Media Contact: Sgt. Hauptmann
Office: 818-937-8888
Cell: 818-299-1565
Email: GPDPIO@Glendaleca.gov

Six Arrests Made for Vehicle Theft/Carjacking Within Four Days

On August 22, 2021 at approximately 8:30 a.m., an officer assigned to Glendale Police Department’s patrol unit was parked on the 400 block of Pioneer Dr. when they were informed that there was an abandoned U-Haul truck blocking traffic near the intersection of Pacific Ave. and Milford St.  The officer was in the process of impounding the vehicle when they made contact with a male, later identified as 48-year-old Carlos Solana (transient), who stated that he gave the U-Haul keys to someone inside a nearby hotel.  During the contact, Solana attempted to run away from the officer initiating a short foot pursuit.  Assisting officers arrived and an investigation revealed that the U-Haul had been reported stolen.  Solana was arrested for vehicle theft and obstructing.

On August 25, 2021 just before 2:00 p.m., GPD officers on patrol located a stolen vehicle travelling westbound on Foothill Blvd. from Lowell Ave.  The driver, later identified as 28-year-old Joel Hernandez of South Gate, stopped in the middle of a parking lot and exited the vehicle upon seeing the officers.  Hernandez fled on foot initiating a foot pursuit.  With assistance from the GPD Airship, Hernandez was apprehended on the 9700 block of Tujunga Canyon by assisting GPD officers and arrested for vehicle theft.

On August 26, 2021 at approximately 12:30 p.m., Glendale police officers were dispatched to the 400 block of W. Cerritos Ave regarding a grand theft auto that had just occurred.  An individual had exited a vehicle and stood beside it while it was running, when a suspect opened the car door and took off with the vehicle.  Officers located the vehicle on the 3400 block of Linda Vista where 30-year-old Martin Romo (transient) had abandoned the vehicle and taken off on foot.  Officers located Romo in a narrow walkway nearby and he was subsequently arrested for carjacking, obstruction, and a non-local warrant.

Later on August 26, 2021 just after 4:00 p.m., an officer assigned to Glendale Police Department’s patrol unit located a stolen vehicle parked in a disabled parking spot in a parking lot on the 500 block of W. Colorado St.  Assisting officers arrived and the male in the driver’s seat, identified as 39-year-old Luis Bonilla of Los Angeles, and female in the passenger seat, identified as 44-year-old Veronica Colacion of Mira Loma were ordered out of the vehicle.  A search of the vehicle produced a weapon similar to that of brass knuckles that delivers an electric shock, a backpack containing several items of stolen mail from approximately 20 different people (including checks totaling over $1,000), a large sheath knife/dagger, a digital scale with heroin residue, pepper spray, an orange City of Glendale vest, and a holster for a pistol and ammunition.  Bonilla was arrested for vehicle theft, possessing metal knuckles, identity theft, mail theft (he was found to be in possession of an arrow/mailbox key), and appropriation of lost property.  Colacion was arrested for vehicle theft and identity theft.

Also on August 26, 2021 at approximately 4:00 p.m., GPD officers on patrol were dispatched to the 1700 block of Grandview Ave. regarding a burglary in progress.  While a perimeter was being established, officers located 39-year-old Perrie Larranga (transient) on the property and immediately detained him.  Throughout the investigation it was learned that Larranga had arrived to the property in a vehicle that had been reported stolen.  Larranga was subsequently arrested for burglary and vehicle theft.