In what I think is a concerted effort by the Fullerton Police Department to share information, here are three recent FPD stories you may not have heard. The first two are from FPD Press Releases while the third is an update from Acting Chief Dan Hughes.
On a side note, I have been criticized for my support of the Fullerton Police Department's efforts to rid the City of graffiti. It seems some believe that tagging and vandalism are minor crimes not worthy of policing. What many are forgetting is that this effort to to gain the upper hand on taggers is was initiated by the residents of West Fullerton. They insisted that the FPD take these costly crimes seriously which they have. I appreciate city leaders who listen to and respond to the residents. Acting Chief Dan Hughes is doing everything he can to put uniforms on Fullerton's streets including placing himself on patrol in an effort to give residents the level of service they are demanding. Until someone can prove otherwise, I believe the effort is genuine and commendable, especially considering the current state of the Police Department left in the wake of the invisible Chief Sellers and a culture of corruption reminiscent of LAPD's Rampart scandal courtesy of retired FPD chief turned council member, Pat McKinley.
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Subject: Police find marijuana plants in home where put bull attacked 2-year-old
Contact: Sgt. Andrew Goodrich, Fullerton Police Department (714) 738-6838
Police and paramedics responded to a residence in the 2500 block of Larkwood last night (Dec 26) regarding a pit bull who had bitten a 2-year-old child at a home.
Fullerton Police Sgt. Andrew Goodrich said that the mother ran to a nearby neighbor with her 2 year old son and asked the neighbor to call the paramedics. Fullerton Fire responded, treated the toddler, and transported him to an area trauma center. While at the hospital, the victim was treated for a 7” laceration on his head.
The mother was house sitting for a friend, and does not live at the residence. She stepped outside the room for a moment, and then heard growling and a scream from her child. When she ran back into the room, she saw the dog standing over her child, and the child bleeding from the head.
Animal Control responded and took custody of the dog, a pit bull terrier. While searching the house for the dog, officers found a significant quantity of marijuana growing and being processed inside. The homeowner was contacted, and no arrests have been made.
Detectives are investigating both the marijuana cultivation and the possible child endangerment.
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Subject: Police arrest man in interrupted burglary case after pursuit
Contact: Sgt. Andrew Goodrich, Fullerton Police Department (714) 738-6838
Police arrested a man for residential burglary today (Dec 27) after a vehicle pursuit that started in Fullerton and ended in La Mirada. Two suspects are still outstanding.
Fullerton Police Sgt. Andrew Goodrich said that at about 12:30pm, a 12-year-old home alone called the police after three suspects entered his house, thinking no one was home. The suspects first knocked on the door, and the 12-year-old didn’t respond because he didn’t know the people. When it appeared no one was home, the suspects went into the back yard, and entered from the rear.
With the 12-year-old still on the line with dispatchers, officers responded with lights and sirens to the residence. The suspects fled in their car just as officers arrived.
Officers began chasing the suspects, who collided with a car at the intersection of Gilbert and Malvern. The suspects continued westbound on Malvern, eventually crashing into a fire hydrant in La Mirada, near
La Mirada Blvd.and Imperial Hwy. Officers’ set-up a perimeter to search for the suspects, and eventually located Deon William Oden, 23, from
Los Angeles. Oden was booked at the Fullerton Jail for burglary, felony evading, felony hit & run, and other charges.
“This method of residential burglary, sometimes referred to as “knock-knock bandits”, is becoming more common. We want to remind residents that depending upon the situation, advising someone who is at your door that you are home without opening the door is something people should consider”, said Fullerton Police Captain Dan Hughes.
The two other suspects are still outstanding. They are described as a black female in her 30s, and the other is a black male.
Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call Detective Michael Hines at (714) 773-5765, or the front desk of the Fullerton Police Department at (714) 738-6716.
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Last week FPD arrested Eric Avina, 19 yr old from Fullerton, for possession of vandalism implements. Avina is on probation and has been identified as “REKS” of the LFL tagging crew. “REKS” has been very active on the west side of town and FPD is working with his probation officer in an effort to obtain a significant jail sentence for a violation of his probation. A juvenile with the moniker of “RATE” or “RATER” was also arrested last week for vandalism, possession of vandalism tools, and possession of stolen property. Detective Bolden observed the juvenile placing “slappies” on several signs and the suspect was in possession of more than 20 U.S. Postal mail stickers that were going to be placed on various properties.
"I believe we are making some significant progress with this tagging crew," said Acting Chief Dan Hughes. "We are committed to relentlessly pursuing these individuals until their behavior stops."
