Crime & Safety

Unusual Burglary, Parolee at Large in Hermosa

Hermosa Beach police go on alert for a violent rape offender and try to track down a burglar who took money from an unusual source, say police.

A commercial burglary at the Arco gas station in Hermosa Beach is pretty unique, said Detective Mick Gaglia of the Hermosa Beach Police Department.

The 13-year department veteran has never seen a coin-operated tire inflation coin box burglarized, which is the crime that was committed at the gas station around 10:43 a.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 15. The criminal used a drill to punch the locks on the box.

The burglar got away with $188 and damaged the coin box for the pay air compressor. "I don't think there's anyone truly watching a tire inflation coin box," said Gaglia of the crime and the fact it took place in broad daylight.

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The crime is being investigated.

On Saturday, Aug. 18, HBPD was alerted to a "parolee at large" who might be in the city. Patrol units were notified and when officers found the man at 1st Street and Manhattan Avenue around 6 p.m., he fought with them but was taken into custody without any injuries, according to Hermosa Beach Neighborhood Watch. The man is on parole for a violent rape that occurred in Redondo Beach 3 years ago. 

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Gaglia said a parolee at large is someone who was convicted of a crime and released from prison early and placed on parole. An individual on probation has not served time; instead being placed on probation as a condition of their sentence. Violations while on parole or probation can lead to a warrant being issued for one's arrest.

Gaglia said that typically a parolee at large has not checked in with their parole officer or has a warrant out for their arrest on suspicion of another crime.


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