Manhattan Beach has experienced a variety of criminal activities over the past week, including auto theft, residential burglary, and vandalism. The Manhattan Beach Police Department (MBPD) released its weekly crime summary, highlighting notable incidents between July 17 and last Wednesday. According to the MBPD update, officers responded to 765 calls for service and arrested 13 individuals during this period.
In one noted event, a man stole a bicycle from a garage, despite it being locked to a pipe. "Surveillance video showed a Hispanic male in his 30s, with a thin build, wearing a black/gray hooded sweater, carrying a black backpack, entering the garage with bolt cutters," the statement explained. He was then seen leaving with the bicycle. The burglary occurred in the 200 block of 40 Street at about 10:06 p.m. on July 17. Moreover, the same week, a Middle Eastern male in a green Adidas tracksuit was seen exiting a garage on Elm Avenue after allegedly stealing a diaper bag, which contained the garage remote.
The statistics also include 16 traffic collisions and detail the top 8 crime categories, with theft and residential burglary topping the list. There were no reported business burglaries, or robberies during the week. The MBPD highlighted six theft cases, primarily in patrol areas 3 and 4 which saw a spate of incidents, including vehicle burglaries and an act of vandalism linked to a troubling new social media trend.
MBPD also issued a warning about the viral "Door Kick Challenge" on TikTok – a daring act where "Juveniles run up to the front doors of residences and kick the door before running away." This activity was associated with an incident of vandalism on Maple Avenue, where a juvenile damaged a residence's front door by kicking it. The department urges parents to talk to their kids about the consequences of participating in such challenges, highlighting the potential for both injury and criminal charges.
These incident reports serve as a reminder for residents to stay vigilant, secure their property, and report any suspicious activity. As crime invariably weaves its way through the community fabric, the collective effort can make a difference in both preventing and solving these occurrences. The MBPD continues to advise residents on safety measures and encourages everyone to contribute to maintaining the peace and security of Manhattan Beach.
