Police Car

A Glendale police patrol car was badly damaged Friday morning when a motorist drove through a red light at the intersection of Brand Boulevard and California Avenue, police said. No one was seriously injured in the crash, but the motorist complained of dizziness, and the officer also had minor knee aches, police said. They were taken to local hospitals for treatment. The patrol car was stopped for a red light at about 6:27 a.m. eastbound on California Avenue at Brand Boulevard when the light turned green, according to Glendale police reports.

GLENDALE — Glendale Police Community Police Partnership Unit officers are getting up close and personal to residents and business owners downtown. The officers for the past four days have been riding two Segways — two-wheeled, self-balancing personal transporters — to demonstrate to business owners the type of policing service that is available, said Glendale Police Lt. Gary Montecuollo, who heads up the unit. The Segways are on loan from Segway of Long Beach until today, but Montecuollo is looking for donations to the Glendale Police Foundation to help pay for Segways and bicycles for the unit.

Laura Sturza GLENDALE -- A high-speed chase Saturday night ended with a 25-year-old man's arrest for evading a police officer, reckless driving and possession of a deadly weapon, according to Glendale Police. Chester Timbol, who is stationed at the Twenty-Nine Palms Marine Base, was engaged in a high-speed race with another car at about 9 p.m. Saturday when police pursued him, heading south on San Fernando Road in a 2001 Toyota sports car, Sgt. Dennis Smith said.

Hazmat team responds to substance A Glendale Fire Department Hazardous Materials Team was dispatched to the back lot of the Glendale Police station Thursday after receiving reports of an unknown powdered substance found under a police car. An officer discovered a white envelope marked with what looked like gang-related writing, with specks of white powder nearby, Glendale Fire Capt. Tom Propst said. Hazmat teams took samples of the powder and determined that it was not toxic.

The following information was taken from police reports: 5200 block of San Fernando Road: A Glendale man reported Tuesday that his 1993 tractor trailer containing car seat covers was stolen. 500 block of Hawthorne Street: A Glendale woman reported Tuesday that a TV, jewelry and her son's guitar, altogether worth $565, were stolen from her house. 1400 block of East Colorado Street: A 45-year-old La Crescenta man was arrested Wednesday on suspicion of possessing methamphetamine.

Gretchen Hoffman GLENDALE -- Glendale Police are looking for possible victims of a man arrested on suspicion of burglary. Luis Castellanos, 27, of El Monte was arrested Wednesday after leading officers in a police car on a chase on bike and on foot in the area of Dryden and Jackson streets, police said. Officers found burglary tools in a backpack in addition to several items suspected of being stolen, police said. The items included silver spoons and forks, a small yellow-metal diamond ring and a chess board, police said.

Gary Moskowitz The death of one of their students near campus last week has made pedestrian safety a major priority for Crescenta Valley High School administrators and student leaders. CV High sophomore Christine Seo, 15, died Feb. 4 after she was hit by a sport-utility vehicle in a crosswalk at the busy intersection of Altura and Pennsylvania avenues. The driver of the SUV was arrested on suspicion of being under the influence. The girl's death prompted school and other city leaders to meet Tuesday morning to discuss changes at the intersection.

Amber Willard DUNSMORE -- Three men, ages 18 and 19, were arrested at a party following alleged scuffles with police officers. The men, arrested on suspicion of charges from public intoxication to assault on an officer, were taken into custody shortly after 11 p.m. Friday at 3649 El Caminito. Michael Paul McDay, 18, of Pasadena, was arrested on suspicion of assaulting an officer. William Dana Bower, 19, of La Canada Flintridge, was arrested on suspicion of assaulting an officer and disturbing the peace.

A Glendale police car became an unlikely hearse Tuesday night when officers hauled away an empty coffin that had been dumped on a neighborhood sidewalk, officials said. The sight of a coffin strapped to the trunk of a patrol car turned heads as it headed down Wilson Avenue and Concord Street. "We will make sure it is not stolen from a mortuary," police Sgt. Tom Lorenz said in an e-mail. "If no one claims it, it will go to auction or be donated. " The coffin had been dumped on the sidewalk in front of United Sheet Metal next to a dumpster on the 700 block of Ivy Street, according to a Glendale police report.

Jackson Bell City Council members unanimously have agreed to pay a La Crescenta woman the fair market price for her late-model sport utility vehicle that was totaled after a Glendale Police patrol officer lost control of his cruiser and crashed into it. Keri Giddens, 27, will receive $17,412 to compensate her for the loss of her 2003 Saturn VUE, city attorneys said. Officer Robert William, driving his squad car with its lights and sirens on Oct. 21, lost control while trying to dodge a motorist who failed to yield to him, police said.

A Glendale police patrol car was badly damaged Friday morning when a motorist drove through a red light at the intersection of Brand Boulevard and California Avenue, police said. No one was seriously injured in the crash, but the motorist complained of dizziness, and the officer also had minor knee aches, police said. They were taken to local hospitals for treatment. The patrol car was stopped for a red light at about 6:27 a.m. eastbound on California Avenue at Brand Boulevard when the light turned green, according to Glendale police reports.

A woman under arrest for alleged drunk driving kicked out the rear window of a Burbank police patrol car Thursday night and tried to escape near Verdugo Road, authorities said. The officers said they were forced to pull over and catch the woman, Samantha Sambucetti, 22, while calling in additional units to assist. She now faces felony vandalism charges, according to police.

A 32-year-old parolee, who was reportedly drunk at the time of his arrest Sunday night, allegedly kicked out the rear window of a Glendale police patrol while being detained, officials said. Police had already arrested Christian Martinez earlier that evening after he was yelling at employees inside the Carl's Jr. on the 400 block of West Los Feliz Road while holding a beer can, according to police reports. Officers tried talking to him outside the restaurant, but he was “uncooperative and belligerent,” according to the incident report.

Two young women approach Glendale police sergeant and city spokesman Tom Lorenz as he stood in front of the police station Friday. They ask if he knows how they can find out the names of the six officers put on paid administrative leave over charges of misconduct. She got a traffic ticket, one woman says, and wondered if it was written by one of those officers, and whether he would come to court if she fought it. "I can't tell you their names," Lorenz says. "The officers have a Bill of Rights that protects their identities while they're under investigation.

A Glendale police car became an unlikely hearse Tuesday night when officers hauled away an empty coffin that had been dumped on a neighborhood sidewalk, officials said. The sight of a coffin strapped to the trunk of a patrol car turned heads as it headed down Wilson Avenue and Concord Street. "We will make sure it is not stolen from a mortuary," police Sgt. Tom Lorenz said in an e-mail. "If no one claims it, it will go to auction or be donated. " The coffin had been dumped on the sidewalk in front of United Sheet Metal next to a dumpster on the 700 block of Ivy Street, according to a Glendale police report.

GLENDALE — A Glendale man was arrested this week after police investigators linked him to at least 48 vehicle burglaries throughout the city, officials said Thursday. Julian Duran, 25, was taken into custody Monday at his home on the 200 block of Concord Street on suspicion of burglary shortly before police sent an e-mail crime bulletin that warned residents of the spike in vehicle burglaries, South Command Lt. Brian Cohen said. Duran is allegedly responsible for at least four dozen vehicles burglaries throughout the city, but mostly in south Glendale, Cohen said.

GLENDALE — Glendale Police Community Police Partnership Unit officers are getting up close and personal to residents and business owners downtown. The officers for the past four days have been riding two Segways — two-wheeled, self-balancing personal transporters — to demonstrate to business owners the type of policing service that is available, said Glendale Police Lt. Gary Montecuollo, who heads up the unit. The Segways are on loan from Segway of Long Beach until today, but Montecuollo is looking for donations to the Glendale Police Foundation to help pay for Segways and bicycles for the unit.

Hazmat team responds to substance A Glendale Fire Department Hazardous Materials Team was dispatched to the back lot of the Glendale Police station Thursday after receiving reports of an unknown powdered substance found under a police car. An officer discovered a white envelope marked with what looked like gang-related writing, with specks of white powder nearby, Glendale Fire Capt. Tom Propst said. Hazmat teams took samples of the powder and determined that it was not toxic.

Every Thursday, Ray Keesler wears a uniform and a badge and patrols the neighborhoods of Glendale in a police car. But Keesler, a La Crescenta resident, is a volunteer. He is a member of the Glendale Police Department's Reserve Senior Volunteer Patrol. Keesler drives through the city's streets and gives citations to motorists who commit parking violations. The first step in Keesler's volunteer career involved taking part in three months of training after his background check cleared.