Mountain Views News          Saturday, July 30, 2011

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Mountain Views News Saturday, July 30, 2011

OVERNIGHT HOT PROWL BURGLARIES 

LAST TWO NIGHTS IN ARCADIA

HONORING A FALLEN OFFICER

By Joan Schmidt Clayton

July 19th marked the 84th Anniversary of 
the death of Arcadia Police Officer, Albert 
Edward Matthies. Officer Matthies, a six year 
veteran with the Arcadia Police Department, 
is the only officer from their Department to 
die in the line of duty. This fine young man’s 
life was cut short-he was only 27 at the time of 
his death and left behind his young wife and 
two young daughters.

The evening of July 18, 1927, Officer Matthies 
was doing patrol. In the patrol car, was his 
friend, Leo Bertolina, who 
was going on a ride-along. 
When Officer Matthies 
came to the intersection of 
Northview and Foothill in 
north Arcadia shortly before 
midnight, he spotted three 
men inside a parked vehicle. 
He walked toward the car to 
question them, unaware that 
they were planning a robbery. 
In the rear seat was Frank 
Miller who was armed with 
a .45 cal handgun. Matthias 
didn’t realize this. As Officer 
Matthies walked toward the 
car, Miller shot him in his 
neck and Matthies later died 
at 12:07 AM, July 19, 1927.

Bertolina, Matthias’ ride-along was also 
shot at. He was able to get away, but was hit 
with flying glass from windows broken by the 
gunfire. Bertolina called for additional police 
assistance. Although the three men escaped 
that evening, they were apprehended in Los 
Angeles within a few days. The trio were tried 
and convicted in Officer Matthias’ death. They 
were sentenced to prison. Miller, the shooter, 
died while incarcerated. His accomplices were 
eventually paroled, but died shortly after.

Last week, the Arcadia Police Department 
honored their fallen brother. What they 
did- I cannot find appropriate words to 
describe their remembrance and ceremony. 
“Outstanding, awesome, heart-wrenching, 
and most appropriate” are a sampling of what 
comes to my mind.

The remembrance began at 12pm on July 18th 
with a statement from Arcadia Police Officers 
Association President John Jurman, who 
spoke of Officer Matthies, his commitment 
to his profession and his ultimate sacrifice. 
Bagpipes were played 
by retired Arcadia 
Police Officer Andrew 
Ballantyne during the 
posting of colors. The 
honor guard detail 
stood watch for twelve 
consecutive hours 
with a changing of 
the guard ceremony 
occurring every half 
hour. Newly appointed 
Chief of Police Robert 
Guthrie stood a post 
from 5:00-5:30 PM. At 
12:07 AM, July 19, a 
bell sounded in honor 
of Officer Matthies’ 
death. The event ended 
with a closing prayer 
by Arcadia Police Department Chaplain 
Thomas Shriver of the Emmanuel Assembly 
of God Church, Arcadia. All the participants 
of the Arcadia Police Officers Association 
donated their time to keep the memory and 
spirit of Officer Matthies alive. 

Thank you, Arcadia Police Department for 
planning and carrying out such a meaningful 
remembrance of a brave young policeman 
who gave the ultimate sacrifice-his life.

Over the course of the last two nights, Arcadia 
residents were victimized by similar hot prowl 
burglaries. The first occurred early Tuesday 
morning at about 4:49 a.m., in the 100 block of 
Diamond Street, and the second occurred late last 
night around 11:00 p.m., in the 600 block of West 
Walnut Avenue. In both cases, the suspect was 
described as a male White carrying a flashlight.

The Diamond Street resident was awakened to 
find a suspect with a flashlight in her bedroom 
grabbing her purse from near the foot of her bed. 
The suspect immediately fled from the bedroom, 
ran through the house, and out the front door. 
The female resident was home with two teenage 
children when the crime occurred and no one 
was hurt in the incident. The only loss was the 
resident’s purse. Officers found that the suspect 
had entered the residential unit through an 
unlocked front door. In this case, the suspect was 
described only as a male White, 5’-10”, wearing 
a white t-shirt and basketball type shorts. This 
crime occurred on July 26, 2011, at about 4:49 
a.m.

The second incident occurred last night when 
a West Walnut resident awoke to the sounds of 
someone attempting to open his front door. 
Moments later, the resident heard the suspect 
now attempting to open a side door. The resident 
turned on the porch light and was able to see 
the suspect on the porch. The suspect shined 
a flashlight in the face of the resident and then 
fled off the property, never making entry into 
the location. The resident described the suspect 
as a male White in his twenties, 5’-10”, 150 lbs, 
wearing a red shirt. This crime occurred on July 
27, 2011, at about 11:00 p.m.

Although in different areas of the City, these 
crimes and suspect descriptions are similar. In 
both crimes, the suspect appears to be looking 
for a crime of opportunity, targeting unlocked 
residential doors. Please remember to check your 
home before going to bed. Close and lock your 
doors and windows, and set your alarm, if you 
have one installed at your home. Many times, 
thieves will target homes and vehicles that have 
been left unlocked or open. Take the time to help 
prevent this type of crime before it happens! If 
you see or hear anything suspicious, call the 
police right away.

Anyone with information on either of these 
crimes is encouraged to contact the Arcadia 
Police Department at (626) 574-5150. 

If you prefer to provide information 
ANONYMOUSLY, you may call “Crime Stoppers” 
by dialing 800-222-TIPS (8477), texting the 
letters TIPLA plus your tip to CRIMES (274637), 
or using the tip page at Los Angeles Regional 
Crime Stoppers. 

Get detailed, up-to-date emails and text 
messages specific to your community from the 
Arcadia Police Department by registering for 
“Nixle” alerts at: https://local.nixle.com/register/ 
You can also register for alerts and advisory 
text messages only by texting your zip code to 
888777. (Standard text messaging rates may 
apply, depending on your cell phone plan). Nixle 
provides community wires nationwide. Once 
registered, you can subscribe to messages from 
other areas that service your relatives or other 
loved ones, or other locations of interest to you.


ARCADIA 
FAMILY FLICKS 
WEDNESDAYS!


This year, the City of Arcadia 
and Westfield Santa Anita are 
teaming up to bring you a new 
program called Family Flicks 
on the Promenade (upper level 
of the mall) 400 S. Baldwin 
Ave., Arcadia, CA 91007 . 

Family fun starts at 6pm with 
pre-show entertainment and 
activities with Radio Disney 
Street Team, as well as exclusive 
dining discounts and fabulous 
prizes. Movies are shown on 
the following Wednesdays and 
begin at dusk. 

July 27th, Shark Tale (PG)

August 3rd Tangled (PG)

August 10th Toy Story (G) 

August 17th High School 

 Musical 2 (G)

It is a completely free event and 
no registration is required. 
For more information, please 
contact the City of Arcadia 
Recreation and Community 
Services Department at 
626.574.5113. 

Arcadia Police Blotter

For the period of Sunday, July 17, through 
Saturday, July 23, the Police Department 
responded to 914 calls for service of which 
121 required formal investigations. The 
following is a summary report of the major 
incidents handled by the Department during 
this period.

Sunday, July 17:

Between July 16th at 12:00 p.m. and July 
17th at 6:54 a.m., a burglary occurred in the 
700 block of South Golden West Avenue. 
Unknown suspect(s) pried open the door of a 
utility box and stole four deep cycle batteries 
from inside.

 

At about 7:25 p.m., officers responded to 
L.A. Fitness, 1325 South Baldwin Avenue, 
regarding a report of a sexual battery. While 
walking to her vehicle, the 53-year-old Asian 
female victim was approached by a subject 
driving a newer model BMW. The driver was 
described as a Black male, between 25-30 
years old with a muscular build, clean shaven 
and wearing a black t-shirt. The victim stated 
she ignored the verbal advances by the suspect 
and then lost view of him. As she approached 
her vehicle, she felt the back of her skirt pull 
up and saw the suspect kneeling behind her 
with a cell phone in his hand attempting to 
take pictures. A follow-up investigation is 
being conducted by the Detective Bureau.

Monday, July 18:

3. At approximately 2:15 p.m., units 
were dispatched to the 1500 block of Highland 
Oaks Drive regarding a residential burglary 
that occurred at about 10:00 a.m. While 
leaving for school, an 11-year-old resident 
came face to face with a stranger inside the 
garage of the residence. The suspect was 
described as a White male, between the ages 
of 30-40, approximately 5’09” with a medium 
build and brown hair, wearing black pants, a 
black shirt, black shoes and a black jacket. 
The suspect was seen leaving in a small, red, 
2-door, pick-up truck, possibly a Toyota, 
with a blue tarp over the bed. A composite 
drawing of the suspect has been created and 
distributed to surrounding agencies.

4. At about 8:36 p.m., a burglary 
occurred in the 2400 block of South Holly 
Avenue. Unknown suspect(s) pried open the 
door of a utility box and stole four deep cycle 
batteries from inside. 

Tuesday, July 19:

5. At approximately 1:35 p.m., a 
residential burglary occurred in the 100 block 
of West Foothill Boulevard. The suspect cut 
the screen on the back door of the residence 
and attempted to enter, coming face to face 
with the residents. The suspect was described 
as a Black male, about 20-years-old, 6’00” 
and 180 pounds, wearing a brown shirt with 
orange stripes. The suspect fled and there 
was no loss. A composite drawing of the 
suspect has been created and distributed to 
surrounding agencies. 

6. Between 4:00 p.m. and 4:30 p.m., 
officers responded to Ralph’s, 1101 West 
Huntington Drive, regarding a theft. The 
victim, a 92-year-old White female, reported 
her wallet was taken from her purse by an 
unknown suspect(s) while shopping in the 
store. 

Wednesday, July 20:

7. Between July 18th at 11:30 a.m. and 
July 20th at 8:30 a.m., a residential burglary 
occurred in the 300 block of West Colorado 
Street. Unknown suspect(s) forced open the 
front door, ransacked the residence, and stole 
unknown property.

8. At about 10:17 a.m., units were 
dispatched to the 900 block of West 
Huntington Drive regarding a deceased 
person. A 47-year-old Asian male was found 
not breathing in the bathroom. The Arcadia 
Fire Department Paramedics attempted to 
resuscitate the subject, but were unsuccessful. 
There were no suspicious circumstances 
found. The Coroner’s office was notified and 
they are investigating the cause of death.

Thursday, July 21:

9. At about 2:00 p.m., a burglary was 
reported in the 500 block of West Longden 
Avenue. Unknown suspect(s) pried open the 
door of a utility box and stole four deep cycle 
batteries from inside. Detectives are aware of 
other similar thefts in the San Gabriel Valley 
and are in communication with other police 
agencies regarding these crimes.

10. Between 5:30 p.m. and 10:00 p.m., 
a residential burglary occurred in the 500 
block of East Longden Avenue. Unknown 
suspect(s) pried open the rear door, ransacked 
the residence, and stole a computer and cash.

Friday, July 22:

11. Between 12:00 p.m. and 12:30 p.m., 
an auto burglary occurred in the 11000 block 
of Goldring Road. Unknown suspect(s) 
unlocked the door on the driver’s side through 
a rolled down window and stole a cell phone, 
sunglasses, and a CD set.

12. Around 7:00 p.m., loss prevention 
personnel from JC Penney at the Westfield 
Santa Anita Mall, 400 South Baldwin Avenue, 
detained a juvenile for theft. The suspect 
took merchandise and concealed it under his 
clothing, walking out of the store without 
paying for the merchandise. The 17-year-old 
Hispanic male was arrested for theft.

Saturday, July 23:

13. Shortly before 3:00 a.m., a traffic stop 
was conducted on Peck Road and Hemlock 
Street for a broken tail light. A records 
check of the driver and passenger revealed 
outstanding misdemeanor warrants for the 
pair. Both the 24-year-old Hispanic male 
driver and the 19-year-old Hispanic male 
passenger were placed under arrest for the 
warrants.

14. At about 4:30 p.m., while on 
patrol, officers were flagged down by loss 
prevention personnel from the Sports Chalet 
at the Westfield Santa Anita Mall, 400 
South Baldwin Avenue. The officers were 
advised that a female, who had attempted to 
use a fraudulent debit card, had just left the 
location. The 30-year-old Hispanic female 
was located and detained. An investigation 
revealed an additional fraudulent debit card 
in her possession. The suspect was placed 
under arrest for forging an access card with 
intent to defraud, commercial burglary and 
use of another’s personal identification to 
obtain goods.

Summer Concert Series

August 4, 2011— Cold Duck (70’s top 40)

Join us this summer at Arcadia’s annual Summer 
Concerts in the Park series presented by Target. 
The seven-week entertainment series showcases 
a wide variety of musical performances. Bring a 
blanket or lawn chair for seating on the grass and 
enjoy a picnic dinner during the show. Kids of 
all ages will be entertained in our FREE kids’ fun 
zone area with many games and crafts each week.

Become a part of the Arcadia tradition, gather 
your family and friends and enjoy the sights and 
sounds of this year’s concert series. Whether you 
attend one or all seven, we are sure you will have a 
great time! As always, admission and parking are 
free. (Additional parking held at Santa Anita Race 
Track, Gate 5.) Concerts take place on Thursday 
evenings from 6:30-8pm on beautiful City Hall 
West Lawn located at 240 West Huntington Drive.

Cold Duck (70’s top 40)

Back by popular demand! Join us once again 
for this special celebration….National Night 
Out & Arcadia’s 108th Birthday! National Night 
Out promotes crime prevention and awareness 
through police-community partnerships. 
Arcadia’s Police and Fire Department will be 
joining us for this very special occasion. Free 
fingerprinting for the kids, crime prevention 
materials and other information will be available. 
Stop by and show your support to Arcadia’s finest. 
But wait…that is not it! Help Arcadia celebrate 
our 108th birthday by enjoying some birthday 
cake (while supplies last) sponsored by Arcadia’s 
Historical Society.

Since its inception over two decades ago, Cold 
Duck’s philosophy has been directly responsible 
for their continued success: “Give the people what 
they want to hear and have a good time delivering 
it!” With this solid experienced musicianship, 
it should come as no surprise that Cold Duck 
is renowned for being one of the most versatile 
bands in existence. Cold Duck continues its 
tradition of excellent musicianship and groovin’ 
rhythms. So let’s have a good time dancing the 
night away! 

For additional information, contact the 
Recreation and Community Services Department 
at 626.574.5113.

Arcadia Recreation and Community Services 
Department Sports Camp

Sports Camp is held at Dana Middle School and 
offers three weeks starting August 1 to August 19. 
Weeks one and three are for youth entering grades 
5-9 and week two is for youth entering grades 1-4. 
This camp utilizes the Dana Gym and features a 
variety of fun sports activities for youth including 
swimming, flag football, basketball, softball, 
soccer, volleyball and other fun group games. 
Each week there is an excursion and three swim 
days. 

Sports camp is $110 per week. To register in 
person come by our office located at 375 Campus 
Drive. You can also go to the city’s website at 
www.ci.arcadia.ca.us to register.

For more questions, please contact the Recreation 
Department at 626.574.5113. 

Annual End of Summer Carnival

The Recreation and Community Services 
Department will be celebrating the end of summer 
with our annual carnival on Wednesday, August 
10th from 10am – 2pm at Eisenhower Memorial 
Park (corner of 2nd and Colorado). This year’s 
theme is “Under the Big Top”. Enjoy crafts, raffles, 
a photo booth, a balloonist and a caricature artist. 
Carnival games are available for a nominal fee and 
offer fun, kid- friendly prizes, so be sure to bring 
lots of change. Bring a picnic lunch or purchase a 
delicious snack from our snack bar.

For more information please contact the 
Recreation Office at 626.574.5113.

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