Mountain Views News          Saturday, June 5, 2010

Mountain Views News 80 W Sierra Madre Blvd. No. 327 Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024 Office: 626.355.2737 Fax: 626.609.3285 Email: editor@mtnviewsnews.com Website: www.mtnviewsnews.com

5

Public Safety & Health

Mountain Views News Saturday, June 5, 2010

Sierra Madre Police Blotter

CALIFORNIA ASSEMBLY OKs BAN 
ON PLASTIC BAGS

Coalition of enviro, business and government groups back AB 1998

SANTA MONICA, CA (Wednesday, June 2, 2010) – California state legislators voted today 
to bar the distribution of single-use plastic shopping bags at grocery stores, convenience 
stores and pharmacies statewide, buoyed by consensus support by a broad coalition of 
environmental, local government, union and business groups.

In a 41-27 vote, the California Assembly approved AB 1998, a bill authored by 
Assemblymember Julia Brownley (D- Santa Monica) that seeks to end the environmental 
and fiscal waste created by Californians’ use of 19 billion single-use plastic shopping bags 
each year.

Heal the Bay, which sponsored AB 1988, has led the legislative fight to enact a bag ban for 
more than five years as part of its ongoing efforts to tackle plastic pollution.

AB 1998 also has the crucial backing of the California Grocers Assn., the California Retailers 
Assn. and the United Food and Commercial Workers Union (UFCW), whose members 
have called for a uniform and environmentally sound single-use bag policy statewide.

California municipalities spend nearly $25 million each year just to collect and dispose of 
plastic bag waste. Less than 5% of plastic grocery bags are recycled each year statewide, so 
the remainder clogs precious landfill, litters public spaces and harms animal life when the 
bags infiltrate waterways.

Retailers will still be able to distribute paper bags, so long as they contain at least 40% post-
consumer content. Shoppers who forget their reusable bags have the option of purchasing a 
paper bag at checkout. Heavy-duty reusable bags are convenient, environmentally friendly 
alternatives that have been embraced by millions around the world.

The bill now goes to the state Senate, which is expected to vote on the bill later this summer.

“Today marks a critical milestone in the ongoing battle to rid our oceans and watersheds 
of harmful, wasteful plastics,” said Mark Gold, president of Heal the Bay. “We congratulate 
the Assembly for not only helping to save the marine environment, but also for saving 
taxpayer dollars.”

Dozens of progressive local governments statewide are poised to curb the use of plastic 
bags. The cities of San Francisco, Palo Alto and Malibu have already enacted bans.

“After years of hard work, it’s gratifying to see such a broad range of stakeholders come 
together on a common-sense solution,” said Leslie Tamminen, organizer of the Clean Seas 
Coalition, which has helped lead the legislative charge in ending the scourge of plastic 
pollution statewide.

Contact: Matthew King, Heal the Bay, (310) 451-1500, x 137 or (310) 850-1145 cell

About Heal the Bay

Heal the Bay is a nonprofit environmental organization dedicated to making Southern California 
coastal waters and watersheds, including Santa Monica Bay, safe, healthy and clean. We use research, 
education, community action and advocacy to pursue our mission.

During the week of Sunday, May 23rd, to Saturday May 29th, the Sierra Madre Police Department 
responded to approximately 234 calls for service.

Monday, May 24th:

7:57 PM – Residential Burglary, 600 block Canyon Crest Drive. Suspect(s) entered the basement of 
a home under construction and stole construction tools and personal property. The items stolen: 
Sidekick 12” miter saw, Porter Cable brand nailer, Porter Cable pancake compressor, router bits, an 
Ibanez electric guitar, and a Novara Mountain Bike. The crime occurred between 6:00 pm, Saturday, 
5/22/2010 and 7:30 am, Monday, 5/24/210. The loss was estimated at $1575.00. 

Saturday, May 29th:

4:54 PM – Auto Burglary, Bailey Canyon Park. The passenger side window of a parked Jeep was 
smashed. A witness heard the sound of breaking glass and saw a female Hispanic get in a waiting 
Black Toyota Tundra pick-up with raised metal bars that formed a cage on the bed. The suspects, a 
female Hispanic and the male Hispanic driver drove southbound on Grove Street from the Bailey 
Canyon Park parking lot. Suspects stole a quilted bag left on the passenger seat. The bag contained 
clothing, a Blackberry cellular telephone, and a black wallet with identification and credit cards in the 
victim’s name. The loss was estimated at $525.00. 

Arcadia Police Blotter

For the period of Sunday, May 23, through Saturday, May 29, the Police Department responded to 916 
calls for service of which 133 required formal investigations. The following is a summary report of the 
major incidents handled by the Department during this period.

Sunday, May 23:

1. Three thefts occurred at 24-Hour Fitness, 125 North First, between noon and 8:30 p.m. An 
iPhone and cash were stolen from a backpack by a basketball court, and a duffle bag and a wallet were 
stolen from two lockers.

2. Shortly before 11:00 p.m., a traffic stop was initiated at Live Oak and Santa Anita because the 
driver was talking on his cell phone while operating a motor vehicle. Officers detected the odor of an 
alcoholic beverage on the driver’s breath and a field sobriety test was conducted. It was determined that 
the 31-year-old Hispanic was driving while intoxicated and was arrested. An inventory search of his 
vehicle also revealed a plastic bag containing marijuana.

Monday, May 24:

3. Around 12:42 a.m., a traffic stop was made at Santa Anita and the 210 Freeway for an expired 
registration. A male driver and a female passenger were contacted, and a DMV check indicated that 
the driver had a suspended license. A consent search was conducted and fake drivers’ licenses, plastic 
bindle containing a white crystalline substance resembling methamphetamine, glass-smoking pipes, 
radio scanner, bolt cutters, pry tool, and possible stolen property were found. A 31-year-old male 
Caucasian was arrested for possession of a controlled substance, possession of paraphernalia, possession 
of burglary tools, auto burglary, and driving on a suspended license; a 26-year-old female Caucasian was 
arrested for possession of burglary tools, auto burglary, false identification to officers since she initially 
provided her sister’s name and birth date, and 2 outstanding warrants totaling $65,000.

4. Between 12:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m., a residential burglary occurred in the 900 block of Fairview. 
Unknown suspect(s) broke a kitchen window to gain entry into the house. The suspect(s) then stole a 
laptop computer, handguns, cash, and jewelry. 

Tuesday, May 25:

5. An auto burglary occurred at Westfield Mall between 5:15 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. Unknown 
suspect(s) broke into a Honda CRV by unknown means and stole a GPS unit, stereo speaker, and cash 
for a total reported loss of about $750.

6. Between 3:30 p.m. and 8:00 p.m., a 1996 green Honda Accord was stolen from Westfield Mall. 
The car was later recovered around 10:30 p.m. in San Marino.

Wednesday, May 26:

7. Shortly after 6:00 p.m., an automatic license plate reader alerted officers to a stolen 
silver Chrysler 300 at Santa Clara and Santa Anita. The car was driven by a male African-American 
with a male Caucasian passenger. A pursuit ensued onto the eastbound 210 Freeway and then onto 
Huntington and Fifth. The driver failed to yield and made numerous unsafe lane changes. Due to heavy 
traffic, the suspects were able to evade capture. 

8. Units responded to Santa Anita and Fano around 11:40 p.m. in reference to a solo traffic 
collision. The driver claimed to have fallen asleep at the wheel and struck a tree in the center median. A 
record check revealed that the 19-year-old male Asian had an outstanding warrant, and a consent search 
was conducted. A small digital scale, Ecstasy pills, marijuana, and drivers’ licenses and credit cards 
belonging to different individuals were found. The man was arrested for possession of a controlled 
substance, possession of marijuana, possession of a controlled substance and marijuana for sale, 
receiving stolen property, and outstanding warrant.

Thursday, May 27:

9. Around 2:00 p.m., loss prevention personnel from Nordstrom advised that they had detained 
a woman for theft. The suspect selected five watches and concealed them in a shopping bag. A private 
person’s arrest was made, and the 37-year-old Hispanic was taken into custody for grand theft.

10. A grand theft occurred at the Aeropostale store located at Westfield Mall between 8:30 p.m. 
and 9:36 p.m. Unknown suspect(s) stole 120 t-shirts from a display rack for a total reported loss of 
$2,940.

Friday, May 28:

11. Between 1:00 p.m. and 2:10 p.m., a residential burglary occurred in the 200 block of West 
Lemon. Unknown suspect(s) broke a window on the front door to gain entrance and stole jewelry 
and cash.

12. Loss prevention personnel from JC Penney advised that they had detained a woman for theft 
around 3:13 p.m. The woman concealed merchandise in her purse and left the store without making 
payment. Additional stolen property from Old Navy and Victoria’s Secret were also recovered. A 
private person’s arrest was made, and the 21-year-old Hispanic was taken into custody for commercial 
burglary and 3 outstanding warrants totaling $46,125.

Saturday, May 29:

13. Between 12:05 a.m. and 10:26 a.m., a 2007 black BMW 328i was stolen from a secured parking 
area in the 600 block of Fairview.

14. Units were dispatched to Santa Anita and Magna Vista around 10:14 p.m. in reference to a 
traffic accident. An intoxicated 24-year-old male Hispanic driver crashed into a parked vehicle and was 
arrested for DUI.


Monrovia Police Blotter

During the last seven day period, the Police Department handled 618 service events, resulting in 133 
investigations. Following are the last week's highlighted issues and events:

Vehicle Burglary

On May 16 at 3:25 p.m., an officer responded to the 800 block of West Colorado on the report of a vehicle 
burglary. A female subject returned home from shopping and parked her vehicle in the carport of her 
residence. She left merchandise she had purchased in the vehicle. Approximately 30 minutes later, she 
returned to her vehicle and found a window had been pried open and the merchandise was gone. The 
victim called the Station shortly after the officer left her residence from taking the report and said she 
had talked to an employee of the store where she bought the merchandise, and her items had already 
been returned to the store. The suspect did not get any money or credit for the merchandise he returned. 
Instead, the amount was credited back to the victim's charge card. Investigation continuing.

Burglary

On May 17 at 6:44 a.m., an officer was dispatched to a business in the 2600 block of South California 
regarding a break-in. The officer arrived and spoke to the reporting party, who stated she was the last 
person to leave the evening before. When she arrived at the business in the morning, she found the glass 
front door smashed. Officers entered to clear the building, but no suspects were located inside. It appears 
the suspects attempted to take several computers, but the computers are locked down with cable security 
systems. Employees checked the inside and determined that a printer and scanner were missing from the 
mailroom. Investigation continuing. 

Exhibiting an Imitation Firearm / Public Intoxication - Suspect Arrested

On May 17 at 10:14 p.m., a female subject walking her dog in the 200 block of W. Cypress was threatened 
by a male suspect carrying what appeared to be a handgun. Officers responded and located the suspect 
who was still in the area. The weapon, which the suspect attempted to discard, was also located and 
turned out to be a BB pistol. The suspect was arrested for brandishing a replica firearm and for public 
intoxication.

Burglary

On May 18 at 11:04 a.m., an officer went to the 200 block of West Olive regarding a residential burglary. 
When he arrived, the victim reported that someone had broken into his house one week prior and 
had taken personal papers and identification. He did not make a report at the time because he had no 
identification. Investigation continuing.

Petty Theft with a Prior / Warrant / Possession of Marijuana - Suspect Arrested

On May 19 at 13:28 p.m., loss prevention officers from a business in the 500 block of West Huntington 
reported a male suspect had stolen merchandise and exited the store without paying. Officers responded 
to the area, detained the suspect, and arrested him for theft. Computer checks revealed the suspect had 
a prior conviction for petty theft, had failed to appear on a warrant, and was in possession of marijuana. 
He was booked for the listed charges.

Burglary / Theft

On May 19 at 2:51 p.m., officers responded to the 800 block of West Duarte regarding theft from storage 
cabinets in a carport. One of the victims provided a vehicle description and partial plate. The officer 
determined miscellaneous hand tools and aluminum had been taken from one storage cabinet which 
was unlocked, and a stroller had been taken from a locked cabinet. The suspect had cut the lock on the 
second storage cabinet. An area check was made, but no suspects were located. Investigation continuing.

Grand Theft Auto

On May 19 at 3 p.m., officers responded to the 1600 block of South Mountain regarding a stolen vehicle. 
The victim reported that he parked his 1996 silver Honda Accord, secured it, and went into a business. He 
was in the store for a short period of time and returned to find his vehicle missing. There was no broken 
glass found on the ground and the victim can account for all of the keys. Investigation continuing.