knabe nominates LB Police Chief McDonnell to Citizens’ Commission on Jail violence Los Angeles County Supervisor Don Knabe has announced Long Beach Police Chief Jim McDonnell as his appointee to the Citizens’ Commission on Jail Violence. The Commission was established by the Board of Supervisors to investigate use of force by sheriff’s deputies in the county jail system and report back with recommendations for a corrective action plan. “Chief McDonnell has had a distinguished career in law enforcement and is a respected leader in policing issues,” said Knabe. “His experience serving in Los Angeles County’s two biggest cities will be vital to formulating new ideas on how to deal with the issues in our jails. Chief McDonnell’s knowledge as a user of jail systems and his understanding of the incredibly difficult job our deputies face will bring a unique perspective to the Commission. I appreciate his willingness to serve.” McDonnell was a 28-year veteran of the Los Angeles Police Department before taking over as chief of the Long
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DiSCOuNT PET vACCiNATiONS What Low-cost pet clinic Who Long Beach Animal Care Services When Saturday, Nov. 12 from 10am to noon Where Houghton Park, 6301 Myrtle Ave., LB More info A state-licensed veterinarian from the Southern California Veterinary Vaccine Clinic (SCVVC) will be onsite to provide shots, and residents can process their license renewals onsite. Visit scvvc.webs.com for a full listing of services and prices. iNCREASiNg AWARENESS OF JOB gROWTH What “Getting Back to Work: A Summit on Job Creation in Long Beach” Who Presented by Office of 9th District Councilmember Steve Neal When Saturday, Nov. 12 at 12:30pm Where Hotel Maya, 700 Queensway Dr., LB More info The summit will help facilitate a conversation on responsible job creation in Long Beach. Discussion topics include long- and shortterm strategies to address unemployment, workforce development and growing the Long Beach economy. Dr. Dean Baker, author and director of the Center for Economic and Police Research, will be giving a keynote presentation on the Long Beach jobs environment. Space is limited. RSVP (562) 570-6137 or email district9@longbeach.gov. EARLY HOLiDAY SHOPPiNg What Gift shop holiday preview sale Who Rancho Los Alamitos Historic Ranch and Gardens When Sunday, Nov. 13 from 3pm to 6pm Where Rancho Los Alamitos, 6400 Bixby Hill Rd., LB More info The event is free to the public. Light refreshments will be served on the back patio. Parking is limited, so carpooling is encouraged. Call Teresa Barbee at (562) 431-3541. HELP FOR CLEARiNg A RECORD What Expungement education workshop Who Presented by the City of Long Beach When Monday, Nov. 14 from 4pm to 5pm Where Career Transition Center, 3447 Atlantic Ave., LB More info Participants will receive pertinent information from subjectmatter experts on certificates of rehabilitation, expungement of adult convictions and sealing of juvenile records, and assistance with completing required expungement forms. Call (562) 570-9675. CALLiNg ALL BOOKWORMS What Book discussion Who Bixby Knolls Business Improvement Association Literary Society When Wednesday, Nov. 16 at 7pm Where Expo Arts Center, 4321 Atlantic Ave., LB More info The book selection chosen for November is Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe. Parking will be available along Atlantic Avenue. Refreshments will also be provided. Call (562) 595-0081 or email info@bixbyknollsinfo.com.
Photo by Andy Witherspoon
Long Beach Police Chief Jim McDonnell Beach Police Department in 2010. He served as one of former LAPD Police Chief William J. Bratton’s top assistants and was a leader in instituting
reforms to the department. While with the LAPD, he was awarded the department’s highest award for bravery, the Medal of Valor.
Port’s deputy director proposed as new executive director The Long Beach Board of Harbor Commissioners will vote Monday, Nov. 14, on whether to name J. Christopher Lytle, the Port of Long Beach’s deputy executive director and chief operating officer, as the Port’s new executive director. The Harbor Commission announced the decision on Lytle following a closed-door meeting after their regular board meeting on Nov. 7. If confirmed on Nov. 14, Lytle would succeed Richard D. Steinke, the Port’s 14-year executive director, who announced his plan to retire after a brief transition to a new top executive. “After an extensive, nationwide search, the Board of Harbor Commissioners is very pleased to recommend the appointment of Chris Lytle as the Port’s new executive director,” said Harbor Commission President Susan E. Anderson Wise. “Chris’s extensive public and private experience make him the ideal leader for our Port. On the private side, he’s operated shipping terminals around
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the world and fully understands the unique issues facing public ports in California. He has a great rapport with our customers, and while he understands the industry, he’s also very open to new ideas and innovations.” Lytle, a longtime shipping industry veteran, has been the Port’s deputy executive director since March 2008. He joined the Port in September 2006 as one of four managing directors, overseeing the Port’s Trade Relations and Port Operations Bureau, which includes the Communications, Trade Development, Security and Maintenance divisions. As a former vice president with the French-based shipping line CMA CGM, Lytle was responsible for the company’s entire West Coast operations, including significant marine and terminal operations at the Port of Long Beach and similar operations in Oakland, Tacoma and Seattle. He has also held executive positions at P&O Ports North America, Sea-Land Service, Inc. and the Den-
CELEBRATiNg AN ARCHiTECTuRAL iNFLuENCE What Architects group meeting Who The American Institute of Architects Long Beach/South Bay (AIA) When Thursday, Nov. 17 from 6:30pm to 9pm Where Banning Landing, 100 Water St., Wilmington More info The guest lecturer will be Gregorio Luke who will present the work of the influential Mexican architect Luis Barragan. The lecture is open to AIA members and the general public. The meeting will feature door prizes administered at 8:30pm. Tickets are $25 for members, $35 for non-members and $10 for students. Tickets are available for purchase at aialb-sb.org under “Upcoming Events.” NOW HEAR THiS What Hearing devices exhibit Who Presented by Hearing Loss Association of Long Beach/Lakewood When Friday, Nov. 18 from 10am to noon Where Weingart Senior Center, 5220 Olive Ave., Lakewood More info A hands-on examination of the devices as well as information on how they work and where they can be purchased will be provided. Call (562) 425-5651 or visit hlalongbeachlakewood.org. PiTCHiNg iN FOR A SPORT What Benefit and live entertainment Who Presented by Woodrow Wilson High School When Friday, Nov. 18 from 7pm to midnight Where The Grand, 4101 E. Willow St., LB More info The event will be $50 per person and will include dinner, a live performance from the band The Wilsons, live and silent auctions, raffle prizes and a no-host bar. The event will benefit the Wilson High School baseball team.
J. Christopher Lytle mark-based APM (Maersk) Terminals. Lytle holds a master’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Puget Sound and a bachelor’s in Business Administration from Central Washington University.
CHiPPiNg iN FOR A CAuSE What 3rd Annual Community Casino Night Who Presented by St. Anthony High School When Saturday, Nov. 19 from 6:30pm to 10:30pm Where St. Anthony Gymnasium, 620 Olive Ave., LB More info The event will be organized through the high school’s Parents and Educator in Partnership group. Cost will be $35 per person. All proceeds will benefit St. Anthony High School’s academic and athletic programs. Tickets may be purchased at the door the night of the event or through longbeachsaints.org.