Police Blotter: Vending Machine Free-for-All and a Wire Transfer Scam

Last week, West Hollywood saw a wire transfer scam, vandalism in an auditorium and an assault on Santa Monica Boulevard. Read on for more information on these incidents and others as compiled by the .

Friends Don't Let Friends Wire Transfer

A resident on the 1000 block of Harper Avenue lost $1,000 on June 25 to a man who had impersonated the resident's friend. The resident received an email that said his friend was in trouble in London and in need of $3,000. At 10:30 a.m., the resident went to Western Union and transferred $1,000 to what he thought was his friend. At 12 p.m., the resident was contacted by mutual friends, warning him about the email. The resident attempted to stop the payment, but the funds had already transferred. At 1:31 a.m. Sunday, the suspect requested an additional $2,000.  

Santa Monica Boulevard Assault

A man was brutally assaulted on the 8400 block of Santa Monica Boulevard early June 26. The victim was attacked by a man while walking eastbound on Santa Monica from Robertson Boulevard around 1:50 a.m., reported a witness, who asked the victim if he needed help. The suspect replied, "He's my friend," and ran with two others eastbound on Santa Monica out of view.  arrived and treated the victim, transporting him to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center for medical treatment.

While You Were Showering

A residence on the 7200 block of Fountain Avenue was burglarized June 27 at 10:20 p.m. The victim stated that someone entered his residence through an unlocked front door while he was upstairs taking a shower. The victim's 2008 MacBook worth $1,000 was taken from the kitchen table. The station is awaiting the apartment complex's surveillance footage from that evening.

Suspicious Stranger

A $100 black leather wallet, $80 in cash and two cellphones, each worth $105, were stolen from a motel room on La Cienega Boulevard on June 27. After meeting a man who claimed to be an LA County district attorney at the Santa Monica Boulevard Mother Lode bar, the victim invited the suspect back to his motel room. The suspect allegedly said he could find the man a place to live for free. The victim said after returning from the restroom around 8:40 p.m., his belongings were missing, as was the suspect. The victim does not remember the suspect's name.

Beverage Spill

Vandalism occurred at West Hollywood Park on June 27. A representative said he had secured and locked all doors to the auditorium on June 26 at 6:45 p.m. At 9:30 p.m. June 27, he saw the vending machine glass shattered and graffiti on the first step of the stairs leading to the second floor and on a utility door leading to maintenance controls, located on the north side of the auditorium. The damage amounts to $200, with an additional $135 in stolen beverages.

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