Eddie Ritz|Palm Beach Post
Lantana Police
Grand theft auto: Lending his car to someone who he knows from “seeing him around in Lantana,” a man called police from his home in the 1000 block of Watertower Way saying that the vehicle had not been returned. He said although they had not agreed upon a return date, the man who he’s seen “around in Lantana” has had his vehicle for three weeks. Contacted by police, the seen “around in Lantana” man was curt with the officer stating that “I was given permission to drive his vehicle.” He then added “I’m not talking to the police, I don’t need to speak with you” and hung up. Though police attempted to call him again, he would not pick up the phone. The car was entered as “attempt to locate.” The officer informed the owner that the vehicle will be listed as stolen if he is unable to obtain it.
Suspicious person: Walking around on the sidewalk outside a business in the 800 block of East Windward Way, and seemingly without any destination, a man drew the attention of a few concerned customers. On his phone as police walked up, the man quickly hung up and began an interesting conversation with the officer. Though he initially claimed to ownmultiple units on the property, he quickly changed his answer to one when questioned further and even then didn'tknow which unit or the exact address. He continued to avoid questions relating to the property. A records check showed his address to be in Miami and he could not give a clear answer as to why he was even in Lantana. He was advised to knock off the suspicious behavior. He left the area without incident. A short while later, asthe officer was about to leave, the reporting party approached him and let him know that the man had been using his cellphone to video his wife while she worked out at the gym. He saidthe voyeur would pretend to be talking on his phone and then record his wife through the window as she walked by.
Grand theft: A store in the 600 block of West Lantana Roadthat specializes in the cleaning and alterations of clothingwas the target of a robbery.The unknown perpetrator entered the store and stole a sports jacket belonging to a customer. The jacket, which had been left at the store for alterations, was worth approximately $2,000. Whether the thiefhad/or has any knowledge of the jacket's value is unknown. There were no surveillance cameras in the store or general area.
North Blotter: Drunk woman goes on offensive, becomes offensive
West Palm Beach Police
Shoplifting: Walking into a store in the 2500 block of Okeechobee Boulevard, a man and woman wasted no time in getting down to business. The business of stealing. In just four minutes the dishonorable duo managed to select three pairs of shoes andrun out of the store. The man was carrying two pairs and the woman had one. The entire incident was captured, in great detail, by the store’s surveillance cameras. The three pairs of shoes were worth nearly $300. After running from the store, the pair jumped into their car and were last seen heading east on Okeechobee Boulevard.
Shoplifting: After entering a store in the 1800 block of Palm Beach Lakes Boulevard, a man and woman set their plan in motion. While the woman looked at and began hiding various pieces of jewelry in her purse, the man attempted to stand lookout and do it in such a way as to block the surveillance cameras. Though the woman excelled at her job, the man, not so much. He failed to block the cameras and even drew the attention of theloss prevention associate who had begun following them. The woman then selected eight bracelets and placed them on her wrist. For their grand finale, the man grabbed a pair of shoes and together they walked out without paying. The items were worth over $125. The caper was captured on surveillance and police were able to obtain a copy and enter it into evidence.
Shoplifting: A man selected three dolls and multiple pieces of electronic equipment while "shopping"at a store in the 1700 block of Palm Beach Lakes Boulevard. The "shopper"became a perpetrator as he passed all points of sale and ran down the stairs and out of the store, activating the theft alarm. He managed to steal over $500 in merchandise. The incident was captured by the store’s surveillance cameras.
Drug possession: Sitting in a parked car that matched the description of one containing two drug users, a man and a woman were approached by a housing authority officer in the 500 block of 21st Street. Appearing nervous, both the man and woman refused to make eye contact with the officer and their hands were shaking. Though he could see a syringe and orange capsule in plain view, the officer asked if there were any drugs in the car. After a moment, the man uttered that he had fentanyl and then removed it from his backpack. The occupants were told to step out of the vehicle. Complying with police, the man then explained that he had “scored” the drugs at a nearby business earlier and had then called the woman to come pick him up. A search of the vehicle revealed a case in driver’s side door that contained several capsules of white powder. The woman told police that she’d been using for a year behind her wife’s back and that she was under the belief that she was clean. Both the man and woman were charged with drug possession and taken to the Palm Beach County Jail. The woman’s wife, and owner of the car, came and got the vehicle.
Sheriff’s Office, West Palm Beach
Vandalism: Parked in the driveway of her home in the 5900 block of Triphammer Road, a woman’s car was targeted by vandals. The perpetrator smashed the back window of the vehicle with an unknown object before leaving the area. There was surveillance footage which the victim was in the process of retrieving to share with deputies.
Vandalism: A classroom at a school in the 8300 block of Okeechobee Boulevard was illegally entered and vandalized. The teacher’s bible was thrown into a trash can and water was poured on it. In addition, there was graffiti on the walls, papers were ripped off an easel and floor mats were strewn about. The perpetrator(s) left behind two pairs of jeans, a jean jacket and disposable cup of coffee. Photos were taken of the incident and submitted into evidence. The damage was estimated at over $100.
Vandalism: The opening of a woman’s mailbox at her residence in the 4900 block of 126th Drive North, was ripped off. The damage to the mail receptacle was estimated at $116.
Compiled by Eddie Ritz from law enforcement records.
