Wallet

Donald Townsend lived through the Great Depression and came out a man who valued the things he had. That's why he stashed things in the secret panel of the floor of his closet, and in the hidden drawer of his wood dresser. It was in 1949 that the Burbank city employee and card-carrying member of the electricians' union tossed his wallet in the small dresser panel and left it there - for the rest of his life. The wallet was Don's personal filing cabinet. He racked up receipts for a home construction project, all tucked neatly in the billfold.

--Lolita Harper SOUTH SAN FERNANDO DISTRICT -- The holidays can be frantic enough without the added stress of losing your wallet. Thanks to the honesty of Jose Arroyo, a 38-year-old driver for Girard & Peterson Towing, Burbank resident Martin Herrera won't have to worry about that. Arroyo had just finished towing a car to Pep Boys on Olive Avenue when he found the wallet filled with credit cards and cash, he said. He wanted to contact Herrera directly but decided instead to turn it in to police.

Ryan Carter AIRPORT DISTRICT -- Police are investigating two apparently related burglaries at the Burbank Airport Hilton. Someone who may have had a pass key for hotel rooms, entered a locked room overnight Wednesday and took the pants and wallet from a 43-year-old Nebraska man who was in the area for the Rose Bowl, Burbank Police Sgt. John Dilibert said. The man's wallet and pants were found, but $150 in cash was missing, Dilibert said. The next morning, police responded to another reported burglary, which occurred on a different floor, Dilibert said.

Amber Willard MEDIA DISTRICT NORTH -- A Burbank man, allegedly robbed of his wallet by two men after he left a bar, moments later backed his car into a police cruiser and was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence. Police were called to the 1500 block of Broadway early Monday after residents complained of noise in the area. As officers arrived, Rafael Ceja allegedly backed into one of the patrol cars. He told police that he had been robbed minutes earlier by two men as he left a nearby bar. Ceja was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence and his alleged robbers could not be found by police.

Lolita Harper HILLSIDE DISTRICT -- A 46-year-old Sunland woman was arrested after she allegedly opened her wallet to give police her driver's license and a bag of illegal drugs fell out, police said. Denise Lex reportedly was visiting her ex-husband on May 23 in the 500 block of 6th Street and refused to leave when he asked her to, Burbank Police Sgt. John Dilibert said. The man then called the police. While interviewing the man, the police saw a gun on a couch that the man said belonged to Lex. Police asked Lex for her driver's license, but when she opened her wallet a small bag fell out that allegedly contained methamphetamines, Dilibert said.

The following information was taken from police reports: SOUTH SAN FERNANDO DISTRICT 300 block of North Victory Boulevard: A 19-year-old Montebello man was arrested Wednesday on suspicion of attempted kidnapping after allegedly trying to force his ex-girlfriend into his car. The man approached the victim, a 19-year-old Burbank woman several times, before eventually grabbing her and pulling her toward his car. People...

The following incidents were taken from police reports. HILLSIDE DISTRICT 500 block of North Sunset Canyon: Police are investigating a report of damage done to a mailbox May 27. Witnesses told police they heard a loud, sharp noise shortly after midnight. The mailbox was found off its base and lying mangled in the street, said police, who suspect a small explosive device was used. HILLSIDE DISTRICT 600 block of Olive Avenue: Police are investigating a report of an attempted robbery Thursday.

Police investigating thefts at Century 21 MAGNOLIA PARK -- Police are investigating thefts in two Century 21 offices that happened just hours apart. In the first incident, about 11 a.m. July 16 at 1501 W. Magnolia Blvd., an employee's wallet was stolen from her purse. In the second, about four hours later at 2300 W. Magnolia Blvd., another employee's wallet was stolen. After the first incident, the victim told police that thousands of dollars had been charged to her credit card.

Darleene Barrientos With the deals being offered at stores during the holiday season, police say it is easy to get distracted and have a wallet or credit card stolen. Authorities want people to remember to be cautious when navigating the crowded malls and shopping centers this year. Common sense can keep a wallet or purse from being stolen, Glendale Police Sgt. Sue Hodgman said. Hodgman oversees the department's Glendale Galleria substation.

Donald Townsend lived through the Great Depression and came out a man who valued the things he had. That's why he stashed things in the secret panel of the floor of his closet, and in the hidden drawer of his wood dresser. It was in 1949 that the Burbank city employee and card-carrying member of the electricians' union tossed his wallet in the small dresser panel and left it there - for the rest of his life. The wallet was Don's personal filing cabinet. He racked up receipts for a home construction project, all tucked neatly in the billfold.

McKinley Elementary School families are accustomed to browsing titles penned by prominent authors at their annual book fair. Next year, there will be some familiar names in the mix. Scholastic officials made a surprise visit to the Burbank campus Thursday where they announced that a fiction work written and illustrated by seven third-grade students had been selected as the grand prize winner in the company's Kids are Authors competition. “Two Dollars, One Wallet” will be published and sold at Scholastic's 116,000 school book fairs across the country next year, said regional field sales manager Alan Gilreath.

I've read the recent letters regarding bicycle scofflaws with great interest because I am in full agreement with them and I sympathize with their frustrations with the city government (“Educate drivers, not bicyclists” Nov. 23). Whether it is distracted drivers speeding on residential streets, chronic water wasters or bicyclists ignoring stop signs on Kenneth while riding side by side, they are all scofflaws who are willfully violating the laws and often endangering themselves and others by their actions.

?2600 block of North Parish Place: A Burbank woman reported Friday that someone had stolen her brother?s 1996 Honda Accord while it was parked on the street. ?200 block of East Burbank Boulevard: A Van Nuys man reported on Friday that someone stole a laptop computer from the trunk of his vehicle. The man said he had just purchased the laptop from Fry?s and placed it in the trunk of his 2008 Honda. He then drove to Office Depot and went into the store. While he was in the store, someone smashed his vehicle window, released the trunk latch and stole the laptop.

Differing opinions on speeding picture Wow. It sure was lucky that your photographer, Dan Watson was on the south end of Mariposa Street to snap the picture of a car speeding by the slow-down warning (Residents driving in circles, April 2-3). The car almost looks to be on the other side of the street, too. Now let's be fair and publish a picture of an emergency vehicle (fire truck, paramedics) using valuable seconds to come to a complete stop at a speed bump before it can continue to a burning home or a person who is gasping for breath.

Mark R. Madler The city is forecasting a $500,000 increase in its fuel costs in the coming fiscal year, a reflection of surging gasoline prices. Financial Services Director Derek Hanway said Monday that the fiscal year 2005-06 budget being prepared includes $1.25 million for fuel purchases. The current budget allocates $750,000 for gasoline and natural gas, an amount Hanway expected to be topped, he said. With fuel prices nearing $3 a gallon at the pump, Councilwoman Stacey Murphy said the city was taking a financial hit like everyone else.

The following information was taken from police reports: NORTHWEST DISTRICT 900 block of South Victory Boulevard: A truck rental business on Monday reported a grand theft of less than $1,000. 1600 block of Naomi Street: A Burbank man reported Sunday that his unlocked car had been entered and a wallet and other contents valued at $15 had been taken. 4400 block of Victory Boulevard: A 32-year-old Burbank man was arrested Saturday on suspicion of driving under the influence.

Darleene Barrientos With the deals being offered at stores during the holiday season, police say it is easy to get distracted and have a wallet or credit card stolen. Authorities want people to remember to be cautious when navigating the crowded malls and shopping centers this year. Common sense can keep a wallet or purse from being stolen, Glendale Police Sgt. Sue Hodgman said. Hodgman oversees the department's Glendale Galleria substation.