Highlighted Activity for the Weekend of February 21-27, 2013

Outside Assist - La Verne Police Department Felony Pursuit / Traffic Collision - Suspect Arrested

February 22 at 1:54 p.m., the La Verne Police Department was in pursuit of a suspect who had just robbed a bank in their city.  The suspect exited the freeway and was driving west on Live Oak.  He attempted to turn north on Myrtle at a high rate of speed and lost control of his rental car, colliding into a big rig truck in the 3000 block of South Myrtle.  The driver of the truck was not injured.  The suspect attempted to flee the scene, but was apprehended by Los Angeles County Sheriff's deputies who were in the area.  He was taken into custody by La Verne Police Department and then taken to a hospital.  Monrovia Police Department documented the traffic collision.  

Fight in Progress

February 22 at 1:55 p.m., a fight in progress was reported at a park in the 700 block of East Lemon Avenue.  The caller reported approximately 7 male teenage subjects fighting in the park near the baseball field.  Officers arrived and detained three of the subjects.  The subjects claimed they had been jumped by six male gang members who had fled in a grey or black BMW.  There were no injuries and no named suspects.  One of the subjects detained claimed he was a gang member, but his two brothers denied any gang involvement.  The three subjects did not desire prosecution.  They were identified and released.

Foot Pursuit / Suspended Drivers License / No Identification - Suspect Arrested

February 22 at 8:21 p.m., an officer stopped a vehicle in the 100 block of South Shamrock for a vehicle code violation.  When the vehicle stopped, the rear seat passenger fled from the vehicle and ran through several backyards.  A perimeter was set up and officers searched for the suspect, but he was not found.  The female driver and front seat passenger refused to identify the person who fled.  The driver did not have identification and was driving on a suspended driver's license.  She was arrested and the vehicle was stored.

Road Rage / Throwing a Substance at a Vehicle - Suspect Arrested

February 23 at 9:50 p.m., officers were dispatched to an incident of road rage in the 900 block of South Fifth involving two motorists.  The suspect motorist threw a 32 ounce beer bottle through the back window of the victim's vehicle while it was in motion.  The suspect was located and arrested.  No one was injured. 

Assault - Suspects Arrested

February 24 at 2:00 a.m., officers responded to the 400 block of South Myrtle regarding a battery investigation.  The involved parties had been drinking at a pub and eventually went outside and began fighting.  The investigation revealed that three male suspects punched and kicked one male victim, who had to be taken to a hospital for his injuries.  The victim sustained moderate facial injuries.  The three suspects were positively identified by witnesses and were arrested and taken into custody. 

Residential Burglary / Theft From a Vehicle

February 24 at 7:51 p.m., a burglary was reported in the 700 block of South Fifth.  The victim reported that unknown suspects entered his garage through the unlocked pedestrian door and entered his unlocked vehicle, which was parked inside the garage.  The suspects then took the victim's remote to the garage door from the vehicle.

Several hours later, the victim heard his garage door opening.  He went outside and saw two male subjects near the front of his house.  The two subjects immediately ran and the victim chased them to the 800 block of West Olive, where he lost sight of them.  Officers were dispatched and conducted a search of the area, but did not find the subjects.  Investigation continuing.

72-Hour Mental Evaluation

February 24 at 11:05 p.m., officers were dispatched to the 200 block of South Encinitas regarding suspicious circumstances.  When the officers arrived, they found a male subject inside of a church, destroying the interior by breaking furniture and smashing windows.  The subject was detained and determined to be suffering from mental illness.  He was taken to a mental health care facility, where he will be held for 72-hour mental evaluation.

Fraud / Commercial Burglary

February 26 at 2:35 p.m., police responded to a business in the 800 block of East Central on the report of a fraud incident in process.  Two suspects walked into the car dealership to purchase a vehicle.  They each provided forged checks, and one provided an altered driver's license.  The salesman was suspicious and called police.  The suspects were arrested and taken into custody without incident.

Detective Bureau Case Follow-up

Chase Bank Robbery - Suspect Arrested for Series of Robberies and Awaiting Trial

On August 30, 2012, at 12:54 p.m., a lone male suspect entered Chase Bank located in the 600 block of West Huntington Drive.  He approached the business teller window and placed a demand note under the teller window.  The teller opened the folded note and realized it was a robbery note.  The suspect in this bank robbery is suspected of a series of other robberies in the San Gabriel Valley.  A similar vehicle and suspect description was obtained in the series, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation dubbed the suspect the "Haggler Bandit."  Information was obtained and the suspect was identified.

On October 23, 2012, the series of robberies was presented to the District Attorney's Office by the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Majors Team.  An arrest warrant for seven felony counts of robbery was filed against the suspect, including the Monrovia bank robbery, with a bail amount set at $415,000.00.  The suspect was located and arrested in Memphis Tennessee.  He was extradited back to California and interviewed by Pasadena Police Department Detectives.  He confessed to the series of robberies and now awaits trial.

Tip of the Week

Submit Anonymous Tips by Phone, Text or the Web with "CRIME STOPPERS"

The purpose of Los Angeles Regional Crime Stoppers is to prevent and reduce crime, by forming a partnership among the community, law enforcement and the media to offer anonymity and cash rewards to anyone providing information leading to an arrest, thereby making the community a safer place for all who live or work in the region.

Crime Stoppers encourages members of the community to assist local law enforcement agencies in the fight against crime by overcoming the two key elements that inhibit community involvement: fear and apathy.

Callers can remain anonymous and are eligible to receive a cash reward if the information given leads to an arrest or criminal filing of a felony or misdemeanor offender.   

Tips can be made by text, on the Web, or by calling the toll-free phone number to LA Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-TIPS (8477). 

Highlighted Activity for the Weekdays of February 18-20, 2013

Electrical Main Explosion Prompts Street Closure, Evacuation

An underground explosion of a utility main prompted the evacuation of businesses and a street closure on West Chestnut Avenue between Fifth Avenue to Monterey Avenue this morning.  The Monrovia Fire Department received a call at 8:35 a.m. on Thursday morning of steam coming out of a four-foot opening on the street.  World Vision, at 800 West Chestnut Avenue, was temporarily evacuated.  No residential units were evacuated, and the freeway remained open.

Southern California Edison arrived on scene at 8:45 a.m. and determined that electrical wiring in the vault exploded.  Edison isolated the circuit at 9 a.m. and allowed occupants back to their businesses.  The street closure on West Chestnut between Fifth Avenue to Monterey Avenue will remain in effect until further notice. Commuters and residents are asked to take alternative routes to avoid delay.

Attempted Burglary

February 19 at 3:48 a.m., officers responded to a burglary alarm at an elementary school in the 900 block of East Lemon Avenue.  They found an open window in the administration building.  The same window was the point of entry for a burglary that occurred the previous night at the school.  The suspect did not gain entry this time.  The investigation is continuing.

Tip of the Week

Identity Theft Prevention

Identity thieves take your personal information and use it without your knowledge; they purchase merchandise, run up dept, and even commit crimes.  The following tips can help you lower your risk of becoming a victim of identity theft and safeguard your Identity:

Protect Your Social Security Number - Do not carry your Social Security card in your wallet or purse.  Do not give your social security number to anyone unless you are the one that contacted them, and they are entitled to it.

Don't be the Victim of a Scam - Scam artists pretend to be banks, stores, or government agencies.  They do this over the phone, in emails, and by mail.  Don't respond to a request to verify your account number or password.  Legitimate companies will not request information in this manner.    

Don't Trash Your Personal Information - Shred papers with personal information on them before you throw them in the trash.  Shred credit card offers and "convenience checks" that you don't use.

Protect Your Mail - Lock your mailbox or rent a locked post office box.  Deposit outgoing mail in blue post office boxes and retrieve your mail from your mailbox as soon as possible.      

Be Careful Where You Click - Check out websites before shopping online and entering your credit card number or other personal information.  Read the privacy policy and look for opportunities to opt out of information sharing.  If there is no privacy policy, beware!  Shop elsewhere.  Enter personal information only on secure web pages with "https" in the address bar and a padlock symbol in the lower right corner (Internet Explorer and Mozilla Firefox programs).  This shows that your information will be encrypted or scrambled, protecting it from hackers.    

Protect Your Computer From Viruses and Spies - Protect your personal information on your home computer.  Use strong passwords with at least eight characters, including letters, numbers, and symbols.  Avoid writing down the password.  Use a firewall and virus protection software that you update regularly.  Steer clear of spyware; download free software only from sites you know and trust.  Do not install software without knowing what it is.  Set your Internet Explorer browser security to at least "medium."  Don't click on links in pop-up windows or in spam email.

Control Your Personal Financial Information - Federal law requires your bank and other financial institutions to get your permission before sharing your personal financial information with outside companies.  You also have the right to limit the sharing of your personal financial information with affiliates of your financial institutions.  Write to the companies that you want to "opt-out" of sharing your personal financial information with their affiliates.  (Contact the Direct Marketing Association at www.dmaconsumers.org).

Always Check Your Bills and Bank Statements - Open your credit card bills and bank statement right away.  Check carefully for any unauthorized charges or withdrawals and report them immediately to the fraud department of the bank or credit card company.  Call the company if bills don't arrive on time or if there is unauthorized account activity.  

Ask Questions - Whenever you are asked for personal information that seems inappropriate for the transaction.  Ask how the information will be used and if it will be shared.  Ask how it will be protected.  Explain that you're concerned about identity theft.  If you're not satisfied with the answers, consider going somewhere else.

Check Your Credit Reports - for Free - One of the best ways to protect yourself from identity theft is to monitor your credit history.  You can get one free credit report every year from each of the three national credit bureaus:  Equifax, Experian and TransUnion.  You can request all three reports at once (so you can compare them).  Or, be your own credit-monitoring service and spread out your request, ordering from a different bureau every four months (so you can keep track of any changes or see new information on your credit history).

Order your free annual credit reports toll-free at (877/322-8228) or online at www.annualcreditreport.com.

Highlighted Activity for the Weekend of February 14-17, 2013

Commercial Burglary - Suspects Arrested

February 14 at 11:20 a.m., police responded to a business in the 700 block of East Huntington regarding a burglary.  Three subjects, two male and one female, entered the store and went to the makeup isle.  The female handed items to one of the males and he stuffed the merchandise into his pockets, while the other male acted as a lookout.  The three fled the store without paying and were stopped outside by loss prevention.  The suspects refused to return the items and fled in a grey vehicle.  They were quickly located and stopped by officers and were still in possession of the merchandise. 

The male suspect who had hid merchandise in his pockets was also in possession of a demagnetizing tool for removing store security tags.  Additional makeup items stolen from another store were found in the vehicle, along with a list of makeup Valentine's Day gifts to take for friends.  The suspects had some cash on them, but not enough to pay for the items they had taken. 

Grand Theft Auto

February 14 at 6:21 p.m., a vehicle was reported stolen from the 200 block of Sunset Street.  The vehicle is a black, 4-door, 2007 Acura TL.  The vehicle was taken sometime between 10:00 p.m. on February 13 and 5:05 a.m. on February 14.  The investigation is continuing.  

Driving Under the Influence / Hit & Run Traffic Collision / Possession of a Controlled Substance - Suspect Arrested

February 16 at 2:13 a.m., a vehicle was involved in a hit and run traffic collision on Foothill and Poinsettia.  The victims of the hit and run were able to stop the suspect in the 200 block of Norumbega.  A fight ensued and residents called police.  Officers arrived and the suspect driver was identified and determined to be intoxicated.  He was arrested and taken into custody.  During the booking process, he was also found to be in possession of a controlled substance.  He was charged with the above listed offenses.   

Armed Robbery

February 17 at 8:40 p.m., officers were dispatched to an armed robbery that occurred at a business in the 700 block of East Huntington.  A male suspect entered the fast food business with a handgun concealed in a plastic bag.  The suspect pointed the gun at the clerk and demanded money.  The clerk gave the suspect a small amount of cash and the suspect fled the location. 

The Foothill Air Support Team helicopter, Los Angeles Sheriff's Department deputies, and officers from Arcadia and Sierra Madre Police Departments assisted in the search for the suspect, but he was not located.  The gun was not seen by the clerk, but a witness confirmed the suspect was in possession of a black handgun.  The suspect is described as a male White, early 20's, wearing a black hooded sweatshirt draped over his head, and a black mask covering his face.  Investigation continuing.

Burglary

February 18 at 1:01 a.m., officers responded to a burglary alarm at an elementary school in the 900 block of East Lemon Avenue.  When they arrived, they found an electrical panel cover partially removed and an open bathroom window, leading into the administration office.  Officers gained access into the building and discovered footprints on the bathroom counter top, consistent with someone entering through the open bathroom window.  Officers searched inside the office, but did not locate any suspects.  The alarm company could not locate a responsible person to respond to the location.  Nothing appeared to be disturbed inside of the office.  The officer will follow up with school personnel to determine if anything was stolen.  Investigation continuing.

Grand Theft Auto

February 18 at 3:05 a.m., a vehicle was reported stolen from the 100 block of Oaks Avenue.  The vehicle owner was at home asleep when he heard the sound of screeching tires in front of his residence.  He looked outside and saw his vehicle being driven away westbound on Oaks and out of view.  The victim said his vehicle was left parked and secured in his driveway, but he had a hidden spare ignition key attached to the vehicle.  The vehicle is a gold, 2005, Toyota Tacoma pickup.  The investigation is continuing

Highlighted Activity for the Weekdays of February 11-13, 2013

Vandalism

February 12 at 4:06 a.m., an officer on patrol discovered several locations vandalized with graffiti.  The graffiti was found in the 2000-2100 blocks of South Myrtle, 200 block of East Duarte and the 200 block of Kruse.  The crimes occurred between 1:30 and 4:00 a.m.  The suspect(s) used black spray paint to write the graffiti.  Investigation continuing.

Stolen Vehicle Recovered

February 12 at 10:04 p.m., police received a call reporting a suspicious vehicle parked in the 600 block of Maryanna Lane.  Two male subjects were seen walking away from the car.  The vehicle, a 2004 BMW, was found to be a reported stolen vehicle.  The vehicle identification number indicated this vehicle was one of 13 stolen from a dealer in Brea on February 7.  The vehicle had a license plate on it that was stolen from a vehicle in Glendale.  The suspects are described as two male African American's, 20-30 years old, approximately 6'0" tall, medium to large build.  Brea Police Department was notified of the recovery.

Grand Theft Auto

February 14 at 5:09 a.m., a vehicle was reported stolen from the 200 block of South Sunset.  The vehicle was parked in the victim's driveway and was taken sometime between 8 p.m. and 5 a.m.  The vehicle is a black, 2007 Acura TL.  The investigation is continuing.

Tip of the Week

Vandalism

February 12 at 4:06 a.m., an officer on patrol discovered several locations vandalized with graffiti.  The graffiti was found in the 2000-2100 blocks of South Myrtle, 200 block of East Duarte and the 200 block of Kruse.  The crimes occurred between 1:30 and 4:00 a.m.  The suspect(s) used black spray paint to write the graffiti.  Investigation continuing.

Stolen Vehicle Recovered

February 12 at 10:04 p.m., police received a call reporting a suspicious vehicle parked in the 600 block of Maryanna Lane.  Two male subjects were seen walking away from the car.  The vehicle, a 2004 BMW, was found to be a reported stolen vehicle.  The vehicle identification number indicated this vehicle was one of 13 stolen from a dealer in Brea on February 7.  The vehicle had a license plate on it that was stolen from a vehicle in Glendale.  The suspects are described as two male African American's, 20-30 years old, approximately 6'0" tall, medium to large build.  Brea Police Department was notified of the recovery.

Grand Theft Auto

February 14 at 5:09 a.m., a vehicle was reported stolen from the 200 block of South Sunset.  The vehicle was parked in the victim's driveway and was taken sometime between 8 p.m. and 5 a.m.  The vehicle is a black, 2007 Acura TL.  The investigation is continuing.

Tip of the Week

Child Car Seat Safety

"Car crashes are the number one killer of children 1 to 12 years old in the United States.  The best way to protect them in the car is to put them in the right seat, at the right time, and use it the right way," a message from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Effective January 1, 2012, children under 8 years of age must be properly buckled in a car seat or booster seat, in the back seat of a vehicle.  There is an "or" clause if the child has reached a height of 4' 9".  Shoulder belt should be at mid-shoulder and lap belt should be across thighs.

Highlighted Activity for the Weekend of February 7-10, 2013

Residential Burglary

February 7 at 4:03 p.m., officers were dispatched to a residence in the 2600 block of Rochelle regarding a burglary.  The residents left their home and locked all the doors and windows when they left.  When they returned the next day on February 7 at about 4 p.m., they discovered the rear sliding glass door had been pried open and the house had been ransacked.  The property loss was unknown.  The suspect left a metal pry tool inside the home, which was most likely used to pry open the sliding door.  The investigation is continuing.

Trespassing / Possession of Stolen Property - Suspect Arrested

February 8 at 7:46 a.m., police responded to an elementary school in the 900 block of East Lemon regarding a transient subject possibly sleeping in a covered playground slide.  Officers responded, but the subject had already left the area.  Officers located the subject nearby, but he ran when he saw them.  He was quickly apprehended and found to be in possession of recently stolen property.  A short time later, school staff reported additional discarded property they had found on the school grounds.  The property was recovered and found to be stolen.  Based on the time and proximity to the known original location of the suspect, the additional property will be investigated as associated to the arrested suspect. 

Outside Assist - State Parole / Wanted Fugitive Parolee - Suspect Arrested

February 8 at 1:27 p.m., a state parole agent called to report he had located a subject wanted for failure to register for many years as a sex registrant.  The suspect had an outstanding felony warrant for his arrest for $160,000 bail.  The suspect was detained by the parole agent and then arrested by an assisting Monrovia officer.  He was booked for the warrant and transferred to the custody of the Los Angeles Police Department.

Criminal Threats - Suspect Arrested

February 9 at 11:31 a.m., police received a call reporting a family disturbance in the 300 block of Genoa Street.  The incident involved a male adult subject who was threatening his uncle.  Officers responded and detained the suspect.  He admitted he was mad at his uncle because of something his uncle did when he was younger.  He stated to his uncle that he was going to kill him.  The suspect was verbally abusive toward the officers, but did not physically resist them.  He was taken into custody without further incident.    

Criminal Threats / Possession of Narcotics Paraphernalia - Suspect Arrested

February 9 at 5:02 p.m., a resident called police to report a subject trespassing on an abandoned property in the 700 block of South Shamrock Avenue.  When the resident confronted the subject and asked him to leave the property, the subject began to threaten him.  The resident told the subject he was going to call the police, and the subject threatened to come back and kill him.  Police arrived and detained the suspect.  He was found to be in possession of narcotic paraphernalia.  The suspect was arrested and taken into custody.

Vandalism - Suspects Arrested

February 4 at 10:08 a.m., staff from Monrovia High School reported that they had two students detained for vandalism.  The high school has had an increase in graffiti on campus recently, so the staff and security had been on alert.  One of the security officers noticed a student with graffiti on his pants and escorted him to the office.  In the office, security located over 30 markers in the student's backpack. 

Officers arrived and during the interview, the student admitted to tagging numerous places throughout the City of Monrovia with another student.  Officers researched the monikers in previous graffiti vandalism incidents that have occurred in the City.  They discovered nearly $2,000 in graffiti damage had been reported with the monikers the students use.  The students were arrested and later released to parents on citations to appear in court.

Detective Bureau Case Follow-Up

Burglary Investigation

Last week detectives served 5 search warrants on a case involving elder abuse, burglary and extortion.  Two female adults were arrested and property belonging to the victim was recovered.  The case will be presented to the District Attorney for filing consideration.

Monrovia Police Department Seeking the Public's Help With Residential Burglary Investigation

Suspect: Female Hispanic, approximately 5'5", 180 lbs., stocky build, medium complexion, long brown shiny hair past the shoulders, wearing unknown color dress pants, thin white blouse and a thin grey sweater, and spoke with a Spanish accent.

Suspect Vehicle: Early 2000, dark grey, BMW, possibly 323I model, 2DR, tint on all windows, black and white paper rear plate that read "Discount" NFD. The vehicle is described as not taken care of.

On January 31, 2013, at approximately 2:24 p.m., the victims interrupted a residential burglary at a residence in the 100 block of Norumbega Avenue in the City of Monrovia.  The victims' residence backs up to an alley.  The suspect vehicle was seen parked in the alley behind the victims' detached garage.  The female suspect was standing next to the suspect vehicle holding the victims' back gate open.  One of the victims confronted the female suspect.  The female suspect got nervous and got into the driver's seat of the suspect vehicle and fled through the alley.  The victims found their safe on a dolly next to the gate, where the female suspect was standing.  The victims then discovered their home had been burglarized. 

The suspect may have had accomplices.  The victims said they saw the same suspect vehicle with a male driver, NFD, driving through the neighborhood.  The safe was located on the second floor of the residence; it would be difficult for one person to bring it down and load it onto a dolly.

If you have any information regarding this case or the identification of this suspect, contact Detective Wendie Contreras at (626) 256-8000.

Highlighted Activity for the Weekend of January 31 - February 3, 2013

Commercial Burglary - Suspects Arrested

January 31 at 11:11 a.m., two juveniles, 17 and 15 years old, went into a business in the 1600 block of South Mountain.  They both concealed Internet cable connectors in their waistbands and were detained by store loss prevention.  They admitted their intent to enter the business and steal the items.  They were arrested and taken into custody for the offense, and later released to parents.

Residential Burglary - Three Suspects Arrested

January 31, Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department contacted a suspicious male subject in the area of Lemon and Ranchito and requested a Monrovia officer respond to the location.  The officer responded and contacted the subject.  The subject was not from the area and told the officer he was looking for his dog that had wandered away.  The subject had no wants or warrants.  He was identified and released.  The officer had a strong suspicion the subject was lying about his activity in the area and he continued to patrol the area.  

A resident contacted the officer and told him the male subject had met up with another male subject in a white shirt and they had left the area together.  The officer located a subject in a white shirt who matched the description at a park in the 600 block of Shamrock.  He contacted the second subject and while speaking with him, he observed a car with the windows open and keys in the ignition.  The officer then left the location.

Believing the subjects were connected with the car, he and another officer watched the car from nearby.  Within a short period of time, the two male subjects the officer had contacted and a third male subject ran to the car and got in.  The officers conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle before they could leave the area.

  

During a search of the vehicle, officers located possible stolen property, including an Xbox and bicycle parts.  While they were still searching the vehicle, a police dispatcher advised the officers that a call had been received of a home in the area with the front and rear doors open.  The address of the residence matched the address on some documents found in the car the officers were searching.  The three suspects were arrested for residential burglary.  The suspects had forced entry through a rear door into the home located in the 1000 block of Oak Leaf and had stolen property from the residence.    

Residential Burglary

January 31 at 12:39 p.m., a residential burglary was reported in the 300 block of North Canyon.  The suspect(s) entered the home through an unlocked rear door.  The loss was jewelry, camera equipment and a laptop.  A male Hispanic with short hair with gel in it and wearing a black hooded sweatshirt was seen in the driveway around the time the crime occurred.  The investigation is continuing.

Residential Burglary

January 31 at 2:24 p.m., officers responded to the report of a burglary in progress in the 100 block of Norumbega.  A female Hispanic in a newer, dark grey BMW with paper plates that read "Discount Auto" was seen leaving the residence.  Officers arrived and searched the area, but did not locate the suspect vehicle.  Through further investigation, officers learned there were at least two people in the car.  Jewelry and other items were taken in the burglary.   The investigation is continuing.

Residential Burglary

January 31 at 2:34 p.m., a burglary was reported in the 100 block of North Myrtle.  The suspect(s) entered the residence through an unlocked rear window.  The suspect(s) gathered costume jewelry into a bag; however, it was left at the scene and no other loss was discovered.  The burglary occurred sometime between 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.  It appears the suspect(s) were scared off and left the location prior to taking any property.  The investigation is continuing.

Grand Theft Auto

January 31 at 4:36 p.m., police responded to a business in the 3300 block of South Peck Road.  A silver, 1992 Toyota sedan was stolen from the business lot sometime after 2:20 a.m.  The vehicle had traffic collision damage to the right rear quarter panel.   The investigation is continuing.

Vandalism

February 1 at 9:31 a.m., vandalism was reported at a business in the 900 block of South Myrtle.  Suspect(s) etched graffiti into four panes of glass.  No suspects were seen. The incident possibly occurred in the evening or early morning hours.  Investigation continuing.

Petty Theft

February 1 at 6:05 p.m., a cashier from a business in the 400 block of West Huntington   reported that a female Hispanic suspect left the store with a cart full of groceries without attempting to pay for the food.  She loaded the groceries into a dark SUV and fled east on Huntington.  Officers checked the area, but did not find the suspect.  The investigation is continuing.

Grand Theft Auto

February 2 at 10:46 a.m., two commercial tractor trucks with attached trailers loaded with seafood were reported stolen from a business in the 1700 block of South Mountain.  The theft occurred sometime after 10 p.m.  A white vehicle could be seen in the surveillance video.  Four suspects exited and walked out of view toward the trucks.  The trucks were started and warmed up, and then driven out.  The tractor trucks were a white, 1999 Peterbuilt and a gold, 2004 Peterbuilt.  The investigation is continuing.

Armed Robbery / Attempted Carjacking - Suspect Arrested

February 2 at 5:34 a.m., officers were dispatched to a hotel in the 700 block of West Huntington regarding a robbery investigation.  The victim arrived in his vehicle and parked in the hotel parking lot.  As he exited his vehicle, a male suspect approached and told the victim to give him his cell phone.  The suspect brandished a handgun and took the victim's cell phone and car keys.  The suspect attempted to start the vehicle, but the vehicle would not start and the alarm sounded.  The suspect exited and left the area on foot, northbound through the parking lot.  The suspect took the victim's keys and cell phone.  Officers responded and located the suspect in the area and detained him.  The suspect was positively identified by the victim and was arrested and taken into custody.

***************************************************

The 3 home burglaries are all North of Foothill and close to us.  If you want to keep your stuff keep your doors and windows locked.  Pay attention to folks who don't belong here and if you see them in places they shouldn't be, like side yards, going to back yards call MPD ASAP.

Highlighted Activity for the Weekdays of January 28-30, 2013

Juvenile Problem

January 28 at 11:42 a.m., officers were dispatched to an elementary school in the 200 block of Jasmine Avenue.  A 10-year-old student was found to be in possession of a plastic Airsoft pistol.  The student said he left it in his backpack from the day before and forgot he had it in the backpack.  He showed it to a fellow student.  The fellow student later reported the incident to school personnel.  The principal called the student in and retrieved the Airsoft pistol.  There were no plastic BB's or magazine clips with the pistol.  The student's parent was notified and responded to the school.  The parent later surrendered two additional Airsoft pistols and requested Monrovia Police Department have them destroyed.  No injuries were reported and the school will be suspending the student.  The incident was documented.

Grand Theft Auto

January 28 at 7:11 p.m., police responded to the 600 block of Vaquero on the report of a stolen vehicle.  The victim parked and locked her vehicle on the street at 4 p.m. in the evening.  She returned to her vehicle the next day a little after 7 p.m. and discovered it had been stolen.  The vehicle is a blue, 1991 Toyota Camry.  The investigation is continuing.

Residential Burglary

January 29 at 10:33 a.m., police dispatch received an alarm call from a residence located in the 400 block of Parkrose.  The alarm was heard by neighbors who checked outside after a few minutes and saw the front door of the residence was open and called police.  Officers responded and realized the front door appeared to have been kicked open.  Containment of the area was established and the residence checked.  No suspect(s) were located or seen by neighbors.  It appears the suspect(s) kicked the front door and headed straight to the master bedroom.  The loss appears to be costume jewelry.  The investigation is continuing.

Residential Burglary

January 30 at 3:54 p.m., police responded to the report of a burglary in the 200 block of North Mountain.  The resident left at 7:20 a.m. and returned at 3:30 p.m.   Upon her return, she discovered her home had been broken into and ransacked.  The loss was jewelry from the master bedroom.  The suspect(s) entered through an unlocked living room window and ransacked the entire residence.  The investigation is continuing.

Residential Burglary

January 30 at 11:12 p.m., a residential burglary was reported in the 400 block of Norumbega.  The crime occurred between 2 p.m. and 11 p.m.  The suspect(s) forced open the front door and the house was ransacked.  Jewelry was stolen from the location.  The investigation is continuing.

Detective Bureau Case Follow-Up

Monrovia Police Detectives Recover Large Quantity of Stolen Property in Los Angeles County Burglaries

On January 18 at 6:21 p.m., a female called to report her daughter was suicidal and had threatened to hang herself.  Officers arrived and searched the location for the suicidal subject, but she was not at the home.  During the search for the daughter, a large cache of cameras and other electronics was found.  A female subject who was at the location was found to have a warrant for receiving stolen property.  While she was being taken into custody, the suicidal subject returned home.  She was taken to a hospital and held for a 72-hour mental evaluation.  Due to the volume of property at the location, a search warrant was obtained.  Another male subject who was wanted by the Burbank Police Department for receiving stolen property showed up at the location.  He was also arrested.  The search warrant for the location was served and resulted in the recovery of a large amount of stolen property taken in burglaries from across the Los Angeles area: Hollywood, Walnut, Chino Hills, and Hacienda Heights.

Subsequent investigation indicated more stolen property was in a storage facility in the name of the female taken into custody days before.  The storage facility was located in the city of West Covina and another search warrant was obtained for that location.  The second search warrant resulted in the recovery of another large quantity of stolen property.  The recovered property was more than what could be processed and contained at the Monrovia Police Department.  Los Angeles County Sheriff's detectives assisted with the case and are processing the recovered property.  Investigation by Los Angeles County Sheriff detectives has indicated that many of the victims of these suspects were individuals who had placed themselves on the Los Angeles Times vacation list.  These victims were subsequently burglarized and are encouraged to contact Los Angeles Sheriff's Department Detective Jack Jordan at (562) 946-7893.  Victims should be prepared to supply the police report number from the burglary and a description of the items stolen. 

Tip of the Week

Home Burglary Prevention

Criminals look for easy targets.  Burglars, watch for homes that are dark and seem to be temporarily unoccupied.  Residential burglary prevention continues to be a focus of the Monrovia Police Department.  Police officer presence in neighborhoods, investigators working surveillance, following up on leads and tips, and recovering stolen property are all part of preventing residential burglaries and property crime.  

Here is what you can do to help:

Lock all of your doors and windows when you are not home.  Leave any exterior lights on if they are not sensor activated.

Make sure that all side gates are locked and secured.

If you have an alarm system, activate it, even if you will be away for just a few minutes. 

If you have surveillance cameras affixed to the exterior of your property, make sure you periodically check them to ensure they are working properly. 

Ensure that all of your hedges and or bushes are trimmed from the front of your residence so that your house is not concealed from the street.

Never leave old newspapers, mail or door leaflets piled up on the front steps of your residence.

Never leave valuables in plain view from the outside.

If you have valuables, please secure them in either a safe or safe deposit box at your local bank.

Always take an active role in getting to know your neighborhood.

Keep your eyes open to suspicious activity in your neighborhood and always do your part as a good witness.  Never attempt to stop a crime; always call 911.

The most important deterrent in preventing property crime is you, the resident.  It is very easy for you to take an active role in keeping your property safe.  It is extremely important for residents to discourage a would-be thief and make their job as difficult and time consuming as possible.  And if you see something suspicious happening in your neighborhood, do not hesitate to call police and report it.

Highlighted Activity for the Weekend of January 24-27, 2013

Soliciting Without a License / Warrant - Suspect Arrested

On January 25 at 10:59 a.m., residents in the 1000 block of Orange called regarding two suspicious male subjects walking house to house in the rain, trying to solicit painting jobs.  In light of recent notices about distraction burglaries, officers responded to contact the subjects.  Officers located the subjects and detained them.  One of the subjects had an outstanding warrant and was arrested.  It was later determined that he had a criminal history of theft.  The second subject was identified and released.  They were both advised about handing out fliers for soliciting business without a license.

Possession of Methamphetamine / Possession of Marijuana / Possession of Drug Paraphernalia / Receiving Stolen Property - Suspect Arrested

January 26 at 11:25 a.m., a female subject drove her male friend to the police station, due to his disruptive and strange behavior, and told him to get out of the car, but the subject refused.  Officers were alerted to the problem and detained the subject.  The subject was found to have methamphetamine, a smoking pipe and marijuana in the immediate vicinity of where he was seated and in his personal property.  He was also determined to be under the influence of a controlled substance.  He had two metal handicapped parking signs in the car, which the driver stated he had placed in the vehicle.  They had apparently been ripped from a sign post or wall to which they had been affixed.  He was arrested for the offenses, including receiving stolen property.

Driving Under the Influence / Traffic Collision / Possession of Marijuana - Suspect Arrested

On January 26 at 12:16 p.m., dispatch received a call reporting possible drug activity taking place in the 200 block of East Maple in an alley.  Officers arrived and detained a male and female subject.  The male subject is a documented gang member and has been served Monrovia's gang injunction.  There was a strong odor of marijuana coming from the car.  The female driver was determined to be under the influence of marijuana. She had driven into the driveway area and collided with the garage door; neither subject lived at the location.  The female was arrested for driving under the influence of marijuana and possession of marijuana.  The male subject did not have possession of any marijuana and was not impaired.  He was identified and released.  

Domestic Violence / Surreptitious Recording - Suspects Arrested

On January 26 at 2:30 p.m., officers were dispatched to the 200 block of East Lemon regarding a male subject being battered by his ex-girlfriend.  On arrival, officers determined the female subject had battered the male subject, causing visible injury on his face and arm.  The investigation revealed that the male subject had surreptitiously recorded the female, which is what caused her to become angry.  The female was arrested for domestic violence and the male was arrested for intentionally and surreptitiously recording the female.  The argument was also over a child they have in common.  The child was in a car seat in the back seat of a car when this occurred.   The Department of Children and Family Services was notified and will receive a copy of the police report. 

Armed Robbery

On January 26 at 4:00 p.m., a female subject was getting into her car after shopping in the 500 Block of West Huntington and was confronted by a male suspect armed with a handgun.  He pointed the gun at her and demanded a ring that was on her finger and her purse, which contained her cell phone.  The suspect fled in a grey, newer-model Lexus, driven away by another male suspect.  They fled east on Huntington and then south on Mayflower.

After the incident, the victim drove home to Arcadia and called the Arcadia Police Department.  The Arcadia Police Department transferred her back to Monrovia and an officer was dispatched to interview the victim.  A broadcast was made and a teletype was sent; however, a lot of time had passed due to the delay in reporting the incident.

The suspect is described as a male Hispanic, 5' 4", 145 pounds, no facial hair, 25 to 30 years old, brown eyes, wearing a dark colored beanie and a dark jacket with a grey hooded sweatshirt underneath.  The handgun is described as possibly a black semi-automatic.  The driver of the suspect vehicle was described as a male Hispanic.  The Investigation is continuing.

Stolen Vehicle / Driving Without a License - Suspect Arrested

January 26 at 4:30 a.m., a resident from the 200 block of Norumbega came to the station to report his vehicle had been stolen.  While he was reporting the crime, an officer located the vehicle on the 605 Freeway, heading southbound.  While the officer was waiting for a back up unit, the vehicle drove west on the 10 Freeway and exited at Peck Road.  The El Monte Police Department was clearing a burglary call at Peck and Ramona and there was a large contingent of law enforcement to assist.  Once the vehicle was stopped and the subject detained, the victim drove to the location and identified the suspects as female subjects who had been drinking with him.  He signed a refusal to prosecute and no further action was taken regarding the stolen vehicle.  However, a records check showed the female who was driving the vehicle did not have a license and she had no identification.  She was arrested and taken into custody.

Fight in Progress - Suspects Arrested

January 27 at 7:18 p.m., officers were dispatched to the 400 block of West Huntington regarding a fight in progress.  The investigation revealed that two male subjects were fighting each other inside a business.  Neither party desired prosecution, but the manager of the business signed a private person's arrest against them for fighting in public and both suspects were arrested.  No one was injured during the fight.

Attempt Robbery - Suspect Arrested

On January 27 a 12:25 a.m., officers were dispatched to the 1700 block of South Mountain regarding a weapons offense that was later discovered to be an attempt robbery.  The victim is a security guard at the business and was seated in his locked vehicle with the window partially rolled down.  The suspect walked up to the victim's vehicle and demanded money from him at knife point.  When the victim refused, the suspect lunged at him with the knife, but the victim's window protected him.  The victim drove away and called the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department for assistance.  Sheriff's deputies responded and found the suspect near Duarte and Buena Vista.  It was determined that the crime actually occurred in Monrovia.  The victim positively identified the suspect and the knife was recovered in the suspect's possession.  The suspect was arrested

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Pay close attention to the door-to-door solicitors as noted in the first item in this weeks report.

Its been a while since we've had them on the street, but when someone is at the door the first thing you ask for is their MPD issued solicitors if they don't have them tell them "good bye" and call MPD, or call me and I'll do it.

It was a couple of years ago I did call on one that was snooping around my back yard.  When confronted he claimed to be selling magazines for MHS.  With my kids at MHS I knew it was BS and called MPD from my cell.  He shoved his way past which became a battery.  MPD used the 911 call I made to get a battery conviction as well as one for soliciting without a permit.

Don't respond to door to door solicitors without a permit, turn them away and call MPD.

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Highlighted Activity for the Weekdays of January 21-23, 2013

Theft From an Unlocked Vehicle

January 21 at 10:24 p.m., police responded to the report of a theft from an unlocked vehicle in the 400 block of West Huntington.  The incident occurred at approximately 6:00 p.m. in a business parking lot.  Two cell phones and a GPS were stolen.  Investigation continuing.

Commercial Burglary - Suspect Arrested

January 22 at 4:16 p.m., an employee at a business in the 500 block of West Huntington called police to report a burglary in progress.  A male suspect had entered the store and was using some type of tool to cut the sensor tags off merchandise.  He received a phone call, possibly to tell him that the police were in the area.  He then exited the store.  He was quickly detained and arrested.  The suspect was found to be on parole and is currently being monitored with an ankle bracelet.

Residential Burglary

January 22 at 9:08 p.m., a resident in the 600 block of East Greystone reported that someone had broken into their home.  The crime occurred between 3:00 and 9:00 p.m.  The suspect entered through a very small, unlocked window and ransacked the house.  Jewelry and an iPad were stolen.  The investigation is continuing.