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Monrovia Police Burglary Prevention Tips

Some tips from the Monrovia Police Department on how to prevent home burglaries:

  • 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. 

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Keep-Away Leads to Groin Kick; Shoplifter Comes Back Too Often; Doggie-Door Burglar; Etc.

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for Highlighted Activity for November 10-12 . - Brad Haugaard]

During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 402 service events, During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 402 service events, resulting in 70 investigations.

Shoplifting – Suspect Arrested 
On November 11 at 1:51 p.m., officers responded to a business in the 500 block of West Huntington on the report of a suspect that had just stolen merchandise. The suspect grabbed merchandise from the store and ran out the door without paying and continued running. Officers arrived in the area and he was quickly apprehended nearby. The property was recovered and the suspect was arrested.

Warrant – Suspect Arrested 
On November 11 at 3:55 p.m., officers were dispatched to a house in the 500 block of East Cypress regarding a disturbing the peace incident. When they arrived, they contacted a belligerent, intoxicated male who seemed to be the cause of the disturbance. A computer check revealed the subject had five outstanding warrants for his arrest. He was arrested and taken to jail, where he was housed until his court appearance.

Shoplifting – Suspect Arrested 
On November 11 at 4:16 p.m., a 45-year-old male suspect entered a business in the 500 block of West Huntington. He was recognized by store security for committing previous thefts at the location. Security watched him take items into a bathroom and come out without them. He had cut the security tags off the items inside the bathroom and concealed the items under his clothing; he then exited the store without paying. The suspect was stopped and arrested for shoplifting.

Residential Burglary 
On November 11 at 6:09 p.m., a residential burglary was reported in the 100 block of Mauna Loa Drive. The victims left their home at 7:30 a.m. with all windows and doors secured. They returned home at 5:30 p.m. and saw drawers, cabinets, and closets throughout the home had been ransacked. The sliding glass door in one of the bedrooms was ajar and the front door was closed, but now unlocked. Some plants used to cover a doggie door to the rear of the home were pulled away from the house and the panels covering the doggie door were removed. It appears the suspect(s) entered the home through the doggie door. The suspects took several pieces of jewelry, some cash, and other miscellaneous items. The investigation is continuing.

Daytime Residential Burglaries 
On November 12, three daytime residential burglaries were reported to police in the afternoon hours. The burglaries occurred in the 200 block of North Magnolia, the 200 block of McKinley Place, and the 400 block of Todd Lane. Entry was made through open windows and, in one case, through a door leading from an attached garage. All three houses were ransacked and small, high-value items were taken. The investigations are continuing.

Suspicious Circumstances / Warrant – Suspect Arrested 
On November 12 at 4:27 p.m., police received a call reporting two suspicious male subjects that were loitering near a red vehicle. The reporting party believed one of the male subjects was possibly reaching for a gun. Officers arrived and detained the subjects. The subjects were extremely uncooperative with police. One subject was determined to have a no-bail warrant for auto theft from Glendale Court. He was arrested and taken into custody without incident. No gun was located.

Vehicle Burglary 
On November 12 at 8:47 p.m., a vehicle burglary was reported at a business in the 700 block of East Huntington. The victim was in a gym working out when the suspect(s) gained entry through the driver-side door. Once inside, the suspect(s) took the victim's purse, cell phone, watch and credit cards. The investigation is continuing.

Domestic Violence – Suspect Arrested 
On November 12 at 11:00 p.m., police responded to a domestic violence incident in the 300 block of East Lime Avenue. A male and female who are in a dating relationship were involved in an argument. The male subject took the female subject’s cell phone. He held the phone over his head so she could not get it. She then kicked him in the groin and grabbed her phone. Once she had her phone, she took his phone from his pocket and threw it down on the ground, breaking the phone. Officers arrived and determined the female subject to be the aggressor; she was arrested. Both subjects signed refusal to prosecute forms.

Stolen Vehicle 
On November 13 at 2:41 a.m., a vehicle was reported stolen from a residence in the 400 block of West Palm. The victim’s wife was arriving home at about 2:00 a.m., and as she was pulling up, her husband's truck was pulling away from the curb. She called her husband to ask him why he was leaving for work so early and found he was still in bed. They reported the vehicle stolen to police and the investigation is continuing.

Fill a Monrovia Fire Truck with Toys

On Black Friday, Nov. 28, and Small Business Saturday, Nov. 29, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., the Monrovia Fire Department will have a fire engine on Myrtle next to the Krikorian Theater for its "Spark of Love" toy drive. Stuff the engine with toys to help make a child's Christmas more enjoyable - and support local small businesses. For information call Firefighter Ernie Moreno at 256-8181. http://goo.gl/CjRwtE

Monrovia High Drama Presents The Crucible

Monrovia High's Wildcat Drama will present a play called The Crucible on Dec. 4, 5, and 6. Only 50 seats are available per night. http://goo.gl/KwpXWV

VFW Thanks Monrovia Community

Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2070 thanks the members of the community who made donations or dropped by the Post to express their support for men and women in uniform on Veterans Day.

Among the notable donations:
 
- The Monrovia Garden Club dropped off six bouquets of flowers for decorations
 
- Leven Oaks delivered a large tray of cupcakes, as did the parishioners of First Lutheran Church
 
- And a local resident came by the Post Canteen (bar) in the evening, and bought drinks for every veteran in the place.

The Post thanks the entire community for its continuous support for those who stand (or stood) a watch in defense of this country.

Source: Robert Parry, VFW

- Brad Haugaard 

Diamondbacks Baseball Executive Buys House in Monrovia

Arizona Diamondbacks executive Tony La Russa buys a house in Monrovia. http://goo.gl/gOCI5p

- Brad Haugaard

Mudslide in North Monrovia



A leak in a 3/4-inch PVC pipe, part of a gardening system, let loose a small mudslide this morning on a spur of North Canyon Blvd. just north of Scenic Ave. That according to a fire official at the scene. 

- Brad Haugaard 

Monrovia's Clifton Band Bake Sale at Pavilions

The Clifton Middle School Marching Band and Spirit Marchers will hold its Fall Bake Sale this Saturday Nov. 15, 11 a.m.- 2 p.m. in front of Pavilions on Foothill. Home baked goodies and the band will play some tunes.

- Brad Haugaard

New Company Donates $3k to Library | Old Cars for Monrovia High | Girls Volleyball in Playoff Game

~ Monrovia Library reports that a new company called THNQ TANK, 137 E Colorado, threw a grand opening Halloween party, then donated $3,000 to the library's Youth Services Department.

~ A writer on the Nextdoor network says that Monrovia High School Auto shop would like people to donate old cars, trucks and vans (you'll get a tax receipt) to help students learn to rebuild engines, change brakes, alternators, batteries, etc. Doesn't matter if it runs. I'd guess you call Monrovia High to arrange a donation: 471-2800.

~ Mayor Mary Ann Lutz reports that the Monrovia High School girls volleyball team is at a CIF playoff game at Esperanza High in Anaheim tonight.

- Brad Haugaard

Free Drought-Friendly Landscaping Workshop at Monrovia Community Center

California Friendly Landscape Workshop Saturday, Nov. 15, 9 a.m. to noon at Community Center, 119 W. Palm. Free workshop by City of Monrovia and the Upper San Gabriel Water District. Six steps to a drought tolerant yard. Topics:

1. Using a Holistic Approach to Gardening

2. Building a Living Soil Sponge

3. Rethinking Elements of the Site

4. Right Plant, Right Place

5. Using Rainwater as a Resource

6. Managing Irrigation

For more information, or to register, call Environmental Services at 932-5553 or 932-5556.

Source: http://goo.gl/s2lgw3

Monrovia Cookie Exchange for MS

The Royal Order of the Daffodils Red Hat Society will host a cookie exchange to benefit the Multiple Sclerosis Group of the San Gabriel Valley on Dec. 6 at 2 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall downstairs at the United Methodist Church at Ivy and Palm. (Use the west-side doors.) Bring six-dozen preferably homemade cookies (or individually wrapped candy - cookies or candy canes - if you are not a baker) in a disposable container and bring another container to take home five-dozen cookies. The remaining dozen will be a gift for a holiday luncheon for the Multiple Sclerosis Group. Also, raffle tickets for $1 each or 6 for $5. All proceeds go to the MS Group. Contact Janie Duncan with questions: 358-8157 or janieduncan@altrionet.com.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Teen Board Hosting Food Drive

The Monrovia Public Library Teen Advisory Board is hosting a food drive for the holidays in partnership with the Foothill Unity Center. Types of food needed include: cake/brownie/cookie mixes, canned fruit, canned meats, canned soups, canned veggies, canned yams, cereals, cornbread mix, frosting, gravy, Jell-O, mashed potatoes, pasta, rice, salad dressing, stuffing mix, etc.

Donations can be dropped off in the lobby of the Library from Nov. 5-Dec. 18.

For more information, contact the Elizabeth Schneider at the Library at 256-8275.

- Brad Haugaard

Dramatic Drop in Revenue for Monrovia's Xencor

Monrovia's Xencor reports disappointing third-quarter financial results.

The company says: "Revenues for the third quarter ended September 30, 2014 were $0.8 million, compared to $3.2 million in the same period of 2013. Revenues for the nine month period ended September 30, 2014 were $3.9 million, compared to $8.4 million for the same period in 2013."

It says it "expects to have sufficient cash to fund research and development programs and operations through 2016."

Xencor is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing engineered monoclonal antibodies for the treatment of autoimmune diseases, asthma and allergic diseases, and cancer.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Don't Wanna Go to School! Credit Card Forgery; $100 for Reporting Graffiti; Kidnap/Rape Suspect Arrested

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for November 6-9 . - Brad Haugaard]

Following are the weekend’s highlighted issues and events.

Battery on a Peace Officer / Delaying & Obstructing a Peace Officer – Suspect Arrested 
On November 6 at 1:00 p.m., officers were dispatched to a residence in the 400 block of Monrovista regarding a 16-year-old male who was refusing to go to school and causing a disturbance. When officers arrived, the juvenile refused to obey the officers’ commands and became combative with them. The subject pushed one of the officers and a struggle ensued. The other officer deployed the Taser. The juvenile was arrested and taken into custody without further incident. No one was injured.

Vehicle Burglary 
On November 7 at 6:41 a.m., a vehicle burglary was reported in the 900 block of West Huntington. The vehicle was parked in a hotel parking lot and sometime during the night, the suspect(s) forced entry through the rear lift gate. The suspects took the third row seats, luggage, and camera lenses from the SUV. The investigation is continuing.

Fraud / Possession of a Controlled Substance / Possession of Drug Paraphernalia – Five Suspects Arrested 
On November 7 at 9:59 p.m., officers went to a motel in the 700 block of West Huntington regarding subjects occupying a motel room using possible fraudulent identification. The officers went to the room and contacted the subjects. They found five subjects inside, two of whom were attempting to hide possible contraband under the bed. Several of the subjects were in possession of false identification cards and had warrants for their arrest, and one subject was in possession of methamphetamine. The room was determined to be rented using false identification information.

Officers searched the room and found evidence of a credit card fraud/forgery operation, including over 100 modified, altered, and blank debit cards, credit cards, and gift cards, as well as an embossing machine, two credit card stripe readers, and machinery for effacing credit cards. The officers also found two vehicle titles with the information bleached out, drug paraphernalia, several computers, cell phones, and USB drives. All five suspects were arrested. During the booking process, officers discovered several of them had given false information regarding their identities; the additional offence was added to their charges.

Vandalism 
On November 8, several incidents of vandalism were reported throughout the city. The suspect used black spray paint to write graffiti on homes, vehicles, walls, etc. The suspect has not yet been identified. The Special Enforcement Team officers have been notified. The investigation is continuing.

Stolen Bicycle – Suspect Arrested 
On November 8 at 2:30 p.m., police were alerted to a stolen bicycle taken from the area of Alta Vista and Huntington. The bicycle and suspect were located in the 100 block of West Cypress. The bicycle was recovered and the suspect was arrested. The suspect was taken into custody and housed pending his court appearance date.

Warrant – Suspect Arrested 
On November 8 at 5:30 p.m., officers were dispatched to a business parking lot in the 100 block of West Foothill regarding a hit and run traffic collision. The accident was minor, and the victim did not desire prosecution for the hit and run. An officer had located the suspect driving in the area of Huntington and Myrtle and stopped him. The driver was found to have two no-bail warrants and was arrested for the warrants only.

Vandalism – Suspect Arrested 
On November 9 at 12:25 a.m., a citizen called police to report a male subject vandalizing their neighbor’s residence in the 200 block of Madeline. Officers responded to the area to search for the suspect. An extensive area search was conducted and the suspect was located. The witness positively identified the suspect. The reporting party will be contacted and informed of the Monrovia Police Departments Graffiti Bounty program; they will be rewarded with $100.00 for reporting this vandalism incident, which led to the arrest of the suspect.

Petty Theft 
On November 9 at 7:23 p.m., a petty theft of a cell phone was reported at a business in the 100 block of West Foothill. The victim reported the suspect had just stolen her cell phone off a table inside of the business and fled the location, heading west towards Linwood and into an apartment complex. Officers arrived and searched the area, but were not able to locate the suspect. The investigation is continuing.

West San Gabriel Valley Anti-Crime Task Force Apprehends Suspect Wanted for Kidnapping and Rape 
On Tuesday, November 4, 2014, members of the West San Gabriel Valley Anti-Crime Task Force apprehended suspect Benny Torres in East Los Angeles. Torres was wanted by the Monterey Park Police Department for kidnapping and rape. The Task Force, comprised of detectives from Pasadena, South Pasadena, Arcadia, Monrovia, El Monte, Monterey Park, and Los Angeles County Probation, conducted an exhaustive week-long search for Torres. The Task Force observed Torres in East Los Angeles and he was taken into custody without incident. He is currently being held in custody on a 2.35 million dollar bail.

Ragtime Club Performance in Old Monrovia

The Rose Leaf Ragtime Club meets on the last Sunday of every month. Its next musical event is Sunday, November 30, at Wang's Place, 120 E. Lemon. Ragtime and other music. $2 donation requested from non-performers. http://goo.gl/Qp90IL

Monrovia Schools: Renovation of School Fields; Work on MHS Building O; More Pay for Commissioners

At its Nov. 12 meeting (agenda: http://goo.gl/jo6wj7 ), the Monrovia Board of Education will ...

~ Consider hiring NAC | Architecture for architectural and engineering services for field renovations at Clifton and Santa Fe middle schools and Mayflower Elementary School. http://goo.gl/6noXBo

~ Consider awarding a $190,000 contract to Caltec Corporation for seismic refitting and reroofing of Building O at Monrovia High. http://goo.gl/LTUlXg

~ Consider doubling the payment per commissioner per meeting for the district's Personnel Commission from $25 to $50: http://goo.gl/Bqz6cC

- Brad Haugaard

Lunch at Wienerschnitzel


Lunch at Wienerschnitzel, on south side of Huntington just west of Mountain. Got a Polish Sandwich ($2.59) with sauerkraut ($0.40) and a small iced tea ($1.69) and fries ($1.59). Fast food but not bad. 

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia's Jewish Foundation Launches PJ Library

To strengthen Jewish life, the Monrovia-based Jewish Federation of the Greater San Gabriel and Pomona Valleys has launched PJ ("pajamas") Library, a program of the Harold Grinspoon Foundation of Massachusetts for families raising Jewish children from age six months through eight years. Interested families living in the area can sign-up at www.pjlibrary.org. PJ Library's first community program will be held on Sunday, Dec. 7, 3-5 p.m., at the Monrovia Public Library. The Community Room will be turned into a setting for Hanukkah and will include a story time featuring books from the PJ Library, music, crafts for the family, food and more. For more information contact the Jewish Federation at 445-0810 or federation@jewishsgpv.org.

- Brad Haugaard

Where is the Monrovia Time Capsule Hidden?

Where is the mysterious Monrovia time capsule hidden? It was buried in 1909 and is supposed to be at the now-being-reconstructed wishing well at the southeast corner of Library Park. http://goo.gl/kIAt41

Will Monrovia's Aztec Hotel and Restaurant Open in Early 2015?

According to a report to the Monrovia Planning Commission, the Aztec Hotel (Foothill and Magnolia) hopes to open in early 2015, and will include a restaurant that will serve alcohol and have live entertainment. The hotel has conditional use permits from the Commission for alcohol and live entertainment and the Commission will consider granting a one-year extension to those permits at its Nov. 12 meeting. http://goo.gl/r4IfDh

- Brad Haugaard