Thursday, March 29, 2012

Highlighted Activity for the Weekdays of March 26 - 28, 2012


Grand Theft Auto
March 26 at 8:49 p.m., a vehicle was reported stolen from the 600 block of Royal Oaks.  The victim parked and locked his vehicle on the street in front of his house.  The vehicle is a 1991, red, Nissan pick-up.  Investigation continuing. 

Theft  From a Vehicle
March 27 at 5:26 a.m., an officer responded to the 100 block of Garfield regarding a theft from an unlocked vehicle.  The loss was a women's coat. Cash and a laptop computer were left behind.  Investigation continuing.

Grand Theft Auto
On March 28 at 6:27 a.m., a vehicle was reported stolen from the 200 block of South Madison.  The victim parked her blue 2000 Durango in front of her residence with her purse and keys in the front seat. Her purse was later recovered in the laundry room of her apartment complex the following morning and her vehicle was recovered with the keys in the vehicle.  Investigation continuing

Theft From a Vehicle
On March 28 at 1:53 p.m., an officer responded to the 100 block of North Garfield regarding a theft from an unlocked vehicle.  The victim parked her vehicle in front of the residence with her purse on the front seat. The victim returned to her vehicle the following morning and discovered her purse missing. Investigation continuing.

Theft From a Vehicle
On March 28 at 3:10 p.m., an officer responded to the 100 block of Sunset Place regarding a theft from a vehicle.  The victim left his vehicle parked in front of his residence unlocked.  He returned to his vehicle the following day and discovered 2 ipods missing.  Investigation continuing.

Theft From a Vehicle
On March 28 at 4:42 p.m., an officer responded to the 100 block North Garfield regarding theft from a vehicle.  The victim left his unlocked vehicle parked in the driveway. He returned to his vehicle the following morning and discovered his GPS, ipod and Alpine stereo face plate missing.  Investigation continuing.


Tip of the Week

Theft Prevention from Vehicles
Always lock your doors and roll up all windows when you leave your car.  Car thieves regularly patrol parking lots and try door handles to see if they will open.  They will even try door handles on cars parked in driveways late at night when you are sleeping.  They are hoping for an unlocked vehicle that they can get into quickly and they will take anything left inside.  You should always store valuable items in the trunk, so that a criminal does not see them and become tempted to break into your vehicle. 

Monday, March 26, 2012

Highlighted Activity for the Weekend of March 22-25, 2012


Following are the weekend's highlighted issues and events.  

Residential Burglary
March 22 at 12:32 p.m., police responded to a residential burglary in the 300 block of Norumbega.  The resident was away from the home for approximately 2 hours.  When she returned, she found a screen had been removed from a window and the house had been burglarized.  The investigation is continuing.

Attempt Residential Burglary
March 22 at 5:44 p.m., an attempt residential burglary was reported in the 400 block of South Canyon.  The resident found a screen on one of the windows of the home had been cut; however the suspect(s) did not gain entry.  Investigation continuing.

Residential Burglary
March 22 at 7:22 p.m., a resident living in the 300 block of Norumbega returned home and discovered his residence had been burglarized.  The suspect(s) pried open the back door and made entry to the home.  They ransacked the home and took the resident's jewelry.  Investigation continuing.

Grand Theft Auto
March 22 at 10:27 p.m., police were dispatched regarding the report of a stolen vehicle in the 800 block of West Colorado.  The resident parked her new, black, 2011 Kia Optima on the street in front of her house.  She locked the doors and went into her home.  She went back outside at approximately 10:25 p.m. and saw that her vehicle was gone.  There are dealership paper license plates on the vehicle from Kia of Covina.  Investigation continuing.

Challenging to Fight
March 23 at 5:13 p.m., officers responded to a residence in the 1700 block of Alamitas.  A caller advised police that a large group of teens from Duarte were outside threatening a girl who resides there.  Officers detained a group of juveniles from Duarte High School.  The conflict stemmed from the reporting party posting rude remarks about the girls on a social network site.  She had challenged the girls to come to her residence to fight. Races were mixed and no gang associations were noted.  A complaint will be filed with the court once the investigation has been completed. 

Commercial Burglary - Suspect Arrested
March 23 at 7:51 p.m., officers responded to a business in the 500 block of West Huntington regarding a female subject who had stolen some items and exited the store.  An officer arrived and saw the female running from loss prevention officers.  The female was detained with the stolen items and no means to pay for them.  She was arrested and taken into custody.

Commercial Burglary
March 24 at 6:36 p.m., a business in the 400 block of West Huntington called to report a theft that had occurred a half hour earlier.  A male Hispanic and a female Hispanic entered the store.  While the male subject bought beer and paid for it, the female selected other items.  She attempted to remove the security tab, but was unsuccessful.  The security sensor went off when she walked out the door with the items.  They fled the location in an older, black, Jeep Cherokee with paper license plates.  Investigation continuing.

Robbery
March 25 at 1:40 a.m., police received a call from a local bar in the 1500 block of South Myrtle reporting that three male suspects had robbed them.  Officers responded and the Foothill Air Support Team helicopter assisted.  The suspects were described as about 5'10", early 20's, wearing black clothing and black baseball caps with bandanas covering their faces.  One of the suspects had a handgun, which may have possibly been a toy replica.  One of the suspects removed the business owner's wallet from his pocket, which contained his ID and cash.  

Before the suspects could exit the business, a patron struck the suspect holding the gun with a cue stick, causing him to fall to the floor.  Another patron tried to take the gun away.  As this was going on, another patron struck the other suspect in the head with a beer bottle.  The suspects ran out the side door into the alley and out of sight.  Investigation continuing.

Residential Burglary
March 25 at 8:57 p.m., a residential burglary was reported in the 900 block of Genoa.  The Burglary occurred some time between 7:00 and 8:45 p.m.  Entry was made through a rear door, which was pried open with an unknown tool.  Two laptop computers and one empty safe were taken.  The investigation is continuing.

Trespassing / Obstructing and Delaying a Peace Officer / Criminal Threats - Suspect Arrested
March 25 at 9:18 p.m., officers were dispatched to a business in the 100 block of West Foothill regarding a male subject trespassing.  When officers arrived, the suspect locked himself in a bathroom at the location for several minutes, but eventually came out.  The suspect became verbally abusive with officers and refused to obey their commands.  He was arrested at the location for trespassing and obstructing and delaying an officer.  The suspect was uncooperative during the booking process and threatened to kill one of the officers.  The suspect was additionally charged for criminal threats.

Spousal Abuse - Suspect Arrested
On March 25 at 10:59 p.m., a family disturbance was reported in the 500 block of West Duarte.  Officers arrived and found the female subject/victim had visible injuries after being assaulted by her common-law husband; he was arrested at the location for spousal abuse.  The incident was reported to the Department of Child and Family Services because the children were present.  An Emergency Protective Order was issued and served to the suspect while he was confined at the Monrovia Jail.

Spousal Battery - Suspect Arrested
March 26 at 12:40 a.m., an officer responded to a residence in the 200 block of West Colorado regarding spousal battery.  The investigation revealed that a boyfriend and girlfriend were arguing over information placed on a social network site.  The male alleged his girlfriend hit him in the head and the female alleged her boyfriend threw a shoe at her.  Based on the officers investigation, he determined the female to be the primary aggressor and she was arrested for spousal battery.
__________________________________________________
Note to the Poinsettia Residents, sound off in the comments if you think we need another Neighborhood Watch meeting.  Of concern is the 3 home burglaries/attempted home burglaries within walking distance of us.  Should we all meet, review what can be done to protect as well as learn from MPD what trends they are seeing for us to be concerned with?  -f

Sunday, March 25, 2012

Highlighted Activity for the Weekdays of March 19-21, 2012


Possible Vehicle Tampering
March 20 at 4:39 p.m., officers were dispatched to the 700 block of West Chestnut regarding possible vehicle tampering.  The reporting party noticed a subject sticking his head into a vehicle in a carport and believed the subject was looking for something to take.  When the reporting party confronted the subject, he walked out of the carport area and out to the street.  The subject fled on foot, dumping his bicycle, when an officer arrived in the area.  The officer ordered the subject to stop, but he ran.  Containment was established, but the suspect was not located.  The suspect is described as a male Hispanic, mid-twenties, dark shirt, dark blue basketball-style shorts, shaved head with a tattoo of the letter "D" on the top of his head.  Investigation continuing.

Possession of Narcotics - Suspect Arrested
March 21 at 3:36 a.m., an officer on patrol observed a suspicious subject riding a bicycle in the area of Magnolia and Palm.  When the officer attempted to stop the subject for a traffic violation, the subject tried to evade the officer.  The subject was detained in the 200 block of West Palm.  During a consent search of the subject, a baggie of methamphetamine was found in the subject's shoe.  The suspect was arrested.


Tip of the Week

Gun Safety
Even if your family doesn't have a gun in the home, chances are that your child will come in contact with a gun at some time during his or her childhood. Relatives and neighbors own guns that are probably hidden, but children may find them.  Children are exposed to guns early on from television, cartoons and movies, arousing their natural curiosity.  The best safety measure for gun safety in the home is to avoid having one in your home. However, if you already own a gun or plan to purchase one in the future, following the guidelines below can help protect your family's health and safety. 

If you own a gun:

*        Always keep your gun unloaded and locked up.
*        Lock and store bullets in a separate location.
*        Make sure children do not have access to the gun lock keys.

If you do not own a gun:

*        Talk with your children about the risk of gun injury outside the home in places where they may visit and play.
*        Tell your children to stay away from guns when they are in the homes of their friends.
*        Speak with the parents of your children's friends to determine whether or not they have a gun in the home.
*        If they do, urge them to empty it out and lock it up.

Thursday, March 15, 2012

Highlighted Activity for the Weekdays of March 12-14, 2012


Vandalism - Suspect Arrested
On March 12 at 9:29 p.m., a subject in custody was caught vandalizing his jail cell.  He used the metal fitting from his jail wristband to scratch gang graffiti into the paint of the jail bunk.  Special Enforcement Team officers had arrested the male subject on a no-bail warrant for violating Monrovia Police Department's gang injunction.  The Additional charges were added to his offenses.

Commercial Burglary / Forgery / Fictitious Identification
On March 13 at 2:44 p.m., a male subject walked into a bank in the 100 block of East Huntington with a fictitious license and attempted to open a checking account.  The bank employee noticed the license appeared counterfeit and called police.  The subject was taken into custody without incident.  The suspect's motives for opening an account are unknown.  Investigation continuing.


Detective Bureau Case Follow-up

This week, detectives were working on a case that involved a husband and wife who are separated and getting a divorce.  The husband left threatening messages on the wife's phone and began committing minor acts of vandalism involving her car.  The situation escalated, and the wife's car tires were being punctured.  The wife moved in with her mother for protection.  

Due to the increase of violence in the husband's suspected activity, patrol officers were positioned to maintain surveillance on the location and the victim's car.  The husband arrived at the location and was seen damaging the wife's tires on her car.  The suspect attempted to drive away, but officers detained and arrested him for the vandalism, and for driving under the influence.  Detectives were able to get a seven-count indictment from the District Attorney's Office.


Tip of the Week

Don't Depend on the Luck of the Irish to Get You Home Safely - Stay Safe and Sober

If you are hosting a St. Patrick's Day party:

*        Remember, you can be held liable and prosecuted if someone you serve is involved in an impaired driving crash.
*        Make sure all your guests designate a sober driver in advance or help arrange ride-sharing with other sober drivers.
*        Serve lots of food and include lots of non-alcoholic beverages at the party.
*        Keep the phone numbers for local cab companies handy and take the keys away from anyone who is thinking of driving impaired.

Also, if you are attending a St. Patrick's Day Party:

*        Designate a sober driver before the party begins and give that person your car keys.
·        If you do not have a designated driver, call a cab, sober friend, or family member to pick you up.
*        Never let a friend leave your sight if you think they are about to drive drunk.
*        Always buckle up.

Alcohol not only dangerously impairs your driving skills, it also impairs your judgment.  If you see a friend under the influence of alcohol - don't let them get behind the wheel.


Stop Graffiti Bounty Program

One of the methods the Monrovia Police Department is using to combat graffiti in the community of Monrovia is the Stop Graffiti Bounty Program.  If a citizen reports an incident of graffiti in the City of Monrovia that leads to the arrest of the suspect, the citizen will receive a $100 bill.  Help keep Monrovia looking great!

Monday, March 12, 2012

Highlighted Activity for the Weekend of March 8-11, 2012


Vehicle Burglary
On March 9 at 6:04 p.m., police responded to a business parking lot in the 700 block of East Huntington regarding a vehicle burglary.  The victim's Chevy Silverado was parked on east side of location.  The suspect used a screwdriver to gain access through the front passenger door and took a cell phone, wallet and cash.  Investigation continuing.

Possession of a Controlled Substance - Suspect Arrested
On March 9 at 8:59 p.m., officers conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle eastbound in the 900 block of West Olive for a traffic violation.  They contacted the driver and passengers.  One passenger was found to be on parole and the other one is on probation.  The vehicle was searched on consent and methamphetamine was found in the glove box. The driver was the registered owner, and the front passenger had not opened or reached into the glove box.  The driver was arrested and booked for possession of a controlled substance.

Burglary
On March 10 at 9:58 a.m., dispatch received a call reporting a utility trailer burglarized in the 300 block of Highland.  The suspect(s) broke the lock to gain entry into the trailer and took numerous power tools.  Investigation continuing.

Commercial Burglary / Parolee at Large - Suspect Arrested
On March 10 at 7:00 p.m., an officer stopped a suspicious subject in a business parking lot and noticed several pairs of reading glasses hanging out of the subject's jacket pocket.  The glasses still had store price tags attached.  Further investigation revealed additional stolen property from the location in the subject's possession.  Employees were not aware of the theft; however, surveillance video showed the suspect taking the property and leaving the store without paying for the items.  The suspect was arrested for commercial burglary.  The suspect was found to have an outstanding no-bail warrant for parole violation and is considered to be an armed and dangerous parolee at large.  He was arrested and taken into custody without incident.

Receiving Stolen Property - Suspect Arrested
On March 11 at 1:30 a.m., an officer was dispatched to a business in the 3300 block of Peck Road regarding a theft investigation.  When the officer arrived, store security guards had a subject detained near the intersection of Live Oak and Peck.  Apparently, the suspect was in the process of taking a vehicle filter box and was interrupted by security.  The suspect tossed the property and fled.  Officers located physical evidence that linked the suspect to the scene.  After a search of the surrounding area, they also located the stolen property, which had the suspect's bicycle tire tread on it, as well.  It appears that the suspect ran over the property with his bicycle as he was trying to get away from the security guards.  The stolen property was recovered and returned.  The suspect was arrested.


Stop Graffiti Bounty Program

One of the methods the Monrovia Police Department is using to combat graffiti in the community of Monrovia is the Stop Graffiti Bounty Program.  If a citizen reports an incident of graffiti in the City of Monrovia that leads to the arrest of the suspect, the citizen will receive a $100 bill.  Help keep Monrovia looking great!

Wednesday, March 7, 2012

Highlighted Activity for the Weekend of March 1-4, 2012


Possession of Narcotics Paraphernalia - Suspect Arrested
On March 2 at 1:57 a.m., an officer stopped a vehicle on Chestnut, just east of Monterey, for failing to stop for a stop sign.  The officer observed an open alcoholic beverage inside the vehicle, so the officer removed the occupants to recover the evidence.  When he removed one of the male subjects, he discovered this subject was in possession of a glass methamphetamine pipe.  The officer arrested the subject for possession of the pipe and for the open container. 

Medical Assist
On March 2 at 1:14 p.m., a group of teens with a school group were at Canyon Park at the falls when one of the female teens tumbled 20 to 30 feet, striking her head.  She was able to walk, but complained of dizziness and a possible broken hand.  Monrovia Fire Department paramedics arrived and the teen was treated and taken to a hospital.

Possession of Hypodermic Needle - Suspect Arrested
On March 2 at 4:59 p.m., police received a call reporting a subject on top of the roof of an empty business in the 200 block of South Myrtle.  Officers arrived and found a male subject just coming off the roof.  He was detained, and during a pat down search, a hypodermic needle was located.  He was arrested and taken into custody for the violation. 

During the investigation, it was determined that this subject and two others have been living to the rear and on the roof of this building.  All subjects were warned about trespassing on the property and loitering in the area.  The property owner will be advised and given information on how to prevent the trespassing.

Failure to Yield / Driving Under the Influence - Suspect Arrested
On March 2 at 11:08 a.m., an officer attempted a traffic stop on a vehicle for a traffic violation in the 3300 block of South Peck, but the driver did not stop.  The driver went east on Pomona, from Myrtle, and eventually pulled over.  The driver was uncooperative and refused to perform any field sobriety tests or provide a breath sample.  The driver was found to be on non-revocable parole for prior driving under the influence arrests.  The driver was arrested and taken into custody.

Evading / Possession of Controlled Substance / Warrants - Suspects Arrested
On March 3 at 6:09 p.m., Special Enforcement Team officers went to a residence in the 2400 block of Fairgreen regarding wanted suspects living at a home.  They observed two male subjects leaving the residence in a vehicle.  The officers attempted to stop the vehicle and a pursuit ensued for a few blocks, prior to the suspects stopping. 

One parolee was arrested for three warrants, and the driver, a probationer, was arrested for evading, being an unlicensed driver, and possession of methamphetamine.  A parole and probation search was conducted at their residence and police recovered methamphetamine, several methamphetamine pipes, and numerous checks, blank bank cards, and other items to conduct fraud.  Investigation continuing.

Shots Fired / Filing a False Police Report / Carrying a Concealed Weapon
On March 3 at 7:51 p.m., Arcadia Methodist Hospital called Monrovia Police Department to report a male subject in their Emergency Room with a gunshot wound.  The subject claimed it happened in Monrovia, near Parker and Monterey.  An officer responded to the hospital for the investigation.  

The subject claimed he was confronted by three male subjects and they got into a fight.  He claimed that during the fight, he was shot and he ran away.  He was then taken to a hospital by friends.  The investigation raised suspicion, and it was eventually determined that the subject had a handgun in his waistband that accidentally went off when he bent at the waist, and he shot himself.  A complaint for filing a false police report and carrying a concealed weapon will be filed with the court.

Shooting Investigation
On Sunday, March 4, 2012, at approximately 9:00 p.m., Monrovia Police Officers responded to the area of California and Cypress regarding a shooting investigation. 

The investigation revealed a male adult victim was backing his vehicle from a residential driveway with his three year old son in the backseat.  A gray sedan occupied by at least three male Hispanics suddenly pulled up and stopped in the roadway.  The right front passenger of the gray sedan exited the vehicle and fired approximately six shots, striking the driver side of the victim's vehicle.  The "shooter" returned to the gray sedan and the vehicle fled from the area at a high rate of speed.  The "shooter" is described as a male Hispanic wearing a blue baseball cap.  No one was injured during this incident.   The investigation is continuing.

Loud Music Disturbance / Resisting and Delaying a Peace Officer - Suspect Arrested
On March 4 at 11:13 p.m., officers responded to a residence in the 500 block of South Shamrock regarding a loud music disturbance.  When they arrived, an intoxicated guest at the residence answered the door.  The officers saw a 4-year-old boy approach the front door and immediately became concerned for the child's safety, because there did not appear to be a sober adult present to properly care for the child.  The officers asked to speak with the child's parents, but the subject refused to answer them and attempted to close the door.  Officers prevented the subject from closing the door.  The subject continued to resist and struggled with the officers, so the officers arrested him without further incident.  The officers eventually located the child's parents in the residence, who were sober enough to properly care for the child.  The residents were also advised regarding the loud music.


Stop Graffiti Bounty Program

One of the methods the Monrovia Police Department is using to combat graffiti in the community of Monrovia is the Stop Graffiti Bounty Program.  If a citizen reports an incident of graffiti in the City of Monrovia that leads to the arrest of the suspect, the citizen will receive a $100 bill.  Help keep Monrovia looking great!

Thursday, March 1, 2012

Highlighted Activity for the Period of February 23-29,2012


Illegal Dumping / Mail Theft
On February 23 at 3:32 p.m., officers responded to the 400 block of Stedman on the report of a subject dumping trash out the back of his vehicle.  The trash was found to be empty FedEx boxes from houses in the area.  It appears the boxes were stolen after they were delivered.  The suspect removed the content of the boxes and then dumped the empty boxes.  Investigation continuing.

Suspicious Circumstances / Possible Trespassing
On February 23 at 10:29 p.m., officers were dispatched to the 1000 block of South Canyon regarding the report of two male subjects on the roof of a building with lights flashing.  Officers surrounded the property and requested the Foothill Air Support helicopter to assist.  The helicopter responded and advised that no one was on the roof.  Officers searched the property and did not locate any suspects.  The building was secure and there were no signs of an attempt break-in. 

Traffic Violation / Driving Under the Influence of a Controlled Substance / Possession of a Controlled Substance / Weapons Offense - Suspect Arrested
On February 24 at 8:48 p.m., an officer on routine patrol stopped a vehicle in the 100 block of West Walnut for running a stop sign.  When the officer contacted the driver, he smelled the odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle.  A subsequent investigation revealed the driver to be under the influence of a controlled substance.  He was also found to be in possession of unauthorized prescription medication and a concealed billy club.  He was arrested for the above listed charges.    

Assault with a Deadly Weapon - Suspect Arrested
On February 25 at 9:49 a.m., a fight in progress was reported in the 900 block of Genoa involving approximately seven subjects.  Officers arrived on scene and found several family members were involved in a disturbance.  One family member was injured by another and sustained numerous contusions to his head.  The suspect, who was determined to be the primary aggressor, was arrested and taken into custody.

Attempted Residential Burglary
On February 28 at 3:20 p.m., a 15-year-old male subject that lives in the 200 block of Violet observed a male suspect tampering with the window screen on the backdoor of the apartment where he lives.  The suspect eventually left the area.  Police were not called until the subject's stepfather arrived home, a few hours later.  The window screen appeared to have been cut, but the suspect did not make entry into the home.  The suspect is described as a male, 6'0", thin build, wearing dark pants and a gray or black hooded sweatshirt, which covered his face and hands.  Investigation continuing.


Detective Bureau Case Follow-up

Gang member, Gary Sanchez, was convicted of murder in the Pasadena Superior Court last week.  Sanchez was convicted of several gun and gang enhancements, and is facing fifty years to life in prison.  He is scheduled to be sentenced on March 23, 2012.

This case stems from an incident that occurred on December 15, 2009, at approximately 8:04 p.m.  Sanchez shot and killed Jason Gentile near the intersection of Colorado and California in Monrovia.  Sanchez also wounded Gentile's girlfriend, who has completely recovered from her wounds.  Los Angeles Sheriff's Department Homicide Detectives investigated this case, but Monrovia Police Department personnel played a major role in the investigation and prosecution.


Tip of the Week

Mail Theft Prevention
If you order items over the phone, via the Internet, or by mail, chances are those packages will be delivered straight to your front porch.  The majority of deliveries do not require a signature and are generally left at your door, even if no one is home to accept them.  Some thieves look for crime of opportunity, but other thieves actually target your delivery.  Thieves will follow or watch for the UPS, FedEx, US Mail, or other delivery trucks, and then target a home after a delivery is made.

Here are some suggestions for helping to prevent a theft of your packages:
  • If possible, use your workplace as the shipping address.
  • Track your shipments by phone or online so that you know what day they should arrive.
  • Ask your neighbor to watch for your delivery and then hold the items until you arrive home.
  • Keep an eye on your neighborhood and report suspicious persons or vehicles in the area.
  • Request a signature delivery option if available or request the shipment be held at the shipping facility such as a UPS office.
  • Check with "mailbox" businesses in your town and see if they will accept shipment of your item for a fee.
  • If you do not receive your shipment on time, check with the company of origin and confirm the delivery. If the item was delivered and you did not receive it, report the theft or loss to the original company, the shipping company, and your local police.