(The Center Square) – Dodgers starting pitcher Walker Buehler was robbed of over $100,000 watch in public in Los Angeles, highlighting the state of crime in the county.
The robbery occurred at the Santa Anita horse racing track in Arcadia, where the pitcher was watching a race.
“While walking within the crowd, the victim was encircled by a group of unknown suspects. These suspects limited the movement of the victim, creating confusion,” said Arcadia Police Department in a statement. “While the movement of the victim was limited, one of the suspects was able to remove the victim’s watch from their wrist. After removing the watch, the group of suspects dispersed and left the area.”
Police said Buehler was one of three victims of watch theft that day.
Excel Sports Management, which represents Buehler, said “We are grateful Walker and McKenzie [Buehler] were not harmed and Walker is focused on the playoffs.”
In Los Angeles County, theft was up 7% in 2023 compared to 2022, and 23% compared to 2020, when current Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascon first took office.
Gascon is currently 30 points behind challenger Nathan Hochman, according to the latest Los Angeles Times/Berkeley poll. 66% of Hochman supporters said a top factor in their choice was the desire to “reduce turmoil and bring needed change to the district attorney’s office.”
