Thursday, June 30, 2011

Highlighted Activity - June 23 - 28, 2011

During the last six-day period, the Police Department handled 541 service events, resulting in 77 investigations. Following are the last week's highlighted issues and events:

National Night Out Against Crime

On Tuesday, August 2, 2011, neighborhoods throughout Monrovia have been invited to join forces with over 34 million people from thousands of communities nationwide who will be participating in the Annual National Night Out Against Crime. This event is designed to: 1) Heighten crime and drug prevention awareness; 2) Generate support and participation in local anti-crime efforts; 3) Strengthen neighborhood spirit and police/community relations; and 4) Send a message to criminals, letting them know that our neighborhoods are organized and are fighting back. This event will also kick off the start of our new "Keep Kids Alive Drive 25" residential speeding traffic safety campaign. See the attached letter and flyer for details.

Structure Failure

On June 23 at 4:45 p.m., police were called to the Vons Pavilion's store in the 100 block of West Foothill regarding a structure failure. A loud bang was heard and the roof began to collapse. The Police and Fire Departments responded and helped to evacuate the building. There were no injuries. The air conditioning unit had a water leak and had weakened the supports. The building recently had solar panels installed on the roof, adding weight.

Attempt Robbery - Suspect Arrested

On June 24 at 8:00 p.m., police received a call from a female victim who reported that a male subject had tried to take her purse by force in the 700 block of East Huntington. The suspect failed and fled the area out of sight. The suspect was seen on video surveillance approaching the victim and trying to take her purse. The video provided a good image of the suspect, which was given to officers. During the investigation, an officer located a subject matching the description, and the victim and a witness positively identified the suspect. He was arrested, and during a subsequent interview, admitted to the offense.

Chemical Extraction / Chemical Synthesis of a Controlled Substance

On June 24 at 8:45 p.m., the Fire Department was dispatched to an apartment complex in the 700 block of West Foothill regarding a burn victim. When they arrived, they were told a male and female were burned while cooking in the kitchen, but there was no evidence to support their statements, the firemen requested police. The burn victims had already been transported to a hospital when officers arrived.

During the investigation, officers discovered what initially appeared to be a pipe bomb. Further examination and questioning of the male victim revealed the item was not a pipe bomb, but a homemade plastic device used to extract a chemical from marijuana. The male subject had researched the process online. During the process, the gases from the chemicals located an ignition source from a wall heater and ignited. The female subject suffered burns to her lower legs. The male subject sustained 2nd degree burns to 25 percent of his body, which included his arms, face and back. The investigation is continuing. Charges will be filed with the District Attorney's office.

Grand Theft Auto Recovery - Suspect Arrested

On June 25 at 3:12 a.m., an officer was traveling west in the 100 block of West Huntington. A computer check of the license plate indicated the vehicle was stolen. The officer made a u-turn and the driver turned around and headed west. The officer waited for additional units to arrive and then conducted a traffic stop. During the investigation, it was discovered the vehicle was reported stolen out of San Gabriel from a rental car company. The driver was taken into custody without incident and the investigation is continuing.

Driving Under the Influence - Suspect Arrested

On June 25 at 11:38 p.m., an officer was approached by a citizen who reported a vehicle screeching its tires in the Albertson's parking lot in the 700 block of East Huntington. The vehicle was currently in the drive through line at a fast food restaurant. The officer followed the vehicle as it left the area, heading east on Huntington and then south on Mountain. The driver was traveling at 50 miles per hour on Mountain before the driver was stopped. During the investigation, the driver was determined to be under the influence and was arrested.

Driving Under the Influence - Suspect Arrested

On June 26 at 2:03 a.m., an officer was in the area of Foothill and Mayflower when she noticed a vehicle traveling north on Mayflower failed to stop for a red signal as the driver turned east on Foothill. The driver was stopped in the 400 block of West Foothill. During the investigation, the driver was determined to be under the influence and was arrested.

Hit and Run Traffic Collision / City Property Damage

On June 26 at 4:46 a.m., officers were dispatched to the 200 block of Terrace Drive regarding a water problem. When officers arrived, they discovered a vehicle had struck a fire hydrant. Officers followed wet tire marks left by the vehicle up a driveway and spoke with the resident, who admitted striking the hydrant while backing out of his driveway.

Residential Burglary - Suspect Arrested

On June 26 at 7:21 p.m., officers were dispatched to a residence in the 100 block of North Canyon regarding a burglary. This location was being fumigated and was tented. An employee of the fumigation company arrived to inspect the location and noticed a large tear in the back of the tent. He looked through the tear and saw two assault rifles and a baseball cap on the ground, between the tent and the exterior of the residence. Investigation revealed the home was burglarized and the two assault rifles belonged to the resident. The resident reported that he owned a .22 caliber pistol that was also inside the house. Because of the chemicals used for the fumigation, the homeowner could not enter to conduct an inventory of his property and officers could not enter to clear the house. The assault rifles were recovered and placed into evidence for safe keeping.

Several hours later, a Glendale police officer stopped a bicyclist in their city. The bicyclist was found to be in possession of the homeowner's .22 caliber pistol. The bicyclist is a former Monrovia resident that is currently transient. Glendale Police Department recovered the pistol and arrested the bicyclist.

Assault With a Deadly Weapon / Shooting at an Inhabited Dwelling

On June 26 at 9:31 p.m., police dispatch received several 9-1-1 calls regarding shots fired in the 900 block of West Colorado. One victim was reported to have been shot. A blue BMW occupied by four male subjects was seen parked near the apartment complex. The male victim was on the second story balcony of an apartment, and several shots were fired in his direction. The victim sustained gunshot wounds to his right leg and knee. The shots were fired from inside the apartment complex front gate. The shooter was not seen. The BMW then fled the scene in an unknown direction. The victim was transported to a hospital for treatment; his injuries are not life threatening. The blue BMW is a vehicle of interest at this point. The investigation is continuing.

Domestic Battery - Suspect Arrested

On June 26 at 10:54 p.m., officers were sent to a residence in the 100 block of West Cherry regarding a family disturbance. The investigation revealed that an argument had occurred between a husband and wife, resulting in the husband pushing the wife to the ground. The wife sustained visible red marks on her back. The husband was arrested for spousal battery and taken into custody. The wife was issued an emergency protective order, which was served to the husband before he was released on citation.

Domestic Battery - Suspects Arrested

On June 27 at 1:30 a.m., officers were sent to a residence in the 500 block of South Magnolia regarding a family disturbance. The investigation revealed a pushing match between a boyfriend and girlfriend, resulting in minor visible injuries to both parties. The boyfriend was arrested for spousal battery and taken into custody. Due to medical issues, a verified complaint request was completed on the female subject for spousal battery and will be submitted to the District Attorney's office for review. During the course of this investigation, a male associate of the couple was present. A computer check revealed he had a want issued by the Monrovia Police Department for spousal abuse; he was also arrested and taken into custody.

Grand Theft - Suspect Arrested

On June 28 at 8:28 a.m., an officer was dispatched to the Home Depot in the 1600 block of South Mountain regarding a subject detained for shoplifting. The value of the items the subject had concealed in his pockets totaled $975.00. The loss prevention officer completed a private person's arrest, and the suspect was taken into custody.

Delaying and Obstructing a Peace Officer / Mental Evaluation

On June 28 at 8:30 a.m., officers responded to the report of a male subject throwing items and yelling at cars. He was last seen north on Myrtle heading toward Huntington. When the officer arrived, the subject ran north on Myrtle to Walnut and a foot pursuit began. A detective tried to intercept the subject, but the subject swung at him several times. The subject ran east on Walnut, stopped, and tried to run again, but was taken into custody. The subject was not under the influence, but was determined to require mental evaluation. The subject was cited and taken to a hospital, where he was held for mental evaluation.

Residential Burglary

On June 28 at 1:39 p.m., officers responded to a residence in the 300 block of Bradbury regarding a possible break-in. The reporting party stated she and her mother left the residence at 10:30 a.m. and locked the front door, which is not visible from the street. When they returned, they found the front door had been forced open and they called police. Officers cleared the home and found the master bedroom ransacked. Some jewelry had been taken.

Residential Burglary

On June 28 at 7:10 p.m., residents in the 600 block of Parkrose left their home on June 24 and were gone for several days. When they returned on June 28, they found their home had been burglarized. Unknown suspect(s) pried open the backdoor and ransacked the interior of the location. Two handguns and items of jewelry were stolen. Investigation continuing.

Thursday, June 23, 2011

Highlighted Activity - June 16 - 22, 2011

During the last seven day period, the Police Department handled 540 service events, resulting in 92 investigations. Following are the last week's highlighted issues and events:

Grand Theft Auto / Residential Burglary / Pursuit - Suspect Arrested

On June 17, 2011, the Special Enforcement Team (SET) received information that a suspect with a stolen vehicle was in the southwest area of our city. Members of SET and patrol responded to the area and found the moving vehicle in the 800 block of West Huntington. The vehicle was being driven by a male adult. Members of the Special Enforcement Team attempted to stop the vehicle. The driver of the vehicle fled from the officers and a short pursuit ensued.

In an effort to evade officers, the fleeing suspect drove at high rates of speed and ran several red lights. The suspect then purposely sideswiped several parked cars on a residential street. He then turned the wrong way on a one way street into oncoming traffic. The suspect slowed down in the 200 block of East Central and then jumped out of the vehicle while it was still moving. A short foot pursuit followed, and the suspect was caught and arrested. The vehicle the suspect was driving had been stolen from Altadena. The vehicle contained personal property which had been stolen in residential burglaries in Altadena and Glendora. The suspect had items stolen from these burglaries on his person when arrested. See Detective Bureau Case Follow-up section below.

Child Annoying / Stalking - Suspect Arrested

July 17 at 10:57 p.m., a 17-year-old female subject ran into a gas station in the 800 block of East Huntington. She asked the clerk for help because she was being followed by a male adult. The police were called. The victim reported that she was walking eastbound on Huntington at Mayflower when a male subject approached her numerous times and kept hugging her. She pushed him away, but he continued to follow her. The suspect also made attempts to pull her into parking lots as she tried to get away. At one point, the suspect approached her and she kicked him in the groin and ran to the gas station.

An officer located the suspect, who was still in the area of Huntington and Mountain, and detained him. The suspect told the officer he had followed the female because she was attractive, and he thought she was flirting with him. He also stated he did not know the victim was a juvenile. The suspect was taken to his vehicle, which he had left parked in the 400 block of West Huntington. Officers searched the suspect's vehicle, but no additional evidence was located. The suspect was arrested. Information was sent out to police agencies regarding the description of the suspect and vehicle.

Hit and Run Traffic Collision

June 18 at 4:03 p.m., a black Toyota collided into the left side of another vehicle and the driver drove away, west on Huntington, without stopping to exchange information. The victim was able to get the license plate number, which is registered to a residence in the 1600 block of South Mayflower, Monrovia. Officers went to that address, but the vehicle was not there. The investigation is continuing.

Vehicle Burglary

June 21 at 9:05 p.m., a resident in the 300 block of South Fifth reported someone entered his vehicle by prying the door open and then pried open the console. The crime occurred sometime between June 19 and 20. There was no loss.

Vehicle Burglary

June 21 at 11:55 p.m., an officer heard a vehicle alarm activate in the lot across the street from the police station in the 100 block of Lime. He located a vehicle that had a smashed window. He also located two witnesses who were walking through the lot when the crime occurred. The vehicle was registered to a business in the 100 block of East Lime. When the victim arrived, he learned the suspect's description and realized it matched an employee who had quit his job that same day. Later that day, the victim received a phone call from the ex-employee/suspect. The suspect apologized to the victim and offered to make restitution.

Assault With a Deadly Weapon / Criminal Threat

On June 22 at 11:26 a.m., officers responded to a residence in the 500 block of Almond. The caller reported that his 15-year-old sister had a knife and had threatened to kill him and his other sister. When officers arrived, the subject no longer had the knife. Officers determined crimes had been committed and detained the suspect. She was arrested and brought to the station, and later taken to Eastlake Juvenile Detention Center.

Assault With a Deadly Weapon

June 23 at 5:22 a.m., police received a report of two males fighting at a residence in the 500 block of East Foothill. One of the men threatened the other with a machete and was arrested by officers. There were no injuries.

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Detective Bureau - Case Follow-up

Burglary at Radio Shack - Detective Received a Felony Arrest Warrant

On May 22, 2011, a male adult suspect entered the Radio Shack and went to the locked camera case. The suspect used a pair of bolt cutters he had hidden in his pants' pocket to cut the lock. The clerk heard the noise and went to investigate. The suspect quickly left the store without taking anything from the camera case. The clerk watched the suspect get into a car. The clerk obtained the license plate number of the car. The detective interviewed the registered owner over the telephone. The registered owner admitted he had been inside the store and that he uses bolt cutters in his job. The suspect denied cutting the lock. The suspect also refused to come to the police station. The detective filed the case with the District Attorney's office, and the District Attorney filed a felony arrest warrant complaint for the suspect for second degree commercial burglary.

Residential Burglar & Car Thief Arrested After Pursuit Faces a Seven Count Felony Complaint

On June 17, 2011, the Special Enforcement Team (SET) officers arrested a suspect for grand theft auto after a short pursuit - see first paragraph in this report for details. The detective presented this case to the District Attorney's office and the District Attorney filed a seven count felony criminal complaint against the suspect. The suspect was charged with the Altadena residential burglary, the Glendora residential burglary, grand theft auto, felony evading, possession of a firearm, possession of ammunition, and possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine).

Thursday, June 16, 2011

Highlighted Activity - June 9 - June 15, 2011

During the last seven day period, the Police Department handled 567 service events, resulting in 86 investigations. Following are the last week's highlighted issues and events:

Vehicle Burglary

On June 9 at 7:19 p.m., officers responded to a hotel in the 700 block of West Huntington regarding a Toyota 4Runner that had a window smashed. A laptop computer was taken from the vehicle. The burglary occurred between 5:30 and 7:19 p.m.

72-Hour Mental Evaluation

On June 9 at 11:01 p.m., officers were dispatched to a residence in the 200 block of West Palm regarding a subject who claimed to have overdosed on pills. His girlfriend reported he had left the location and was now calling her, repeatedly, and leaving text messages, stating he took pills and wanted to die. The subject was located by officers at Huntington and California. He was taken to a hospital and placed on a 72-hour hold for mental evaluation.

Traffic Collision / Driving Under the Influence - Driver Arrested

On June 10 at 3:59 a.m., officers responded to the report of a solo vehicle traffic collision at Myrtle and Huntington. A witness stated that the vehicle was eastbound on Huntington at a high rate of speed when it hit the east curb of Myrtle, just south of Huntington. The vehicle flipped around and landed facing west on the sidewalk. The driver did not sustain any injuries, but he was determined to be intoxicated. He was arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol.

Residential Burglary

On June 10 at 10:06 p.m., a resident left home at approximately 8:15 a.m. and returned home at 9:45 p.m. When she returned, she found the back sliding door leading into the family room wide open. The family room and master bedroom were ransacked. A laptop computer and miscellaneous jewelry were taken. The suspect entered through the unlocked, back sliding door.

Receiving Stolen Property - Suspect Arrested

On June 11 at 8:31 p.m., an officer saw a bicyclist wearing dark clothing and carrying a backpack in the area of Monterey and Olive, riding on the wrong side of the roadway. The officer detained the subject regarding the violation and discovered the bicycle he was riding was stolen. The victim of the stolen bicycle reported the theft to the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department, Temple Station. The subject was arrested for receiving stolen property. The subject also had miscellaneous tools inside of his backpack, but possession of burglary tools could not be established.

Missing Hikers

On June 13 at 7:31 a.m., a female subject called from Canyon Park to report that her boyfriend and a friend of his went on a hike a day ago and had not returned. She said the two men were going to Rincon to retrieve the friend's backpack they had left behind on a hike several days prior. Officers responded and Sierra Madre Search & Rescue was notified. Search and Rescue and the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department helicopter searched and located the two men, safe and in good health.

Vehicle Burglary

On June 13 at 1:46 p.m., the victim of a vehicle burglary came in to the police department lobby to make a report. He lives in the 200 block of Jasmine. He had parked his vehicle in its assigned parking stall after midnight on June 4 and used his keyless remote to lock it. He returned to the vehicle at about 8:00 a.m. to go to work without realizing someone had broken into it. He later discovered his iPod and other property was missing.

Delaying a Peace Officer / Possession of Drug Paraphernalia

On June 13 at 2:14 p.m., officers went to a business in the 400 block West Foothill regarding two male subjects sitting in a vehicle, possibly selling drugs. An officer arrived and detained the male and a female occupant of the vehicle and a second male subject standing outside of the vehicle. The investigation did not reveal any drugs; however, the female provided a false name to officers and was found to be in possession of two syringes she uses to inject heroin. The male subjects were identified and the female arrested.

Grand Theft

On June 13 at 2:42 p.m., an officer was dispatched to a business in the 100 block of West Walnut regarding theft of copper worth $1500.00. It appears the suspects entered the yard of the location by jumping over a fence adjacent to an alley. The suspects pried open a door and removed a spool of copper wire.

Burglary

On June 13 at 3:54 p.m., officers responded to a business in the 1600 block of South Mountain regarding a subject who was caught stealing a large amount of merchandise. When they arrived, they determined the suspect is a juvenile. The suspect entered the store with another adult suspect who told him he would pay him $30.00 if he pushed the cart out of the store. The juvenile agreed and was caught. He was arrested, booked, and later released to a parent.

Transformer Fire

On June 13 at 5:47 p.m., officers responded to the Shell Gas Station at Huntington and Monterey regarding a blown transformer that had caused a fire in the car wash and multiple traffic signals to black out. Edison was advised and responded. There was minimal impact to traffic as Edison advised the street could be reopened. It appears there was a short in an underground power line.

Vehicle Theft

On June 14 at 1:39 p.m., officers responded to a business in the 600 block of West Huntington. The reporting party told the officer that on June 1 at about 2:28 p.m. they parked their forklift to the rear of the business. She was off for a few days and returned on June 5 and noted the forklift was not there. She figured it had been picked up for maintenance. On June 11 she returned to work and the forklift was still not at the business. She called United Rentals, the owner of the forklift, to ascertain if they had picked it up for service and they did not have it. She reviewed surveillance tapes and found that on June 5 a male Hispanic suspect, wearing a black shirt, white shorts, white sox, and black shoes stole the forklift.

Assault With a Deadly Weapon / Robbery

On June 14 at 11:51 p.m., a 23-year-old, male, white victim was walking east on Fano when he was approached by a male Hispanic subject, also possibly in his twenties, about 6 foot 2 inches, thin build, wearing a light colored hooded sweatshirt with dark trim. The suspect passed by him, and the victim only remembers being struck from behind and passing out. He came to consciousness and found his wallet had been taken. The wallet contained $2 cash and some business cards. The victim was taken by a friend to a hospital, where he was treated for his injuries. Monrovia Police Department was summoned to the hospital.

Theft From a Vehicle

On June 15 at 7:26 a.m., an officer went to the 1100 block of East Lemon. The victim discovered his car, which they had left unlocked, had been rummaged through sometime last night or early morning. He checked his vehicle and found the laptop and GPS system was stolen. The investigation is continuing.

Vehicle Tampering

On June 15 at 9:24 a.m., an officer went to the 700 block of Mountain View, regarding vehicle tampering. The victim discovered the inside of their vehicle had been ransacked. The victim had left the doors unlocked and nothing was missing.

Theft From a Vehicle

On June 15 at 10:02 a.m., an officer went to the 1000 block of East Lemon. The victim walked outside of their home and discovered their vehicle had been ransacked during the night or early morning. The victim had left the doors unlocked. The victim's in-dash digital television had been stolen along with speakers in a box from the truck. The investigation is continuing.

Thursday, June 9, 2011

Highlighted Activity - June 2 - June 8, 2011

During the last seven day period, the Police Department handled 549 service events, resulting in 85 investigations. Following are the last week's highlighted issues and events:

Attempt Theft

On June 2, an officer was dispatched to a residence in the 100 block of Mauna Loa regarding an attempt theft from a vehicle. The victim parked her vehicle in front of her residence at 6:00 p.m. in the evening. The next day she went to unlock her vehicle with the remote and discovered she had not locked her vehicle. She inspected her vehicle and found it had been ransacked and the headliner had been burnt. No items appeared to have been taken from the vehicle.

Theft From a Vehicle

On June 2, an officer responded to the report of theft from a vehicle in the 100 block of West Walnut. The victim parked his pickup truck at 11:15 p.m. He returned to his vehicle the following day at 11:00 a.m. and drove to work, which is in the 300 block of West Huntington. He parked and went into work. When he exited his place of work, he noticed his tailgate was missing. The victim does not believe it was taken while parked in the parking lot at work, since it is always busy. He suspects that it was taken during the night while parked in front of his residence.

Traffic Accident - Overturned Vehicle

On June 4 at 10:41 p.m., a vehicle was traveling east on Colorado when the driver either fell asleep or had some type of medical issue. The driver only remembers driving straight and then waking up with the vehicle upside down on its roof. The driver was checked and did not appear to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs. The driver was taken to a hospital for observation; no serious injuries were reported.

Driving Under the Influence / Possession of a Controlled Substance - Suspect Arrested

On June 6 at approximately 7:27 a.m., police received a call reporting a female in a red Honda Accord honking her horn and yelling. Officers responded and stopped the vehicle. The female was found to be driving under the influence and was arrested. She was extremely uncooperative and verbally abusive. A thorough search of her property revealed a baggie containing methamphetamine. She was charged with driving under the influence and possession of a controlled substance. The female subject is schizophrenic and had been contacted several times over the previous weekend by officers.

Commercial Robbery

On June 6 at 4:19 p.m., police received a report of a robbery at a fast food business in the 300 block of West Huntington. The suspect is described as a male Hispanic wearing a light blue cap and white t-shirt with horizontal stripes. The suspect had a black semi-automatic handgun and demanded cash. The suspect walked out to a gray or silver, 4-door Honda Civic with paper plates, and the driver was a heavy-set female. The vehicle fled south on Magnolia, out of sight. An area search and notification was made to neighboring agencies, but the vehicle was not located. El Monte Police Department had a robbery that occurred later that day in their city; the description of the suspects and vehicle is a close match.

Vehicle Burglary

On June 7 at 4:30 p.m., police responded to a vehicle burglary in the 200 block of West Scenic. The reporting party believed someone had broken into their neighbor's vehicle. An officer went to the location and found the interior of the vehicle had been ransacked. He dusted for prints, took photos, and checked for witnesses.

Possession of Burglary Tools

June 7 at 11:47 p.m., officers observed a subject who was a known burglar in the area of Foothill and Magnolia near midnight. He was riding a bicycle without a light and no rear reflector. He was detained regarding the violations and questioned about his activity. His responses were ambiguous and in conflict. After a consent search of his person and property, officers found a sufficient amount and type of tools consistent with tools used for auto burglaries to arrest the subject. He was arrested and taken into custody for possession of burglary tools.

Residential Burglary

On June 8 at 4:18 p.m., a resident in the 900 block of Briarcliff Road reported a burglary. He had returned home and found the front door had been smashed and two televisions, a laptop, and other miscellaneous items had been taken. Officers responded and cleared the house; no suspects were inside.

Commercial Robbery

On June 8 at 8:48 p.m., an armed robbery was reported at a business in the 300 block of West Huntington. The suspect was described as a male Hispanic, approximately 25-years-old, large build, wearing a white hat, white long-sleeve shirt and blue jeans. He approached the clerk, pulled a silver colored revolver and demanded money. He was last seen running westbound from the location.

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Detective Bureau - Case Follow-up

Recovered Stolen Property and Felony Arrest Made for Receiving Stolen Property

On May 5, 2011, Monrovia Police Department received a call from a resident who made a theft report because someone had stolen the doors from her Jeep Wrangler. The report came to the Detective Bureau as an "Inactive" case because there was no workable information for any supplemental investigation by the detectives. The victim began searching Craigslist to find and buy replacement doors for her Jeep. She found someone in Pasadena who was selling Jeep doors which looked exactly like her stolen doors. The victim passed this information on to the Monrovia Police Department.

On Friday, June 3, 2011, three detectives and three patrol officers teamed up to conduct an operation to recover the doors, if in fact they were the victim's doors. Two of the patrol officers dressed in civilian clothes posed as "interested buyers." The detectives and the remaining patrol officer were the arrest team. The patrol officer buyers had the victim's ignition/door key and when the first officer distracted the seller, the second officer tried the key in the door lock. The victim's key locked and unlocked the door. The detectives and officers then arrested the seller for a felony violation of receiving stolen property. The detectives and officers recovered the doors and brought them to the Monrovia Police Department. The victim positively identified the doors as hers and the doors were returned to her. The suspect was booked on felony receiving stolen property. The suspect posted bond and will have to appear later this month in court.

Friday, June 3, 2011

Bear in the 'hood 6/2/11 around midnight

We had a bear and MPD responded to the call shortly before midnight last night. It was prowling back yards in the NE corner of the street looking for food. It did upend a trashcan and strew the contents about looking for food. MPD used bean bags shot from a gun to scare the intruder away.

Neighbors discussing felt that this was a Neighborhood Watch issue, and it is to a degree. What can we do about it is the most common question raised once MPD officers on sight told those gathered that this is the 3rd bear call this year, earlier and lower down the hill than usual that they have responded too. The officer opined to those there, my daughter Kari specifically, that they expect this to continue and be one of the worse summers for bear intrusions into neighborhoods.

What can you do about it? Simply removing potential food sources like garbage cans that they are looking for food in. Storing garbage cans behind locked gates will help to a degree. Storing them in garages will help more, but seriously, who has spare space in a garage for a garbage can on this street?

Also to keep bears at bay (and other critters like skunks, 'coons, coyote's and the like) don't leave pet food out for them at night on your porches or in your back yards. That alone will help keep the unwanted critters at bay and looking elsewhere.

If you do have a wild animal in your yard call 911 or MPD Cell Watch at 626-357-2355 to report the incident. MPD and Animal Control will respond quickly like they did last night to scare the animals away as needed.

Make sure the new neighbors are aware of this blog...and that we have a Neighborhood Watch. Do we need another Neighborhood Watch Meeting to talk about this and any other crime issues in the neighborhood that we haven't already addressed?

Thursday, June 2, 2011

Highlighted Activity - May 26 - June 1, 2011


During the last seven day period, the Police Department handled 566 service events, resulting in 77 investigations. Following are the last week's highlighted issues and events:

Driving Under the Influence - Suspect Arrested

On May 28 at 2:09 a.m., an officer on patrol observed a vehicle traveling south on Myrtle at Central and noticed it was weaving on the roadway. The driver failed to use a turn signal and was stopped. During the investigation, the driver was determined to be under the influence and was arrested.

Vandalism In-Progress / Minor Consuming Alcohol / Possession of Controlled Substance - Three Suspects Arrested

On May 28 at 7:12 p.m., a business owner was driving in the area of Ivy and Walnut when he saw two male subjects tagging city property with spray paint. The suspects fled in a vehicle and the witness called police. Officers saturated the area and located the suspects in the 100 block of East Colorado, still in the vehicle in a parking lot behind a bar. As officers detained the suspects, a female subject exited the bar to inquire what was going on, as she owned the vehicle. Through investigation, it was learned the female was under age and had used false identification in the bar and had consumed alcohol. During a search, she was also found to be in possession of cocaine. She was arrested and taken into custody. The male subjects were positively identified as the suspects who spray painted city property and were also arrested. The witness will be contacted to receive the $100.00 Stop Graffiti Bounty for reporting a graffiti vandalism which led to an arrest.

Driving Under the Influence - Suspect Arrested

On May 29 at 3:34 p.m., an officer noticed a vehicle exit the 210 Freeway and drive north on Myrtle. The driver was weaving on the roadway and was stopped by the officer. Through investigation, the driver was determined to be under the influence and was arrested. The driver was booked and later released on a citation.

Commercial Burglary

On May 29 at 10:30 a.m., an officer was dispatched to a business in the 400 block of South Myrtle regarding a burglary. The suspect(s) pried open a window, made entry into a business, and then pried open the door to the office of another business. Once inside the second business, the suspect(s) ransacked the office and took cash from a filing cabinet. They also took electronic items from both businesses, which included a flat screen television, three computer monitors and four computer laptops.

Driving Under the Influence - Suspect Arrested

On May 31 at 1:44 p.m., an officer was flagged down and told there was a possible drunk driver at a business in the 100 block of East Duarte Road. The officer stopped the vehicle in the parking lot. The female driver was determined to be under the influence and was arrested. She was in the area to pick up her children from school. The school office and principal were notified. She was booked and held for detoxification.

Vehicle Burglary

June 1 at 3:49 p.m., an officer responded to a residence in the 1200 block of Encino. The victim reported that someone had broken into her vehicle and had stolen property, and that her credit card information had been used.

Battery

June 1 at 5:10 p.m., a 16-year-old, male victim of battery was brought to the police station lobby by his father. The victim reported that he had walked a girl home on Monterey after school when a male suspect struck him in the head with a skateboard and grabbed him in a choke hold. The suspect then let go of him and left the area. The victim went home and his father brought him to the station when he got home from work. Investigation continuing.

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Detective Bureau - Case Follow-up

Alcoholic Beverage Control Investigators to Post Suspension Notice at the House of Spirits Located at 501 West Duarte Road

In February 2011, the Detective Bureau's Special Enforcement Team assisted Alcoholic Beverage Control investigators in their undercover operation at the House of Spirits Liquor Store located at 501 West Duarte. The Alcoholic Beverage Investigators arrested one of the store clerks for selling marijuana and receiving stolen property.

This week, on Thursday, June 2, 2011, the Alcoholic Beverage Control investigators will post a suspension notice at the House of Spirits. The House of Spirits will not be allowed to sell alcohol for 25 days and the liquor license will have to be transferred to a new owner within 180 days. The Alcoholic Beverage Control investigators requested the presence of the Special Enforcement Team at the suspension posting. The Alcoholic Beverage Control investigators stated "the assistance provided by the Monrovia Police Department was invaluable in making the arrest."

Monrovia Police Department to Receive $20,000 Alcoholic Beverage Control Grant

The Special Enforcement Team applied for an Alcoholic Beverage Control Grant for Fiscal Year 2011-2012 (July 1, 2011 to June 30, 2012). The Special Enforcement Team's grant proposal was selected to receive $20,000 for Alcoholic Beverage Control activities. The Monrovia Police Department will implement the strategies of education and enforcement to address alcohol related problems within the city. The enforcement portion will focus resources on licensed establishments that have a disproportionate amount of calls for service. The goal will be to reduce the overall number of alcohol related offenses and calls for service at these locations. The Monrovia Police Department will implement the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control's best enforcement practices in combating these issues. The grant money will pay for the overtime expenses and necessary equipment to conduct several enforcement activities.