Mountain Views News     Logo: MVNews     Saturday, May 21, 2011

MVNews this week:  Page 5

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Mountain Views News Saturday, May 21, 2011 

From Arcadia’s Best...

Arcadia Police Go High Tech to 

Search for Missing Children


Arcadia, CA — Arcadia Interim Police Chief 
Bob Guthrie has formalized an agreement with 
the A Child Is Missing Alert Program (ACIM) 
that has led to a high tech method now in place 
to search locally for missing children, missing 
elderly, and missing persons who may be mentally 
or physically challenged or disabled. 

Effective immediately, upon receipt of 
most missing person calls, the Arcadia Police 
Department will make a phone call to a toll-free 
number that rings in Fort Lauderdale, Florida—
the national headquarters of the A Child Is 
Missing Alert Program, a nationwide non-profit 
organization. The call, answered 24/7/365 by an 
Information and Mapping Technician, initiates 
a rapid process of information gathering and 
use of sophisticated mapping systems. A Child 
Is Missing then launches potentially thousands 
of calls within minutes with an alert message 
detailing the missing person’s description, last 
known whereabouts, and pertinent information. 
The alert calls go out to residence and business 
phone numbers within a specified geographic 
area. The message will also include an Arcadia 
Police Department phone number for use by 
anyone with information relating to the missing 
person. To date, the efforts of A Child Is Missing 
have been credited with more than 850 safe 
assisted recoveries.

This program is a free service to law 
enforcement. Arcadia Police Department officials 
will evaluate each potential activation of the A 
Child Is Missing Alert Program to ensure the 
application is appropriate to the case and to ensure 
the system is optimally used. Policies, procedures, 
and employee training will also guide the most 
efficient and effective use of this Alert Program. 

Phone numbers that are called by this program 
include listed numbers and mobile numbers 
available to ACIM in the selected area. Mobile 
numbers, unlisted numbers, broadband/voice-
over IP numbers, or TDD/TTY devices can be 
added to ensure they, too, are called in the event 
of an alert. To enter your cell phone, unlisted, 
broadband/voice-over IP or TDD/TTY device 
number visit www.achildismissing.org and click 
on “add your name” to enter your name, number, 
and address. This information will only be used 
for emergency message alerts.

The City of Arcadia is home to many elderly 
residents, including a half-dozen specialized 
locations for retirement or assisted living. In 
addition to enhancing our abilities on missing 
children cases, the ACIM program also includes 
at risk elderly. In the last five years, Arcadia Police 
Officers have responded on about 400 calls for 
service related to missing persons, including 
both adult and children. The vast majority of 
these calls are resolved rather quickly, but it is our 
expectation that with the addition of the ACIM 
services, in combination with other departmental 
resources, our ability to resolve additional missing 
person cases in a timely and safe manner will 
increase. 

The pool at Los Angeles County’s Arcadia Park circa 1940s; photo courtesy Arcadia Historical Society

Pool closed

The bad news is the pool at Arcadia Park will 
not re-open this summer, or even next summer.

The good news is that an entirely new pool and 
bathhouse will be built at the Los Angeles County 
Park, with a ribbon cutting expected in time for a 
grand opening in the summer of 2012.

Driver charged in 
student’s death

The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s 
Office filed a felony vehicular manslaughter 
charge today on the 19-yearold driver who hit and 
killed 16-year-old Arcadia High School student 
Alice Zhang as she crossed Duarte Road near 
Baldwin Avenue with her friend.

Arcadia Police concluded that the accident 
was preventable if the driver had cleaned his 
windshield, which would have diminished the 
glare of the setting sun.

According to police, on Sunday, April 10, at 
about 6:40 p.m., Bowen Du, of Arcadia, was 
driving a 1997 Lexus westbound in the 600 block 
of Duarte Road when his vehicle struck two 
teenage pedestrians, crossing the street in a mid-
block crosswalk.

Zhang was transported to Methodist Hospital 
where she was pronounced dead a short time later. 
The second victim, a 16 year old girl from Upland, 
was seriously injured and transported by Arcadia 
Fire Department Paramedics to a local hospital. 
She was treated and released on a later date.

The Arcadia Police Department Major Accident 
Investigation Team completed their investigation 
in recent days and presented the case to the Los 
Angeles District Attorney’s Office who filed one 
felony count of vehicular manslaughter on Du. A 
warrant in the amount of $50,000 was issued for 
Du, and through his attorney, arrangements have 
been made for Du to surrender to court.

Police investigators have ruled out excessive 
speed, cell phone use, and intoxication on the 
part of the driver. They also confirmed that all 
crosswalk safety measures were in proper order 
and functioning at the time of this collision, 
with the exception of two in-ground LED lights. 
Evidence at the time of collision was collected and 
examined by Police Department personnel at the 
scene. The driver’s windshield was excessively 
dirty and results of our investigation revealed this 
vision obstruction, combined with the setting 
sun at the time of collision, played a major role in 
the cause of the collision.

Interim Police Chief Robert Guthrie said 
that many crosswalks within the City have 
high-visibility signage and/or in-ground/sign-
mounted flashing warning lights. The crosswalk 
at the scene of this collision was and is equipped 
with both. The Police Department has also 
conducted several pedestrian stings and directed 
enforcement at this location and others along 
Duarte Road in an effort to increase awareness 
to safety and compliance with pedestrian related 
laws, on the part of both drivers and pedestrians.

– By Scott Hettrick

Arcadia Police Blotter

For the period of Sunday, May 8, through Saturday, 
May 14, the Police Department responded to 937 calls 
for service of which 110 required formal investigations. 
The following is a summary report of the major incidents 
handled by the Department during this period.

Sunday, May 8:

Between 8:30 p.m. May 7th and 6:13 a.m. May 8th, 
an auto burglary occurred in the 500 block of West 
Huntington Drive. Unknown suspect(s) entered the 
vehicle by smashing the rear driver’s side window. 
The suspect(s) stole a GPS unit, for an approximate 
loss of $250.

At about 8:30 p.m., while patrolling the area of 
Huntington Drive East of Gate 3, an officer saw a 
man stumbling in the roadway and contacted the 
46-year-old White male. A records check revealed an 
outstanding misdemeanor warrant with a listed bail 
amount of $10,000. The subject was placed under arrest 
for the warrant.

Monday, May 9:

3. At approximately 1:30 p.m., officers were dispatched 
to the 1600 block of Oakwood Avenue in 
regards to a prowler. A minor at the home saw an 
80’s model white van pull into the driveway. A Hispanic 
male of unknown age, with a black bandana 
over his face, exited the vehicle and approached the 
side door of the residence. He did not enter the gate 
because the family dog began to bark. The subject 
then peered into the kitchen window and left the location. 
A follow-up investigation is being conducted 
by the Detective Bureau.

4. A traffic stop was conducted shortly after 11:00 
p.m. on Baldwin Avenue at Huntington Drive. Using 
the mobile computer in his unit, the officer conducted 
a DMV/Warrant check of the vehicle’s license 
plate, which revealed an outstanding warrant on the 
plate. The officer contacted both the driver, a 27-year-
old Hispanic male and the passenger, a 28-year-old 
Hispanic female. A records check of both subjects revealed 
an outstanding misdemeanor warrant in the 
amount of $30,000 for the male who was placed under 
arrest. The female was released without incident.

Tuesday, May 10:

5. At about 8:40 a.m., officers responded to the 0 
block of South Altura Road in regards to a dog fight. 
An investigation revealed that two Pit-bulls attacked 
and killed a Dachshund in his yard. The resident 
heard the barking and attempted to separate the animals 
in order to save her dog. As a result, the resident 
was bit on the chin. Officers located the pit bulls in 
the 600 block of Michillinda and Arcadia Animal 
Control took them into custody.

6. A little after 1:30 p.m., a traffic stop was conducted 
for failure to come to a complete stop at a 
stop sign at Golden West Avenue and Fairview Avenue. 
The officer contacted the driver, and while 
speaking with him the driver revealed he was not 
the owner of the vehicle and that he did not have 
insurance. A check of the vehicle revealed a large 
plastic bag of pills on the passenger’s side floorboard 
identified by the driver as Ecstacy. A further check 
of the trunk revealed an additional seven bags for a 
total of over 7,000 pills. Both the 18-year-old Asian 
male driver and the 17-year-old Asian male passenger 
were placed under arrest for possession and 
sales of a controlled substance.

Wednesday, May 11:

7. Around 3:00 p.m., personnel from Claire’s at the 
Westfield Mall advised they had detained a 19-year-
old Hispanic female for theft. The suspect selected 
merchandise and placed it on top of the baby stroller 
she was pushing, which contained a 7 month old 
child. She then exited the store failing to pay for 
the merchandise. A records check of the suspect revealed 
an outstanding traffic warrant. She was placed 
under arrest for both the petty theft and the warrant. 
The child was released to the care of her aunt.

8. Between 3:30 p.m. and 5:00 p.m., an auto burglary 
occurred in the 700 block of West Naomi Avenue. 
Unknown suspect(s) entered the vehicle by 
removing the lock on the driver’s side door. The 
suspect(s) stole several bags, including a golf bag and 
club set for an approximate loss of $1,210.

Thursday, May 12:

9. A little before 12:00 p.m., officers responded to 
a theft report at Ralph’s, located at 16 East Live Oak 
Avenue. Two suspects, one described as a Black or 
Puerto Rican male adult and a White male adult were 
reported stealing coffee and baby formula from the 
store by placing the items in a black backpack they 
had in their possession. The suspects also matched 
the description of a previous theft from Albertson’s 
at 298 East Live Oak. Officers checked the area and 
located two subjects who matched the description at 
a nearby bus stop. They were positively identified by 
the store manager as the subjects seen stealing the 
merchandise. Both the 36-year old Hispanic male 
and the 29-year-old White male were placed under 
arrest for commercial burglary. A record check also 
revealed five outstanding misdemeanor warrants for 
the Hispanic male.

10. At about 1:45 p.m., officers responded to Arcadia 
High School located at 180 Campus Drive in 
regards to a kidnapping investigation. While walking 
home, on Santa Anita Avenue at Genoa Street, a 
15-year-old Asian female 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, however the door was locked. The 
victim persuaded the suspect to drive back toward 
Santa Anita Avenue, but the suspect 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 suspect is described as a Hispanic male in 
his 30’s driving a silver or gray 4-door Audi. A composite 
was created and a special bulletin was issued. 
A follow-up investigation is being conducted by the 
Detective Bureau.

Friday, May 13:

11. A little before 4:00 p.m., a traffic stop was conducted 
on a bicyclist for a Municipal Code violation. 
Upon contacting the 41-year-old White male, it 
was determined he was intoxicated. The subject was 
placed under arrest for operating a bicycle under the 
influence of alcohol, as well as operating a bicycle on 
a sidewalk. 

12. At about 5:00 p.m., officers were dispatched to 
the 0 block of La Porte regarding a 4-year-old child 
who was found wandering around alone. An investigation 
revealed that the child lived in the nearby 
apartment complex with his mother. The 39-year-old 
female of unknown race had left the child alone in 
the apartment while she went grocery shopping. She 
returned while officers were conducting their investigation 
at which time she was counseled about the 
dangers of leaving a child of such young age alone. 
The child was released to the custody of his mother 
and a follow-up investigation is being conducted by 
the Department of Child and Family Services.

Saturday, May 14:

13. A little after 2:00 a.m., officers responded to 
the area of Foothill Boulevard and Wigham Avenue 
in regards to a male banging doors in the neighborhood. 
The 25-year-old Asian male was contacted by 
officers. He was rambling, sweating and breathing 
very hard. An investigation revealed the subject was 
schizophrenic and had not taken his medication in 
several days. He was determined to be a danger to 
himself and taken into custody for a 72 hour mental 
health evaluation. He was transported to Kaiser hospital 
for the evaluation and treatment.

14. Around 3:30 p.m., loss prevention personnel 
from JC Penney at the Westfield Mall, advised 
they had detained three juveniles for theft. An investigation 
revealed the suspects, along with two 
other males and one female, had taken merchandise 
from nine different stores within the Westfield Mall. 
A private person’s arrest was made, three 16-year-
old Asian males, one 15-year-old Asian male, one 
17-year-old Asian male and a 16-year-old female of 
unknown race were arrested for commercial burglary 
as well as possession of burglary tools. They 
were later released into the custody of their parents.

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. 


City of Arcadia 2011 

Summer Swim Program

The City of Arcadia Recreation & Community Services Department 
will begin the summer swim program on Saturday, 
June 11 at the Arcadia High School Pool, located at 180 Campus 
Drive in Arcadia. The pool will open at 1pm and close at 5pm.

Swim lessons for Session One will begin on Monday, June 
13th. Online registration is now underway by logging onto 
“http://www.ci.arcadia.ca.us” www.ci.arcadia.ca.us 

Walk-in registration for Session I begins Monday, May 9th 
at the Recreation Department, located at 375 Campus Drive. 
For more information regarding swim classes and the online 
and walk-in registration dates for Sessions 2-5, please call 
626.574.5113.

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
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