Mountain Views News          Saturday, September 1, 2012

SUSPECT EARNS 
103 YEARS TO LIFE

In 2008, several armed robberies were committed 
within the San Gabriel Valley, one of 
which occurred in the City of Monrovia. The 
robbery in Monrovia involved two armed 
suspects and a third get away driver. The 
two armed suspects entered a business in the 
300 block of West Huntington, just prior to 
closing, while the get away driver stood by at 
the rear of the business. The armed suspects 
confronted several employees inside the 
business, bound their wrists, and held them 
at gunpoint in an office. They took cash from 
the business and fled in a waiting vehicle 
driven by the third suspect. Evidence and 
Investigation suggested these same suspects 
committed additional robberies in Pasadena, 
Altadena and other San Gabriel Valley cities. 
Monrovia detectives worked diligently on 
this investigation and eventually identified 
all three suspects. 

All three of these suspects were successfully 
prosecuted and convicted of multiple 
felony charges. The sentencing for the primary 
suspect has been in the courts for the 
past 2 years, and he was finally sentenced on 
August 23, 2012, at the Pasadena Superior 
Court. He received a sentence of 103 years 
to life! This was great work by Monrovia investigators 
to bring this case to a conclusion.

A DILEMMA AT MONROVIA HIGH SCHOOL

Eleven Cheerleaders Are Removed From Squad By Joan Schmidt

 Recently, the Monrovia High 
School Cheerleading Squad attended 
a summer camp at the University of 
California at Santa Barbara. While 
there, the seniors decided to pull a prank 
on the underclassmen. They pulled 
out mattresses from the dormitories 
of underclassmen and left them in a 
hallway. A few of the mattresses fell off 
an upper floor to a floor below, but were 
retrieved.

 Parents of the cheerleaders who 
have been removed from the squad are 
outraged. They feel the punishment is 
too severe. The district has referred to 
the actions as “hazing” which is why 
the punishment was given. Parents also 
complained that the cheerleading squad 
coach knew of the event, and they want 
the coach fired.

 Linda Wagner, Superintendent 
of the Monrovia School District has no comment. She cannot discuss the incident because it involves 
confidential student information. Former Mayor and current School Board Member Rob Hammond 
reiterated what Ms. Wagner said, also there are several issues involved and an investigation going 
on. When Mr. Hammond is at liberty to do so, he will comment to the press. As more information is 
given out, it will be released to the public.


MONROVIA POLICE BLOTTER

Photo courtesy OneNews.com

During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 459 service events, resulting in 68 investigations. 
To see a complete listing of crimes reported, go to http://www.crimemapping.com/map/ca/
monrovia for crime mapping. For Police Department news and information, visit our website at www.
monroviapolice.org and follow us on Twitter for police notifications.

Commercial Burglary / Petty Theft with Priors - Suspect Arrested

August 28 at 11:52 a.m., a business in the 1600 block of South Mountain called police to report a 
subject they had in custody for commercial burglary. A male subject, recently released from parole 
in May, was caught attempting to steal wire he had secreted between bags of garden material from the 
business. He admitted to the officer that he intended to steal the items. His criminal history revealed 
he had numerous convictions with time served for theft. He was arrested and charged with commercial 
burglary and petty theft with priors.

Residential Burglary

August 28 at 1:04 p.m., police were dispatched to the 600 block of Terrado regarding a residential burglary. 
An elderly female called police to report her home had been burglarized. She had left the home 
at 11:00 a.m. and returned at 1:00 p.m. When she returned home, she found someone had taken the 
glass louvers off of a window. Suspect(s) had entered the home and had taken items of jewelry. The 
investigation is continuing.

Burglary

August 28 at 9:52 p.m., police responded to the report of a burglary that occurred in the 400 block 
of East Olive, between 7:20 a.m. and 9:50 p.m. Unknown suspect(s) entered the garage through an 
unlocked door. The garage is adjacent to an alley. A green dolly was stolen. Investigation continuing.

Stolen Vehicle Recovered

August 29 at 12:28 a.m., a car was reported abandoned in the intersection of Canyon and Walnut. A 
subject was seen, possibly a male, wearing a dark hooded sweatshirt, running west from the car. Officers 
arrived and, after investigation, found the car had just been stolen from in front of a residence in 
the 800 block of South Canyon. The suspect broke a window to gain entry and punched the ignition. 
It appeared that although the suspect got the engine started, he was unable to unlock the steering 
wheel to turn the vehicle and he abandoned it at the intersection. The suspect left some tools and a 
backpack in the vehicle. The investigation is continuing.

Possession of Burglary Tools / Drug Paraphernalia / Stolen Property / Parole Violation - Suspect 
Arrested

August 29 at 9:24 a.m., a citizen called to report seeing a male subject looking into cars in the 1500 
block of South Myrtle. Officers responded and located the subject, a known drug user with a history 
of theft. The subject was holding a multi-socket tool that looked fairly new. When questioned he 
admitted to taking the tool from a vehicle near Cypress and Myrtle. A further search of the subject 
revealed a shaved screw driver and aluminum foil pipe with residue on it. The subject was arrested 
and booked for the above listed charges. Additionally, the subject violated his parole and a parole hold 
was issued.

Residential Burglary

On August 23 at 12:24 p.m., police were dispatched to a residential burglary that occurred in the 200 
block of North Mountain. The victim left his residence at about 8 a.m. that morning and was sure he 
had locked everything at the home. When he returned just after 12 noon, he noted several slats from 
the vertical blinds covering the front slider were pushed to the side. When he went in and walked 
around the house, he discovered a jewelry box, a coin bank and some electronic games were missing. 
There were no signs of forced entry. Investigation continuing.

Injury Traffic Collision / Driving Under the Influence - Suspect Arrested

On August 24 at 3:45 p.m., an injury traffic collision was reported at the intersection of California 
and Huntington. Police responded and determined the motorist was driving under the influence of 
alcohol. The driver was arrested and taken into custody. The other driver involved complained of 
pain to her hand.

Hit and Run Traffic Collision / Driving Under the Influence / Obstructing and Delaying a Peace Officer 
- Suspect Arrested

On August 24 at 11:40 p.m., a suspicious vehicle was reported at a parking lot in the 700 block of West 
Huntington. A male suspect approached a taxi cab driver and asked for a ride. He told the taxi cab 
driver he had just been in a collision. The suspect left and the taxi cab driver called police. Officers 
arrived and detained the suspect, who was uncooperative with the officers. The suspect's vehicle had 
major collision damage and the front bumper was missing. 

Officers searched the area and discovered the suspect had struck a large plastic sand bucket on the 
210 Freeway at Myrtle. His front bumper, with the license plate attached, was still on the freeway. 
Through investigation, officers determined the driver was under the influence. He was arrested for 
driving under the influence, hit and run and obstructing an officer.

Residential Burglary

On August 25 at 8:42 a.m., police responded to a residential burglary in the 200 block of Poppy. The 
resident left her home at 6 a.m., leaving her front door unlocked and no one at home. She returned 
home at 8:30 a.m. and discovered her bedroom had been ransacked. Her purse and been taken, containing 
cash, a set of keys and a book of personal checks. She immediately called police. Investigation 
continuing.

Bear Problem

On August 26 at 11:26 a.m., a female resident who lives on Hidden Valley called to report that she 
heard noises coming from her kitchen and when she went to investigate, she saw a small bear in her 
refrigerator. The bear ran out and to the back of the property. An animal control officer responded 
to the call and the bear was encouraged back up into the hills.

Special Enforcement Team Weekly Activity

Warrant - Suspect Arrested

On August 22, Special Enforcement Team Officers saw a known gang member that had an outstanding 
warrant, loitering in the 200 block of East Maple. He was detained and arrested for the warrant.

Warrant - Suspect Arrested

On August 22, Special Enforcement Team Officers ran a license plate to a suspicious vehicle near 
Mayflower and Walnut. The registered owner of the vehicle had a federal warrant for desertion from 
the Marine Corps. The vehicle was stopped and the driver was arrested for the warrant. Personnel 
from the United States Marine Corps responded and took custody of the subject.

DUARTE IMPLEMENTS 
CHANGES IN 
PROCEDURES FOR 
REPORTING AND 
REMOVAL OF GRAFFITI

Maintaining a graffiti-free city has always 
been a point of pride for Duarte. Keeping 
Duarte clean of graffiti remains a priority for 
the City as it is for residents. 

 As one of many cost savings measures 
adopted by the City for fiscal year 2012-2013, 
the annual graffiti removal contract was 
reduced from $48,000 to $25,000, which 
necessitated some changes in the procedure 
in which graffiti problems are reported and 
addressed.

 Graffiti removal service is now 
provided on an as needed basis rather than 
the previous process where the contracted 
graffiti removal service provided regular 
patrols to identify and remove graffiti. 
Instead of seven days a week and after-hour 
service, graffiti removal is now conducted 
Monday through Friday during regular 
business hours. 

 To streamline graffiti removal service, 
the public can now report graffiti via e-mail 
at reportgraffiti@accessduarte.com, by 
telephone to Field Services at (626) 357-7931, 
Public Safety at (626) 357-7938, or online at 
www.accessduarte.com under Public Safety 
- Graffiti. Include the specific address or 
location of the graffiti, a description of the 
graffiti, and the name and phone number of 
the person making the request. 

 Duarte Field Services processes 
requests for graffiti removal only on public 
property, including traffic signs, bus and 
park benches, and City buildings. The Public 
Safety office will continue to address graffiti 
removal on private property. It remains the 
responsibility of the private property owner 
to remove graffiti from their property. To 
report graffiti within the Los Angeles County 
jurisdiction, call (800) 675-4357.

From the Monrovia City Manager

5 GREEN TIPS FOR YOUR LABOR DAY WEEKEND

 This weekend, many of us will head over to visit friends and family, maybe even bring 
the festivities to your own backyard. Here are some ways you can have a great Labor Day 
weekend and go green:

1. Carpool. Whether you are heading to a local festival or going to a friend’s pool party, 
coordinate a carpool to reduce air pollution and conserve energy. Or, if it’s close enough 
to walk or bike, take the opportunity to get some family exercise by skipping the car ride 
altogether.

2. Serve seasonal food. Eating locally sourced, organic and seasonal food tastes better. 
And, it’s better for the environment because it doesn’t have the pesticides in conventionally 
grown food and doesn’t have to travel as far from farm to table. Visit Monrovia’s farmer’s 
markets for the best of the season.

3. Skip the paper and the plastic. It might be easier to use paper or plastic plates, utensils 
and cups for your cook-out, but it certainly isn’t better for the environment. Instead, opt 
for reusable dinnerware, utensils and cups. (Perhaps you can even entice the kids to wash 
the dishes by offering them the biggest serving of dessert after clean-up!) And don't forget 
to opt out of bottled water, using a great pitcher as a centerpiece instead.

4. Celebrate outdoors. Enjoy Mother Nature’s playground by planning an outdoor picnic, 
barbeque or just getting the family outside to play games in the backyard. Spending time 
outdoors encourages family bonding, is a wonderful way to exercise, and reminds us of all 
the reasons to protect the green spaces around our homes.

5. Greengredients for Grilling. Skip the traditional charcoal and lighter fluid and opt for 
an electric grill. If flames are a requirement for you, go for gas or propane. And for those 
who just must have charcoal, there are FSC certified hardwood charcoal lumps available.

And, of course, if you use them, don’t forget to recycle cans, bottles and other recyclable 
items!

NEIGHBORHOOD 

LEADERSHIP ACADEMY: 
REGISTER TODAY!

 

Join the ever-growing MAP Network by attending 
the Neighborhood Leadership Academy. This 
free Academy is a 6 week course that will guide you 
through local government, community resources 
and your potential as a pillar of positive change in 
the community - a MAP Neighborhood Leader. 

The Academy gives participants the unique opportunity 
to meet city staff and officials, get a tour of Monrovia 
and dialogue with other community leaders.

After the Academy, Neighborhood Leaders are invited to quarterly trainings, networking opportunities 
and receive invitations to participate in other leadership roles in the community.

Click here to learn more or to fill out an application!

Day/Hour: Thursdays, 7pm - 9pm

Dates: September 20 - November 1

Location: Monrovia Community Center

Fee: FREE

Ages: 18+