At its Aug. 19 meeting, the Hollywood Park City Council heard a report from Police Chief Pritchard on recent criminal activity, including identity-theft fraud, juvenile arrests tied to vehicle break-ins and discovery of a chop shop where a stolen vehicle had been disassembled.
The police chief told the council that detectives traced a fraud scheme in which a resident’s email and personal information were compromised and used to open new accounts and place about $11,000 in charges. “They clone the credit card. They get the credit card information. They clone it,” Pritchard said, describing how perpetrators produced a cloned card and a false ID to make purchases out of state.
Why it matters: the department said the fraud investigation crossed jurisdictional lines and produced video and photos used to identify suspects. Officers also reported recovering stolen jewelry by searching pawn-shop records and using LeadsOnline to place holds on suspect items for return to victims.
Pritchard told the council that San Antonio Vice aided a related case in which a stolen vehicle was found in a yard where thieves had removed the engine and other major parts. “That’s how quick they can disassemble these vehicles,” he said.
The chief reported a separate arrest of a juvenile found with multiple firearms, including a pistol modified with a device that can allow the weapon to fire automatically. “So we let the ATF know about this because that’s a federal crime, and they’re very interested in this case,” Pritchard said. He warned that the modification — and laser sights — make the weapons especially dangerous and that juveniles have been stealing and selling guns.
Police also described a pursuit that led to two juveniles who were breaking into cars; officers captured one, while another escaped. The department said it is working with federal partners on weapons and trafficking aspects.
The report included department totals and enforcement activity: “So we had 378 calls for service,” Pritchard said, and the department recorded 11 offenses and two arrests during the month highlighted in his presentation.
No formal council action was taken on the report. Council members had the opportunity to ask questions; the chief answered questions on the origin of the pawn-shop searches and the outreach to federal agencies.
Ending: Council members heard the update as part of routine public-safety reports; the department did not present an ordinance or request for funding at the meeting.