Monrovia Shopping Cart Clean-up Tool

The city of Monrovia is recommending the California Shopping Cart
Retrieval Service. http://goo.gl/OdlSw

- Brad Haugaard

Hot, Hot, Hot! - For the Week

Heat wave to last through this week. Star-News: http://goo.gl/MdiV5

And here is the National Weather Service report for the area:
http://goo.gl/wqr8o

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Indecent Exposure, Domestic Violence, DUI Whacks Four Parked Cars, Etc.

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for August 0-12 – Brad Haugaard]

Following are the weekend's highlighted issues and events.

Indecent Exposure – Suspect Arrested

August 9 at 6:20 a.m., a female resident reported a male subject near the intersection of Palm and Primrose exposing and fondling himself. An officer responded and detained the suspect, and the female reporting party completed a private person's arrest. The suspect was taken into custody and was later released on citation.

At 6:15 a.m. the next day, the female resident observed the same male subject again exposing and fondling himself at the same intersection of Palm and Primrose. An officer arrived and apprehended the male suspect. Another private person's arrest was completed. Charges of indecent exposure will be filed with the District Attorney's Office.

The suspect is described as an adult male Black, 5 foot 8 inches tall, 235 pounds, and approximately 30 years old. If anyone has witnessed a similar crime in the area, please contact the Monrovia Police Department Detective Bureau at (626) 256-8041.

Domestic Violence – Suspect Arrested

August 10 at 10:01 p.m., officers were dispatched to a residence in the 300 block of West Lemon regarding a man choking a woman. When officers arrived, the female victim told them her live-in fiance had choked her and hit her, then left the location. She had visible bruises on her face, arms and legs. She told the officers it was the second time he had hit her in the past week, but she did not report the first incident. An area check was made for the suspect; he was located, detained and ultimately arrested. He was charged with two counts of domestic violence.

Driving Under the Influence Traffic Collision – Suspect Arrested

August 11 at 2:23 a.m., a vehicle that was traveling south on Alta Vista, turned east onto Cypress and lost control. The driver veered the vehicle toward the north curb and stopped. He then accelerated and managed to turn the vehicle toward the south curb, where it collided with a parked vehicle. Officers arrived and determined the driver to be intoxicated; he was arrested for driving under the influence.

Vehicle Burglary

August 12 at 3:59 p.m., a vehicle burglary was reported in the 100 block of West Lemon. The victim parked and locked his Toyota 4Runner in the gated garage complex of his residence in the evening. He returned to his vehicle the next day at about 3:00 p.m. and found his vehicle was open. Miscellaneous items were taken. No damage was done to the vehicle. Investigation continuing.

Driving Under the Influence Traffic Collision – Suspect Arrested

August 13 at 4:09 a.m., officers responded to the 2500 block of South Myrtle regarding a non-injury traffic collision. When they arrived, they discovered a solo motorist had collided into four unoccupied parked vehicles. Through investigation, the officers determined the motorist was driving under the influence of alcohol. The driver was arrested and taken into custody.

Special Enforcement Team Weekly Activity

Possession of a Loaded Firearm in a Vehicle / Possession for Sales and Transportation of Marijuana / Possession of Rock Cocaine / Warrants – Three Suspects Arrested

August 11 at 7:26 p.m., Special Enforcement Team officers stopped a vehicle for vehicle code violations in the 500 block of East Cherry. Officers noticed an odor of marijuana emitting from the vehicle as they spoke to the driver. The vehicle was occupied by two male adults and one female adult. The vehicle was searched and officers found a loaded firearm, baggies of marijuana, empty baggies, and a weight scale. All three occupants were arrested.

The driver was arrested for possession for sales and transportation of marijuana, possession of a loaded firearm in a vehicle, and possession of rock cocaine. The male passenger was arrested for false impersonation of another, possession for sales of marijuana and an outstanding misdemeanor warrant. The female passenger was arrested for possession of a methamphetamine pipe and an outstanding warrant. The vehicle was stored.

- Brad Haugaard

Detail Work Being Revealed on 210 Bridge

Gold Line Spokesman Habib F. Balian commends the craftsmanship in the architectural elements being revealed on the 210 Freeway bridge. He said "the fine craftsmanship has made this structure unique from anything you’ve probably ever seen. I applaud the hard work and dedication by Skanska in their execution of this important and visible project element, made more challenging by the harsh conditions of the active freeway and the blistering summer heat (temperatures reached 113 degrees on the bridge."

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia: No Brown Act Violation

Monrovia denies that it committed a violation of the Brown Act
open-meeting law. http://goo.gl/rLlud

Opinion: The Star-News also reports on a threat to file a lawsuit over
this issue. I recall when I was a young reporter there and
breathlessly told an editor about someone threatening a lawsuit. She
was unimpressed. She said to have him call back when he FILED the
suit, her logic being that anybody can threaten to get headlines, but
filing means you are serious. Sure enough, the guy never filed. I was
impressed by her logic and am disappointed if the S-N is abandoning
that principle. http://goo.gl/Y3LXi

- Brad Haugaard

Portantino Helps Sponsor AIDS Seminar

California Assemblymember Anthony Portantino, who represents part of
Monrovia, and City of Hope are teaming up with fashion designer and
HIV activist Mondo Guerra for the Sixth Annual HIV/AIDS Action Summit
on September 12, 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at City of Hope, Cooper Auditorium,
1500 E. Duarte Rd., Duarte. The San Gabriel Valley HIV/AIDS Action
Summit raises awareness about HIV and AIDS and efforts to prevent new
infections and keep HIV-positive patients healthy.

Source: Portantino press release


- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia High in it's New Coat

Monrovia High School in it's fresh new coat of paint. http://goo.gl/ec09c

- Brad Haugaard

Another Heat Warning for Today

Another excessive heat warning for today, Monday. http://goo.gl/viQBt

- Brad Haugaard

Hijack-able Drones? | Monrovia Dino Bone Mystery

~ Can civilian drones, such as those made by Monrovia's AeroVironment,
be hijacked? http://goo.gl/RCIYG

~ Monrovia woman's dino bone mystery solved on reality TV. http://goo.gl/I9Z9h

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Choral Company Looking for Singers

The San Gabriel Valley Choral Company of Monrovia is looking for
singers. http://goo.gl/MJTIk

- Brad Haugaard

Teen Depression Workshop | Back-to-School | Gospel Concert

~ Monrovia School District is holding a "Teen Depression and Suicide
Signs" workshop on August 29 following the apparent suicide of a
student. http://goo.gl/1uV1f

~ Volunteer to help at Foothill Unity Center's back-to-school program.
http://goo.gl/o1DM0

~ Gospel Concert Sunday night at Pamela Park. http://goo.gl/6qxzN

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Y Members Set World Record

Forty-five Y members are now Guinness Book of World Record holders by
participating in the largest ever simultaneous swim lesson ever held,
on June 14, and involving 5,000 Y's worldwide and at least 23,000
participants.

Source: newsletter of Monrovia's Santa Anita Family Y.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia's AeroVironment on Civilian Drones

Popular Science interviews executive at Monrovia's AeroVironment about
non-mitary uses of drones. http://goo.gl/ztL0x

- Brad Haugaard

Lunch at Starbucks

Recently had the tarragon chicken sandwich and a cup off coffee at the Starbucks on the north side of the Pavilions center at Foothill and Myrtle. $7.70. Tasty. Cranberries are a nice, tangy touch. A bit pricey for what you get, but great if you are in a hurry.

- Brad Haugaard

Huff Hammers State on Hidden Money

Video: State Senator Bob Huff, who represents Monrovia, says "the
discovery of $54 million in hidden money within the Parks and
Recreation budget is a sign that government cannot be trusted and
should not be trusted with more taxpayer money." He is calling on the
governor to have a complete audit of all state agencies.
http://goo.gl/7aN9M

- Brad Haugaard

Installing Jack-In-The-Box Utilities

On August 6- 9 and August 13- 16, Public Works Utilities Section will
be closing the northbound lane of Magnolia from Cypress to Huntington
(7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.) to install the water utilities to the new
Jack-In-The-Box location at Magnolia and Huntington.

Source: City's weekly report

- Brad Haugaard

A Monrovia Cool Spot | Joz Band | Juniper Danger

~ If your family or pets get too hot during the heat, stop by the Community Center’s Monroe Room. It is open Thursday and Friday as a Cooling Center.

~ This Sunday, August 12 at 7 p.m. it Library Park, the jazz/swing music of the Jumping Joz Band.

~ The city is recommending three options if you own flammable juniper trees: 1, Replace with less flammable species; 2. Prune them: 3. Fix nearby structures to make them more fire-resistant.

Source: http://goo.gl/PWM8e

- Brad Haugaard

Committee Approves Portantino Bills | Heat Until Friday Night

~ Senate committee approves five bills by Assemblyman Anthony
Portantino, who represents part of Monrovia. http://goo.gl/A1VsZ

~ Excessive heat warning in effect through Friday early evening.
http://goo.gl/32C4b

- Brad Haugaard

Huff Education and Water Bills Advance

Senator Bob Huff, who represents Monrovia, reports two of his measures
are progressing through the State Assembly: SB 1137 and SB 1364.

SB 1137 requires heritage schools to register with the Superintendent
of Public Instruction and report child abuse. Heritage schools are
"privately financed, culture-based educational entities."

SB 1364, "seeks to ensure that ratepayers served by private water
companies are not asked to pay more for the same service than a
ratepayer served by a public agency without a clear understanding of
the associated costs."

Source: http://goo.gl/ycNWp

- Brad Haugaard

Credit Card Fraud Ring in Monrovia? Burglary and Thefts

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for August 6-8 – Brad Haugaard]

During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 484 service events, resulting in 81 investigations.

Residential Burglary

On August 6 at 8:24 p.m., an officer responded to the 200 block of Orange regarding a residential burglary that occurred sometime between 11:00 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. An unknown suspect(s) broke a rear window to gain entry. The home was ransacked, but there was no loss. Investigation continuing.

Theft from a Vehicle

On August 7 at 11:19 p.m., a theft from a vehicle was reported in the 400 block of East Walnut. The theft occurred between 9:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m. The victim's vehicle was parked in the carport, adjacent to the alley. The loss was a purse and the vehicle stereo. Investigation continuing

Vehicle Burglary

On August 8 at 9:51 p.m., a vehicle burglary was reported in the 600 block of South Canyon. The burglary occurred between 9:00 p.m. on August 7 and 6:00 a.m. on August 8. The victim's vehicle was parked in the driveway. The suspect(s) gained entry by an unknown means. There were no signs of forced entry. A knife, sunglasses, and a phone charger were stolen. Investigation continuing.

Detective Bureau Case Follow-up

Attempted Fraud and Identity Theft

On August 8 at 10:21 a.m., an attempted fraud and identity theft occurred in the 1600 block of South Mountain. Patrol responded and arrested the male who was attempting to open store credit with a fraudulent California driver's license and fraudulent credit card. The male told the arresting officer he was "dropped off" at the location. During the booking process, the arresting officer found a car key and additional fraudulent credit cards and another fraudulent driver's license in his possession. Detectives went to the business parking lot and found the suspect's vehicle. The Detectives got consent to search and recovered additional fraudulent credit cards, fraudulent credit application and a laptop. It appears this subject is part of a fraud ring using other people's information to obtain store credit from various merchant retailers. Detectives are currently working with bank investigators to locate victims from the credit cards, driver's licenses and fraudulent credit applications. The suspect is in custody and is also wanted on a no bail warrant from Nevada for another fraud case.

- Brad Haugaard