Mountain Views News          Saturday, May 14, 2011

5

 
Mountain Views News Saturday, May 14, 2011 

Traffic Stop Leads to Arrest and Seizure 

of about $80,000 in Ecstasy Pills

HISTORY OF THE ARCADIA FIRE DEPARTMENT: 

AN ARCADIA HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT EXHIBITION


By Tom Le Veque

A traffic stop for a stop sign violation leads to 
the arrest of an 18 year old man in possession of 
about 8,000 ecstasy pills yesterday. The pills were 
packaged in 8 separate zip-lock bags, containing 
approximately 1,000 pills per bag. The total 
estimated street value of the pills is about $80,000.

Johnny V. Pham, resident of Rosemead, was 
stopped by an Arcadia Police Officer shortly after 
1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 10, 2011, on Golden 
West Avenue near Huntington Drive, for failing 
to stop at a stop sign. Pham was accompanied by 
a 17 year old male passenger from San Gabriel. 
During the traffic stop, officers saw what appeared 
to be a large zip-lock bag containing a large 
quantity of pills lying on the floorboard of the 
vehicle Pham was driving. Officers conducted a 
search of the vehicle and found an additional 7 
large bags in the trunk, also containing similar 
pills, all appearing to be ecstasy.

Pham and his juvenile passenger were arrested 
for felony possession for sales and transportation 
of controlled substances. Both were booked at the 
Arcadia City Jail. Pham was later released after 
having a $100,000 bond posted. The juvenile was 
released on citation to a parent.


Wanted for Attempt Kidnap and Sexual Battery

Suspect: Male Hispanic, 30’s, dark short hair, goatee, accent, 

wearing a white t-shirt/dark shorts

Suspect Vehicle: Audi 4-door, silver, black leather, possible spoiler, no tint on windows

By Tom Le Veque

A 15 year old girl was walking 
home, Wednesday, April 11, 2011, on 
Santa Anita Avenue at Genoa Street, 
when she was approached by a male 
who convinced her to get into his 
car and assist him with directions. 
The male drove the girl into West 
Arcadia and then back to the area of 
Genoa Street and First Avenue. After 
stopping the car, the male suspect 
began rubbing the girl’s neck and 
shoulders while asking her if she had 
a boyfriend. The suspect then grabbed the girl’s 
breasts. The victim tried to get out of the car, but 
the door was locked. She persuaded 
the suspect to drive back toward Santa 
Anita Avenue, but he again stopped 
the car and began similar advances 
toward the girl. The victim was able 
to exit the car, but was grabbed on the 
arm by the suspect. She pulled away 
and ran off. The crime occurred at 
about 4:30 p.m.

Anyone with information is asked 
to call Arcadia Police Detectives at 
626-574-5160. You can also submit 
crime tips and information via text, 
phone, or web to LA Regional Crime Stoppers, 
800-222-TIPS (8477).


Arcadia High School teacher Oliver Beckwith 
and his honors history students are back for 
their seventh annual exhibit at the Ruth and 
Charles Gilb Arcadia Historical Museum. This 
year the students focused on the Arcadia Fire 
Department. The opening reception for The 
Arcadia Fire Department: A History will be 
Friday, June 3, 2011 at 3pm. The Exhibition will 
be available for viewing from June 3 through July 
9. Come and see what our illustrious Arcadia 
High School students have come up with!

The Arcadia Historical Museum is located at 
380 W. Huntington Drive, immediately behind 
the Community Center. The Museum is open 
Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. 
Admission is always free. 

Summer 2011 Registration!

The Recreation and Community Services 
Department’s Summer Registration is underway. 
Registration is now open to ALL, residents and 
non-residents. Sign up now for our Outdoor 
Adventure Camp and Swim lessons along with a 
variety of other classes and activities. The always 
popular dance, sports, exercise and enrichment 
programs are available. Several new classes have 
been added this season including Mad Science 
Summer Camp, Kiddie Tech classes and the Brit-
West Soccer Camp for youth. Try something new 
this summer or sign up for your old favorites. 
Hurry the Outdoor Adventure Camp, activities 
and swim lessons are filling up fast.

For class information, registration forms 
and to register on-line, go to the City’s website 
at www.ci.arcadia.ca.us under Recreation and 
Community Services Department. Registration 
is also being accepted by walk-in, fax and 
mail. We are located at 375 Campus Drive, fax 
626.821.4370. For questions, please contact the 
Recreation Department at 626.574.5113. 

Arcadia Police Blotter

For the period of Sunday, May 1, through 
Saturday, May 7, the Police Department 
responded to 817 calls for service of which 108 
required formal investigations. The following is 
a summary report of the major incidents handled 
by the Department during this period.

Sunday, May 1:

1. A traffic stop conducted around 1:00 a.m., 
on Colorado Boulevard and Baldwin Avenue, led 
to the arrest of the driver. A 29-year-old White 
male was taken into custody for possession of 
methamphetamine and paraphernalia. 

2. Shortly after 10:00 p.m., units responded to 
the 900 block of Arcadia Avenue in regards to 
an unknown disturbance. Upon arrival, officers 
observed an intoxicated male walking to the front 
of the location. The 39-year-old Hispanic male 
was placed under arrest for being drunk in public.

Monday, May 2:

3. Shortly after 2:00 p.m., units were dispatched 
to the Westfield Shopping Center, 400 South 
Baldwin Avenue, in regards to a report of a 
commercial burglary. Upon investigation, it was 
revealed that two unknown suspects pried open 
the doors to several businesses in the food court. 
A safe and approximately $900 cash was taken.

4. Around 5:00 p.m., officers responded to the 
area of Holly Avenue and Fairview Avenue in 
reference to the report of a road rage incident. 
The two involved vehicles pulled over. The driver 
of a two-door white Nissan, an Asian male in his 
20’s, exited his vehicle while displaying a knife 
and yelling at the driver of the other vehicle. He 
then returned to his vehicle and fled the scene. A 
follow-up investigation is being conducted.

Tuesday, May 3:

5. About 2:30 p.m., officers were dispatched to 
the 400 block of West Huntington Drive in regards 
to a residential burglary that had just occurred. 
The suspects (one described as a Black male in his 
30’s, the other as a driver of the suspect vehicle) 
pried open the front door, ransacked the master 
bedroom and took several items including jewelry. 
The approximate loss was $18,500.

6. Shortly before 8:00 p.m., officers responded 
to the 600 block of West Duarte Road in response 
to a report of a missing person. An 87-year-old 
Hispanic male was last seen earlier at about 2:30 
p.m. and it was not like him to be gone for long 
periods of time. At about 11:00 p.m., the subject is 
reported to have returned home safely.

Wednesday, May 4:

7. Between 7:30 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., a residential 
burglary occurred in the 1000 block of Arcadia 
Avenue. Unknown suspect(s) entered the home 
through an unlocked rear door and stole several 
items. The approximate loss is $2,200.00.

8. Shortly before 1:00 p.m., officers were 
dispatched to the area of First Avenue at Norman 
in reference to a suspicious occupied vehicle. A 
records check of the 42-year-old White male 
driver, as well as the 29-year-old White female 
passenger, reveal outstanding misdemeanor 
warrants for both subjects. An inventory check of 
the vehicle further revealed a container with tar 
heroin, as well as glass pipes and multiple syringes. 
Both subjects were placed under arrest for the 
warrants, possession of a controlled substance and 
possession of drug paraphernalia.

Thursday, May 5:

9. At 8:37 a.m., an officer was dispatched to 615 
West Las Tunas Drive in regards to a commercial 
burglary. The officer found that an unknown 
suspect(s) pried open the victim’s front door and 
stole a scanner valued at $300.00. Upon further 
investigation, it was revealed that two additional 
suites were also burglarized.

10. About 2:30 p.m., officers were dispatched 
to the 2300 block of South Santa Anita Avenue in 
regards to a welfare check. Upon arrival, officers 
found an 81-year-old White female on the ground 
and not breathing. She was pronounced dead by 
Paramedics and her family was notified. There 
were no signs of foul play.

Friday, May 6:

11. At approximately 7:21 a.m. an officer 
responded to 855 S. Baldwin Avenue in reference 
to a commercial burglary which occurred 
sometime between 11:00 p.m. on 5/5/11 and 6:30 
a.m. on 5/6/11. An unknown suspect(s) entered 
the restaurant by unknown means, forced open 
the office door with an unknown tool and stole 
some food items and a safe containing $30,000.00.

12. At 5:52 p.m., an officer was dispatched to 
Saphora at 400 S. Baldwin Avenue in reference 
to a female in custody for theft. The suspect was 
observed concealing several bottles of fragrance 
inside her purse. The total value of the stolen 
fragrances was $237.00. Upon confirming the 
suspect’s identity, it was revealed that she had 
given someone else’s name and that she was a 
parolee at large with a no-bail warrant. The 
suspect was booked at Arcadia PD and was then 
transferred to the Lynwood’s Sheriff’s Station for 
care and housing.

Saturday, May 7:

13. A traffic stop was conducted at approximately 
1:41 a.m. on Live Oak Avenue and Arrow Highway. 
The driver was observed driving over the white 
dividing line and maneuvering into a lane without 
signaling. Upon contact with the driver, the 
officer noticed an odor of alcohol. A field test was 
conducted and the driver was arrested for DUI 
and for driving with a suspended license for DUI.

14. At approximately 1:42 p.m., while on 
patrol in the 800 block of Fairview, an officer 
observed 2 suspects on bicycles looking inside 
parked vehicles. The male suspect had a small, 
blue backpack. The officer then observed 
the male suspect enter several apartment and 
condominium complex driveways, while the 
female suspect acted as a lookout. The officer 
made contact with them after seeing the male 
suspect exit a driveway with a large, grey, hiking 
backpack. After consent, the officer searched the 
small blue backpack and found burglary tools. 
The female suspect was released and the male 
suspect was arrested for suspicion of burglary, 
possession of burglary tools, theft of lost property 
and violation of probation terms.

Sunday May 22, 2011 10 am – 1 pm

BARK FOR LIFE – A Canine Event to Fight Cancer

The American Cancer Society Bark for Life is a noncompetitive 
walk event for dogs and their owners to raise funds for the 
American Cancer Society’s fight against cancer. Bark for Life is 
directly related to Arcadia’s Relay for Life and shares the theme, 
“Celebrate. Remember. Fight Back.” So bring your best canine 
friend and join us for a fun-filled day starting with a walk, and 
continuing with de

By supporting Bark for Life, you help the American Cancer 
Society save lives, and that helps us move closer to our ultimate 
goal of creating a world with less cancer and more birthdays.

WHERE: Arcadia Dog Park (Eisenhower Park) located on the 
corner of Colorado Boulevard and Second Avenue 

WHO: All dog owners and (and lovers) and the American 
Cancer Society Relay for Life & the City of Arcadia’s Recreation 
and Community Services Department

Registration begins at 9:15am

Opening Ceremonies start at 10:00am

For information and to register visit the website at www.
relayforlife.org/barkarcadiaca

Recreation and Community 

Services Department 

BARK FOR LIFE!

50% off 2 months rent
First Community-wide Parade, Street Fair for Arcadia 
ARCADIA’S BEST PATRIOTIC FESTIVAL

Featuring more than a dozen former Rose Queens/Princesses from Arcadia

ARCADIA, Calif. – Arcadians will 
kick off the Independence Day holiday 
weekend with the first annual 
Arcadia’s Best Patriotic Festival 
from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. on Saturday 
July 2.

 The free daytime event in Downtown 
Arcadia sponsored by non-
profit community events group 
Arcadia’s Best Foundation will feature 
the first community parade, 10 
gourmet food trucks, a car show, 
street fair, photo contest for prettiest 
baby and senior, performances 
by local groups, and a VIP pre-parade 
breakfast.

Parade

The parade at 10 a.m. on First Avenue, 
running north of Duarte Road 
to Bonita Street, and showcasing 
the spirit of Arcadia veterans, residents, 
groups, and local businesses, 
will include at least a dozen former 
Rose Parade Queens and Princesses 
who have represented Arcadia 
from the 1940s through the 2000s. 
Among the dozens of entries will 
be a team of Clydesdale horses, 
the Arcadia Mounted Enforcement 
Team, classic Model As, Corvettes, 
Shriners mini cars and motorcycle 
units, and an official police car, fire 
engine and ambulance from the 
1920s – 1960s. Boy Scouts, Girl 
Scouts, Cub Scouts and 30 members 
of the American Legion represent 
just a few of the groups marching 
in the parade. Other groups and 
businesses are invited to join.

Jan’s Towing is offering a few flatbed 
tow trucks for free use by local 
groups.

 Street Fair, Community Car Show, 
Performers, Food Trucks, Photo 
Contest

 The performances, car show, and 
street fair will run from 11 a.m. – 3 
p.m. on First Avenue south of Huntington 
Drive to California Street 
near First Avenue Middle School.

Anyone with a classic car is invited 
to register to drive in the parade 
and/or participate in the car show 
afterwards, where there are a limited 
number of spaces. Registration 
is required.

Among the street fair exhibitors 
will be a 50-foot Lions Club mobile 
eye exam vehicle and a 40-foot 
model of the Gold Line train station 
and tracks coming through 
Downtown Arcadia soon.

 Entertainers at the performance 
area at First and Bonita will include 
the Bobby Bluehouse band of the 
Arcadia Blues Club, 16 E. Huntington 
Dr., and song-and-dance group 
Theaters of Vision Productions. 
Other dance, karate, gymnastics 
groups or others are encouraged to 
apply.

The photo contest sponsored by 
Downtown Arcadia’s Belle n’ Beau 
Photography, 201 S. First Ave., will 
offer $300 family portraits as grand 
prizes. Participants may book an 
appointment before June 15 for 
a free 5x7 entry photo at Belle n’ 
Beau.

 Sponsors, City and Volunteer 
Supporters

Founding sponsors include the 
Gold Line Metro Foothill Transportation 
Authority, Arcadia Masonic 
Lodge, Mickey Segal, Waste 
Management, Post Alarm Systems, 
Peter Amundson, Santa Anita Park, 
Matt Denny’s Ale House and Restaurant, 
Foothill Credit Union, The 
Book Rack/Image Foundry, The 
Arcadia Historical Society, and 
Richard Libby.

 The Arcadia City Council, including 
Mayor Gary Kovacic, who has 
helped shepherd the event, unanimously 
approved the event under 
recent Mayor and original champion 
Peter Amundson, the latter 
of whom will be driving one of his 
classic vehicles in the parade. The 
Patriotic Festival is supported by 
the City of Arcadia and the Arcadia 
Police and Fire Departments. 
Mayor Pro Tem Bob Harbicht not 
only recommended event coordinator 
Bruce McCallum but will 
be driving along with his group of 
Santa Anita As. Councilman Mickey 
Segal was the original founding 
sponsor.

 Other participating and supporting 
groups include the Arcadia 
Chinese Association, the Arcadia 
Education Foundation, Arcadia 
Republicans, Assistance League of 
Arcadia, the Arcadia Rotary Club, 
the Tzu Chi, and many others.

Many of those groups and others, 
along with many individuals, 
have provided invaluable volunteer 
support.

For more information and to participate, 
visit http://ArcadiasBestFoundation.
org, e-mail: 

info@ArcadiasBestFoundation.org, 
or call 626-538-5431.

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