Crime Blotter, Jan. 19: Cell phones snatched from pedestrians

Area 1

2400 block of Olive Avenue: The rear passenger window of a black Jetta was smashed sometime between 9 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 15, and 10:30 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 16. The car doors had been left locked and it appeared no entry was made. No items were reported missing.

2900 block of Community Avenue: A woman’s iPhone 4S was stolen at 8 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 14. The victim was running on the track at Crescenta Valley High School when a teenager, approximately 18, approached her and asked to use her cell phone. After dialing a number for him and handing him the phone, she watched as the man began speaking on the phone, then ran off, climbing into a black Toyota 4Runner that left the scene.

2200 block of Mira Vista Avenue: A Honda Civic was vandalized when an unknown chemical was poured on its front passenger-side quarter panel, burning and melting off the paint, sometime between 5 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 12, and 6:30 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 13. The damage was estimated at $2,000.

La Crescenta Avenue and El Caminito: A man allegedly stole a cell phone from a woman as she was walking at 3 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 12. The victim said she was shoved from behind and her phone was grabbed out of her hand, without a word being spoken by the suspect, who then ran out of view.

Area 2

4700 block of La Cañada Boulevard: The left side mirror of a Mercedes E320 was stolen sometime between 10:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 11, and 8:30 a.m. on Thursday, Jan. 12. The mirror was removed cleanly, and the wiring connecting it to the car was cut. The value of the mirror and cut wiring was estimated at $1,000.

5300 block of Ocean View Boulevard: The key to a BMW M3 was stolen out of its owner’s mailbox sometime between noon and 6 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 13. The key had been mailed to its owner. The envelope in which it had been mailed was found torn open in the mailbox, but the key was gone.

Area 3

600 block of Foothill Boulevard: A man stole two purses from the T.J. Maxx on Foothill Boulevard at 2:51 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 16. The man waited in line as if to pay for the purses, but then ran out of the store. Security cameras captured footage of the crime.

800 block of Foothill Boulevard: An iPad 2 was stolen from the AT&T Store on Foothill Boulevard at 6:45 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 12. A man entered the store and asked a customer service representative about insurance plans for his wireless phone. The suspect said the plans were too expensive, asked for a bag and left. After he left, store employees realized a store iPad 2 was missing. Security camera footage revealed the man picking up the iPad and then holding it while talking to the store employee, before putting it in the bag and walking out.