Recently in Hermosa Beach Category

The story on the two Hermosa Beach residents who went to trial on a public urination citation is getting a lot of comments (big surprise) from our readers - most of who think the pair were in the wrong. Yes, they were convicted, but some of the issues they raised were very legitimate, including the lack of "evidence" of such urination. No pictures of the puddle, no witness statements from any of the passers-by and not indication that either Mark Weber or Mario De Obregoso were untucked, unzipped or exposed. They mentioned to me that the jury was mostly senior citizens, which studies show tend to be more conservative and trusting of police officers.

I wasn't there. I'm just sayin'.

Some of the commenters chastised me for reporting what they believe is a non-story. I felt that a week-long trial at tax-payers expense (no matter whose at fault for getting it to that point) plus the city's efforts to clean-up it's image was worthy of coverage. I'm curious, what do you think? You can respond in the comments section below.

For those of you wanting to know more, I've attached a transcript of the conversation between the two and the police officers:

Weber Case.pdf

Actor Jon Cryer's former wife will not be charged with any crimes in the wake of her arrest in Hermosa Beach for suspicion of abusing her son, prosecutors said Tuesday.

"Although the child was injured, there was insufficient evidence to prove the crimes of child abuse or child neglect," Deputy District Attorney Jodi Link said in explaining why she declined to file a case against Sarah Louise Trigger.

Trigger, 40, was arrested May 28 at her home after her estranged husband and father of the 2-year-old boy injuries to his neck, police said.

Cryer is not the boy's father. The "Two and a Half Men" star does have a 9-year-old son with Trigger.

When social workers and police officers went to her home, she apparently gave different stories about the boy's injuries.

She's remained free on $100,000 bail since her arrest.

From City News Service:

A public works inspector with the city of Hermosa Beach was ordered today to stand trial on nine felony charges for allegedly accepting or soliciting bribes.

Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Darrell Mavis denied the defense's request to dismiss charges against Victor Olando Jackson.

The 47-year-old defendant is accused of accepting bribes ranging from $150 to $600 between January 2006 and October 2008 in exchange for approving work.

Jackson posted $175,000 bail after surrendering to police last November and was put on paid administrative leave from his job.

He is scheduled to return to the downtown Los Angeles courthouse on July 8 for arraignment.

Robbery suspect arrested after early morning street robbery in Hermosa Beach.

Clement Theodore Smith, a 51-year-old from Hawthorne, was arrested by officers at 1:15 a.m. this morning at Aviation and Artesia Boulevard. Smith is on parole for robbery and other serious crimes and had an ankle bracelet on to monitor his location. 

Just after 1 a.m., the victim, a 74-year-old Hermosa resident arrived home in the 2000 block of Hermosa Avenue and he noticed a newer model 4-door Japanese model vehicle stop nearby. He saw the driver get out and appear to walk down the sidewalk. The driver instead ran up to him and knocked him to the ground. The suspect threatened the victim and took his wallet before driving away. 

The victim called the police and a description was broadcast. Officer Eccles from Manhattan Beach Police was at Prospect and Artesia when the call came out and saw the suspect driving east on Artesia. Officers made a stop of the vehicle at Aviation and Artesia. Currency taken from the victim was recovered in the vehicle. 

Larry just left the Hermosa Beach police station, where he learned this from Sgt. Bob Higgins:

Police are searching a Hermosa Beach neighborhood for two three men in a white van who allegedly tried to snatch a woman off the street. The woman told police that at 2 p.m. she was in the 600 block of 4th Street when a white van pulled up. The men inside asked for directions. At the same time, the sliding side door opened and a man grabbed her and tried to pull her inside. She struggled, broke free and ran.

The woman said she could see ropes inside the van. Detectives were continuing to question her this afternoon. Police said this incident is likely connected to a previous attempted kidnapping in Redondo Beach in January.

We should have more later

I'll have a full story in tomorrow's Daily Breeze, but the basic plot line is that former Hermosa Beach resident and financial adviser Michael McDermott pleaded no contest in two separate cases Thursday to drugs, weapons and stolen properly charges and will get a year in jail.

He surrenders and is sentenced on April 1.

Previously:

Hermosa Beach drug case set for preliminary hearing

Hermosa Beach drug case continues

A man who set fire to a car parked under a fully occupied Hermosa Beach hotel was sentenced to nearly a year in jail and probation on Friday. Derek Padraig O'Donnell, 37, of North Hollywood previously pleaded no contest in Torrance Superior Court to one arson charge, according to a court clerk. He was sentenced to time served and three years probation, but will return to court April 8 for a restitution hearing.

After the July 6 pre-dawn blaze under the Quality Inn at 901 Aviation Blvd., investigators estimated the damage at about $60,000. O'Donnell, an aspiring comedian and actor who leads tours of move stars' home, was staying at the hotel with two friends. He is seen on surveillance video standing next to rented 2008 Jeep Commander just before he sets it on fire, fire investigators said.