Monrovia Police: Exchanging Two $50 Bills for $200 | Fence Hopping Suspect Arrested | Unlocked Vehicle Thefts

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for July 30 - August 1. - Brad Haugaard]

During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 513 service events, resulting in 82 investigations.

Theft From a Vehicle / Residential Burglary
July 30 at 1:34 a.m., a theft from a vehicle was reported in the 800 block of Alta Vista.  The suspect(s) entered the victim's unlocked vehicle, which was parked in her driveway, and removed the garage door opener.  The suspect(s) then activated the remote to access the victim's garage door.  A vacuum and a storage bin with miscellaneous clothing were missing from the garage.  Investigation continuing.

Vandalism
July 30 at 4:23 p.m., an officer responded to a business in the 1300 block of South Myrtle regarding the report of vandalism.  Unknown suspect(s) etched graffiti into the glass window of the business.  Investigation continuing.

Theft From Vehicles
July 30 at 7:20 a.m. and 1:32 p.m., two petty thefts from vehicles were reported in the same area: the 500 to 600 blocks of West Palm.  Both vehicles were either unlocked or had the window slightly open.  In both cases, women's purses that were left in the vehicles were taken.  The purses contained small amounts of US currency and debit/credit cards. One of the stolen purses was later reported as found property at Violet and Foothill.  Investigation continuing.

Warrant / Resisting and Delaying a Peace Officer - Suspect Arrested
July 30 at 8:15 p.m., officers responded to the report of an intoxicated subject in the 900 block of Genoa.  When the officer arrived in the area, the suspect fled on foot, running through yards.  The suspect was identified and it was learned he had a felony warrant for his arrest.  After a lengthy search with the suspect eluding officers by climbing fences and running yard-to-yard, the Foothill Air Support Team helicopter was summoned and was able to locate the suspect hiding.  When he realized the helicopter had found him, the suspect tried to run again, but he was detained by officers and arrested without further incident.  The suspect was held for the warrant and resisting arrest.

Theft by Deception
August 1 at 6:06 p.m., a dark-colored Chevy Trailblazer parked in front of the office door of a car dealership in the 800 block of East Central.  A man exited the passenger door, the driver was never seen, and entered the cashier's office.  He asked the cashier if she could give him a $100 bill for two $50 dollar bills.  He handed her two $50 dollar bills and she gave him the $100.  It appears that he had secreted a $10 bill in his palm.  He quickly palmed the $100 bill and held up the $10 bill, shouting at the cashier that she only gave him ten dollars.  The cashier became nervous and took the $10 bill, while giving him another $100 bill.  The suspect then left in the waiting vehicle.  The suspect is described as a male Black, approximately 40 year old, 6'1", 200 pounds, black hair, wearing a blue hat, blue jersey with the number 23 on it, and blue shorts.  The investigation is continuing.

Assault - Suspect Arrested
August 1 at 10:36 p.m., an assault was reported in the 900 block of West Colorado.  The male victim's female friend was intoxicated and angry.  She hit him several times with a metal skillet.  He suffered lacerations, a broken finger, and pain on his head.  She was arrested without incident.


Detective Bureau Case Follow-up

Home Invasion Robbery
On July 15, 2012, a home invasion robbery occurred in the City of Monrovia.  Police are seeking help from the public in identifying the suspect.  A composite sketch of the possible suspect is available on the Police Department website Wanted Flyers section at http://www.ci.monrovia.ca.us/crime-info/police-wanted-flyers.

Free Dental Care Tomorrow

~ Free dental care tomorrow, August 3, in Monrovia. At the Foothill
Dental Group. Details: http://goo.gl/06L4z

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia's Staar Surgical Reports Total Q2 Revenue Down Compared to Q2 2011

Staar Surgical of Monrovia, which makes internal eye lenses, today reported that sales of its Visian ICL product in the second quarter ended June 29, 2012 increased 4% to $8.6 million. Total revenue was $15.9 million, down 2% from $16.3 million in the second quarter of 2011. http://goo.gl/uf1k9

- Brad Haugaard

Rite Aid Workers Authorize Strike

Rite Aid workers authorize a strike: http://goo.gl/rn6T1

There is a Rite Aid in Monrovia at 304 West Huntington.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police Sketch of Home Invasion Suspect

Details on suspect in Monrovia home invasion robbery. Wanted poster http://goo.gl/jJvSj

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Assemblyman 'Appreciates' Chick-fil-A

Assemblyman Tim Donnelly, who represents part of Monrovia, writes on Facebook that he had a very good experience and courteous service eating at Chick-fil-A today. Today was "Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day," suggested by former Republican presidential candidate Mike Huckabee in response to statements by the Boston and Chicago mayors that the company isn't welcome in their cities because of its stance for traditional marriage and against gay marriage.

- Brad Haugaard

School Supply Donations needed for Monrovia's Foothill Unity Center Back-to-School Program

"When a cute little nine year old girl comes up to you, smiling from ear to ear, and tells you, 'This is the best day of my whole life – EVER', and she can hardly wait until school starts – you know that you have made a difference in that child's life!" So says Betty McWilliams, Executive Director of Foothill Unity Center, Inc.

 

The Center will be preparing 2,000 children at its 14th Annual Back-to-School event at Santa Anita Park on Thursday, August 16. The families that come to Foothill Unity Center for food assistance do not have the funds to furnish their children with the items they need to return to school. Consequently, pre-registered K-12 grade students from qualified low-income families in Altadena, Arcadia, Azusa, Baldwin Park, Bradbury, Duarte, Irwindale, Monrovia, Pasadena, Sierra Madre and South Pasadena will be attending this event and receiving backpacks, school supplies, clothes/uniforms, socks, underwear, haircuts, as well as eye and dental exams.

 

Event Chair Kathy Valentine has determined that "it takes us about $50 to prepare a child for school, which is minimal because of our loyal supporters."  Monetary donations, however, are still needed as the number of children continues to climb.

 

The entire community shares in this annual effort, with more than 400 volunteers from businesses,  schools and community groups, that all have our heartfelt thanks for their participation. We want to give special thanks to our major contributors as well, including; CapitalSource Bank, Pasadena Independent Schools Foundation, Marshalls/TJX Foundation, Ronald McDonald House Charities, Tzu Chi Foundation, Vons Foundation, Wells Fargo and Xerox Corporation.  In addition, we are extremely grateful to our community partners who make this event possible, including: Santa Anita Park for use of its facilities; Citrus College Cosmetology Department for helping with haircuts and manicures; USC School of Dentistry for providing dental check-ups; Western University School of Optometry for furnishing vision screenings; Paint N'Play for art activities; Monrovia Reads for new books; and many, many more.

 

Checks may be mailed to: Foothill Unity Center, 415 West Chestnut Avenue, Monrovia, California 91016. For further information on Back-to-School Distribution needs and volunteer opportunities, call the Foothill Unity Center in Monrovia at (616)358-3486, in Pasadena at (626)584-7420, or view our website at www.foothillunitycenter.org.

 

Source: Unity Center press release

 

- Brad Haugaard

210 Eastbound Closure Tonight

Full closure of the 210 eastbound for bridge construction tonight from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. Partial closures beginning at 9:30 p.m.

- Brad Haugaard

MAD to Hold 65th Reunion

Monrovia-Arcadia-Duarte High School's Class of 1947 will hold its 65th
reunion luncheon on October 20, at the Monrovian Family Restaurant.
http://goo.gl/cfBHL

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Woman Publishes Book

Twenty-two year old Monrovian, Ashley Catherine Howie, publishes book, "The Butterfly Pendant." http://goo.gl/yrLHI

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia's Senator on Budget, Education

State Senator Bob Huff, who represents Monrovia, on the budget (he is
unimpressed), lack of education reform, and school health laws (not
impressed). http://goo.gl/l9x2J

- Brad Haugaard

20th Anniversary of Family Festival | Monrovia's Parasoft Wins 'Jolt' Award

~ This Friday is the 20th anniversary of the Friday night Family Festival along Myrtle Avenue in Old Town Monrovia. http://goo.gl/4ikmb

~ Monrovia's Parasoft Corporation, leader in helping organizations define and deliver defect-free software efficiently, has announced that its Parasoft Virtualize has received top honors in the Jolt product awards. The Dr. Dobb's Jolt Product Awards have been presented annually to products that have "jolted" the industry with their significance and made the task of creating software faster, easier, and more efficient. http://goo.gl/bXX0o

- Brad Haugaard

Fire Department Responds, No Fire

Verdugo Fire Communications Center tweets that tonight there was a report of an electrical fire at a home in the 100 block of North Primrose in Monrovia, but no fire was found.

- Brad Haugaard

Trader Joe's Salad Recalled

Trader Joe's chicken salad recalled. http://goo.gl/VT2FM

- Brad Haugaard

bigShrimps Offering Free Wine

Monrovia's bigShrimps restaurant (on Colorado just east of Myrtle) is having a wine-tasting night this Tuesday, July 31, starting at 5:30 p.m., according to a Facebook post by the Monrovia Chamber of Commerce. The restaurant will offer a free glass of wine with entree purchase.

- Brad Haugaard

Assemblyman Congratulates Monrovia Olympic Medal Winner

Assemblyman Tim Donnelly, who represents part of Monrovia, congratulates Monrovian Kim Rhode on her Olympics victory. He writes: "Kim Rhode is an awesome American champion, who keeps making history. I had the privilege of meeting her and her dad last year, when Kim agreed to speak at my fundraiser. What an inspiration this young lady is. Congratulations to Kim on another amazing Gold medal! Godspeed."

- Brad Haugaard

New Monrovia Restaurant on Lime?

New restaurant, 21 Bistro, getting ready to open on Lime? http://goo.gl/5mTLH

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Company Combines with Huntington Beach Firm

Monrovia's Modern HEALTHcare Inc. is being joined by what was earlier the pharmacy division of A-Med Health Care of Huntington Beach. The new, combined company, called ModernHEALTH Specialty Pharmacy, will be based in Monrovia. http://goo.gl/xvYB8

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Bear Breaks in For Cat Food, Threaten Security Guard and Get Pepper Sprayed, Lost on Red Box Trail, Etc.

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for July 26-29. - Brad Haugaard]

Following are the weekend's highlighted issues and events. 

                   

Vehicle Burglary

On July 26 at 8:34 a.m., a vehicle burglary was reported in the 100 block of East Greystone.  The victim reported someone entered her unlocked vehicle during the night and took a gas credit card, change, receipts and a cup holder.  Investigation continuing.

 

Vehicle Burglary

On July 26 at 12:39 p.m., an officer responded to the 100 block of West Olive regarding a vehicle burglary.  The victim reported that someone broke in to her vehicle sometime during the night and took property from her vehicle.  She had parked her vehicle in the parking structure and returned to find her driver's door ajar.  The property taken was a baby stroller and a pair of Gucci sunglasses. No signs of forced entry. Investigation continuing.

 

Residential Burglary

On July 26 at 3:34 p.m., an officer went to the 1300 block of Orange regarding a residential burglary.  The suspect(s) broke a bedroom window to the rear of the house and made entry. The suspect(s) took gold jewelry items and a portable 7" TV. It appears they left the same way undetected. Investigation continuing.

 

Bear Incident

On July 27 at 6:59 p.m., a small bear tore the screen off of a residential window and entered the residence in the 800 block of Ridgeside.  It ate some cat food that was placed on the kitchen floor and left the location.  Approximately 20 minutes later the bear returned and ate more cat food that was placed on the front porch which was intended for the cat.

 

Criminal Threats

On July 28 at 8:10 p.m., officers responded to the 100 block of West Foothill regarding a male subject who verbally threatened to kill the security guard.  The security guard pepper sprayed the subject and called the police.   The subject was located and arrested for criminal threats.

 

Suspicious Device

On July 28 at 8:20 p.m., officers responded to the 1800 block of Estrella Avenue regarding a suspicious device that was affixed to a street sign.  In the interest of public safety Monrovia Police Officers evacuated residents and established a perimeter around the immediate area.  The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Bomb Squad was notified and arrived within 30 minutes.  Sheriff's Deputies detonated the device and rendered it safe. Residents were allowed to return to their homes.  The device was not found to be an explosive.

 

Stranded Hikers

On July 29, a Monrovia Police Dispatcher received a phone call from a man who claimed he was on the Red Box Trail, he and a friend started a hike from Mount Wilson.  They followed the trail, but got turned around, ran out of water and his phone was dead.  The dispatcher had his phone number so she contacted the phone company and they were able to determine the general location of the phone.  Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department was contacted and given the coordinates from the phone and the Sheriff's Rescue Helicopter Team located the hikers.

 

 

Special Enforcement Team Weekly Activity

 

Warrant - Suspect Arrested

On July 25, Special Enforcement Team members conducted a traffic stop at California and Los Angeles. The passenger of the vehicle is a known gang member with a no bail warrant for his arrest. He was taken into custody.

 

Warrant - Suspect Arrested

On July 25, Special Enforcement Team members conducted a pedestrian check in the 200 block of East Maple on a known gang member.  He was arrested for an outstanding Monrovia Police Department warrant.

Rock in the Park

The Answer, classic rock band, at Library Park tonight.

Monrovia Olympics winner given standing ovation: http://goo.gl/thnhI

- Brad Haugaard