Highlighted Activity for the Weekend of October 20-26, 2011

During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 583 service events, resulting in 114 investigations.  Following are the last week's highlighted issues and events:

Neighborhood Watch Report

Beginning November 1, 2011, the Monrovia Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report will be available on the City of Monrovia website, www.cityofmonrovia.org, under the Police Department section. 

Public Demonstration 

On October 21, the Coalition of Immokalee Workers (CIW) conducted a demonstration in the 600 block of West Huntington protesting Trader Joe's.  There were approximately two-hundred supporters in attendance.  The demonstration began at 12:00 noon, and at 12:30 p.m., they walked through the Huntington Oaks shopping center and proceeded to the Trader Joe's Corporate Office in the 800 block of South Shamrock.  They held a rally there for nearly an hour.  At that time, the group was approached by officers from the police department and instructed to leave per Penal Code Section 602(a) at the request of Trader Joe's security, and the group eventually dispersed.  The remainder of the time they stayed on the church grounds, where they had permission to stand.

Grand Theft Investigation

On October 23 at 12:16 p.m., a female subject called police and reported that she had just been robbed of her cell phone.  When officers arrived, she stated that she had advertised her IPhone on Craigslist for sale.  She met with the potential buyer at Mayflower and Huntington.  When she handed the cell phone to the subject, he took it and ran east across Mayflower and out of sight.  Officers responded and checked the area, but met with negative results.

Driving Under the Influence - Suspect Arrested

On October 23 at 3:26 p.m., officers responded to the report of a male adult drinking alcohol while driving through a business parking lot in the 300 block of West Huntington.  Officers arrived and arrested the driver for driving under the influence and his vehicle was stored.

Commercial Burglary

On October 23 at 11:04 p.m., a car with three occupants pulled up near a gas station at Shamrock and Huntington.  A male subject ran into the store and took a case of beer and ran directly out to the waiting car.  The clerk obtained the license plate of the car.  An officer went to the address the vehicle was registered to and waited until the car returned.  The officer was able to detain the suspect, and the stolen property was located.  The witness positively identified the suspect and the vehicle.  Based on investigation, only one suspect was charged and held.

Vandalism

On October 24 at 10:16 a.m., officers were dispatched to the 1300 block of South Primrose regarding vandalism.  They arrived and found gang graffiti on the sidewalk at the northeast corner of Primrose and Montana, and on the limit line on the street.  The graffiti was written in black spray paint.  Graffiti removal was notified.

Vandalism

On October 24 at 4:34 p.m., additional gang graffiti was reported in the 1100 block of South Primrose.  Graffiti removal was notified.

Residential Burglary

On October 25 at 6:00 a.m., a resident in the 800 block of California left their house.  When they returned at 5:00 p.m., they found their home had been burglarized.  The suspect gained entry by climbing through an unlocked second floor window.  Two laptop computers and thumb drives were stolen.  Investigation continuing.

Vehicle Burglary

On October 25 at 6:26 a.m., an employee of a restaurant in the 500 block of West Huntington reported that someone had broken into a customer's vehicle.  An officer responded and found a rear window had been shattered.  A green backpack containing documents and a stethoscope was taken.  No witnesses.  Investigation continuing.

Residential Burglary

On October 25 at 9:54 a.m., officers responded to an apartment in the 700 block of Monterey regarding a burglary.  The victim had left an hour earlier and returned to find a bedroom window open and a laptop missing.  The suspect(s) removed the window screen and forced the lock to gain entry.  Investigation continuing.

Vehicle Burglary

On October 25 at 1:17 p.m., an officer was dispatched to the intersection of Alta Vista and Chestnut on the report of a vehicle burglary. The victim said his vehicle was broken into the day before, between 4:00 and 5:00 p.m., but he was unable to report it then. The suspect(s) broke the driver side window and removed a clipboard from the front seat which contained $200 in cash.  No witnesses were located. Investigation continuing.

Illegal Fire Setting

On October 25 at 3:57 p.m., Monrovia Fire Department advised they were responding to a small fire on the tracks in the 1400 block of South Alamitas.  Officers responded to assist.  It was determined that someone set fire to some trash.  The fire was put out.  A similar fire was reported at the same location a week prior.  No witnesses were located, but indications are that it may be school kids that are causing these fires after school.  Extra patrol will continue in the area.  Investigation continuing.

Burglary

On October 26 at 9:28 a.m., an officer responded to a business in the 500 block of West Huntington regarding a theft that had just occurred.  When the officer arrived, the reporting party told him a female subject who had been wandering in the store walked out and the anti-theft alarm went off.  The reporting party saw the female get into a vehicle and leave, but was able to obtain the license plate number.  A check of the video and the sales floor indicated the female had taken five Android eReaders valued at $1150 dollars.  Investigation continuing.

Shots Heard

On October 26 at 6:39 p.m., dispatch received numerous calls of shots heard over a wide area of the north end of town.  The majority of calls seemed to indicate the shooting occurred somewhere in the area of 400 to 600 blocks of Norumbega.  Pasadena's helicopter responded and searched the area with ground units.  Officers searched along the wash and door-to-door in the area for over an hour, but were unable to locate the source of the gunfire.  No witnesses or suspects were located.  Investigation continuing.

Residential Burglary

On October 26 at 8:30 a.m., a resident who lives in the 400 block of North Primrose left her home.  When she returned at 10:15 p.m., she found someone had forced her back door open.  It appears that nothing was stolen.  The suspect may have been scared off when a motion detector lamp activated when the door was forced open.  Investigation continuing.

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Special Enforcement Team Activity Report

On October 20, at approximately 1:42 p.m., Monrovia Police Department's Special Enforcement Team stopped a vehicle for traffic violations on the westbound 210 Freeway at Baldwin.  A consent search of the vehicle revealed paraphernalia indicative of drug trafficking.  Officers noticed foil inside the console and dashboard area of the vehicle.  A hidden compartment was located and approximately half a pound of cocaine and methamphetamine were found inside the compartment.  The driver was arrested and charged for transportation and sales of both cocaine and methamphetamine.

Highlighted Activity - Week of October 13 - 19, 2011

During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 551 service events, resulting in 91 investigations.  Following are the last week's highlighted issues and events:

Vehicle Burglary

On October 13 at 9:49 a.m., a vehicle burglary was reported at a hotel parking lot in the 300 block of West Foothill. During the investigation, the officer checked video surveillance of the location.  He observed a male Hispanic subject approach the victim's vehicle and enter through the passenger door.  The window had been left cracked open and the suspect reached in and unlocked the door.  He then removed the car stereo and a cell phone, which was left on the passenger seat.  The suspect was last seen getting into a tan SUV and leaving the area.  The investigation is continuing.

Homicide Investigation

On October 14 at 5:18 a.m., the Monrovia Police Department received a 911 call from a resident in the 200 block of North Mayflower reporting a shooting.  The Monrovia Police Department responded to the location and discovered a 63-year-old male had been shot inside the house.  The Monrovia Fire Department also responded.  The victim was pronounced deceased at 5:29 a.m.  The Los Angeles Sheriff's Department Homicide Bureau was called and assumed the primary investigative responsibility with the Monrovia Police Department's detectives assisting.  There were no arrests made in the case and the case will be presented to the District Attorney's office for filing consideration once the investigation is completed.

Attempt Strong-arm Robbery

On October 14 at 1:29 p.m., an attempt robbery occurred at a fast food restaurant in the 300 block of West Huntington Drive.  A female subject was sitting by herself inside the location with her purse on the table in front of her.  A male Hispanic in his late teens entered the restaurant, approached the female and grabbed her purse.  The female immediately grabbed her purse, as well, and the two were struggling for it.  The female was pulled to the ground during the struggle, at which time the suspect gave up and ran outside.  A witness followed the suspect outside and saw him get into the rear passenger side of a newer-model, blue, 4-door Nissan Altima, driven by a male black.  The suspects fled east on Cypress, out of sight.  The suspect had facial hair and was wearing a black hooded sweatshirt with "Monrovia" printed on the front in white, as well as black shorts and black Vans type shoes.  Officers, including the Special Enforcement Team and the Foothill Air Support helicopter, searched for the suspect vehicle, but it was not located.

Driving Under the Influence - Suspect Arrested

On October 15 at 12:40 a.m., officers were dispatched to the 900 block of West Duarte regarding a possible drunk driver.  The reporting party followed the vehicle off the freeway and informed dispatch of his direction of travel.  Officers located the vehicle in the 900 block of West Duarte, and after investigation, determined the driver to be under the influence.  The driver was arrested.

Medical Assist / Drug Overdose

On October 15 at 1:42 a.m., officers responded to a medical assist in the 300 block of North Encinitas and found the victim had overdosed on Heroin.  He was transported to a hospital for treatment.  Officers recovered drug paraphernalia, along with Heroin, which was next to the victim when they arrived.  He was charged with possession of a controlled substance, being under the Influence of a controlled substance, and possession of a syringe.

Traffic Collision / Driving Under Influence - Suspect Arrested

On October 15 at 4:30 a.m., a traffic collision occurred in the area of Mountain and Olive involving a possible drunk driver.  Officers arrived on scene and determined the driver was intoxicated and he was arrested for driving under the influence.

Mental Evaluation

On October 15 at 12:50 a.m., a subject entered a night club in the 300 block of South Myrtle without paying and immediately became aggressive with the patrons.  Security guards had to physically remove him from the location.  When officers arrived and contacted the subject, he was extremely delusional and continued to exclaim that everyone was going to die.  The officers detained the subject and he was taken to a hospital, where he was held for 72-hour mental evaluation.

Medical Assist / Air Rescue - Monrovia Falls

On October 16 at 2:00 p.m., a medical assist was requested for a female adult that was hit in the head with a rock at Monrovia Falls.  Monrovia Fire Department paramedics responded and handled the call.  Police were called back to the falls regarding a 49- year-old male subject that decided to climb above the falls to find the subject(s) that dislodged the rock.  The male subject got stuck on a ledge and could not go up or down.  The Los Angeles Sheriff's Department responded with a helicopter and removed the male subject from the rocks.

Embezzlement

On October 19 at 9:52 a.m., the victim/owner of a business in the 300 block of West Maple and a witness came into the lobby of the police station to file an embezzlement report.  On October 14, they found a piece of paper in their copy machine that had been altered to the benefit of a female employee.  They became suspicious, conducted audits, and put together packages of checks from different banks that had been altered to the benefit of the same employee.  The employee has defrauded the company of a large sum of money.  The investigation will continue.

CrimeMapping launches with Monrovia PD

Ever wonder what sort of crime goes on in Monrovia?  Check out the CrimeMapping site that Monrovia PD launched today.  Everything you've wanted to know about Monrovia Crime is there...the big issues they face are vandalism (graffiti?) and drug/alcohol violations.  There are a smattering of burglary and auto break-ins on the map.

What does it tell us?  Right now we are in a clear zone, nothing going on Poinsettia Avenue but plenty going on around us to pay attention to what we see on the street and report it to MPD as we see it.  Certainly it shows that north of Foothill isn't exactly pristine and we need to remain vigilant with locking doors and keeping stuff we want to keep locked up safe and sound.

Highlighted Activity - Week of October 6 -12, 2011

During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 534 service events, resulting in 111 investigations.  Following are the last week's highlighted issues and events:

Theft / Receiving Stolen Property - Suspect Arrested

On October 6 at 11:39 a.m., an officer was dispatched to a business in the 2000 block of South Myrtle regarding the theft of an iron grate from a sewer drain at the location.  The officer went to the recycling center in the 100 block of West Duarte to see if anyone had tried to get money for the grate, but did not find the grate there.  While walking back to his patrol unit, he observed a male subject pushing a cart with an iron grate on it.  The grate weighed 125 pounds.  During the investigation, the suspect admitted to stealing the grate.  He was arrested and brought to the police station for booking.

Warrant Arrest - Suspect Arrested

On October 6 at 9:09 p.m., officers noticed a suspicious subject trying to hide from them as they were driving their patrol unit in the area of Alta Vista and Maple.  The subject was contacted, identified, and found to have an outstanding narcotics warrant.  He was arrested and taken into custody.

Driving Under the Influence - Suspect Arrested

On October 6 at 10:08 p.m., officers responded to a gas station in the 800 block of East Huntington on the report of a male subject sleeping in his car.  The officers arrived and found the vehicle sitting at one of the gas station pumps.  The subject was passed out behind the wheel and the engine of his vehicle was running.  The officers could smell the strong odor of alcohol emitting from the subject's breath.  The suspect was determined to be under the influence and was arrested. 

Non-Injury Traffic Collision / Driving Under the Influence

On October 7 at 2:14 a.m., a traffic collision was reported in the 2100 block of South Peck Road.  An officer responded and determined the driver was under the influence of alcohol.  The driver was arrested and taken into custody. 

Non-Injury Traffic Collision / Driving Under the Influence

On October 7 at 3:05 a.m., an officer responded to the scene of a traffic collision and found the driver to be under the influence of alcohol.  The reporting party had followed the driver from Hollywood.  The driver was arrested.

Disorderly Conduct / Peeping

On October 7 at 6:27 a.m., a female subject was taking a shower at a residence in the 100 block of West Cypress.  She observed a shadow across the street that appeared to be the silhouette of a male subject.  She yelled out that she could see him and saw a male subject jump out from the darkness.  She described the subject as a male Hispanic, unknown age, last seen getting into a smaller, white compact car.  Officers conducted an area search, but could not locate the suspect.  The investigation is continuing.

Shots Fired

On October 8 at 1:30 a.m., an officer reported hearing several shots fired east of his location at Ivy and Chestnut.  He started in that direction immediately.  Calls came in from the area of 200 East Colorado reporting shots fired, but no victim or suspect information was given.  Officers were in the area very fast and the Foothill Air Support Team airship arrived quickly and began checking the area.  No victims or suspects were located and no bullet impacts could be found.  Area hospitals were also checked, but not victims had reported for treatment.   

Weapons Offense - Suspect Arrested

On October 8 at 9:46 p.m., Special Enforcement Team officers were working an area regarding gang enforcement when they observed several subjects who appeared to be gang members walking in the area of the Monrovia/Duarte border, at California and Euclid.  They turned their police unit around to contact the subjects, and as they did, they observed a white Chevy Lumina occupied by four young male subjects and people in the area were running away.  Because of the suspicious circumstances, they decided to stop the car and investigate.  

Upon contact, the occupants acted very strange.  They were nervous and making statements about a friend who was stabbed at a location on California.  During a pat-down search of one of the occupants, the officer located a loaded revolver. The suspect was arrested for possessing a concealed weapon and was taken into custody.  The gun was determined to have belonged to a deceased person.  The suspect was later transported to Eastlake Juvenile Hall. 

Monrovia police were informed shortly after the stop that the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department was investigating the stabbing of a young male subject by several other males at a party in the 2100 block of South California.  

Strong-Arm Robbery

On October 8 at 7:17 p.m., an employee of a business in the 400 block of West Huntington was leaving for a break when a male subject grabbed her purse and pushed her to the ground, causing minor injury to her elbow.  The suspect is described as a male Hispanic, wearing blue jeans, a dark hat, a Pendleton-type shirt, and white shoes.  The victim did not require medical attention.  Officers responded and made an area check, but were unable to locate the suspect or the stolen purse.  Investigation continuing.

Vandalism

On October 9 at 1:56 p.m., officers located several locations in the City of Monrovia that had been vandalized with graffiti.  Maroon, black, and green paint was found at each location.  At the end of shift that same day, several other locations were discovered. Investigation continuing.

Assault With a Deadly Weapon

On October 9 at 11:55 p.m., an officer responded to Arcadia Methodist Hospital regarding a victim that checked himself in with a stab wound to his right thigh.  An officer contacted the victim, who stated that he was standing in front of his house in the 200 block of West Cypress at about 11:00 p.m. and was drinking a beer.  He was approached by two male subjects.  One of the subjects asked the victim to share his beer.  When the victim refused, one subject punched him in the face and the other stabbed the victim in his right thigh with an unknown sharp object.  Both suspects ran westbound on Cypress. 

The victim reported that he does not know the suspects.  They are described as two male blacks in their twenties; one suspect was wearing a dark baseball cap with the letter "D" on it and the other was wearing a dark hooded sweatshirt.  The victim's injury was minor and he was treated and released from the hospital.

Vehicle Burglary

On October 10 at 6:20 p.m., a vehicle burglary was reported at a business parking lot located in the 500 block of South Mountain.  One of the vehicle windows was smashed and cash and a GPS unit were stolen. 

Assault With a Deadly Weapon - Suspect Arrested

On October 10 at 7:58 p.m., police received a call from Arcadia Methodist Hospital.  They had a stabbing victim in the emergency room.  The victim said he was drinking and playing cards with family members at a residence in the 800 block of West Olive.  He began to argue with his cousin/suspect, which escalated into a physical fight.  Family members broke up the fight and they separated.

A short time later, the suspect returned and began threatening everyone by brandishing a knife.  The victim and suspect became involved in another physical altercation, after which, the victim noticed a deep laceration on his left wrist.  The suspect's brother also suffered a cut on his finger as a result of his efforts to break up the fight.  Officers went to the location and arrested the suspect without incident.

Theft

On October 10 at 8:16 p.m., police received a call reporting a victim chasing a suspect on foot in the area of Primrose and Lemon.  The victim exited a building and saw the suspect stripping parts from his bicycle, which was locked in a bicycle rack.  The suspect stole the front wheel, forks, handle bars, and seat.  He ran southbound through a park and out of site.  He was described as a male white, 20 years old, 6'4", thin build, dark curly hair, wearing a gray beanie, dark blue windbreaker, dark shorts, and he had a black backpack.  Officers responded, but the suspect was not located. 

Grand Theft Auto

October 11 at 6:25 a.m., an officer was dispatched to the 100 block of South Violet regarding a stolen vehicle.  The victim parked his vehicle on Linwood at Violet in the evening and secured it.  He returned to his vehicle in the morning and found it missing.  There was no broken glass on the ground where the vehicle was parked, all keys were accounted for, and no one had permission to take his vehicle.  The vehicle is a white, 4-door Honda Accord.

Grand Theft

On October 11 at 9:13 a.m., a victim reported the theft of a water-tank trailer from a construction site at the corner of Magnolia and Chestnut.  The reporting party told the officer the trailer was stolen from the location during the night.

Suspicious Circumstances / HazMat Incident

On October 11 at 6:27 p.m., a caller reported a release of some type of chemical at a market located in the 300 block of West Huntington.  The Monrovia Fire Department responded and advised they would be handling the incident as a bomb threat/HazMat incident.  When officers arrived, they learned a male suspect, for unknown reasons, ran into the store and discharged a dry-chemical fire extinguisher.  The building was evacuated.  None of the occupants became ill or showed any sign of exposure to anything dangerous.  The suspect was described as a male white, 25 yeas old, 5'10", with a thin build.  He drove away in a peach colored, 2-door vehicle.  The HazMat unit from the Los Angeles County Fire Department responded and determined the substance was non-toxic and the scene was cleared.  Investigation continuing.

Possession of a Controlled Substance / Possession of Drug Paraphernalia / Warrant - Suspect Arrested

On October 12 at 8:14 a.m., an officer was dispatched to a residence in the 300 block of West Colorado regarding suspicious subjects living in a shed.  The officer arrived and contacted the subjects.  He conducted a computer check on them and found the female subject had a warrant for possession of a controlled substance.  A search of her property revealed she had a baggie of methamphetamine and a drug smoking pipe in a small pouch.  She was arrested for the above listed charges.

Residential Burglary

On October 12 at 10:22 a.m., a resident in the 400 block of North Encinitas was called by his alarm company to report an alarm activation at his home.  He responded to his home and saw the garage door and the rear door of his home were open.  He then called police.  Officers arrived, cleared the house and did not find anyone inside.  The victim did a walk through with the officers, but could only determine an Ipad and a watch missing at this time.

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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!

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How to Burglar-Proof Your Doors

Burglars break into your home when they believe no one is around so they can take your most valuable possessions.  They look for houses that appear to be easy to get inside, either through a window or a door.  It is very important to make sure your doors are as secure as possible.  A burglar doesn't care if they break in through the front or back door of a house.  If they feel the front door is well hidden, it becomes an easy target.  A house with overgrown trees and bushes can block the view of the front door, giving criminals a perfect spot to hide while they make their way inside.  Keep plant growth trimmed back so thieves cannot use them as a hiding place.

Before adding any security devices to your door, examine it to see if it hangs properly and was installed correctly.  Make sure there are screws in every hole for each hinge. The more securely a door is attached to the wall, the harder it will be to break down.  Create new holes if the wood is rotted out and the screws are barely hanging on, and once the door is on as tightly as possible, you can include new locks and bolts.

Highlighted Activity - Week of September 29 - October 5, 2011

During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 518 service events, resulting in 114 investigations.  Following are the last week's highlighted issues and events:

Neighborhood Watch Report

Beginning November 1, 2011, the Monrovia Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report will be available on the City of Monrovia website, www.cityofmonrovia.org, under the Police Department section. 

Battery With Serious Bodily Injury / Resisting and Delaying a Peace Officer - Suspect Arrested

On September 29 at 8:41 p.m., callers reported a fight in the 400 block of Hurstview.  Two male subjects were arguing and began to fight.  The suspect moved aggressively toward the victim, and the victim struck the suspect once in the head to defend himself. The suspect then grabbed the victim and viciously bit the victim multiple times causing visible wounds that may require further treatment.  Officers arrived and detained both subjects.  While being detained, the suspect suddenly raised his arms in an attempt to go after the victim again and struck the officer in the face with his arm.  The suspect was arrested and taken into custody without further incident. The officer was not injured. 

Driving Under the Influence - Suspect Arrested

On September 30 at 1:58 a.m., officers observed a vehicle straddling lanes while sitting at the light on Duarte at Myrtle.  They watched as the light cycled three times without the driver moving.  The officers approached the car and observed the driver slumped over in his seat.  They alerted the driver and he jolted awake.  They told him to turn the car off, but he put it in neutral and the car rolled slowly back and bumped the police unit behind it.  No damage was sustained after the slight bump between vehicles.  The driver was determined to be under the influence of alcohol and arrested.

Fight in Progress

On September 30 at 2:37 a.m., callers advised dispatch a fight was in progress in the 300 block of Norumbega.  Officers arrived and detained four subjects.  They determined the subjects were family members and had been involved in a heated discussion, which resulted in one family member getting extremely upset.  As they tried to get him back in the car they had been driving in, he resisted them.  The investigation revealed that no crime had occurred and there were no injuries, and no one desired prosecution.

Commercial Burglary - Suspects Arrested

On September 30 at 8:52 p.m., police responded to a business in the 500 block of West Huntington regarding a burglary.  Store loss prevention observed a male and female subject enter the store.  The male subject selected a pair of shorts and put them on under his pants.  He then left the store without paying.  He went to a car outside the store and waited.  The female concealed about $400 worth of jewelry on her person and entered the dressing room.  Officers arrived and detained the male suspect, locating the stolen property.  The female continued to shop and was seen removing tags and concealing more items.  The female was detained inside the store.  All of the items she had removed tags from were concealed in a bag she was carrying.  Neither subject had money or any means of paying for the items.  After review of the facts and interviews with the suspects, they were both arrested and charged with commercial burglary.

Vandalism

On October 4 at 11:12 a.m., a city employee reported vandalism at a park in the 300 block of East Lime.  An officer responded and found the suspect(s) had written gang graffiti at several locations throughout the park.  Investigation continuing.

Vehicle Tampering

On October 4 at 3:15 p.m., an officer responded to a residence in the 700 block of South California.  The victim reported that her white Honda, which was parked in the rear carport, had been tampered with during the night.

Grand Theft Auto

On October 4 at 3:33 p.m., an officer was dispatched to a residence in the 1400 block of South Shamrock regarding a stolen vehicle.  The reporting party last saw the vehicle on Sunday, October 2.  The vehicle is a Black, Chevy Silverado truck with no license plates on it.

Receiving Stolen Property - Suspect Arrested

On October 5 at 3:30 a.m., an officer conducted a traffic stop on a subject at Foothill and Mountain for a traffic violation.  The officer obtained consent to search the vehicle from the solo occupant.  A Kindle electronic book was found, prompting a suspicious story from the driver.  Evidence indicated the device belonged to a female subject from Duarte.  The female subject was contacted and confirmed her Kindle was reported stolen to the Sheriff's Department a week prior.  The suspect was arrested for receiving stolen property.

Suspicious Circumstances / Possession of Narcotics Paraphernalia - Suspect Arrested

On October 5 at 4:50 a.m., an officer stopped a vehicle for a traffic violation at Foothill and Mountain.  He contacted the two male occupants, who said they were from Covina.  The subjects had no reason to be in the area at that time of the morning.  The driver was driving on a suspended license and was found to be on parole for receiving stolen property.  He had a large butcher knife in the door panel of the driver's side door.  The passenger was found to be in possession of a methamphetamine pipe.  The vehicle was searched and the following suspicious items were found:  A realistic-looking black pellet pistol, bandanas, a baseball bat, and both subjects had latex gloves in their possession.  State parole was contacted.  The passenger was arrested for possession of narcotics paraphernalia and the vehicle was impounded.  Investigation continuing.

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Detective Bureau Case Follow-up

Case Update - Receiving Stolen Property Arrest

On the morning of October 1, an officer and eight police explorers canvassed an area of Monrovia in an attempt to locate the victim of and crime, where two bicycles were stolen and a suspect was arrested.  They covered a large portion of the northeastern part of town handing out flyers and speaking with residents.  The area covered streets east of Canyon and north of Foothill.  At noon, a subject from the 200 block of Valle Vista called to report he had arrived home and found the flyer in his mailbox.  He reported that he had two bicycles stolen from his porch on September 16, 2011.  He stated that the bikes had been secured with a blue cable lock that was cut some time during the night.  He was able to describe the colors of the bicycles from a black and white photograph he was shown.  The cable lock was recovered by the officer and a supplemental report completed.  The bicycles will be returned to the owner.

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Tip of the Week

How to Burglar-Proof Your Windows

Windows are a very common entry point for burglars.  They are often left unlocked or wide open.  Even when closed and latched, windows can easily be shattered with a rock, brick or heavy object.  There are options available to help secure your windows.

One option available is laminated film that can be placed over your windows.  The film bonds with the glass to make them nearly impenetrable.  In addition, the film is clear so the window will remain completely transparent.  A burglar won't even know the glass is protected until they try to break it.  An option for homes that have windows that slide open on a track is to secure them by installing latches that make them difficult to open.  You can also find bolts and locking pins for sliding windows.  

Ensuring your windows are burglar proof is an essential task for every home owner, but it is important to remember that you may need to use the windows as an escape route during a fire or other emergency.  Make sure you still have the ability to get out through a window if it becomes necessary to do so.

Coyotes on the street 10/5/11

Coyotes in a pack of 3 were scavenging and hunting on the street the evening of 10/5/11 between 10:30 and 11:30PM.  MPD was called when they started making noises and it sounded as if something was being killed.

I was just coming home from a concert downtown when I spotted them on my driveway.

In talking with the responding MPD officer it was learned that coyotes are a problem here.  There are a few common sense things to do to prevent them from coming on the street.  First and foremost is to not leave pet food out at night.  Secondly don't allow small animals out at night unless you are with them as that is a potential food source, especially when they are travelling in a pack.

When you do spot a coyote stay safe and call MPD.  Call their Animal Control during the day at (626) 256-8000.  Or call them at night via their Cell Watch line  626-357-2355.

Highlighted Activity - Week of September 22 - 28, 2011

During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 546 service events, resulting in 94 investigations.  Following are the last week's highlighted issues and events:

Theft from Vehicle

On September 22 at 9:08 a.m., a resident in the 600 block of Vaquero reported a theft from his vehicle.  The victim had parked his vehicle during the late night, leaving the vehicle unlocked.  The resident returned to his vehicle in the morning and discovered his vehicle had been ransacked and his wallet was missing.  The wallet contained credit cards and cash.  No suspect(s) were seen or heard.

Petty Theft from Commercial Business

On September 22 at 10:47 a.m., a business in the 1500 block of California reported three pressure washers stolen from the property.  The pressure washers were being stored outside the building in the parking lot adjacent to Evergreen.  The equipment was last seen at the close of business.  When they opened in the morning, employees discovered the loss. 

Injury Traffic Collision

On September 22 at 3:36 p.m., a Honda Civic was traveling west on Duarte Road. The driver fell asleep and collided head-on into a pickup truck, which was traveling east.  Both drivers sustained injuries.  The driver of the pickup truck had to be extracted from the vehicle by cutting the driver's door with the "Jaws of Life."  Both drivers were taken to a hospital with moderate injuries.

Missing Person Located

On September 24 at 4:55 p.m., an officer on patrol in the area of Foothill and Canyon observed a vehicle impeding traffic.  The officer stopped the driver.  A check on the license plates returned a hit for a missing person, a 78-year-old female out of Cathedral City, last seen two days prior.  The female appeared disoriented and was brought to the police station.  The woman had no family in the area.  Cathedral City Police Department was contacted and took custody of the woman.

Spousal Battery - Suspect Arrested

On September 25 at 1:00 a.m., officers responded to a family disturbance in the 400 block of Genoa.  When the officers knocked on the door, it was answered by the 14- year-old son, who appeared nervous.  The son directed the officers to his parents' bedroom, where they found the father hiding under the bed.  A subsequent investigation revealed the father had battered his wife.  He was arrested.  When the suspect was placed in the backseat of the patrol vehicle, he began to bang his forehead against the Plexiglas divider.  Officers had to restrict his movement to prevent him from harming himself.  He was then taken to Monrovia Police Department without further incident.  The suspect did not sustain any injuries.

Public Intoxication - Suspect Arrested

On September 25 at 2:15 a.m., officers were contacted by a citizen who reported three male subjects causing a disturbance in the 100 block of West Lemon.  One of the subjects was punching street signs.  Officers located and contacted the subjects.  Two of the subjects were found to be intoxicated and unable to care for themselves, and they were arrested.  The third subject had been drinking, but was not found to be intoxicated.  He was identified and released at the scene. 

Commercial Burglary

On September 26 at 7:20 a.m., an officer went to a church in the 100 block of East Foothill regarding a burglary.  The reporting party showed the officer a hinge louver window that had been left unlocked.  This is where the suspects made entry.  The suspect(s) then used a screwdriver or similar type of pry tool to force a number of interior doors open; however, according to the reporting party, nothing appears to have been taken.

Gang Vandalism

On September 26 at 8:30 a.m., an officer went to a business in the 900 block of South Myrtle regarding a vandalism report.  The reporting party showed him the north wall of the building, which had gang graffiti written with green spray paint.  The vandalism seems to have occurred between September 24 and 26.

Possession of a Controlled Substance / Violation of a Court Order

On September 26 at 5:10 p.m., officers saw a female subject sitting on the curb in front of a residence in the 200 block of East Cherry in violation of a court order.  She was arrested.  A pat down search revealed a small rock of "crack" cocaine in her pant's coin pocket.  She was arrested and taken into custody.

Grand Theft Auto

On September 27 at 1:16 p.m., an officer was dispatched to the 1300 block of South Fifth regarding a stolen vehicle.  The victim reported that her vehicle was stolen from the street sometime overnight.  The vehicle was locked, but does not have an alarm.  There was no broken glass on the ground where it was parked.  The vehicle is a white, 4-door, 1994 Honda Civic.

Death Report

On September 28 at 6:25 a.m., police responded to a residence in the 00 block of Hidden Valley.  The caller reported her 61-year-old sister in the bathtub and not breathing.  Monrovia Fire Department paramedics responded and pronounced the woman.  Los Angeles County Coroner's Office was contacted and responded to the scene. 

Theft from Vehicle

On September 28 at 12:10 p.m., an officer was dispatched to a residence in the 100 block of North Mayflower.  The reporting party had parked his vehicle off the alley by his garage in the evening, but left it unlocked.  He returned to his vehicle at about 11:00 a.m. the next day and found his prescription glasses and GPS missing from the center console.  Investigation continuing.

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Detective Bureau Case Follow-up

Child Molestation - Suspect Sentenced

The suspect was arrested on December 15, 2009, for child molestation.  The suspect, a registered sex offender, allegedly, had repeatedly molested his live-in stepdaughter over an 8-year period, beginning when she was only 4 years of age.

The case was assigned to a detective for further investigation and the District Attorney's review.  During the course of the detective's investigation, he was able to locate a previous victim of the suspect, an ex-girlfriend's daughter.  She, too, was the victim of repeated sexual molestation by the suspect, which began when she was 6 years old.  This case occurred in West Covina in 1995, while the suspect lived with the victim's mother. .

Three felony charges were filed against the suspect for the Monrovia case by the Pasadena Superior Court and a jury trial began on August 10, 2011.  On August 16, 2011, the case went to the jury, and in a short 60 minutes, they returned with a verdict: GUILTY on all counts.  Each of the three counts holds a 25-year-to-life sentence, due to his prior felony sexual assault conviction.

On September 23, the suspect was sentenced to 155 years to life for molesting his stepdaughter.  This case is a result of detailed investigative work by Monrovia Police Department detectives

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.

Highlighted Activity - Week of September 8 -14, 2011

During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 550 service events, resulting in 93 investigations.  Following are the last week's highlighted issues and events:

Parolee-at-Large - Suspect Arrested

On September 9 at 3:50 p.m., Monrovia's Special Enforcement Team officers, augmented by Monrovia, Arcadia, and Baldwin Park police officers, and Los Angeles County Sheriff's deputies, went to the 200 block of Los Angeles to search for a parolee-at-large.  The parolee was found in the attic trying to hide from the officers. He was taken into custody without further incident.

Department of Child and Family Services Referral / Resisting and Delaying a Police Officer - Suspect Arrested

On September 10 at 7:30 a.m., officers went to a residence in the 200 block of Madeline to investigate a referral from the Department of Child and Family Services.  Upon their arrival, they found the mother of a minor child under the influence of alcohol.  She was so intoxicated she was unable to care for the child.  There were six additional adults in the residence who were all at varying stages of intoxication. The officers took the minor into protective custody.  The mother tried to prevent the officers from leaving with the child, and she was subsequently arrested for resisting and delaying a police officer.  After a caseworker from Department of Child and Family Services interviewed the child, she was released to her father.

Fight in Progress / Possession of a Concealed Weapon / Public Intoxication - Suspect Arrested

On September 11 at 1:52 a.m., officers were dispatched to the 600 block of South Primrose regarding a fight in progress.  When Officers arrived, they detained five subjects and conducted pat-down searches on them.  During the investigation, a female subject was found to be in possession of a dagger.  She was arrested for the weapons violation and for being drunk in public.  The other subjects were released in the field.

Driving Under the Influence / Traffic Collision - Suspect Arrested

On September 11 at 3:04 a.m., officers on patrol in the 100 block of West Huntington heard the sound of a traffic collision.  The officers observed a vehicle leaving the area westbound on Foothill at a high rate of speed.  An officer followed the vehicle and eventually caught up to it as it entered into the city of Arcadia.  The driver was detained and was determined to be driving under the influence and was arrested.  The investigation revealed the driver had fled the scene of a traffic collision.  It was discovered that the suspect struck an unoccupied parked vehicle in the 100 block of Stedman.   The suspect was arrested for driving under the influence and hit and run.

Residential Burglary

On September 12 at 3:43 p.m., a resident in the 200 block of Bradoaks heard noises in her home.  When she went to check, she found two male subjects, approximately 19 years old, one was wearing a baseball style hat.  The two suspects ran from the residence and a white Chrysler 300 was seen speeding away from the location.  Investigation continuing.

Residential Burglary

On September 12 at 5:06 p.m., a resident in the 400 block of Oakcliff returned home from work at about 5:10 p.m. and found the inside of his home ransacked.  He looked around his home and found the kitchen screen had been taken off and a window was open.   Investigation continuing.

Residential Burglary

On September 13 at 1:09 p.m., a burglary was reported in the 500 block of West Maple.  The resident left for work at 8:00 a.m. and returned home at 1:11 p.m.  The victim found the backdoor of the residence open.  The victim called police and did not go inside. Officers responded and checked home to ensure no suspects were inside.  No suspects were located.  Jewelry and a computer hard drive were taken.  Investigation continuing.

Gang Injunction Violation / Brandishing a Weapon - Suspect Arrested

On September 15 at 2:45 a.m., police received a call from a female subject in the 100 block of Montana stating her ex-boyfriend, a gang member, was in front of her house and was playing music loudly.  When she asked him to turn down the volume, he responded by brandishing a pistol in a threatening manner.  Officers responded and detained the suspect without incident.  The pistol turned out to be a realistic-looking toy.  The suspect was arrested for violating the curfew of the gang injunction and brandishing a replica firearm.  Because the suspect was arrested two days ago for violating the injunction's curfew, he was held for bail on the likelihood or recurrence.

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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!

Highlighted Activity - August 25 through 31, 2011

During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 517 service events, resulting in 98 investigations. Following are the last week's highlighted issues and events:

Disturbing Subjects / Possession of a Controlled Substance - Suspect Arrested

On August 26 at 8:47 p.m., officers responded to the area of Magnolia and Duarte regarding a female subject following a male subject who allegedly took something of hers while at the street fair. Officers located both parties and determined that no theft had occurred. The subjects are boyfriend/girlfriend and were arguing over drugs. Both subjects were patted down and checked for warrants. The male subject was found to be in possession of cocaine and was arrested.

Attempt Robbery - Suspect Arrested

On August 27 at 1:58 a.m., a suspect in the 300 block of West Lemon reportedly simulated a gun under his shirt and demanded money from a male victim. The victim did not believe the suspect had a gun and fought with the suspect. The suspect fled south on Alta Vista empty handed. Officers arrived and met with the victim and a witness, and also began an area check for the suspect. A male subject matching the suspects description was seen running south on Magnolia and was detained. The victim positively identified the suspect and he was arrested and taken into custody.

Hit & Run Incident - Suspect Arrested

On August 28 at 2:20 p.m., a male subject driving his vehicle east on Primrose drove through the cones blocking the roadway at Lime for the Sunday Farmer's Market event. The coordinator for the event stopped the vehicle inside the event and told the driver the street was closed to vehicle traffic. The male subject became angry and yelled that he lived that way, pointing east. He was told one more time that the street was closed. The driver proceeded through, striking the event coordinator and running over his foot. He sustained a broken ankle. A witness followed the suspect into a parking lot nearby, where officers apprehended him. He was arrested without further incident.

Domestic Violence / Reckless Driving / Possession of Methamphetamine / Possession of Drug Paraphernalia / Child Endangerment - Suspects Arrested

On August 29 at 5:04 p.m., a caller reported a male subject battering a female subject inside a vehicle in the area of Colorado and Alta Vista. The caller followed the suspect vehicle as it drove away wrecklessly on the wrong side of the road, nearly colliding into numerous vehicles along the way. As an officer drove up behind the suspect vehicle, the driver looked back and discarded a small bag into the roadway and continued driving. The suspect then stopped for the officers a distance away from the area where he discarded the bag. The officers conducted a high-risk traffic stop and detained the male subject without further incident.

The female did not have any injuries and denied being a victim of domestic violence. The subjects are husband and wife, and they had their two small children, ages one and two, in the backseat of the vehicle. The female was under the influence of a controlled substance and there was drug paraphernalia concealed where she had been sitting inside the vehicle. She was arrested for being under the influence of a controlled substance, possession of narcotics paraphernalia, and child endangerment.

The bag discarded by the male suspect was recovered and found to contain methamphetamine and a drug smoking pipe. He was arrested for possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia, domestic battery, child endangerment, and wreckless driving. He was later found to have lied about his identity and was found to be on parole; a parole hold was obtained.

The two small children were not harmed during the incident and were taken into protective custody. They were later released to a grandparent after being interviewed by the Department of Child and Family Services.

Driving Under the Influence - Suspect Arrested

On August 31 at 4:51 p.m., a fast food restaurant in the 100 block of West Duarte Road reported a female in their drive-thru that was driving drunk. Officers responded and detained the female. An investigation was conducted and the female was subsequently arrested for driving under the influence.

Strong-Arm Robbery - Suspect Arrested

On August 31 at 5:07 p.m., a business in the 300 block of West Huntington reported a female subject had just taken merchandise out of the store without paying for it. An employee attempted to stop the female, and the female fought with the employee to try and get away with the merchandise. Officers responded quickly and apprehended the suspect. She was arrested for strong-arm robbery and taken into custody.

Burglary

On August 31 at 9:33 a.m., an officer was dispatched to the 500 block of West Duarte Road on the report of a burglary. The victim reported that he locked his garage the night before at about 5:30 p.m. and went in for the evening. When he walked out to the garage in the morning at 8:20 a.m., he saw one of the two doors open. He checked his garage and discovered a miter saw and some of his tools were missing. The garage doors had been secured with padlocks. It appears the suspect(s) cut the locks and took them, as they were not located at the scene. Investigation continuing.