NEWS
By Veronica Rocha, veronica.rocha@latimes.com | March 28, 2014
Burbank resident Jennifer Smith works three jobs and, for the most part, tried to pinch pennies as much as she could. And for that, her credit was nearly flawless. At least that was the case until several weeks ago, when an alleged thief opened numerous credit card accounts in Smith's name and went on a lavish shopping spree, spending more than $14,000 in a matter of days, bouncing from store to store in Glendale and Burbank. While the woman racked up the charges, Smith could be facing crumbling credit.
THE818NOW
By Alene Tchekmedyian, alene.tchekmedyian@latimes.com | January 28, 2014
A man and woman in a stolen truck were arrested Saturday morning after police discovered burglary tools, drugs, birth certificates and Social Security cards in the car, police said. Police spoke with Pamela Toftee, 28, and Kevin Aide, 21, both of Victorville, in the 100 block of South Lamer Street, where they had parked the truck, said Burbank Police Sgt. Darin Ryburn. Police ran a search on the vehicle and discovered it was reported stolen. When police searched the truck, they found tools, suspected methamphetamine and the identifying information for five victims, including Social Security cards and credit card bills.
NEWS
September 10, 2013
I hope all of you folks that are OK with people rummaging through your recycle barrels never get caught up with identity theft. Crooks are slick these days, pretending to look for pop cans, meanwhile looking for important documents and mail. Not everyone shreds their stuff like I do. Sad, but that's the world we live in these days. I won't even use ATMs anymore, you have to be looking over your shoulder every second. I agree 100% with the writer who says these people picking through others' recyclables should be fined.
THE818NOW
April 30, 2013
A 36-year-old Los Angeles man who police say appeared to be high on methamphetamine was arrested Sunday on suspicion of identity theft and possession of Norco and Vicodin without a prescription. Officers approached the man, Richard Hathaway, just before 7 p.m. for smoking in front of Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf in downtown Burbank, a violation of the city's municipal code, said Burbank Police Lt. Eddie Ruiz. According to police reports, Hathaway appeared nervous and admitted he had consumed methamphetamine earlier in the evening, Ruiz said.
THE818NOW
By Alene Tchekmedyian, alene@tchekmedyian@latimes.com | March 7, 2013
Calling the complaint “frivolous and malicious,” a federal judge has thrown out a lawsuit filed against the Burbank Police Department in which a convicted pimp claimed false imprisonment and racial profiling stemming from charges filed against him more than two years ago. In November 2010, Odonga Rush, 41, was charged with two counts of identity theft and one count of forging a public seal after officers reported finding an unpaid ticket warrant...
THE818NOW
By Alene Tchekmedyian, alene.tchekmedyian@latimes.com | February 15, 2013
A convicted pimp has filed a $2.9-million lawsuit against the Burbank Police Department and the city claiming false imprisonment and racial profiling stemming from charges filed against him more than two years ago that were eventually dismissed. In November 2010, Odonga Rush, 41, was charged with two counts of identity theft and one count of forging a public seal, but the charges were eventually dismissed. In the lawsuit - filed Jan. 30 in U.S. District Court - Rush claims that Burbank police approached him “without probable cause” while he was in his car at a hotel.
THE818NOW
By Alene Tchekmedyian, alene@tchekmedyian@latimes.com | January 22, 2013
Violent crimes in Burbank jumped 27% last year - a trend police attributed to a spike in robberies, mostly at retail stores where security guards and would-be shoplifters tussle. As a whole, the number of violent crimes - which include robbery, rape, assault and murder - increased from 191 incidents in 2011 to 243 in 2012, according to recent figures released by the Burbank Police Department. The category that jumped the highest was robbery, which shot up 63%, from 68 reported incidents in 2011 to 111 last year.
THE818NOW
May 4, 2012
Four men have been arrested on suspicion of illegally possessing firearms after Burbank police responded to reports of gunshots Thursday morning that sparked a brief neighborhood evacuation. Those arrested on Thursday include: Burbank resident Armen Galstyan, 52; Artak Grigoryan, 37, and Vigen Manukyan, 27, both of Glendale; and Armen Mouradian, 23, of Los Angeles. Galstyan was also arrested on suspicion of identity theft. Police responded to reports of shots fired at a home in the 1800 block of Keeler Street at 6:50 a.m. Thursday.
NEWS
December 20, 2011
Two female juveniles were arrested over the weekend for identity theft after allegedly taking mail from nine homes, police said. An elderly female heard someone at her mailbox Saturday at approximately 11:30 a.m., and initially thought the mail carrier had delivered her mail, Sgt. Darin Ryburn said. “She went out and spoke with her neighbors across the street who were hanging their Christmas lights,” Ryburn said. The woman asked if they had seen anyone and got in her vehicle to locate the two teenagers.
NEWS
By Gretchen Meier, gretchen.meier@latimes.com | June 14, 2011
Intersection of South Victory Boulevard & South Main Street Burbank police arrested Saul Ramirez, 27, of North Hollywood, on June 3 after witnesses claimed he shattered the window of a parked vehicle and removed property from inside. Ramirez allegedly fled on a bicycle and was arrested by officers after being in possession of items from other burglarized vehicles. Ramirez is being held on no bail and is under investigation from U.S. immigration officials. 700 block of East Providencia Avenue Overnight on June 2, people broke into the auditorium of Miller Elementary School and sprayed fire extinguisher contents throughout the stage and seating area.