Steve Flannes was Police Chief for a Day. From the Myron Hotchkiss collection. See full details here.
New Year’s Eve on Myrtle
It’s about 52 degrees on Myrtle, not very cold, and the New Year’s Eve party is just getting started. The band is playing at the intersection of Myrtle and Lemon.
Weekly Monrovia Coronavirus Count: 292 More Cases, No More Deaths
City of Monrovia: 4,598 cases (up 292), 87 deaths (unchanged)
Unincorporated Monrovia: 504 cases (up 30), 1 death (unchanged)
- Brad Haugaard
Monrovia Police: Motorcyclist Fleeing Cops Not Clever Enough; Woman Punches Grandpa; Son Hits Father; Son Stabs Stepfather; Husband Hits Wife; Driver Wearing Brass Knuckles; and More
During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 347 service events, resulting in 61 investigations.
Commercial Burglary
December 23 at 5:03 p.m., an employee in the 600 block of W. Huntington called to report that four male subjects entered the business, used a hammer to smash a display case, and took several cell phones. They left the location and entered a vehicle. The vehicle left the parking lot and went west on Huntington, out of sight. This investigation is continuing.
Felony Evading – Suspect Arrested
December 24 at 10:38 a.m., an officer observed a motorcyclist make a traffic violation in the Chestnut and Monterey area. He attempted to pull over the motorcycle, but the rider fled. A short pursuit ensued and multiple traffic violations were observed. For safety reasons the pursuit was terminated by the officer. The driver pulled into an apartment complex moments after the pursuit was terminated. A containment was establishment and eventually the motorcycle and driver were located. The driver was arrested and taken into custody.
Grand Theft Auto – Recovery
December 24 at 2:13 p.m., a resident from Duarte called and informed the Monrovia Police Department that her vehicle was reported stolen out of the City of Duarte on 12/14/21. While driving in the area of Cherry and California she located her vehicle parked. An officer responded and located the vehicle. The vehicle was unoccupied, removed from the system, and returned to the owner.
Elder Abuse – Suspect Arrested
December 24 at 8:18 p.m., officers responded to a family disturbance in the 400 block of W. Palm and learned a female suspect had punched her 74 year-old grandfather in the face causing profuse bleeding. After investigation, the female was arrested and taken into custody.
Battery
December 25 at 2:45 a.m., a fight between a father and his son was reported in the 100 block of S. Canyon. The father was transported to a local hospital with an injury. This investigation is continuing.
Driving Under the Influence – Suspect Arrested
December 25 at 4:55 a.m., an officer was dispatched to a welfare check regarding a subject passed out behind the wheel of a car in front of a store in the 400 block of W. Foothill. A DUI investigation revealed the subject was driving under the influence. He was taken into custody and held for a sobering period.
Commercial Burglary
December 25 at 7:48 a.m., an employee from a business in the 900 block of W. Duarte called to report that when she arrived to work the front door was smashed and items were missing from inside. This investigation is continuing.
Warrant Arrest
December 25 at 8:10 a.m., an officer was patrolling the area of Fifth and Huntington when he saw a female subject who he recognized from prior contacts. The officer knew she had outstanding warrants for her arrest. The officer confirmed the warrants and detained the female subject. She was arrested and taken into custody.
Weapons Offense/Warrant Arrests
December 25 at 10:24 a.m., an officer was patrolling the area of Myrtle and Chestnut when he saw a traffic violation. The officer conducted a traffic stop. The driver was wearing brass knuckles and did not have a driver's license. There were two passengers in the vehicle who had outstanding warrants for their arrest. All three subjects were arrested and taken into custody.
Commercial Burglary
December 26 at 2:49 a.m., officers were dispatched to a business in the 100 block of W. Foothill on a burglary alarm activation. When officers arrived, they discovered the front door was open. Upon further inspection the officers noticed it appeared someone entered the business, but the officers were unable to determine a loss at the time. The investigation is continuing.
Warrant Arrest
December 26 at 7:31 a.m., an officer was patrolling the area of Royal Oaks and Mountain when he saw a subject jaywalking. The officer detained the individual and discovered he had an outstanding warrant for his arrest. He was arrested and taken into custody.
Assault with a Deadly Weapon
December 27 at 12:34 a.m., officers were dispatched to a residence in the 100 block of E. Evergreen regarding a stabbing. When officers arrived they discovered the son, who is homeless, arrived and tried to sleep in a vehicle parked in his parents’ front yard. The stepfather and son got into an argument when the son stabbed him, causing a laceration to the bicep and shoulder blade. The suspect fled prior to officers arriving. An area search was conducted, but the suspect managed to evade officers. The father was treated and is expected to survive his injuries. The investigation is continuing.
Vandalism
December 27 at 7:54 a.m., the manager of a business in the 900 block of S. Primrose arrived to work and discovered someone had spray painted graffiti across their building. The graffiti letters were 6 feet tall and the words extended 30 feet across the building. The same graffiti was found in the 600 block of Parker. This investigation is continuing.
Dog Bite
December 27 at 10:18 a.m., the owner of two small dogs reported a pit bull attacked his dogs in the 100 block of W. Palm. Officers responded along with an officer from the Pasadena Humane Society. The owner of the pit bull remained at the location with her dog, which was quarantined. The Pasadena Humane Society will be handling this investigation.
Shoplifting
December 27 at 2:14 p.m., security for a hardware store in the 1600 block of S. Mountain reported a male adult had just left the store with merchandise he did not pay for. Officers responded and located the subject nearby. The property was returned to the store and the subject was arrested.
Shoplifting
December 27 at 7:08 p.m., a store in the 700 block of E. Huntington detained a subject for shoplifting. Officers responded and arrested the subject.
Grand Theft – Suspect Arrested
December 27 at 9:23 p.m., officers were dispatched to a retail store in the 700 block of E. Huntington regarding a subject who stole some items and was being followed by store loss prevention. Officers located the subject who was unable to prove his identity, he was arrested and transported to the Monrovia Police Department jail for identification.
Domestic Battery
December 28 at 5:30 a.m., a family disturbance was reported in the 1300 block of S. Alta Vista. Upon arrival, they met an adult female who advised her husband had battered her. The husband fled the scene as officers arrived and was not located. An Emergency Protective Order was obtained for the victim. The case will be sent to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's office for filing consideration. At 9:52 am the victim reported her husband had returned to the scene of the crime. Officers responded and located the male suspect driving away. Officers had been actively searching for him. The suspect initially refused to stop for officers, but after a brief vehicle pursuit, the suspect stopped and was taken into custody. In the jail, methamphetamine was discovered in the suspect's wallet.
Hit & Run Collision
December 28 at 7:55 a.m., a resident in the 200 block of W. Walnut discovered a motorist had collided into his car sometime during the night, then fled the scene without calling the police or leaving a note. The caller's vehicle had been legally parked on the street. This investigation is continuing.
Attempt Grand Theft Auto
December 28 at 11:00 a.m., a resident in the 600 block of W. Foothill walked outside his home and discovered someone had forced entry into his vehicle sometime during the night. Officers responded and found the vehicle's ignition system had been tampered with. The suspects fled the area after not being successful in taking the car.
Grand Theft Auto
December 28 at 12:16 p.m., a victim in the 500 block of Diamond discovered someone had stolen his vehicle which had been parked in front of his home. He parked his car at midnight the night before, then went into his home. Officers searched the area for the vehicle, but could not locate it. This investigation is continuing.
Shoplifting
December 28 at 8:35 p.m., a suspect stole merchandise from a retail store in the 700 block of E. Huntington. She was confronted outside by loss prevention and was cooperative. Officers arrested the suspect and released her with a citation.
Vandalism
December 29 at 3:25 p.m., an officer was patrolling the 1600 block of S. Shamrock when he saw fresh gang graffiti spray painted on a wall. The graffiti was reported for removal.
Attempt Grand Theft Auto
December 29 at 5:46 p.m., a customer of a hardware store in the 1600 block of S. Mountain walked out after shopping and saw someone inside his vehicle. When he confronted the suspect, the suspect exited the vehicle and ran to a grey Chevrolet Silverado truck, got into the passenger seat and both suspects fled the area. Officers searched the area for the suspects, but could not locate them. The ignition system to the caller's vehicle had been damaged due to the attempt theft. This investigation is continuing.
New Year's Eve Parties; Trash Fees Going Up; Christmas Tree Disposal
In his latest report (https://goo.gl/aOqX7O) City Manager Dylan Feik reports:
~ New Year's Eve party on Myrtle, 7 p.m. to 1 a.m.
~ In addition to the evening celebration, there is NOON Year's Eve at Library Park, from 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. on Dec. 31. Activities include live music, arts and crafts, inflatable obstacle course, games and a special countdown to Noon Year's Eve! All ages welcome.
~ Trash collection fees will be going up by 4.61 percent starting January 1. Athens Services, which provides trash collection for Monrovia, is permitted the annual increase in its contract. Typical home rates will increase by $1.56 a month, from $34.91 a month to $36.47. Typical commercial rates will increase by $9.06 a month, from $203.62 to $212.68 per month.
~ To recycle your Christmas Tree, place it curbside on your regular trash collection day. Remove ornaments, tinsel, plastic bags, nails, lights, and plastic or metal stands.
- Brad Haugaard
Badly Mangled Article About Monrovian
I noticed an old article about a Monrovian sentenced for a hit-and-run death that appeared in an online publication called California News Times. The story was taken from the Long Beach Press Telegram (which got it right) and pretty badly mangled. Here, for your shock or amusement, is the offending paragraph:
"According to police, Long Beach’s Deler Gorichue, 26, was riding a 2016 Harley-Davidson Heritage Softail when the 2006 Toyota Solara medium-sized coupe attacked him. According to the coroner’s office, Gorichue was taken to the UC Irvine Medical Center in Orange and later sentenced to death."
The source: https://tny.im/z7fu4
- Brad Haugaard
No Residential Flooding Yet
Ridgeside and Oakglade. Despite the rain, at 9 a.m. today there was not a trace of mud on the streets below the Bobcat Fire burn area that have been threatened by mudflow. However, there were at least three television news trucks waiting to see what will happen.
Chalksgiving Contest Winners
Dinner at Max’s
Eve - A Rescue Cat Ready for a Life of Love
One-year-old Eve is a beautiful calico who was rescued from a home with over fifty other cats. Although she’s a little shy in her new environment, Eve is slowly coming out of her shell – she just needs a patient adopter to let her go at her own pace. Eve has had a rough past, but we know her future is bright. She’s ready for a wonderful life full of love!
The adoption fee for cats is $100. All cat adoptions include spay or neuter, microchip, and age-appropriate vaccines.
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 and schedule an adoption appointment at pasadenahumane.org. Adoptions are by appointment only, and new adoption appointments are available every Sunday and Wednesday at 10:00 a.m.
Pets may not be available for adoption and cannot be held for potential adopters by phone calls or email.
- Brad Haugaard
A Moment in Monrovia History: Monrovia's 1911 High School
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/pastperfectonline/images/museum_913/006/sb%2015.jpg)
Postcard of Monrovia's High School in 1911 in the original Ivy Avenue School Building before the second building was added to the campus. See full details here.
More Monrovia Police Assigned to Look for Intoxicated Drivers Through New Year's Day
The Monrovia Police Department is committed to keeping our community safe and encourages everyone to stay in for the night or use a designated sober driver if you have alcohol, marijuana, prescription, or over-the-counter drugs that may impair your ability to drive a vehicle.
From Dec. 15 through New Year's Day, the Monrovia Police Department will have additional officers on patrol looking for drivers suspected of being under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs. The extra enforcement effort is part of a national campaign, Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over, with the goal of stopping suspected impaired drivers who put others on the road at risk.
"When it comes to consuming drugs and/or alcohol and driving, there is a right and wrong choice," Lieutenant Kevin Oberon said. "Make the right choice by not driving impaired so everyone is able to enjoy the holidays."
Impaired driving is not just from alcohol, Do your research and understand how certain drugs may affect your driving ability.
Funding for this program is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Source: Monrovia Police press release
- Brad Haugaard
Sawpit Debris Basin Full
Weekly Monrovia Coronavirus Count: 80 More Cases, Zero More Deaths
City of Monrovia: 4,306 cases (up 80), 87 deaths (unchanged)
Unincorporated Monrovia: 474 cases (up 4), 1 death (unchanged)
- Brad Haugaard
Noon Year's Eve Family Event
- Brad Haugaard
Canyon Park Damage Estimated at $10 Million
In his latest report (https://goo.gl/aOqX7O) City Manager Dylan Feik reports that the initial estimate of damage to Canyon Park is $10 million. "At this time, staff is preparing plans to: clear out debris; remove silt, sediment and rock from the park, and; begin to repair the damaged infrastructure." The park will remain closed indefinitely.
- Brad Haugaard
Monrovia Police: Car Stolen With Owner Asleep in Back Seat; BMW Driver Escapes Police; Grand Theft Perfume; Drunk Drivers; And More
[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for December 16 – December 22. - Brad Haugaard]During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 345 service events, resulting in 68 investigations.
Carjacking / Kidnapping
December 16 at 5:14 a.m., a caller near the intersection of Peck and Camino Real advised that he was just the victim of a carjacking. The caller and his girlfriend were asleep in his vehicle and were awakened by the sound of his vehicle starting and driving north on Peck. The victim jumped into the front seat and began wrestling with the male suspect who was driving the vehicle. The vehicle ultimately crashed into the center median in the 100 block of W. Duarte. The suspect got out of the vehicle and ran east out of sight. It appears the suspect was attempting to steal the vehicle and did not know the victims were in the back asleep. This investigation is continuing.
Outside Assist / Mental Evaluation
December 16 at 4:04 p.m., two social workers requested the Monrovia Police Department’s assistance regarding a mental evaluation hold in the 200 block of Jasmine. Officers arrived and assisted the social workers. When the subject learned he was being placed on a hold, he became argumentative and refused to cooperate. Officers were able to restrain the subject and he was transported to a local hospital without further incident.
Pursuit
December 17 at 3:21 a.m., officers were patrolling the area of Hillcrest and Alta Vista when they saw a white BMW traveling east on Hillcrest passing them at a high rate of speed. Officers attempted a traffic stop, but the vehicle sped onto the freeway. This investigation is continuing.
Court Order Violation / Warrant – Suspects Arrested
December 18 at 1:47 p.m., a resident in the 200 block of E. Lime called to report a suspicious motorhome parked in a nearby parking lot with several people coming and going. Officers arrived and contacted three subjects they knew from previous encounters. One had an outstanding warrant for his arrest and another was in violation of a domestic violence restraining order. The two were arrested and taken into custody.
Traffic Collision / Driving Under the Influence – Suspect Arrested
December 18 at 10:25 p.m., a traffic collision was reported in the 700 block of S. Magnolia. One of the vehicles struck a parked vehicle and then drove around the corner. Officers contacted the driver who displayed signs and symptoms of being under the influence of alcohol. The driver refused to cooperate. A warrant was obtained for the driver’s blood. He was arrested and transported to the Monrovia Police Department jail for a sobering period.
Warrant – Suspect Arrested
December 18 at 10:51 p.m., officers were patrolling Station Square Park when they observed a subject loitering in the park after hours. Officers contacted the subject and during the investigation discovered he had an outstanding felony warrant for his arrest. He was arrested and transported to the Monrovia Police Department jail.
Traffic Collision / Hit and Run
December 18 at 10:55 p.m., a vehicle was traveling east on Evergreen when she entered the intersection at Myrtle on a green light. Another driver was traveling south on Myrtle and entered the intersection on a red light and collided into the vehicle. The vehicle at fault fled the scene of the accident before officers’ arrival. This investigation is continuing.
Driving Under the Influence – Suspect Arrested
December 19 at 1:30 a.m., officers were dispatched to the intersection of Duarte and Mayflower regarding a driver slumped over the wheel. Upon arrival they contacted the driver and discovered he was displaying symptoms of being under the influence of drugs. The driver refused to submit to any testing. The driver was arrested and transported to a local hospital where a warrant was completed for a blood sample. He was then transported to the Monrovia Police Department jail for a sobering period.
Injury Traffic Collision / Driving Under the Influence
December 19 at 2:14 a.m., a driver was traveling east on Foothill when she struck a boulder in the front yard of a residence at Mountain and Foothill. The collision spun the vehicle and came to rest prior to striking the residence. Officers arrived and detected the strong odor of alcohol emitting from her breath. She was disoriented and ultimately transported to a local hospital for treatment, where a blood sample was obtained and the results will be submitted to the Los Angeles County District Attorneys’ Office for DUI charges.
Wanted Person
December 20 at 4:37 am, multiple callers reported that a wanted male was banging on the front door of the female victim's home in the 300 block of E. Palm. He was also yelling for the female to come out of the house. Officers arrived in the area but the male had already fled. This investigation is continuing.
Non-Injury Traffic Collision
December 20 at 4:44 am, a vehicle was traveling northbound in the 700 block of Ridgeside when an oncoming vehicle blinded the driver with its high beams. The driver swerved because she thought the vehicle was going to hit her and crashed into a tree. The driver was not injured.
Commercial Burglary
December 20 at 9:10 a.m., an employee of a convenience store in the 400 block of W. Foothill discovered their private locked office had been burglarized sometime during the night, possibly when the store clerk was helping customers. An unknown amount of money was stolen. This investigation is continuing.
Warrant – Suspect Arrested
December 20 at 2:47 p.m., a caller reported a suspicious male possibly sleeping in his car in the 100 block of N. Alta Vista. Officers arrived and located the subject. An investigation revealed the subject had a felony warrant for a weapons offense. He was arrested.
Drug Activity – Suspect Arrested
December 20 at 3:58 p.m., an employee of a gas station in the 1500 block of S. Myrtle reported a suspicious male subject in front of their store smoking unknown type of drugs from a glass pipe. Officers arrived and located the subject who was in possession of drug paraphernalia that had been used to smoke a controlled substance. The suspect was arrested and taken into custody.
Embezzlement – Suspect Arrested
December 20 at 4:08 p.m., security for a hardware store in the 1600 block of S. Mountain reported that they were detaining an employee who had stolen over $3,000 over the past couple months. Officers responded and after an investigation, placed the suspect under arrest.
Mental Evaluation
December 21 at 8:48 a.m., a male adult subject entered the Monrovia Police Department lobby yelling profanities at personnel. He advised that he has a lot of guns and when asked if he had any with him, he told them that it was none of their business, as he shoved his hands into his pockets. Detectives responded to the lobby from the Detective Bureau to verify the subject was unarmed. He was found with not having any weapons on him. Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health and a patrol officer evaluated him to determine if he should be placed on a 72 hour hold, however, he did not meet the criteria.
Wanted Person - Suspect Arrested
December 21 at 12:30 p.m., a mental hospital notified the Monrovia Police Department that they were releasing a subject from their custody after evaluating her for a couple weeks. The subject was wanted by MPD for felony crimes committed two weeks prior. The subject had intentionally burned her mother's house and killed the family dog. Officers responded to the mental hospital in Los Angeles and took custody of the subject.
Injury Traffic Collision
December 21 at 1:40 p.m., a caller reported two motorists collided into one another in the intersection of Foothill and Canyon, and one of the vehicles flipped onto its side. Officers and the Monrovia Fire Department Paramedics responded. The driver of the car on its side had minor injuries from the seatbelt, but did not want to go to the hospital. The driver found to be at fault was issued a citation.
Hate Crime/Battery
December 21 at 8:39 pm, multiple callers reported a fight in progress at a business in the 400 block of W. Foothill, between one of the business employee’s and an intoxicated male subject. Officers arrived and separated the parties. It was learned that the male subject entered the business and called the employee multiple racial slurs. The subject then grabbed the employee and pulled the employee's hair. The subject was arrested.
Driving Under the Influence
December 22 at 1:30 a.m., an officer observed a vehicle commit a traffic violation in the area of Colorado and Primrose. He stopped the vehicle and learned the driver had been drinking. After field sobriety tests, the Officer arrested the driver for driving under the influence. The driver was arrested and transported to the Monrovia Police Department jail for a sobering period.
Grand Theft
December 22 at 1:38 p.m., a resident in the 1700 block of Alamitas walked outside his home and discovered someone had stolen his work vehicle. Officers searched the area for the vehicle, but could not locate it. It was entered into the Department of Motor Vehicle's stolen vehicle system. This investigation is continuing.
Grand Theft
December 22 at 6:29 p.m., a witness called to report a theft had just occurred at a store in the 700 block of E. Huntington. Two male suspects entered the store and stole approximately $10,000 worth of merchandise from the fragrance aisle. The investigation is continuing.
Shoplifting
December 22 at 7:27 p.m., employees from a store in the 1600 block of S. Mountain contacted the police regarding a suspicious male who stated he was going to "shoot up" the store. Officers responded but could not locate the male. After speaking with employees, it was learned that a crime did not occur. At approximately 2300 hours, the male subject returned to the store and stole a pair of shoes, then fled on foot. Officers detained the male not far from the business. The male was identified by employees and was arrested for shoplifting.