Crime Report

Thursday, March 20 At 11:30 a.m., officers responded to a burglary in progress at a home in the 11900 block of Susan Avenue after a neighbor observed two males entering the backyard. Officers discovered the home had been broken into, but the suspects were gone. A vehicle was found abandoned and parked nearby. Inside the car were items stolen from a home in the 12700 block of Orizaba Avenue. Detectives are investigating.

Downey Police Officers Michael Powell and Mark Caswell were honored by Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) for their proactive efforts in getting drunk drivers off Downey streets. Officer Caswell arrested 65 suspected drunk drivers last year and Officer Powell arrested 51. Both were honored at the annual Law Enforcement Recognition & DUI Training Ceremony at the Skirball Cultural Center in Los Angeles.

Saturday, March 22

At 10:00 p.m., a drunk driver struck an unoccupied parked car in the area of Gurley & Cole, which caused the drunk driver’s vehicle to overturn. The driver and his 6-year-old son, who was a passenger in the back seat, both sustained minor injuries. The suspect was arrested for drunk driving and child endangerment. The Department of Child and Family Services took the 6-year-old boy into protective custody.

Sunday, March 23

At 10:00 a.m., a man was robbed at gunpoint after withdrawing money from an ATM machine at the Bank of America located at 9330 Firestone. The victim had just returned to his car when the suspect approached him with a gun and demanded his money. The suspect ran away from the area. Detectives are investigating.

At 7:00 p.m., officers arrested a 51-year-old female for being intoxicated in public in the 12400 block of Clark Avenue. During the arrest, the suspect bit one of the arresting officers on her arm, causing minor injury. The suspect was booked for being drunk in public and for assault on a police officer.

Tuesday, March 25

At 1:45 a.m., the Downey Police Department received several 911 calls of “shots heard” in the area of the 11600 block of Bellflower Blvd. When officers arrived they found 36-year-old Wayne Cooper in the vehicle suffering from gun shot wounds. Cooper was transported to a local hospital where he succumbed to his injuries. Through investigative means and with the assistance of Officers from the California Highway Patrol, 2 suspects were arrested and a weapon (believed to be the murder weapon) was recovered. The 2 suspects were interviewed and subsequently booked for murder. Charges are pending.

Information provided by Downey Police Department.

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Published: April 3, 2014 - Volume 12 - Issue 51