Mountain Views News          Saturday, July 13, 2013

6


Mountain Views-News Saturday, July 13, 2013 

Arcadia Police Blotter

From Arcadia’s Best

DR. RICHARD CORDANO HONORED

A room in the new Arcadia Performing Arts Center has been dedicated in the name of former longtime 
Arcadia High School principal Dr. Richard Cordano.

 

Former and current AHS principals Dr. Joel Shawn (l) and Dr. Richard Cordano flank the 
new plaque behind them.

 

Almost 75 family, friends and supporters came together to celebrate the dedication of the “Cordano 
Room” at the Arcadia Performing Arts Center on Sunday, June 30, honoring AHS’s beloved principal 
from 1963 to 1985. The dedication included a beautiful bronze plaque featuring a photo of Dr. 
Cordano.

 

This honor was made possible by donations from more than 89 individuals, many retired AUSD employees 
who donated from $10 to $1,000 each. Past AHS Teacher, Jean Voznick and her committee 
hand-wrote notes to hundreds of AHS teachers who served under Dr. Cordano to ask for their support. 
The resounding response inspired the Arcadia Performing Arts Center to organize a reception 
to dedicate the newly-named room.

 

The festive celebration featured a slide show of Dr. Cordano’s years as the AHS Principal with entertaining 
speeches by Voznick as well as Gary Kovacic, President of Arcadia Performing Arts Foundation 
and Arcadia City Council Member; Dr. Joel Shawn, Superintendent of the Arcadia Unified 
School District; current AHS Principal Dr. Brent Foresee; and amusing anecdotes by Dr. Cordano 
from his years as Principal of AHS.

 

In attendance were such dignitaries as Michael Driebe, President of the Arcadia Methodist Hospital 
Foundation, City Council Member Bob Harbicht, Arcadia Performing Arts Center Foundation Board 
Member David Lee, and former Arcadia Mayor Mary Young.

 

Sue Cook, Executive Director of the Arcadia Performing Arts Foundation, emceed the event and 
led an informative tour of the facility, pointing out the Naming Opportunities currently available 
for those who are interested in supporting the arts in education and the community. The goal of the 
Foundation is to create an endowment that will enrich the arts programs in the schools and community 
and maintain the Performing Arts Center as a nucleus for the arts, education and engagement for 
years to come. The naming opportunities are a wonderful vehicle to achieving that goal.

 

The dedication of the Cordano Room is a perfect example of how these naming opportunities can 
both create a legacy and support the arts in the Arcadia schools and community. It’s a wonderful way 
to celebrate all that Dr. Richard Cordano did for Arcadia High School in his 23 years as Principal.

For the period of Sunday, June 30th, through Saturday, July 6th, the Police Department responded to 
930 calls for service of which 129 required formal investigations. The following is a summary report of 
the major incidents handled by the Department during this period.

Sunday, June 30:

1. Around 1:43 a.m., an officer conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle for a warrant attached to 
the license plate, in the area of Live Oak Avenue and Mayflower Avenue. The officer discovered the 
22-year-old Hispanic male driver was never issued a license. He was cited, released in the field, and 
his vehicle was left legally parked. 
2. At about 8:52 p.m., an officer was dispatched to the “Oak” parking structure at the Santa Anita 
Mall, 400 South Baldwin Avenue, in regards to a solo traffic collision. As the driver headed down the 
ramp from the second to the first level, she struck a curb and ultimately collided into a wall. The driver 
was treated for a neck injury on scene by the Arcadia Fire Department. Her vehicle was disabled. 


Monday, July 1:

3. Just after 1:25 a.m., an officer conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle for making an illegal U-turn 
in the area of Peck Road and Foothill Transit. An investigation revealed the driver had an outstanding 
misdemeanor warrant, and was in possession of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia. The 
39-year-old Hispanic male was arrested and transported to the Arcadia City Jail for booking. 
4. At approximately 8:30 p.m., an officer conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle for failing to make 
a complete stop on 6th Avenue, at Duarte Road. The officer discovered the driver was under the 
influence of a controlled substance. The 59-year-old White female was arrested and transported to 
the Arcadia City Jail for booking. 


Tuesday, July 2:

5. Around 4:06 p.m., an officer responded to Nordstrom at the Santa Anita Mall, 400 South 
Baldwin Avenue, in regards to a fraud incident that just occurred. The suspect purchased clothing 
using someone else’s Nordstrom credit card account. The 34-year-old Black male was arrested and 
transported to the Arcadia City Jail for booking. 
6. At about 4:57 p.m., officers were dispatched to Motel 6, 225 Colorado Place, in regards to a 
domestic dispute. The suspect punched the female victim twice in the face, causing visible injuries. 
The suspect resisted arrest and led officers on a short foot pursuit during which two officers sustained 
minor injuries. The 34-year-old Black male suspect was arrested and transported to the Arcadia City 
Jail for booking. A records check revealed he had an outstanding misdemeanor warrant in the amount 
of $50,000 for domestic violence. 


Wednesday, July 3:

7. At approximately 10:23 a.m., an officer responded to Motel 6, 225 Colorado Place, in regards 
to a suspicious subject. The officer made contact with the subject and discovered he was under the 
influence of a controlled substance. The 24-year-old Hispanic male was arrested and transported to 
the Arcadia City Jail for booking. 
8. Around 6:57 p.m., an officer was dispatched to Nordstrom at the Santa Anita Mall, 400 South 
Baldwin Avenue, in regards to an embezzlement investigation. An excessive refunds report revealed 
to loss prevention that an employee had processed approximately $7,000 in fraudulent returns. An 
investigation revealed she had credited the returns to her sister’s Nordstrom credit card account. The 
54-year-old Asian female was arrested and transported to the Arcadia City Jail for booking.


Thursday, July 4:

9. Shortly after 00:30 a.m., an officer conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle for speeding on 
Colorado Boulevard, east of Michillinda Avenue. Upon contact with the driver, the officer detected 
an odor of alcohol emitting from inside the vehicle. A vehicle search revealed the 27-year-old White 
male driver was in possession of marijuana and he refused to take any sobriety tests. He was arrested 
and transported to the Arcadia City Jail for booking. 
10. At about 4:00 a.m., officers were dispatched to a residence in the 000 block of West Forest 
Avenue in regards to a report of female screams at the location. While making contact with a male 
and female subject inside the residence, the officer detected an odor of burnt marijuana, and observed 
cocaine and illegal fireworks in plain view. Further investigation revealed the 28-year-old White male 
was under the influence of a controlled substance and in possession of controlled substances for sales. 
He was arrested and transported to the Arcadia City Jail for booking. 


Friday, July 5: 

11. Around 8:02 a.m., an officer responded to the Arcadia Police Department front counter 
in regards to a theft from a residence in the 800 block of Fairview Avenue. The victim explained 
unknown suspect(s) entered her open garage, took her bicycle, and left a different bicycle in its 
place. No one reported seeing or hearing anything suspicious. 
12. Just after 8:30 p.m., an officer was dispatched to Sephora at the Santa Anita Mall, 400 South 
Baldwin Avenue, in regards to a female being detained for theft. The suspect concealed a tester 
bottle of perfume inside a used shopping bag and exited the store without making payment. The 
suspect provided a false name; however, after learning her true identity, the officer discovered she 
had three prior convictions for theft. The 41-year-old Black female was arrested and transported to 
the Arcadia City Jail for booking.


Saturday, July 6:

13. At approximately 3:36 a.m., an officer conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle containing three 
subjects for expired registration, in the area of Holly Avenue and Huntington Drive. Upon contact 
with the driver and front passenger, both 18-year-old Hispanic females, the officer noticed the 
ignition had been tampered with using a metal object. A screwdriver was located inside the front 
passenger’s purse. The rear passenger, a 16-year-old White female, revealed she saw the tool inside 
the ignition. All three suspects were arrested and transported to the Arcadia City Jail for booking. 
The juvenile was later released to her father. 


 While listening to the jail voice recordings, the officer discovered the adult passenger stated she had 
inserted a methamphetamine pipe inside her vagina. She was transported to the Arcadia Methodist 
Hospital so it could be removed. She was also charged with Bringing Drug Paraphernalia into a 
City Jail. 

14. Around 8:27 a.m., an officer was dispatched to Macy’s at the Santa Anita Mall, 400 South 
Baldwin Avenue, in regards to a theft report. The suspect asked to see a Gucci watch valued at 
approximately $4,500. After examining the watch, he grabbed it and ran out of the store without 
making payment. The suspect is described as a White male of unknown age, approximately 6’ tall, 
150 lbs., wearing a gray beanie, black shirt, and gray shorts.



Save Money and Conserve Water!” 
ARCADIA RECREATION AND COMMUNITY 
SERVICES DEPARTMENT SPORTS CAMP

Sports Camp is held at Dana Middle School and offers three weeks starting August 5 to 
August 23. Weeks one and three are for youth ages 11-15 and are still available. Week two 
is for youth ages 6-10 and is full but we are taking a wait list. 

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. Residents can register on line by going to the city’s website 
at www.ci.arcadia.ca.us. Walk-in, fax-in or mail-in registration for everyone is underway 
and ongoing. Our office is located at 375 Campus Drive.

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