Mountain Views News          Saturday, May 18, 2013

6


Mountain Views-News Saturday, May 18, 2013 

Arcadia Police Blotter

From Arcadia’s Best

SANTA ANITA PARK A PROM HERO

Santa Anita Park and event planner 
Elizabeth Booth are being hailed as 
heroes for saving a prom night for 400 
anxious students who showed up a 
week earlier than scheduled.

 And the availability of the iconic 
Chandelier Room was the reason it all 
worked.

 

Masses of formally-dressed students of 
Bloomington High School began rolling 
up to Santa Anita Park in limos at 
7 p.m. on Saturday, April 27, to the surprise 
of everyone at Santa Anita, which 
had a signed contract to host the prom 
at 8 p.m. on May 4. Booth, who was beginning 
to wind down her evening of 
activities, could not bear to turn away 
all those students who had driven 40 
miles and were geared up for one of the 
most memorable evenings of their lives. 
(Can you imagine the cost of rentals for 
the limos and tuxes alone, let alone all 
those wasted corsages?)

 Booth sprang into action, mobilizing whatever staff she could hurriedly assemble to set up food, soda bar, entertainment, lighting, and 
security.

 Fortunately, the stately Chandelier Room is adorned 24/7 with elegant decor and a majestic look.

 Bloomington High School’s name was quickly posted on all the monitors in the room. One of the DJ’s working one of the two other 
proms being held the same evening in different rooms at the enormous Santa Anita Park volunteered to fill in for the Bloomington prom 
until another DJ could be recruited to work the four-hour event until midnight, as scheduled for a week later.

 It was also fortunate that the other two proms were being run by a sister company of the one that Bloomington had booked for theirs, 
First Class Events, Corona. First Class Events, Newport Beach, working the other two events, not only provided a temporary DJ, but also 
audio, computer system, speakers and music.

 

In slightly more than an hour, the students were admitted about 8:15 p.m.

 Although there was initial shock and disappointment, most students reported having a great time. (KABC-TV 7 video report.)

 

In a letter to Santa Anita, Bloomington High School Assistant Principal James Western said, “If it were not for the care, generosity and 
professionalism of Elizabeth Booth and Santa Anita Park, Bloomington High School would have left that evening with a complete disappointment. 
Thank you for your sacrifice and care. We truly appreciate all that you did for us.”

Cecilia Ridgeway, owner of First Class Events, Inland Empire, which also claims to have a signed contract with Bloomington for the May 
4 date, wrote in a letter to the school that she was first called about the situation at 7:04 p.m., less than an hour before students expected 
the prom to begin. (The school’s Activities Director has reportedly taken complete responsibility for the mistaken date.) ”…only a miracle 
could turn the situation around and there was only one hour make it happen,” she wrote. “Everyone involved went above and beyond 
all expectation. Santa Anita Park had no obligation to allow this event to take place. The true heroes in all of this… are Elizabeth Booth, 
Santa Anita’s Special Event Coordinator, Pete Siberell, Director of Special Projects, Santa Anita’s outstanding Catering Staff, their Employee’s, 
and Security Officers.” She said that all “worked tirelessly to ensure that Bloomington High School’s students had a Prom and 
quality one at that.” – By Scott Hettrick

For the period of Sunday, May 5th, through Saturday, May 11th, 
the Police Department responded to 890 calls for service of which 
109 required formal investigations. The following is a summary 
report of the major incidents handled by the Department during 
this period.

Sunday, May 5:

1. At about 1:09 a.m., an officer was dispatched to the 200 
block of North Second Avenue regarding a battery investigation. 
Three suspects pushed a juvenile off his bike, punched him in the 
nose, and fled in a tan colored four-door vehicle. The suspects are 
described as Hispanic males with shaven heads, approximately 
5’9” tall, wearing dark-colored hooded sweatshirts, backpacks and 
shorts, with tattoos on their legs. The suspects can be identified if 
seen again. 
2. Just after 2:30 p.m., an officer responded to Ralphs, 16 East 
Live Oak Avenue, in reference to a theft report. The suspect entered 
the store, selected two cases of beer, and attempted to return the 
merchandise for cash using old receipts. A records check revealed 
the 21-year-old Black male had an outstanding misdemeanor 
warrant. He was arrested and transported to the Arcadia City Jail 
for booking. 


Monday, May 6:

3. At approximately 2:00 a.m., officers attempted a traffic 
stop on a vehicle for speeding in the area of Huntington Drive and 
Santa Anita Avenue. The vehicle failed to yield and led officers on a 
short pursuit on the 210 freeway and into Covina where the driver 
came to a stop in his driveway. The 26-year-old Hispanic male was 
under the influence of alcohol and officers discovered he was on 
probation for a previous DUI. He was arrested without incident 
and transported to the Arcadia City Jail for booking. 
4. Shortly after 2:00 p.m., an officer was dispatched to Jump 
N Jammin at the Santa Anita Mall, 400 South Baldwin Avenue, 
in regards to a theft report. The victim accidentally left her wallet 
on a counter and discovered it missing a few minutes later. Video 
surveillance revealed two Hispanic suspects, one male and one 
female, took the wallet and left the location. 


Tuesday, May 7:

5. Around 3:59 a.m., an officer was dispatched to Santa Anita 
Wine and Spirits, 1002 North Santa Anita Avenue, in regards to 
a sounding alarm. Two unknown male suspects forced entry 
through a door and fled the location with $300 cash and 12 bottles 
of Vodka. Video surveillance revealed the suspects were wearing 
black hooded sweatshirts, black pants, and black gloves. Multiple 
shoe prints were located at the entry point. 
6. At approximately 7:51 p.m., an officer was dispatched to 
the area of Foothill Boulevard and Leandra Lane regarding a hit 
and run traffic collision. A motorcyclist was found severely injured 
and the driver of the other vehicle fled the scene. The motorcyclist 
was transported to Huntington Memorial Hospital, but passed 
away shortly after. Witnesses observed the suspect vehicle and 
motorcyclist racing at high speeds on the 210 freeway. 


 Based on the color and parts recovered at the scene, the suspect 
vehicle is possibly a 2005 or 2006 electric blue Mitsubishi Lancer 
Evolution or “Evo”. The vehicle is missing the passenger side-view 
mirror and should have additional collision damage along the right 
side. Further investigation is being conducted by the Detective 
Bureau and the Department is reaching out to the public for help in 
locating the suspect and suspect vehicle. 

Wednesday, May 8:

7. At about 6:57 a.m., an officer responded to a residence 
in the 1200 block of Oakhaven Road in regards to a burglary 
investigation. The victim heard noises coming from his backyard 
and discovered an unknown suspect inside his garage. The victim 
recorded the license plate as the suspect fled the location in a silver 
Toyota. Shortly after, officers located the suspect at his residence 
during which time the suspect admitted to burglarizing additional 
homes in Arcadia and Woodland Hills. The 44-year-old White male 
was arrested and transported to the Arcadia City Jail for booking. 
8. Around 7:20 p.m., an officer was dispatched to the 200 
block of East Norman Avenue regarding a theft report. An 
unknown Black male subject took a package from the victim’s front 
porch and entered the passenger side of a black four-door vehicle 
with dark tinted windows, possibly a Nissan. The victim was unable 
to record the license plate as the vehicle fled westbound. 


Thursday, May 9:

9. Shortly after 4:00 p.m., an officer responded to the 000 block 
of East Longden Avenue in reference to a report of an unknown 
subject trespassing in a backyard. Upon contact with the subject, 
the officer discovered he was under the influence of a controlled 
substance. The subject explained he abandoned his car in the 2000 
block of Santa Anita Avenue in order to get away from unknown 
subjects who were chasing him. The 24-year-old Hispanic male was 
arrested and transported to the Arcadia City Jail for booking. 
10. At roughly 10:19 p.m., an officer was dispatched to 
Nordstrom at the Santa Anita Mall, 400 South Baldwin Avenue, 
in regards to theft report. The suspect attempted to purchase 
merchandise on another person’s Nordstrom credit account 
using the victim’s social security number and a fraudulent driver 
license. A records check revealed the 24-year-old Black female had 
two outstanding misdemeanor warrants. She was arrested and 
transported to the Arcadia City Jail for booking. 


Friday, May 10: 

11. At approximately 5:00 p.m., officers responded to Coffee 
Bean and Green Leaf at the Santa Anita Mall, 400 South Baldwin 
Avenue, in regards to a sexual battery that just occurred. A 49-year-
old Hispanic male suspect rubbed his exposed penis against a 
female standing in line. The suspect was located, arrested, and 
transported to the Arcadia City Jail for booking. 
12. Just after 6:00 p.m., an officer was dispatched to Macy’s 
at the Santa Anita Mall, 400 South Baldwin Avenue, regarding a 
theft report. The suspect left her 5-year-old daughter unattended 
in the children’s department and entered a fitting room where 
she concealed over $800 worth of clothing inside her stroller. The 
suspect paid for one item and exited the store without paying for 
the concealed items. The juvenile was released to her father while 
the 40-year-old Hispanic female was arrested and transported to 
the Arcadia City Jail for booking. The case is under review by the 
Department of Children and Family Services. 


Saturday, May 11:

13. Shortly after 12:50 p.m., an officer was dispatched to 
a residence in the 2500 block of Doolittle Avenue regarding a 
9-year-old juvenile lying in a pool face down and not breathing. 
Upon arrival, Arcadia Paramedics were treating the juvenile who 
was now conscious and breathing. The juvenile was transported 
to Arcadia Methodist Hospital for evaluation. An investigation 
revealed the juvenile was playing at a pool party, but had never 
received swimming lessons. 
14. Around 6:28 p.m., an officer responded to the Santa 
Anita Race Track, 285 West Huntington Drive, in regards to 
a disturbance. The officer discovered a male subject was highly 
intoxicated and unable to care for himself. The 53-year-old 
Hispanic male was arrested and transported to the Arcadia City 
Jail for booking. 



SPECIAL PRESENTATION ON 
TREATMENT OF MILD 

COGNITIVE IMPAIRMENT

Arcadia Senior Services is having a special free health presentation 
on Tuesday, May 28, 2013 at 1:30pm: “Treatment of Mild 
Cognitive Impairment”. The lecture will take place at the Arcadia

Community Center, 365 Campus Drive. 

Dr. Vincent Fortanasce, a well-known recognized expert in the 
field of Alzheimer’s, will be the guest speaker. Although there is 
no cure for Alzheimer’s, there is hope this disease can be prevented 
through simple changes in your lifestyle. Dr. Fortanasce, 
a clinical Professor of Neurology trained at USC and Yale, has 
pioneered the DEAR program (Diet, Exercise, Accentuating the 
Brain, and Rest and Recovery). He will be presenting a comprehensive 
prevention program called the DEAR/TEAM method 
that consists of simple lifestyle changes to prevent this horrific 
disease, in particular how sleep affects our memory, personality 
and prevents premature

aging.

Dr. Fortanasce will also present his new method to treat early 
Alzheimer’s disease known as Treatment of Mild Cognitive Impairment, 
the TEAM method. Through a series of sensory stimulation 
and memory recall Dr. Fortanasce believes we can reconstitute 
the neural connections that are impaired by Alzheimer’s.

Registration is required for this health presentation as there is 
limited space and can be made by calling Arcadia Senior Services. 
626.574.5130. This presentation is for individuals 50 years 
of age and over.

 The Arcadia Branch of 
the American Association of 
University Women (AAUW) is 
“putting all the pieces together” 
and planning a wonderful 
luncheon event for an AAUW 
Funds fundraiser on Monday, 
June 10, at 12:00 noon. The 
Pennyroyal Players from the 
Palos Verdes Peninsula will 
perform “Piecin’ It Together,” 
songs and stories of the 
American West, for members 
and guests. Wearing period 
costumes and playing musical 
instruments that range from 
guitars to washboards, the five-
member group will bring to life 
a colorful era in our country’s 
past. A display of ten quilts 
forms a background for the 
performers.

 The luncheon event 
will take place at the Church 
of the Good Shepherd’s Jordan 
Hall, 400 West Duarte Road, 
Arcadia (SW corner of Duarte 
Rd. and Holly Ave.). Back 
by popular request, Arcadia 
caterer Blennie Danielson of 
Danielson’s Creations will be 
serving a delightful lunch. 
Blennie is known for her tasty 
wraps and their delicious 
accompaniments. Lunch 
includes dessert and beverages. 
The cost of $25 covers the buffet 
lunch and the program. 

 Guests are welcome 
to attend this festive event. 
Quilters and others are sure 
to enjoy the occasion. To 
make a luncheon reservation, 
send reservation requests and 
checks to Joyce McGregor 
at 1751 Holly Ave., Arcadia, 
CA 91007. Luncheon checks 
should be made payable to 
AAUW-Arcadia Branch. For 
more information, please call 
Joyce at (626) 447-6543. The 
reservation deadline is June 1.

This event will benefit the 
AAUW Funds project which 
supports women in graduate 
studies, public service projects, 
research, and other programs. 
Those wishing to make a 
separate donation to AAUW 
Funds should make donation 
checks payable to AAUW 
Funds. All reservations and 
donations should be sent to 
Joyce McGregor’s address.

 If you know of quilters or 
quilters guilds that I can contact 
about this

event, please let me know at 
(626) 446-8437 or by e-mail at 
pattypoppy9401@yahoo.com. 

“PIECIN’ IT TOGETHER”—
MUSIC AND QUILT DISPLAY

AT AAUW SPRING LUNCHEON

We’d like to hear from you! 

What’s on YOUR Mind?

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mountainviewsnews AND 

Twitter: @mtnviewsnews


PRESIDENT & CEO 
OF SGV ECONOMIC 
PARTNERSHIP TO 
SPEAK AT ARCADIA 
CHAMBER

 Cynthia J. Kurtz, President & CEO of the San 
Gabriel Valley Economic Partnership, is the guest 
speaker at 8am Thursday, June 6, at the Arcadia 
Chamber of Commerce Government Affairs 
Forum, 388 W. Huntington Dr. Ms. Kurtz will 
speak about the Economic Forecast of the San 
Gabriel Valley. 

A discussion of pending legislation and other 
updates will be provided by representatives from 
City, County, and State government offices, the 
Metro Gold Line Foothill Extension and the 
Monrovia-Arcadia-Duarte Town Council. 

The public is invited on the first Thursday of 
each month to hear informative presentations 
at the monthly Government Affairs Forums led 
by Chairman Jack Orswell and co-chairs Pete 
Ulrich, former Arcadia City Councilman, and 
Mary Dougherty, former President of the Arcadia 
School District Board of Education. RSVPs to the 
Chamber of Commerce office are appreciated - 
(626) 447-2159 or info@ArcadiaCaChamber.org.