Thieves Take $3,000 In Equipment From RPB Biz

JUNE 24 — A deputy from the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office substation in Royal Palm Beach was dispatched to a business in the Royal Palm Town Center plaza last Sunday morning regarding a burglary. According to a PBSO report, the deputy responded to an alarm call at approximately 7:30 a.m. and arrived to discover that the front door lock had been punched out. The business owner arrived and noted that three Dell laptop computers had been stolen. The stolen items were valued at approximately $3,000. According to the report, there were surveillance video cameras at nearby businesses. There was no further information available at the time of the report.

JUNE 21 — A resident of Saratoga Lakes called the PBSO substation in Royal Palm Beach last Thursday to report a case of fraud. According to a PBSO report, the victim received a call from his bank on Thursday, June 14 inquiring about several suspicious charges that were made using his bank number. His account had been used for two purchases totaling $250. According to the report, the victim said he still had his bankcard in his possession, which he cancelled. He said he did not have any idea how his information was compromised. There were no suspects at the time of the report.

JUNE 21 — A deputy from the PBSO substation in Royal Palm Beach was dispatched last Thursday afternoon to the Walmart Supercenter on Belvedere Road regarding a shoplifter. According to a PBSO report, a loss prevention officer observed 32-year-old Nelson Smith select a portable DVD player and gaming head set. According to the report, Smith then entered the grocery department and concealed the items in a plastic bag. He then proceeded to the pet department where he opened the plastic packaging on the items and concealed them in a backpack. According to the report, Nelson then proceeded to the front exit, passing all points of purchase without attempting to pay for the items. As he exited the store, a loss prevention officer stopped him and recovered the merchandise. The stolen items were valued at approximately $193. According to the report, when the deputy searched Smith subject to his arrest, he discovered three plastic crack cocaine containers in Smith’s backpack with crack cocaine residue. Smith was arrested and taken to the Palm Beach County Jail, where he was charged with retail theft and possession of drug equipment.

JUNE 22 — A resident of 82nd Lane North contacted the PBSO’s Acreage/Loxahatchee substation last Friday morning regarding an act of vandalism. According to a PBSO report, sometime between 1:30 and 10 a.m., someone drove an unknown vehicle onto the victim’s lawn, creating several “donuts” and damaging the victim’s St. Augustine grass. The damaged grass was valued at approximately $200. There were no suspects or witnesses at the time of the report.

JUNE 23 — A deputy from the Royal Palm Beach substation was dispatched to the Super Target on Okeechobee Blvd. last Saturday regarding a delayed theft. According to a PBSO report, a loss prevention officer reported that he was watching surveillance video footage from last Thursday afternoon when he observed two unknown white males walk into the store. According to the report, the men entered the razor aisle and one of the men pulled the razors off the shelf and placed them in a backpack, while the other man stood by. The suspects then walked out of the store and did not attempt to pay for the merchandise. According to the report, they entered a four-door silver Hyundai with no hubcaps and fled the area. The suspects are described as white males in their mid-20s or early 30s. One of the men is bald and the other has brown hair and a beard. There was no further information available at the time of the report.

JUNE 23 — A resident of Counterpoint Estates contacted the PBSO substation in Royal Palm Beach last Saturday afternoon regarding a vehicle burglary. According to a PBSO report, sometime between 2 p.m. last Monday and 12:40 p.m. last Saturday, someone entered the trunk of the victim’s vehicle and stole a golf bag with numerous golf clubs and golf balls. The victim said that only the trunk was disturbed and there was no forced entry. The stolen golf bag was described as black with blue trim, and some of the clubs have his initials on them. The stolen items were valued at approximately $1,200. DNA evidence was taken at the scene, but there were no suspects or witnesses at the time of the report.

JUNE 23 — A Royal Palm Beach man was arrested last Saturday afternoon on drug charges following a traffic stop on Wellington Trace west of Forest Hill Blvd. According to a PBSO report, at approximately 5:30 p.m., a deputy from the PBSO substation in Royal Palm Beach observed an orange 2005 Pontiac driving at a high rate of speed near Forest Hill and Southern boulevards. The deputy initiated a traffic stop and made contact with the driver, 27-year-old Kenneth Franklin. According to the report, Franklin was discovered to be in possession of one 30 mg oxycodone pill and 3.8 grams of marijuana in a clear plastic bag, as well as a syringe, spoon, string and other drug paraphernalia. Franklin was arrested and taken to the county jail, where he was charged with possession of a controlled substance, possession of marijuana under 20 grams and possession of drug equipment.

JUNE 25 — A Wellington man was arrested early Monday morning on charges of drunken driving following a traffic stop on South Shore Blvd. According to a PBSO report, a deputy from the Wellington substation was called to the area after a witness reported a white van whose driver might have been drunk. The deputy located the van traveling west on South Shore Blvd. According to the report, the deputy followed the van and observed the driver barely make a right turn into his apartment complex, driving up onto the cement median and striking the bushes. The deputy activated his lights. However, the driver continued to drive, using his gate code to access the community and driving through the complex. Finally, the vehicle stopped and the deputy made contact with the driver, 50-year-old Luis Arguello. According to the report, the deputy said that Arguello smelled strongly of alcohol and had bloodshot, glassy eyes. The deputy observed that his head was bobbing back and forth as if he was dozing off, his speech was slurred, and he was unable to remember where his wallet was, even though it was in his pocket. According to the report, when Arguello exited the vehicle, he was unsure on his feet and walked sideways, as if using the van for support. Arguello refused to complete roadside tasks and was taken to the county jail, where he also refused a breath test. He was charged with driving under the influence, driving with a suspended license and refusal to submit to a DUI test.

JUNE 25 — A resident of Murcott Blvd. called the PBSO’s Acreage/Loxahatchee substation Monday morning to report an act of vandalism. According to a PBSO report, sometime between 4:30 and 5 a.m., someone damaged the victim’s mailbox with a blunt object, causing approximately $50 in damage. The victim believed a baseball bat or piece of wood was used. There were no suspects or witnesses at the time of the report.