Monrovia Police: Bear likely suspect in kitchen trespassing case; Found knife may have been involved in crime; Shoplifters; Drunks; And more ...
During this period the Police Department handled 476 service events, resulting in 100 investigations.
Theft / Warrant Arrests – Suspects Arrested
May 7 at 1:36 a.m., a caller in the 400 block of W. Evergreen reported two subjects were stealing from a construction site. Officers arrived and located two subjects in the area. A computer search revealed they both had multiple warrants for their arrest. They were arrested and taken into custody.
Fraud
May 7 at 11:31 a.m., a resident in the 200 block of W. Pomona walked into the MPD lobby to report fraudulent activity within his credit report. This investigation is continuing.
Hit and Run Traffic Collision
May 7 at 12:12 p.m., a victim walked into the MPD lobby to report his parked vehicle was struck and the suspect fled the scene. This investigation is continuing.
Found Property
May 7 at 6:53 p.m., a resident in the 1700 block of S. Mayflower reported they found a knife in their backyard, they believe it was used in a crime days prior. This investigation is continuing.
Driving Under the Influence / Traffic Collision – Suspect Arrested
May 7 at 11:07 p.m., a traffic collision was reported in the area of Magnolia and Cypress. Officers arrived and discovered it was a solo vehicle that collided with a curb. The driver was contacted and found to be under the influence. He was arrested and taken into custody.
Warrant Arrest – Suspect Arrested
May 8 at 7:20 p.m., officers were dispatched to a gym in the 600 block of W. Huntington regarding a female subject causing a disturbance. Officers arrived and made contact with the female subject. A computer search revealed she had two warrants for her arrest. She was arrested and taken into custody.
Theft – Suspect Arrested
May 8 at 8:50 p.m., a loss prevention officer from a business in the 700 block of E. Huntington reported a theft. Officers arrived and learned that a female subject exited the store with merchandise she did not pay for. She was arrested and taken into custody.
Theft / Drug Offense – Suspects Arrested
May 8 at 9:24 p.m., a passerby reported three male subjects ran out of a store in the 1600 block of S. Mountain taking merchandise which they did not pay for. Officers arrived and located the three male subjects. An investigation revealed the subjects were in possession of the stolen merchandise, drug paraphernalia and a controlled substance. A computer search revealed one of the subjects had a warrant for his arrest. They were arrested and taken into custody.
Drug Possession – Suspect Arrested
May 9 at 1:53 a.m., while patrolling the 1500 block of S. Myrtle an officer saw a bicyclist commit a vehicle code violation. An investigation revealed the subject was in possession of a controlled substance. He was arrested and taken into custody.
Injury Traffic Collision
May 9 at 6:58 a.m., officers were dispatched to the 900 block of Royal Oaks regarding a traffic collision. Officers and MFD responded. One of the parties involved complained of pain and they were transported to a hospital for treatment.
Mental Evaluation
May 9 at 11:05 a.m., a caller reported receiving a text from a friend, who resided on Diamond who was making statements of wanting to harm themselves and others. Officers arrived and made contact with the subject who was determined to be a danger to himself and others. He was transported to a medical facility for a mental evaluation.
Shoplifting / Warrant Arrest – Suspects Arrested
May 9 at 2:52 p.m., an employee from a business in the 500 block of W. Huntington reported two subjects were in the store shoplifting. Officers arrived and made contact with the subjects. An investigation revealed the juvenile daughter was shoplifting and her mother was discovered to have an outstanding warrant. They were arrested and taken into custody.
Shoplifting – Suspect Arrested
May 9 at 8:41 p.m., officers responded to a store in the 700 block of E. Huntington regarding a shoplifting in progress. Officers arrived and located the subject. He was arrested and taken into custody.
Warrant Arrest – Suspect Arrested
May 9 at 9:09 p.m., while patrolling the area of El Sur and Myrtle an officer conducted a traffic stop on a bicyclist for a vehicle code violation. A computer search revealed the subject had a warrant for his arrest. He was arrested and taken into custody.
Driving Under the Influence – Suspect Arrested
May 10 at 2:00 a.m., an officer patrolling the area of Foothill and Fifth saw a vehicle commit a violation. A traffic stop was conducted and the driver was contacted. The driver displayed signs of alcohol impairment. A DUI investigation revealed the driver was under the influence. The driver was arrested and transported to the MPD jail to be held for a sobering period.
Theft
May 10 at 7:37 p.m., a resident walked into the MPD lobby to report a theft from her vehicle. The victim dropped off her vehicle for repairs on May 5 at an auto shop in the 200 block of Kruse, when she retrieved her vehicle on May 10, she discovered her sunglasses were missing. This investigation is continuing.
Mental Evaluation
May 10 at 10:26 p.m., officers were dispatched to the 200 block of W. Lemon regarding a female subject who wanted to harm herself. Officers arrived and determined she was a danger to herself. She was transported to a medical facility for a mental evaluation.
Driving Under the Influence – Suspect Arrested
May 11 at 12:58 a.m., while patrolling the area of Myrtle and Montana an officer saw a vehicle in violation of a code. A traffic stop was conducted and the driver was contacted. The driver displayed symptoms of being under the influence. A DUI investigation confirmed the driver was under the influence. The driver was arrested and transported to the MPD jail to be held for a sobering period.
Warrant Arrest / Theft – Suspect Arrested
May 11 at 8:58 p.m., a shoplifting incident was reported at a business in the 1600 block of S. Mountain. Officers arrived and located the subject in a nearby parking lot. A computer search revealed he had a no bail warrant. He was arrested and taken into custody.
Driving Under the Influence – Suspect Arrested
May 11 at 9:54 p.m., an officer patrolling the area of Foothill and Ivy saw a vehicle in violation of a code. A traffic stop was conducted and the driver was contacted. The driver displayed symptoms of being under the influence. A DUI investigation confirmed the driver was under the influence. The driver was arrested and transported to the MPD jail to be held for a sobering period.
Public Intoxication – Suspect Arrested
May 11 at 11:05 p.m., while patrolling the 100 block of E. Lemon an officer saw a subject who appeared to be intoxicated. An investigation revealed the subject was unable to care for himself. He was arrested and transported to the MPD jail to be held for a sobering period.
Public Intoxication – Suspect Arrested
May 12 at 1:30 a.m., an officer contacted a male subject in the 700 block of E. Huntington who appeared intoxicated. An investigation revealed the subject was unable to care for himself. He was arrested and transported to the MPD jail to be held for a sobering period.
Petty Theft
May 12 at 8:06 a.m., a resident in the 300 block of Meadow reported a theft. Officers arrived and learned that an unknown subject entered the resident’s vehicle and stole property. This investigation is continuing.
Hit and Run Traffic Collision
May 12 at 11:38 a.m., a victim in the 200 block of E. Duarte reported a hit and run traffic collision that occurred on May 10. This investigation is continuing.
Shoplifting – Suspect Arrested
May 12 at 1:30 p.m., officers responded to a business in the 500 block of W. Huntington regarding a shoplifting incident. Officers arrived and located the subject nearby. After an investigation was conducted the subject was arrested and taken into custody
Theft
May 12 at 9:42 p.m., a manager from a business in the 400 block of W. Huntington reported a theft. This investigation is continuing.
Burglary Tools / Vandalism – Suspects Arrested
May 12 at 10:41 p.m., a resident in the 400 block of E. Greystone reported a suspicious vehicle in front of her residence. Officers arrived and located the suspicious vehicle with five male subjects inside. An investigation revealed one of the subjects had walked away from the vehicle and onto the resident’s property towards the back gate where a broken spot light was discovered. Additionally, a search of the vehicle revealed the subjects were in possession of burglary tools. Two subjects were arrested and taken into custody.
Domestic Violence – Suspect Arrested
May 12 at 11:56 p.m., officers were dispatched to the 100 block of W. Colorado regarding a domestic violence incident. The suspect was gone prior to officers’ arrival. The officers made contact with the victim and learned her ex-boyfriend went to the victim’s home while he was intoxicated and began to argue. He began to break property in the home and then became physically abusive with the victim. She refused medical attention. He was located nearby. He was arrested and taken into custody.
Non-Injury Traffic Collision
May 13 at 10:11 a.m., a non-injury traffic collision was reported in the area of Huntington. No injuries or city property damage was reported.
Hit and Run Traffic Collision
May 13 at 2:17 p.m., officers responded to a parking lot in the 100 block of E. Olive, regarding a hit and run traffic collision. The reporting party stated that a truck backed into her vehicle and fled the scene without stopping and exchanging information. This investigation is continuing.
Hit and Run Traffic Collision
May 13 at 5:37 p.m., an officer responded to a parking lot in the 100 block of W. Foothill regarding a hit and run traffic collision. The reporting party stated he was hit from behind and the other vehicle fled the scene without stopping and exchanging information. This investigation is continuing.
Trespass / Theft
May 13 at 7:46 p.m., a resident in the 600 block of Norumbega reported an unknown subject had been in her kitchen, because she found the refrigerator door open. An officer arrived and determined the likely suspect was a bear. This investigation is continuing.
Public Intoxication – Suspects Arrested
May 13 at 9:15 p.m., a fight in progress was reported in the 400 block of E. Cherry. Officers arrived and made contact with two subjects located in the area. An investigation revealed the subjects were doing work at the location and became intoxicated. A verbal argument turned physical. It was determined the subjects were unable to care for themselves. They were arrested and transported to the MPD jail to be held for a sobering period.
Grand Theft Auto Recovered
May 14 at 9:55 a.m., an employee from a business in the 3300 block of S. Peck reported a suspicious vehicle. Officers arrived and discovered the vehicle had been reported stolen. This investigation is continuing.
Warrant Arrest / Drug Paraphernalia – Suspect Arrested
May 14 at 1:29 p.m., a caller in the 200 block of E. Cherry reported two disturbing subjects. Officers arrived and made contact with the subjects. A computer search revealed one of the subject had a warrant for his arrest and was in possession drug paraphernalia. He was arrested and taken into custody.
Vandalism
May 14 8:07 p.m., a resident in the 1100 block of Sesmas reported his tires were slashed and his license plates were missing. This investigation is continuing.
City Council to consider hiring company to resurface Mountain and Peck, fix sidewalks, and add trees: Budget update: city finances stable but uncertainty in broader economy
~ Consider hiring All American Asphalt to resurface much of Mountain Avenue and Peck Road, plus: construct 22 new tree wells and plant 18 new trees along Peck Road and 4 new trees along Mountain; replace 900 square feet of sidewalk along Peck and Myrtle and nearly 900 square feet along Mountain; and replace the traffic signal at Mountain and Lemon and install "traffic calming" and pedestrian improvements at the intersection. The company would be paid $4,373,848.18 and there would be a contingency amount of up to $437,385 in case of unexpected expenses.
~ Receive a 2024-25 budget update, which reports that while "the City remains in a stable financial position, uncertainty persists in the broader economy." Specifically, potential tariffs, federal funding freezes, closures of federal buildings and operations, and possible layoffs of federal staff. Staff report says, "Overall, most City revenues remain stable and are showing modest growth. However, sales tax revenues continue to trend downward, particularly due to reduced revenue from new vehicle purchases. Given the City's strong fiscal foundation, it is well-positioned to remain flexible and adapt to changing economic conditions." Details.
- Brad Haugaard
Ethnic Studies to be made a requirement for high school graduation
At its next meeting (agenda here) the Monrovia Board of Education will consider approving an Ethnic Studies as a requirement for high school graduation.
The agenda item says: "On October 8, 2021, Governor Newsom signed Bill AB-101 into law, making California the first state to require ethnic studies as a class for high school graduation. This legislation aims to help students understand the historical and ongoing struggles, as well as the contributions, of Black, Asian, Latinx, Native/Indigenous Americans, and other groups that have faced racism and marginalization in the United States." Course description here.
- Brad Haugaard
Graduation lists for Monrovia students
- Brad Haugaard
Dinner at Cafe X20
Dinner at Cafe X20, on the north side of Foothill just west of Melrose. Got the Chicken Shawarma plate with hummus and baba ghanoush, for $17, and a bee for $7. Very good. I loved the smoky flavor of the baba ghanoush.
Monrovia Days starts tomorrow (Thursday) with parade at 7 p.m.
For Monrovia Days the city has put together this informative information: schedule, map, information about wristbands for carnival rides, parking, dining and more. See here.
First up is the parade, which starts at 7 p.m. tomorrow, Thursday.
- Brad Haugaard
Horchata latte at new coffee shop
Had a medium size Horchata Lover Latte for $7.50 at the new San Fernando Coffee Company in the Vons shopping center today (Myrtle and Foothill). The store is having a soft opening so there is not much in the way of pastries (I was told they will increase the number of pastries they carry shortly). They also have sandwiches, crepes and waffles.
Monrovia graduation and promotion ceremonies
Monrovia Community Adult School - Thursday, May 29; 6 p.m.
Santa Fe Computer Science Magnet School - Tuesday, June 3; 8:30 a.m.
Clifton Middle School - Tuesday, June 3; 9 a.m.
Canyon Oaks High School/Mountain Park School - Tuesday, June 3; 6 p.m.
Monrovia High School - Wednesday, June 4; 5 p.m.
- Brad Haugaard
Citrus College Promise program increases access for first-time students
by Randa B. Wahbe, Ed.D.
Citrus College Governing Board Member for Monrovia
At Citrus College, free tuition for a student’s first two years on campus is not just a possibility, it’s a promise.
Through the Citrus College Promise program, first-time students who enroll in at least 12 units in the fall and spring semesters will receive financial assistance, personalized academic advising and access to exclusive campus resources designed to support their success.
Promise program students will enroll in English or mathematics every semester until their required courses in each are completed. Students will also need to meet Early Decision program requirements or go through the onboarding process for a student support program, like athletics, CalWORKs or the Veterans Success Center. Along with completing a student educational plan and attending a new student orientation, Promise program participants will also submit a FAFSA or California Dream Act application each year; however, eligibility for financial aid is not required.
Promise students need to maintain a GPA of at least 2.0 and complete 30 academic units before the start of their second year. If students satisfy these requirements, they can reap all the benefits, which also includes priority registration.
One of the thousands of Citrus College students who have benefited from the Promise program is Yadira Alvarez, a resident of Monrovia who is studying pre-allied health, a field that prepares students for careers in nursing, dental hygiene, medical laboratory technology and physical therapy, among others.Alvarez first heard about Citrus College when her sister began attending in 2018. While Alvarez was still attending Monrovia High School, she began taking dual enrollment courses that would satisfy her high school requirements and general education college courses.
When it came time for Alvarez to decide where to go to college, the choice was simple.
“I decided on Citrus College once I heard about the Promise program,” she said.
For Alvarez, the financial benefits were enormous. In addition to no-cost enrollment and waived fees, Alvarez received $100 vouchers for textbooks every semester and other items, like free Scantrons and snacks from the Promise program office.
“Financially, it helped me out so much,” she said.
Beyond the cost savings, Alvarez also appreciated how the Promise program was focused on helping students succeed. In the program, Alvarez worked with counselors to go over her student educational plan, a roadmap of courses that align with her major.
“If it wasn’t for the Promise program, I honestly don’t think I would be attending a community college,” she said.
While at Citrus College, Alvarez has also become involved with the Student Ambassadors, a select group of students who serve as official hosts of the college, leading campus tours and assisting with hospitality activities.
“What truly made me feel good about being a student ambassador was working college fairs and being able to share my experience with incoming college students,” Alvarez said.
After earning her associate degree, Alvarez plans to earn her certified nursing assistant (CNA) license and then apply for the Citrus College Registered Nursing program. Ultimately, she hopes to work in a hospital in the labor and delivery unit.
As the Citrus Community College District Board of Trustees representative for Monrovia/Bradbury and portions of Duarte, I am grateful for the incredible work being done to ensure our first-generation students thrive.
For more information about the Promise program and how to enroll at Citrus College, visit www.citruscollege.edu/promise.
Laid back Peggy - low key dog with a lotta love
Peggy is a gentle sweetheart who has mastered the art of taking life at her own pace. While she may carry a few extra pounds, Peggy prefers to think of herself as plush—and who doesn’t want a little extra fluff in their cuddle buddy?
A Moment in Monrovia History: A 1905 panorama of Monrovia
A panorama of Monrovia from around 1905, from a Monrovia Board of Trade brochure showing the foothills and orange groves. From the Rehrman collection. See full details here.
New summer program begun for children
Starting this July Calvary Chapel Monrovia’s Solid Ground Academy will begin offering a summer program for second through sixth graders that runs from July 7 through August 21, Monday-Thursday, from 8:30 a.m - 12:30 p.m., with a break the week of July 21 for the church’s free Vacation Bible School.
Program includes…
- Worship sessions and Bible teachings, with a focus on spiritual growth.
- Theatre and music, fostering individual talent and teamwork in music and acting. Children will showcase their skills in a performance at the end of the summer program.
- Educational experiments and creative art projects with a focus on exploration and discovery.
- Learning healthy eating habits and simple meal preparation.
- Outdoor activities, including water games and team building.
Cost for the six-week program is $600 with a 10% discount for siblings. There is a $100 non-refundable deposit to reserve a spot. Registration here.
- Brad Haugaard
LEGO free play at Library May 22
LEGO Free Play in the Library Story Room on Thursday, May 22, from 3:30 to 5 p.m. For children 2-12. Parents and kids can drop in to build with library-supplied blocks, exercising creativity in an informal setting.
Brad Haugaard
Library Storytime for children to age 5 at Library, May 14
Storytime for children 2 to 5 in the Library Story Room on Wednesday, May 14, from 10 to 11 a.m. Children will enjoy interactive stories and songs, then complete a sensory craft that boosts vocabulary and motor skills.
Brad Haugaard














