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Monrovia Police: Two Arson Fires - Little Library Set Afire; She's Drunk, He's Violent; Man Runs Off With Visitor's Luggage; Man Whacks Suspects With Cane

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for Highlighted Activity for February 28 – March 6. - Brad Haugaard]

During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 437 service events, resulting in 84 investigations.

Shoplifting – Suspect Arrested
February 28 at 1:05 p.m., a shoplifting incident was reported at a business in the 3300 block of S. Peck Road. Loss prevention was reviewing security cameras when they saw a subject tossing merchandise over a fence and into the county park area. They detained the suspect and an associate at the exit. Both were cooperative. The merchandise was recovered and returned. The suspect was arrested and issued a citation to appear in court on the shoplifting charges.

Possession of Drug Paraphernalia/Possession of a Controlled Substance – Suspect Arrested
February 28 at 11:04 p.m., an officer was on patrol in the 1100 block of E. Huntington and conducted a traffic stop on a bicyclist for a vehicle code violation. During the stop, it was discovered the bicyclist was in possession of drug paraphernalia and narcotics. The suspect was arrested and taken into custody.

Shots Heard
February 29 at 2:24 a.m., police dispatch received three separate calls reporting approximately 4 gunshots in a rear alley in the 300 block of California. Officers responded and conducted an area check, but did not find any evidence of gun shots. The reporting parties were contacted; however, they did not see anything, but only heard shots. Officers continued to stay in the area, but nothing was located. The day watch shift conducted an additional search during daylight hours, but again, nothing was located.

Stolen Vehicle Recovered – Suspects Arrested
March 1 at 7:52 p.m., Special Enforcement Team officers located a stolen motorcycle with a punched ignition at a motel in the 900 block of E. Huntington. Further investigation revealed the suspect was staying at the motel along with two other subjects who had warrants for their arrest. Additional officers responded to assist and all three subjects were arrested.

Battery/Public Intoxication – Suspect Arrested
March 2 at 12:17 a.m., a caller reported a physical altercation in the 700 block of S. Magnolia with a female screaming. Officers responded and learned that a boyfriend and girlfriend were sitting in their vehicle arguing. The female was intoxicated. A man walking past the vehicle tried to intervene because he thought the female needed help. The boyfriend exited the vehicle and became involved in a physical altercation with the man who tried to intervene. The boyfriend was arrested on a private person's arrest for battery and the girlfriend was arrested for public intoxication.

Driving Under the Influence/Warrant – Suspect Arrested
March 2 at 2:22 a.m., an officer conducted a traffic stop for a vehicle code violation at Central and Myrtle. During the traffic stop, the driver was determined to be intoxicated and one of the passengers was found to have a warrant for his arrest. After further investigation and field sobriety tests being conducted, the driver was arrested for DUI and a passenger was arrested for a warrant.

Commercial Burglary
March 2 at 3:02 a.m., an alarm activation call was received for a business in the 900 block of S. Alta Vista. Officers arrived shortly after and discovered that forced entry had been made to the front door. A perimeter was set up and an interior search was conducted; however, the suspects had already fled the scene. One of the employees responded and indicated the suspects had ripped the alarm panels off the wall. It was unclear if anything was taken at the time. The business contains jewelry, however, all of the jewelry was secured. The investigation is continuing.

Shoplifting/Parole Violation – Suspect Arrested
March 2 at 4:36 p.m., loss prevention at a business in the 500 block of W. Huntington called to report a shoplifting incident in progress. Officers responded and waited for the suspect to exit the store, where they detained him. Store loss prevention made a private person's arrest of the suspect. The suspect was arrested and found to currently be on parole and was in violation on his parole. He was transported to the city jail.

Possession of Burglary Tools/Warrant – Suspect Arrested
March 2 at 8:04 p.m., officers observed two male subjects acting suspicious to police presence in the south alley of 100 W. Chestnut. As they approached the subjects, they saw they were wearing dark hoodies and had masks covering their faces. The subjects were detained. One subject had a warrant for theft and was also found to be in possession of burglary tools. The second subject was arrested for possession of methamphetamine. Both suspects were arrested and later released with citations to appear in court on the charges.

Theft of Luggage
March 3 at 9:40 a.m., a theft of luggage was reported at a hotel in the 900 block of W. Huntington. The victim set his luggage out in front of the hotel and went inside. When he came back, he saw a male Hispanic subject in his 50's running away with his luggage. He lost sight of the suspect and called the police. The luggage contained his passports and other personal property. An area search was completed, but the suspect was not located.

Commercial Burglary
March 3 at 8:03 p.m., police dispatch received a burglary alarm activation at a commercial building in the 400 block of W. Maple that had been burglarized multiple times. Officers quickly responded and saw a boarded-up window had been forced open. An El Monte Police Department canine unit responded to the location to assist in searching the building. The interior was searched, but the suspect was not located. The owner responded and reviewed surveillance video of the break-in. It appears to be the same suspect from the previous burglaries and an unknown amount of cash was taken from the tip jar. The investigation is continuing.

Vehicle Burglary
March 3 at 11:35 p.m., a vehicle burglary was reported in the 800 block of S. Myrtle. The victim reported that someone had broken into his work vehicle. The victim saw a male and a female Hispanic inside his vehicle. The victim confronted the male suspect and began hitting him with his cane. Both suspects fled in a silver, Volkswagen hatchback. The victim did not find anything missing at the time. The investigation is continuing.

Hit and Run Traffic Collision/Driving Under the Influence
March 5 at 1:23 a.m., officers responded to a traffic collision at the intersection of Shamrock and Valley View. A motorist was traveling north on Shamrock and collided into a parked vehicle near the intersection. The impact was so severe it disabled both vehicles. The driver fled the scene on foot, but was quickly detained nearby. The driver was possibly under the influence of drugs, but due to his injuries, he was taken to a hospital for immediate medical aid. Charges are pending and the investigation is continuing.

Trespassing – Suspect Arrested
March 5 at 1:13 p.m., police received a call reporting a female subject trespassing at a vacant residence in the 400 block of E. Maple. An officer responded and found a female subject sleeping inside the residence covered up with a blanket. An officer made contact with the subject and she said she entered the location through an unlocked door. The officer searched the location and found no signs of forced entry. The subject was arrested for trespassing; she was booked and later released on a citation.

Arson
March 5 at 11:49 p.m., Monrovia Fire and Rescue requested officers respond regarding a suspicious fire in the 900 block of Monterey. Officers arrived and found a bush had been set on fire. They were also told by fire personnel that an earlier fire had occurred in front of the Unity Center on Chestnut. The self-serve library box had been set on fire about an hour earlier. An unknown suspect filled the book box with sticks and debris, and then lit the box on fire. The investigation is continuing.

Structure Fire
March 6 at 12:35 a.m., police dispatch received numerous calls reporting a structure fire at a residence in the 700 block of W. Colorado. Officers arrived and found the location on fire, and the fire had spread to an adjacent home. Multiple agencies responded to assist Monrovia Fire and Rescue with firefighting efforts, including Pasadena and Arcadia Fire Departments. Arcadia and Sierra Madre Police Departments also assisted with evacuations and traffic control. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Theft of Mail
March 6 at 3:56 a.m., dispatch received a call reporting two subjects stealing mail from a location in the 200 Block E. Foothill. They fled west on Foothill in a blue vehicle. Officers arrived and confirmed a theft had occurred. An area search was conducted, but officers were not able to locate the suspects. Investigation to continue.

Theft of Wallet From Shopping Cart
March 6 at 10:45 a.m., a female customer of a grocery store in the 600 block of W. Huntington reported someone had taken her wallet and credit cards from her shopping cart while she was shopping inside the store. She discovered her wallet had been stolen when she went to checkout at the registers and pay. This investigation is continuing.

Theft of Purse From Shopping Cart
March 6 at 11:33 a.m., a theft of a purse at a grocery store in the 600 block of W. Huntington was reported to police. The female victim reported that someone had stolen her purse and credit cards from her shopping cart while she was shopping the day before on March 5. This investigation is continuing.

Trespassing – Suspect Arrested
March 6 at 11:42 a.m., the owner of an unoccupied rental home in the 400 block of E. Maple called police to report a subject that had gained entry into the home somehow and was using it as their temporary residence. Officers arrived and found no-trespassing signs posted around the home. The subject inside was detained, and after an investigation, was arrested for trespassing.

Traffic Collision – Citation Issued
March 6 at 1:30 p.m., a caller reported two motorists had just collided into one another in the 900 block of W. Huntington. Officers responded and found no one was injured. After an investigation was conducted, the party at fault was issued a citation.

Public Intoxication – Suspect Arrested
March 6 at 7:31 p.m., officers were dispatched to the area of Myrtle and Alta Vista regarding a male subject that appeared extremely intoxicated. They arrived and found the subject, who displayed obvious signs of intoxication. The subject was too intoxicated to care for himself and was arrested for being drunk in public. He was held for a sobering period.

Arson
March 7 at 12:03 a.m., dispatch received numerous calls reporting a structure fire at a residence in the 800 block of W. Walnut. The residence was occupied by one male adult, who escaped injury. The Monrovia Fire Department arrived and put out the fire. The Police and Fire Departments are investigating the cause of the fire. Monrovia Police Detectives were called in to assist with the investigation. The investigation is ongoing.

Monrovia Schools Seeks Comment on Local Control Plan

Monrovia School District invites you to comment on its Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP) plan. Here's the detail: https://goo.gl/yZwPDr . Click on Thought Exchange to comment.

- Brad Haugaard

Afro-Latin Ensemble Under Direction of Monrovia Resident Releases Second Album


Under the guidance of Monrovia resident and band director Professor Paul De Castro, the Cal State LA Afro Latin Ensemble has released its second album, Setenta, a compilation of classics and new compositions.

A Cal State LA press release describes it as "a passionate, sophisticated work that revels in its cultural tradition. Breezy flutes and bright trumpets, nimble and intricate percussion work and a sultry modern take on Leonard Bernstein's 'Maria' are just a few of the delights this joyful album packs."

"The goals were very high. I didn't accept second-rate anything," De Castro said of the album. "We had the best arrangements, great guest stars, and I put the pressure on the students."

The group began in 1999 as a Latin jazz ensemble, founded by students who sought the advice of De Castro, a Cal State LA alumnus and faculty member in the College of Arts and Letters.

As a scholar of Afro Latin music and a professional pianist, De Castro was an ideal faculty advisor for the fledgling Latin jazz ensemble. He incorporated traditional Caribbean rhythms, particularly those from Cuba, and invited vocalists to join the group.

Wearing signature guayabera shirts featuring the Cal State LA logo, the ensemble has played at venues such as the Autry Museum and Grand Park in downtown Los Angeles. In 2000, the 22-person ensemble performed in Cuba, and 10 years later, they played before an audience of 2,000 in China.

"Our main goal," De Castro says, "is to make people feel happy, to make people want to move and dance."

Here's a taste of the music: https://vimeo.com/318-59163

Source: Press release

- Brad Haugaard

Health Fair at Unity Center


Health and Resource Fair at Foothill Unity Center (790 W. Chestnut) on March 16 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Medical screenings, food, raffle, health insurance enrollment, food bank, more.

- Brad Haugaard

Arsonist? Second House Fire in Two Days

Another house fire, last night. This time on Walnut west of Monterey. The street is blocked off at Monterey. Arson?

Update: person of interest detained - https://goo.gl/d7DB7u

- Brad Haugaard

Jewish Food Festival April 7 at Library Park

On Sunday, April 7, the Jewish Federation of the Greater San Gabriel and Pomona Valleys will present the Jewish Food Festival at Library Park in Monrovia, from 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. This event will celebrate the diverse culinary traditions of Jewish communities throughout the world and throughout history.

The festival will feature favorites such as Matzah Ball Soup, Brisket Sandwiches, Falafel, Black and White cookies, Noodle Kugel and others. Food demonstrations will include pickle making, challah braiding and soft matzah. There will be a special Kids Zone area with bounce houses, craft projects, face painting, balloon artist, a chance to explore a fire truck and police car, and a couple places for kids to read to dogs. Other opportunities include a Beer and Wine Garden, and a Visual Arts Exhibition showcasing local Jewish artisans.

Musical performances will take place throughout the day and will be headlined by Mostly Kosher, the acclaimed klezmer gypsy-rock band that spent the past two years as part of Disney's Festival of Holidays, and children's recording artist Jason Mesches.

The event is open to the public. Tickets can be purchased at the festival or online at www.jewishsgpv.org/jewish-food-festival or by calling 445-0810. For more information about the Jewish Food Festival, please call the Jewish Federation at 445-0810.

Source: Press release

- Brad Haugaard

Fire Destroys Monrovia Home Under Construction

Last night a fire destroyed a large Monrovia house under construction on West Colorado, just east of Monterey. https://goo.gl/Mft6Rh

- Brad Haugaard

Elementary Co-Ed Flag Football and Cheer

Co-ed 4th and 5th grade flag football and cheer. Registration now open. Details: https://goo.gl/oGh6H5

- Brad Haugaard

Get $250 Worth of Low-Water Plants for Free


The Upper San Gabriel Valley Municipal Water District, which serves Monrovia, is now offering a Plant Voucher Program, giving residents up to $250 dollars worth of water efficient plants from Garden View Nursery in Irwindale.

When applying, you will be asked to provide a water bill to verify residency within the service area. Once verified, you'll get a voucher number which you can present at the nursery for plants.

For additional information or to apply, go here: https://goo.gl/XFeTgx. For questions email plantvoucher@ecotechservices.net.

- Brad Haugaard

Elementary School Math Bee

Monrovia Unified School District will hold its second annual Next Generation Elementary School Math Bee for students third to fifth grade on Wednesday, March 27 at Monrovia High School, Room 210, from 4 to 5:30 p.m.

The event is aimed at nurturing mathematical skills in elementary school students, and stimulating enthusiasm and a passion for mathematics. https://goo.gl/WJZ6Gd

- Brad Haugaard

Citrus Top Two-Year College for Awarding English and Literature/Letters Degrees to Minorities

Citrus College, which serves Monrovia, has been ranked first among all public two-year community colleges in the United States for the number of associate degrees awarded in English language and literature/letters to minority students, according to "Top 100 Associate Degree Producers," published by Diverse: Issues in Higher Education.

Source: Press release

- Brad Haugaard

Trader Joe's to Cut Down on Plastic Usage

Monrovia-based Trader Joe's has announced it will be cutting down on its use of single-use plastics. https://goo.gl/9mhVYd

- Brad Haugaard

Meeting About Proposed Sales Tax; County Area Out of GoMonrovia; Treasures Program is a Finalist; Community Gardens; Pam Fitzpatrick; Youth Sports

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

~ There will be an open meeting to talk about adopting a sales tax for Monrovia. The meeting will take place at the Library Community Room on Monday, March 11, from 6-7 p.m. The idea is to max out the allowable sales tax for the city so if - as city officials believe is highly likely - the county adds a new tax, it won't get anything because Monrovians would already be paying the top allowable rate, and all the bucks would be going to Monrovia instead of to the county.

~ County area adjacent to Monrovia will no longer be part of the GoMonrovia Lyft-car program. The county declined to pony up the necessary money. Also, the big dial-a-ride buses for handicapped residents will be replaced by smaller vans (Comment: Good!). They're $3.29 an hour cheaper to operate.

~  Monrovia's Neighborhood Treasures program has been chosen as one of seven finalist - out of 30 entries - in the Best Neighborhood Program competition by Neighborhoods, USA. Monrovia's program displays public art in the neighborhoods of residents who have contributed to the community.

~ The Monrovia Community Garden Pilot Program is set to launch in May or June at Mountainside Communion Church at the northwest corner of Colorado and Magnolia. There will be private raised beds for rent, educational workshops, and public demonstration gardens. There will be an informational meeting on Saturday, April 13, in the Library Community Room from 9 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. 

~ An Old Town Memorial Bench in honor of Pam Fitzpatrick will be unveiled on March 8 (her birthday) at 10:30 a.m. in front of the Dollmakers store on Myrtle Avenue.

~ Registration is now open for the new Youth Sports Program featuring Flag Football and Cheer. The program, at Recreation Park, is open to fourth and fifth grade boys and girls. Details: https://goo.gl/oGh6H5

- Brad Haugaard

Shy But Affectionate Kitty Needs Home


Cookie (A472816) is a 4-year-old brown tabby who is a little shy at first, as you can see, but is very affectionate. Volunteers say once they approach slowly and she gains trust, she comes up to you and allows you to pet her. She was unfortunately turned in with a sister, Ginger (A472817), when their owner needed to move and couldn’t care for them any longer. They would prefer to be adopted together so they are a little bit more confident upon entering their new home. Visit Cookie and Ginger at the Pasadena Humane Society & SPCA.

The adoption fee for cats is $90. All cats are spayed or neutered, microchipped, and vaccinated before being adopted.

New adopters will receive a complimentary health-and-wellness exam from VCA Animal Hospitals, as well as a goody bag filled with information about how to care for your pet.

View photos of adoptable pets at pasadenahumane.org. Adoption hours are 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday; and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.

Pets may not be available for adoption and cannot be held for potential adopters by phone calls or email.

- Brad Haugaard

Hirsch Opens 23rd Branch in Monrovia


Hirsch Pipe & Supply has opened its twenty third Southern California location in Monrovia. The new branch is at 1726 S. Myrtle Ave. Phone at 406-1136 and fax at 406-1137.

Throughout March customers can hand in their business cards for a a chance to win a $50 gift card, which will be raffled off during weekly Friday BBQs with vendors such as Kohler, Bradford White, Sloan, Liberty Pumps, American Water Heaters, Takagi Tankless, Nortiz and others.

- Brad Haugaard
March
,
current and new customers alike can hand in their
business card
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Monrovia Color Guard Takes Third Place

The Monrovia Color Guard took third place at the WGASC (Winter Guard Association of Southern California) Signature Show North, with its performance of Starry Starry Night, Saturday March 2, at the MHS Event Center. Watch here: 

https://youtu.be/6tmersnvEUc

Building Trader Joe’s Culture

An interesting article on how Joe Coulombe built the Trader Joe's culture. Trader Joe’s headquarters is in Monrovia. https://goo.gl/QvLuKs

- Brad Haugaard 

Dinner at Sushi Kuni

Dinner at Sushi Kuni, on the east side of Myrtle just north of Olive. Got the Spicy Pork plate for $15.50 and a beer for $4.99. Delicious, and prompt, friendly service. 

- Brad Haugaard 

Citrus College is Finalist for Student Success Award

Citrus College, which serves Monrovia, is one of only four community colleges in the nation that has been selected as a finalist for the 2019 American Association of Community Colleges Award of Excellence in the Student Success category.

While only 20 of the nation's more than 1,100 community colleges were selected as finalists, only two of these colleges are from California.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia High to Host Robotics Championship

Monrovia High School will host 48 teams at the Los Angeles Regional Robotics Championships on Saturday, March 9. https://goo.gl/YSg6Lx

- Brad Haugaard