La Jolla crime and public safety news: Vehicle break-ins; ATV on bike path; police blotter

Christmas Eve vehicle break-ins hit Muirlands area

A string of vehicle break-ins reported in the Muirlands area of La Jolla on Christmas Eve caused a “heartbreaking loss,” according to a social media post.

Four cars were broken into on one street and items inside were stolen, the post said. Details about the items were not immediately available.

“The heartbreaking loss is a purse from someone that cannot afford the loss,” according to the post.

Though the incidents were reported on social media, San Diego Police Department representatives said they were not reported to SDPD’s Northern Division.

The crimes joined eight other vehicle break-ins and a vehicle theft reported around La Jolla during the period of Dec. 12-29, outlined in the police blotter in this article.

“If someone is a victim of a vehicle crime, they can file the report online or call 619-531-2000 and an officer will be dispatched as soon as possible,” said police Lt. John White.

ATV causes damage on La Jolla Bike Path

An all-terrain vehicle caused damage to the La Jolla Bike Path and a nearby residence, leading volunteers who help maintain the path to issue a reminder that ATVs are not allowed on the bikeway.

Around 7:30 p.m. Dec. 20, an ATV was driven onto the bike path and sped in circles — or  “doughnuts” — on a dirt patch, volunteers reported. The wheels of the ATV sent rocks flying, and one cracked a decorative window of a home.

No one was injured, but the window needed to be replaced, according to the report.

The bike path runs between Nautilus Street and Mira Monte and is used by cyclists and pedestrians. Only regular bicycles and Class 1 and 2 electric bikes are permitted. Gas-powered motorized bikes, higher-speed Class 3 e-bikes and larger vehicles are not allowed.

Immediately east of the path are steep slopes that contain native vegetation. There also are connecting unpaved walking paths that continue south to Camino de la Costa. Some of that section is owned by La Jolla United Methodist Church.

Police blotter

Dec. 12

• Vehicle break-in/theft: 1300 block Muirlands Drive, 4 a.m.

• Felony shoplifting: 7900 block Girard Avenue, 11:20 a.m.

Dec. 16

• Felony shoplifting: 7900 block Girard Avenue, 7:09 p.m.

Dec. 17

• Use/under the influence of a controlled substance, 1900 block Parkview Terrace, 12:34 p.m.

• Felony grand theft: 600 block Tourmaline Street, 6:40 p.m.

Dec. 18

• Felony grand theft: 1100 block Prospect Street, 12:25 p.m.

• Petty theft: 6300 block La Jolla Boulevard, 10 p.m.

Dec. 19

• Felony grand theft: 8500 block El Paseo Grande, 11 a.m.

• Shoplifting: 8600 block Villa La Jolla Drive, 10:53 p.m.

Dec. 20

• Vehicle break-in/theft: 7700 block Roseland Drive, 4:14 and 4:23 a.m.

• Petty theft: 5600 block La Jolla Boulevard, 4:31 a.m.

• Fraud: 8500 block El Paseo Grande, 2:58 p.m.

• Vehicle break-in/theft: 8500 block El Paseo Grande, 3:09 p.m.

• Shoplifting: 8600 block Villa La Jolla Drive, 7:50 p.m.

Dec. 21

• Felony grand theft: 7500 block Hillside Drive, 2 a.m.

Dec. 23

• Battery: 8900 block Gilman Drive, 12:11 a.m.

• Fraud: Almahurst Row at Kneeland Row, 2:26 p.m.

Dec. 25

• Vehicle break-in/theft: 6600 block Avenida de las Pescas, midnight

• Felony vandalism: 1100 block Coast Boulevard, 2:30 a.m.

• Residential burglary: 6900 block Draper Avenue, 5 a.m.

• Driving under the influence (drugs): 2700 block Costebelle Drive, 8:08 a.m.

Dec. 26

• Vehicle break-in/theft: 6200 block Dowling Drive, 6 p.m.

Dec. 27

• Vehicle break-in/theft: 6000 block La Jolla Boulevard, 7:55 a.m.

• Felony shoplifting: 7900 block Girard Avenue, 6:40 p.m.

• Commercial burglary: 9700 block North Torrey Pines Road, 7:15 p.m.

Dec. 28

• Commercial burglary: 6900 block La Jolla Boulevard, 12:45 p.m.

Dec. 29

• Vehicle break-in/theft: 8800 block Villa La Jolla Drive, 8:30 a.m.

• Felony vehicle theft: 8400 block Via Mallorca, 3 p.m.

• Vehicle break-in/theft: 6400 block La Jolla Boulevard, 4:26 p.m.

• Residential burglary: 2400 block Calle del Oro, 10 p.m.

Dec. 30

• Petty theft: 7200 block Rue Michael, 7:30 a.m.

Jan. 2

• Use/under the influence of a controlled substance: 7500 block Girard Avenue, 7:38 a.m.

• Battery: Camino del Oro at La Jolla Shores Drive, 12:30 p.m.

Jan. 3

• Battery: Camino del Oro at El Paseo Grande, 11:12 a.m.