An unusual stabbing incident occurred on Saturday, Oct. 7, after a mail theft ended in a stabbing and a trip to the emergency room.
At about 4:30 p.m., the suspect of the alleged package theft waited outside of a UPS truck as it made its routine deliveries in the media district of Burbank.
A resident in the area of Pass Avenue and Toluca Park Drive had gone outside to retrieve his package from the UPS driver when the altercation occurred, Burbank Police spokesman Sgt. Stephen Turner told the Leader.
“As the victim walked away, the suspect approached the victim [and] attempted to grab the package. After a short struggle, the suspect took the package and ran. The victim chased after the suspect and a scuffle ensued. During the fight, the victim used his pocketknife and stabbed the suspect one time,” Turner said.
According to police reports, after being stabbed, the suspect dropped the package and fled the scene. Turner said that he ran onto the “Ranch lot” of Warner Bros. Discovery located at 411 N. Hollywood Way. The suspect was on the property for a short time and intended to hide, waiting out police, according to Turner.
Not long after the suspect entered the lot however, officers located him and took him into custody without incident, Turner stated.
The suspect was transported by paramedics to a hospital where he was treated for his injury. The suspect was later booked at the Burbank Police Jail on robbery charges.
The suspect was identified as a 33-year-old resident of Denver, Colorado.
According to the Better Business Bureau, package thefts could see an increase of up to 40% in the month after Amazon Prime Day, which took place this week, so residents are advised to be vigilant of porch pirates in the coming month.
As the holidays approach, statistics indicate that the better part of the year’s package thefts will take place in November and December, though most thefts do not result in physical injury or altercation.
First published in the October 14 print issue of the Burbank Leader.
