Highlighted Activity - Week of September 15 - 21, 2011

During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 548 service events, resulting in 98 investigations.  Following are the last week's highlighted issues and events:

Assault with a Deadly Weapon / Possession of a Dangerous Weapon / Criminal Threats - Suspect Arrested

On September 15 at 3:10 p.m., an officer on patrol heard a commotion in the area of the 700 block of West Colorado.  The officer observed two subjects who appeared to be fighting.  As the officer approached, he saw that one of the subjects was bleeding from the face, and the second subject had fled on foot.  During the investigation, it was learned that the subject who fled struck the other subject in the face with a nunchaku.  The suspect was later located down the street at his residence and was arrested without incident.  The weapon was recovered at the suspect's residence.  The victim was seen by Monrovia paramedics, but declined further medical treatment.

Vehicle Burglary

On September 16 at 6:15 a.m., police received a call reporting a suspect smashing the window of a vehicle on the street in the 400 block of Stedman.  The possible suspect was last seen in a gold Nissan driving east.  The incident appears to be an attempted burglary to the vehicle, but there was no loss.  The suspect was not located.

Drug Activity - Suspect Arrested

On September 16 at 5:20 p.m., an officer stopped a vehicle at Foothill and Fifth.  The female occupant was not wearing her seatbelt and claimed she had no way to identify herself.  A pat-down search revealed she was in possession of a used glass methamphetamine pipe.  No narcotics were found.  She was arrested for being in possession of drug paraphernalia, a misdemeanor, and was taken to the Monrovia City Jail, where she was booked, identified, and then released with a citation to appear in court.

Residential Burglary / Hot Prowl

On September 17 at 2:45 a.m., officers responded to a residence in the 300 block of North Mountain regarding a burglary that occurred while one of the residents was inside the home.  The wife had left at approximately 11:00 a.m.  Her husband, who is hard of hearing, remained at home.  The wife returned home at 2:00 a.m. and found the rooms on the second story of the house ransacked and a starter pistol had been taken.  After the initial investigation, it was determined that the suspect had jumped a wall to get into the yard.  The suspect then stacked a plastic tub and plastic chairs so he could reach the roof of the home.  He then climbed onto the roof, pried a screen off a window, and entered the home.  The suspect ransacked the upstairs rooms only, and then fled through the same open window.  The husband did not hear anything other than a loud bang at approximately 3:00 p.m.  The investigation is continuing.

Suspicious Circumstances - Suspect Arrested

On September 18 at 2:21 a.m., an officer on patrol in the area east of Myrtle and south of Huntington heard what sounded like shots fired.  Several other people heard the sounds, as well.  An area search was conducted, but no victims were found.  Two male subjects were observed by the officer walking in the middle of the street in the 200 block of East Cypress.  When the officer attempted to contact them regarding the possible shots, one of the two subjects refused to stop.  Assisting officers confronted the subject, but he still would not comply with their demands and began cursing at them.  The subject was detained and arrested for resisting and delaying a peace officer.  He was identified as a documented gang member.  Ultimately, no evidence of shots having been fired was found.

Parolee-at-Large - Suspect Arrested

On September 19 at 9:05 a.m., officers responded to the 100 block of North El Norte regarding a subject taking recyclables from the trash.  When they arrived, the reporting party told them the subject had taken recyclables and went to the recycling center on Duarte Road.  An officer contacted the subject at the recycling yard.  A computer check revealed he was wanted by state parole.  The subject was arrested and taken into custody.

Domestic Violence - Suspect Arrested

On September 19 at 9:29 p.m., police received a call reporting domestic violence at a residence in the 1700 block of South Fifth.  A man was arguing with his live-in girlfriend. She attempted to leave the location in her car.  He stood in front of the car as she drove down the driveway.  He was hit by the car, causing an injury to his leg.  The female subject was arrested for domestic violence.

Residential Burglary

September 20 at 8:05 p.m., a resident who lives in the 200 block of East Olive reported a burglary to his residence.  He left his residence at 5:00 p.m. and returned at 8:00 p.m. to discover his television, DVD's, and CD's had been stolen.  It appears the suspect used the victim's ladder to access an unlocked second-story window to gain entry to the home.  Investigation continuing.

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Tip of the Week

Keeping Your Vehicle Safe and Secure

The most important rule of securing your vehicle is to always keep it locked.  Many thieves have admitted that they look for cars that are unlocked or have the windows rolled down.  Criminals will be more likely to steal a vehicle they can get without trouble over a more expensive car they would have to break into.  Never leave anything a criminal might want in a visible area, such as the back seat or floor.  You don't want to draw attention to your vehicle and make it seem more appealing.  A thief who notices valuables in a vehicle may choose to steal it over other nearby cars, or they may break in to take the valuables.  Personal belongings should always be placed in the trunk.

A car alarm is one of the best ways to protect your vehicle.  Even a sticker that notifies people that the car has an active security system may be a deterrent to someone who is looking for a car they can steal quickly.  However, modern alarm systems have led to thieves developing high-tech methods of disarming the vehicles, so you may choose to invest in a tracking device, such as Lojack or OnStar.  These systems allow police officers to track down and recover vehicles quickly.