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Monrovia Council to Consider Metro Parking Deal; New Home Construction

At its Tuesday, June 20 meeting (agenda: https://goo.gl/XzurF5), the Monrovia City Council will, among other things, consider ...

~ A deal with Metro to allow people to park in the train station parking structure for $5 during non-peak hours (weekdays 6 p.m. to 5 a.m. and all day on weekends and holidays). https://goo.gl/XzurF5

~ Whether to approve the construction of four detached two-story homes at 902 W. Colorado. https://goo.gl/BAsDmW

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Negotiating to - Apparently - Sell Old Town Parking Lots

Monrovia is apparently negotiating to sell several of its Old Town parking lots.

In a closed session (agenda: https://goo.gl/G3TiGt) on Tuesday, June 20, the City Council will confer about "Price and Terms of Payment" of six properties that are identified only by Assessor Parcel number.

Two of the properties make up the parking lot just to the south of the Monrovia Library, which stretches from Lime down to Lemon (8516-016-900  and 8516-016-901). Negotiations are with the Robhana Group, a real estate investment firm: http://www.robhana.com/

The city is also negotiating to - apparently - sell the parking lot on the south side of Palm a half-block east of Myrtle (8516-012-900), and three parcels that make up the parking lot on the north side of Lime just across from the Police Station (8516-012-901, 8516-012-902, and 8516-012-903). Negotiations are with Overton Moore Properties, a commercial real estate developer: http://www.omprop.com/

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovian Charged With Another Sex Crime; The Volunteer Street Cleaner

~ Monrovia man who was arrested for sex crimes is charged with another: https://goo.gl/6g2ecq

~ Monrovia's volunteer street cleaner: https://goo.gl/xAUZNP

- Brad Haugaard

Dinner at The Diplomat

 

Dinner at The Diplomat, on the north side of Lemon a few feet east of Myrtle. Mediterranean style food. Got the beef Schwartz for $14 and a beer for $5. Nice and filling and the service was great. 


- By ad Haugaard 

Monrovia Police: Arrest in Attempted Murder Case; Ex-Boyfriend Breaks Car Window to Swipe Cell Phone; Etc.

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for June 12-14. - Brad Haugaard]

During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 444 service events, resulting in 88 investigations.

Robbery
June 13 at 2:19 a.m., a robbery incident was reported in the 800 block of W. Colorado. The female victim was driving up to her residence, when her ex-boyfriend drove up next to her, exited his vehicle and approached. Fearing for her safety, she locked the doors and rolled up the windows. He asked her to get out of the car and talk to him, but she refused. The male suspect struck and shattered the window. He reached in, grabbed her phone and fled the location in the vehicle he was driving. The female jumped out and kicked the door of the vehicle as he was driving away. The investigation revealed the suspect vehicle was registered to the suspect’s sister in Pasadena. Pasadena officers went to the location and located the vehicle. Monrovia officers went to the location and spoke to the suspect's sister. She said he had borrowed her vehicle, but had dropped it off and left again. The investigation is continuing.

Welfare Check / Missing Person Located
June 14 at 7:00 p.m., officers were dispatched to Magnolia and Evergreen on the report of a male subject lying on the sidewalk. Officers arrived and spoke with the subject. A computer check revealed he had been reported missing a couple of days prior from a facility in Los Angeles. The facility was notified and they had one of their staff members respond to the Monrovia Police Department to pick up the subject.

Domestic Battery
June 14 at 8:45 p.m., officers responded to the 500 block of S. Mountain on the report of a fight in progress between a male and a female in a vehicle. Officers arrived and located the male subject, but the female subject and fled. The male subject told officers that the female is his girlfriend, and that they are homeless and living together in a vehicle. The female suffers from mental health issues and started hitting him, ultimately scratching him and ripping his shirt. The investigation is continuing.

Shoplifting – Suspect Arrested
June 14 at 9:22 p.m., a shoplifting incident in progress was reported at a business in the 500 block of W. Huntington. A male suspect went into the business with an empty backpack and took male clothing and miscellaneous merchandise. He exited the store without paying and was followed by loss prevention. The suspect dropped the items he took and fled from loss prevention. An officer arrived and apprehended the suspect in the 700 block of W. Huntington. The suspect admitted to the theft and was arrested. He was released with a citation to appear in court on the charges.

Detective Bureau Case Update: Attempt Murder / Shooting at an Occupied Vehicle – Suspect Arrested
On March 29, 2017, Monrovia Police Department patrol officers and detectives responded to the 400 block of W. Duarte regarding shots fired. The victim was sitting in the driver’s seat of his vehicle in front of a business. A male passenger was also in the vehicle. A male suspect approached the vehicle on foot and fired four shots, striking the victim. The suspect and victim left the location prior to officers arriving. The victim went home to his residence in the County unincorporated area of Duarte and a family member called the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department. Monrovia detectives responded to both the scene and where the victim was located. Through investigation, detectives were able to identify the suspect. The case was filed with the District Attorney’s Office and a warrant was issued for the suspect’s arrest.

On June 9, 2017, the Monrovia Special Enforcement Team was on patrol in the 500 block of Huntington and saw a subject who they believed may be the suspect in the shooting. They detained him, verified his identity, and he was subsequently arrested. Detectives and the Special Enforcement Team later served a search warrant at the suspect’s residence. The suspect was booked and housed at the Los Angeles County Inmate Reception Center and is awaiting trial. The victim is still recovering from his injuries.

Five-Story, 296-Unit, Residential Building with Seven-Story Garage Proposed for Next to Train Station


In his weekly report (https://goo.gl/aOqX7O) City Manager Oliver Chi reports that ...

~ A five-story, 296-unit multi-family residential building with a seven-story parking garage is being proposed on the approximately 3.5-acre site at the northeast corner of Magnolia and Duarte Road, just south of the train station.

Chi writes that, "the project proponents have recognized the importance of designing the proposed residential property in such a manner so as to respect the scale and character of surrounding neighborhoods.  To that end, the project envisions that the building be stepped-back along Magnolia Avenue to better blend with the scale of that particular street."

If you have thoughts about the proposal, there will be a public meeting on Wednesday, June 21, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., at the Knights of Columbus Hall (130  W. Pomona Ave.). If you have any questions, contact Planning Division Manager Sheri Bermejo at sbermejo@ci.monrovia.ca.us or at 932-5539.

~ There is an unscheduled vacancy on the Historic Preservation Commission for a term ending June 30, 2018. If you'd like to fill the spot, you can apply here: https://goo.gl/wShIqz

~ Construction on Foothill Blvd. will continue through June 29.

~ The LA County Fair will host a Monrovia Day celebration. Monrovia residents will receive discounted admission tickets for $8 on Wednesday, Sept. 13.  Events that day include a reception at 3 p.m. for city officials and a special Monrovia Community Hero (which will need to be selected by the City), and a parade at 5 p.m. featuring Monrovia representatives, including the City Council and our Community Hero.

~ The city is developing a program to let people make a donation to support the 4th of July Firework Show. They'll get a special sticker that reads, "I support Monrovia's Firework Show."

~ The eight-week Friday Night Teen Scene summer youth program in Library Park begins Friday, June 16, and will conclude on Friday, Aug. 4. It gives students the opportunity to develop leadership skills by helping to set-up and supervise dinner and evening activities for the youth at Library Park on Friday evenings during the summer.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Students Honored by Citrus College

Monrovia residents Johnny Elie Baradii and Adriana Mendez have been honored by Citrus College at the college's 54th Annual Academic Achievement Awards ceremony held earlier this month.

Johnny Elie Baradii, a civil engineering major, was presented with a 2017 Citrus College Key of Knowledge award during  Keys of Knowledge are the highest academic honors presented by the college, and are awarded every year to the 10 students who have achieved the highest overall academic performances.


Mathematics Instructor Jesus Gutierrez, award presenter, and Johnny Baradii.

"Receiving the Key of Knowledge is a great honor for me," said Johnny. "I owe this success to my family here and back in Lebanon, my friends, and to Citrus College. That you for bringing to reality what was once a dream."

Adriana Mendez, a communications major, was one of two students presented with the 2017 Citrus College Service Leader of the Year award. Adriana was selected to receive this honor because of her academic achievement and volunteer service to the college and community.


Adriana Mendez and Program Evaluator Dr. Veronica Estrada, award presenter.

"As a member of the Associated Students of Citrus College since the fall of 2016, it has been my pleasure to volunteer at many campus-wide activities," said Adriana. "I would love to continue my involvement at Citrus College going forward."

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Summer Movie Series

The Summer Movie Series will feature ...

  • Jungle Book, June 17 at Monrovia Historical Museum, 742 E. Lemon Ave.
  • Finding Dory, July 15 at Rotary Park, 331 S. California Ave.
  • Zootopia, July 29 at Station Square Park, 1629 S. Myrtle Ave.
  • Moana, August 12 at Kiwanis Park at Grand Ave, 340 N. Grand Ave. at Prospect Ave.

These are Saturday nights at 8 p.m. Bring a blanket.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Man Wanted for Murder Arrested; Man With Bleach Arrested; Man Conned Out of Car; Fight Over Wrong Food; Etc.

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for June 8-11. - Brad Haugaard]
Following are the weekend's highlighted issues and events.

Warrant / Possession of a Controlled Substance for Sales - Suspect Arrested
June 8 at 8:08 p.m., officers were on patrol in the 500 block of W. Huntington and recognized a subject who was wanted for attempted murder. They detained the suspect, confirmed the warrant and arrested him. While booking the suspect, a large quantity of drugs were found on him packaged in bindles and ready for sale. The charge was added to his booking.

Robbery
June 8 at 9:03 p.m., a robbery was reported at a hotel in the 700 block of W. Huntington. The suspect entered the lobby of the hotel wearing a skeleton mask and demanding money. He then fled the location in a newer, light-colored sedan, which was parked in front of the hotel. The suspect is described as a male Black, 35 to 40 years old, about 6'3" and 250 pounds. The investigation is continuing.

Warrant - Suspect Arrested
June 9 at 5:03 a.m., officers were dispatched to the area of Lemon and Mountain about a male subject walking around with bleach and acting suspicious. Officers located the individual and a computer check revealed a warrant for his arrest. He was arrested and taken into custody for the warrant.

Warrant - Suspect Arrested
June 9 at 9:41 a.m., an officer was on patrol in the 300 block of W. Huntington when he observed a subject that he recognized from previous contacts and he knew had an outstanding warrant. A computer check confirmed the warrant and the subject was arrested and taken into custody.

Driving Under the Influence - Suspect Arrested
June 9 at 5:11 p.m., an officer was dispatched to the 300 block of W. Huntington about a vehicle that collided into the center divider and ruptured two tires. The officer arrived and, through investigation, determined the driver was intoxicated. The suspect was arrested, taken into custody and held for a sobering period.

Burglary Alarm
June 9 at 6 p.m., officers responded to a residence in the 600 block of N. Canyon about a burglary alarm activation. They arrived at the location and found a door had been kicked in, but it did not appear anything was taken. The investigation is continuing.

Grand Theft Auto
June 9 at 9:57 p.m., a vehicle was reported stolen from the 500 block of E. Olive. The victim advertised his vehicle for sale on Craigslist. A potential buyer called him and arranged to meet for a test drive. The buyer insisted the victim bring the vehicle registration and pink slip. While on the test drive, the suspect told the victim he heard a noise and wanted to switch seats and let the victim drive. When the victim exited the vehicle, the suspect drove off. The investigation is continuing.

Warrant / Possession of Drug Paraphernalia - Suspect Arrested
June 9 at 11:32 p.m., an officer was on patrol in the area of Primrose and Huntington when he saw a vehicle with a subject sleeping inside. He stopped to check on the subject and later ran a DMV check on the subject. The subject was found to have an outstanding warrant. He was arrested for the warrant and also found to be in possession of drug paraphernalia, which was added to his charges.

Domestic Violence - Suspect Arrested
June 10 at 11:29 a.m., a domestic violence incident was reported in a business parking lot in the 400 block of W. Huntington. The incident involved a 16-year-old female and 18-year-old who have been in a dating relationship for the last 19 months. The couple were in a vehicle and began to argue over the female getting the male suspect's food order wrong. The female became upset and moved to the backseat. The argument escalated and the male suspect leaned into the backseat and punched the female in the head several times. Witnesses detained the suspect and called the police. The suspect was arrested and the victim was taken to a hospital for treatment. An Emergency Protective Order was issued and the Department of Child and Family Services was advised.

Domestic Violence - Suspect Arrested
June 10 at 12:37 p.m., witnesses reported a male and female arguing and physically fighting to the rear of a hotel in the 700 block of W. Huntington. The male suspect was hitting the female and slammed her up against a storage container. When police arrived the male suspect was gone. The female refused medical attention, but did have a noticeable bruise/bump on her forehead. The male suspect was eventually located behind a storage container to the rear of the hotel. He was arrested and taken into custody.

Vandalism / Battery - Suspect Arrested
June 10 at 2:56 p.m., an officer responded to a business in the 1600 block of S. Mountain about a battery in progress. The male suspect went into the business to return an item his mother had purchased. The suspect began to argue with the sales associates. He became irate and started throwing paint from a display counter, causing a mess. The associates were escorting him off property, when he physically battered one of the associates. The associate took him to the ground and held him until police arrived. He was arrested and taken into custody.

Possession of Drug Paraphernalia - Suspect Arrested
June 10 at 6:53 p.m., officers responded to a business in the 500 block of W. Huntington about a petty theft. The suspect was located and a pat-down search revealed a drug pipe in his possession. Store security did not want to press charges for petty theft, but the suspect was arrested for the possession of drug paraphernalia.

Residential Burglary
June 10 at 9:03 p.m., a residential burglary was reported in the 600 block of Norumbega. The victim's home is for sale and they were notified by their realtor that a door was found open. The victim responded to the home and discovered that some paintings and tools had been stolen. The victim believes the door may have been left unlocked. The investigation is continuing.

Grand Theft Auto
June 11 at 1:39 a.m., a vehicle was reported stolen from the 500 block of W. Lemon. The victim parked their Maroon Honda Civic on the street in front of the residence. It was seen by a family member at 11:30 p.m. and discovered missing at 11:45 p.m. The investigation is continuing.

Receiving Stolen Property / Felon in Possession of Ammunition / Stolen Credit Cards / Possession of a Controlled Substance - Suspects Arrested
June 11 at 1:57 a.m., an officer stopped a vehicle for a vehicle code violation in the area of Mountain and Huntington. The investigation revealed the driver was a felon in possession of ammunition and had stolen property. The passenger had numerous credit cards that did not belong to her and was later found to be in possession of methamphetamine. Two victims were contacted and said their vehicles had been burglarized earlier in the evening. Their wallet and purse had been taken in the incidents. Both suspects was arrested.

Driving Under the Influence - Suspect Arrested
June 11 at 4:30 p.m., a possible drunk driver in the 300 block of E. Hillcrest was reported to police. An officer arrived in the area and observed a vehicle come to a stop. The driver of the vehicle started yelling at the officer using vulgar language. The investigation revealed the driver was intoxicated. The driver was arrested, booked and held for a sobering period. He was later released with a citation to appear in court.

Vehicle Burglary
June 11 at 4:56 p.m., a vehicle burglary was reported in the 300 block of N. Encinitas. Unknown suspects made entry into the vehicle that was parked and believed to be locked. The investigation continues.

Gold Line Riders Will Be Charged $3 to Park at Monrovia Station

 
Starting June 26 Monrovia Gold Line riders are going to get an extra $3 tacked on to their daily commute if they Park at the Monrovia station. 

Brad Haugaard 

Santa Fe Becomes a Computer Magnet School; Trader Joe's Recalls Green Tea Ice Cream

~ Santa Fe Middle School has now been renamed Santa Fe Computer Magnet School. It will provide a computer science curriculum. https://goo.gl/lPkz9B

~ Monrovia-based Trader Joe's is recalling its Matcha Green Tea Ice Cream because it may have little pieces of metal in it. https://goo.gl/J4urcp

- Brad Haugaard

Man in Skeleton Mask Robs Monrovia Hotel

A man wearing a skeleton mask robbed the Oak Tree Inn on the south side of Huntington next to the freeway entrance Thursday night just after 9 p.m. https://goo.gl/hGHdw9

- Brad Haugaard

Free Compost and Mulch at Monrovia Yard

Free compost and mulch, Saturday, June 17, 8 a.m. to noon at the Monrovia Public Works Yard, at 600 S. Mountain Ave. You gotta shovel it yourself, but shovels will be provided. Bring your ID or an Athens bill, sturdy containers, but no plastic bags.

Monrovia School Board to Honor Hippiebots on Big Win; Etc.

At its June 14, 7 p.m. meeting (Agenda Take care, it's a 222 page download), the Monrovia Board of Education will ...

~ Congratulate Paul Flores and the Clifton Middle School Hippiebots on winning the 2017 First Tech Challenge Dutch Open in Eindhoven, Netherlands.

~ Hear a report that the district administration has reached a tentative agreement with its various labor unions for a 1.5 percent salary increase retroactive to July 1 of last year. That will cost the district an additional $702,366.

~ Hold a public hearing on the district's Local Control Accountability Plan. The agenda says a copy of the plan is at the district website (http://www.monroviaschools.net), but I can't find it. I'll update this if I hear back. Update: The plan is here.

~ Hold a public hearing on its Proposed Adopted Budget Report, which the agenda says is attached, but I can't find it. Again, I'll update this if I hear back. Update: The budget is now in the agenda file.

- Brad Haugaard

Dinner at Mayan Bar and Grill

 

Dinner at Mayan Bar and Grill, in the Aztec Hotel on Foothill. Ordered an Aztec Burger for $9 and a beer for $5. Both were good and very friendly service. 


- Brad Haugaard 

Monrovia's Trader Joe's Wins Legal Battle With Pirate Joe's

Canadian company, Pirate Joe - a Trader Joe's copycat company - shuts down after legal battle with Monrovia-based Trader Joe's. https://goo.gl/3s15S6

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Suspect in Fight Breaks His Ankle; Man Hits Girlfriend; No Violence - Just Meth; Etc.

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for June 5-7. - Brad Haugaard]

During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 432 service events, resulting in 72 investigations.

Vehicle Burglary
June 5 at 8:35 a.m., a vehicle burglary that occurred in the 1200 block of S. Alta Vista was reported to police. The victim parked his vehicle the evening before and returned to it the next morning to find a window shattered and a gym bag that was in the vehicle was missing. The investigation is continuing.

Suspicious Circumstances / Warrant – Suspect Arrested
June 5 at 12:02 p.m., officers responded to a business in the 1600 block of S. Mountain to investigate a suspicious female subject seen carrying merchandise around the inside of the store. The same female had been seen at the store’s El Monte location, trying to go out an emergency exit with similar merchandise and nearby stores were notified. There was a vehicle parked outside the emergency exit that matched the description of a vehicle seen at the El Monte location. Officers arrived, contacted the female and stopped the vehicle, which had just left the parking lot. The vehicle was a rental that had its plates covered and was being driven by a subject that was found to have a no-bail probation warrant, in addition to other warrants. The male subject was arrested for the warrants and the vehicle was stored. The female was identified and released, as she had not left the store with the merchandise.

Domestic Battery
June 5 at 5:07 p.m., police responded to the report of a domestic battery incident in progress in the 700 block of Montana. The suspect is the estranged husband of the victim. The suspect came to the victim's residence while she had a male friend over and became involved in a physical altercation with both the male subject and his estranged wife. During the altercation, the suspect broke his ankle. The suspect was taken to a hospital for treatment. He was issued a citation to appear in court on the battery charges and was served with an Emergency Protective Order.

Stolen Vehicle Recovered
June 7 at 6:10 a.m., a vehicle was reported stolen from the 300 block of Pine Tree Lane. The victim reported that the vehicle was parked on the street and was locked. The vehicle was located by Monrovia parking control officers three hours later, unoccupied, and parked in the 300 block of N Encinitas. Several items were missing from the interior of the vehicle. The vehicle was returned to the victim and the investigation is continuing.

Domestic Violence – Suspect Arrested
June 7 at 8:28 a.m., officers responded to the 200 block of W. Cypress on the report of a domestic violence incident. The investigation revealed that the male subject struck his girlfriend during an argument. The altercation resulted in redness and bruising to the female. The male subject was arrested for domestic violence.

Stolen Vehicle Recovered – Suspect Arrested
June 7 at 1:45 p.m., officers responded to a business in the 1600 block of S. Mountain Avenue to investigate a possible theft. Store loss prevention was observing a male suspect inside the store concealing merchandise and a waiting vehicle outside. Officers arrived and located the male suspect outside, next to the unoccupied vehicle. The vehicle was found to be a reported stolen. The male suspect told police he had driven the vehicle to the location and knew it was stolen. The suspect was arrested and taken into custody.

Possession of a Controlled Substance / Possession of Drug Paraphernalia – Suspect Arrested
June 7 at 3:29 p.m., officers were dispatched to the 700 block of S. Shamrock Avenue regarding a possible domestic violence incident. The officers located the subjects and determined there was no domestic violence that occurred, but during the course of the investigation, they discovered the male subject was in possession of drug paraphernalia and methamphetamine. He was arrested and taken into custody.

Monrovia RiteAid is Closing

 
The RiteAid at Huntington and Magnolia is closing. 

- Brad Haugaard 

Monrovian Arrested in Connection With Sexual Assaults

A Monrovia man is under arrest in connection with a string of sexual assaults. https://goo.gl/N6hqlp

- Brad Haugaard 

Monrovia Music Fest

A report and pictures of Monrovia Music Festival from Gem City Images: https://goo.gl/hmnoqp

-Brad Haugaard