Mountain Views News          Saturday, August 24, 2013

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Mountain Views-News Saturday, August 24, 2013 

ARCADIA FIREFIGHTERS FILL THE BOOT FOR MDA

By Joan Schmidt

 At the recent Arcadia City Council Meeting, Megan Berry, Director for MDA presented 
Arcadia Fire Department with a special plaque for their participation in the recent “Fill the Boot” 
fundraiser. It was the first time Arcadia Fire Department participated in the event and they netted $ 
6126.65 for the special cause. Several members of the Fire Department were on hand and Firefighter/
Paramedic John Ansell accepted the plaque. Ms. Berry told us that Arcadia Firefighters’ effort means 
“seven children will be able to attend weeklong summer camp and 39 local families will be assisted in 
their needs”. 

 To me, it is amazing that firefighters who put themselves in harm’s way any time they answer 
a call still have so much energy and enthusiasm to participate in community events and fundraisers 
that will help others. This Fill the Boot project began back in 1952 and has spread to include agencies 
throughout the country! Thank you, Arcadia Firefighters for coming on board!

 Everyone has heard of “Muscular Dystrophy”, but may not know exactly what “MDA” 
is. MDA is the nonprofit health agency dedicated to finding treatments and cures for muscular 
dystrophy, ALS, and related diseases by funding worldwide research. The Association also provides 
comprehensive health care and support services, advocacy and education. Based in Tucson, MDA 
has 120 local offices throughout the country, sponsors 200 medical clinics and supports more than 
250 research projects around the world.

 Some mindboggling facts about MDA-funded research:

• disease-causing genetic mutations have been identified for most of the diseases in the 
program;
• clinical trials of potential therapies are under way in Duchene and Becker muscular 
dystrophies, spinal muscular atrophy and other diseases;
• the largest drug discovery project for ALS to date is being conducted at the ALS Therapy 
Development Institute.( ALS TDI);
• optimal care guidelines have been developed for several rare conditions; and
• a lifesaving enzyme replacement therapy has been developed for Pompe disease.
• 


MDA has done so much for all these terrible diseases. There are many ways people can help by 
monetary donations and even volunteer services. Please go on line to www.MDA.org to learn more. 

Arcadia Police Blotter

For the period of Sunday, August 11th, through Saturday, 
August 17th, the Police Department responded to 
953 calls for service of which 132 required formal investigations. 
The following is a summary report of the major 
incidents handled by the Department during this period.

Sunday, August 11:

1. Just before 2:00 p.m., an officer responded 
to the Santa Anita Mall security office, 400 
South Baldwin Avenue, in regards to a theft report. 
Unknown suspect(s) stole a purse from the 
family lounge. The victim set the purse on top of 
her stroller and looked away for a few seconds. 
No witnesses were located. 

2. Around 4:00 p.m., an officer was dispatched 
to the 300 block of West Lemon Avenue 
regarding a residential burglary report. Unknown 
suspect(s) entered the location through an unlocked 
door, ransacked the bedrooms, and stole 
mail and several bottles of wine. No evidence was 
left behind.

Monday, August 12:

3. At approximately 11:43 a.m., an officer 
responded to the Mobil gas station, 679 West 
Duarte Road, in regards to a fraud report. While 
an employee was inspecting a gas pump whose 
credit card reader was malfunctioning, he discovered 
a skimming device had been attached to the 
reading mechanism. No one knew who placed 
the device there or for how long, and no signs of 
forced entry were located. 

4. Around 5:44 p.m., an officer was dispatched 
to a traffic accident on Sunset Boulevard, 
north of Portola Drive. A bicyclist was struck by a 
vehicle that veered out of its lane. The victim was 
unable to retrieve a description of the driver as the 
person fled the scene without stopping. The suspect 
vehicle is described as a possible blue or grey 
Toyota Highlander. The victim was transported 
to Arcadia Methodist Hospital for treatment. 

Tuesday, August 13:

5. At about 2:30 p.m., an officer responded 
to the Arcadia Police Department front counter 
in regards to a battery report. The victim explained 
her boyfriend became upset and hit her 
in the face multiple times causing swelling, a one-
inch laceration above her eye, and a swollen lip. 
At the time of the report, the victim was unsure 
of the suspect’s location. Further investigation is 
being conducted by the Detective Bureau.

6. Around 2:15 p.m., an officer responded to 
a residence in the 100 block of West Las Flores 
Avenue in reference to a residential burglary report. 
The victim was lured outside of his home by 
two suspects who claimed to work for a tree trimming 
company. The suspects directed the victim 
to the backyard and explained a need to conduct 
measurements. As the distraction carried on, another 
unknown suspect(s) entered the residence 
and stole a large sum of cash from inside a bedroom. 
Shortly after, the suspects left the location. 

 The suspects are described as Hispanic males, 
approximately 30-years-old, between 5’4” to 5’9” 
tall, 180 lbs., with black hair and brown eyes, 
wearing blue and orange helmets. 

Wednesday, August 14:

7. Just after midnight, an officer conducted 
a traffic stop on a vehicle for driving with no 
headlights on in the area of Foothill Boulevard 
and Santa Anita Avenue. Upon contact with the 
driver, the officer detected an odor of alcohol 
emitting from inside the vehicle. An investigation 
revealed the 28-year-old Hispanic male driver 
was under the influence and a record check revealed 
he had an outstanding misdemeanor warrant 
issued by the Burbank Police Department. 
He was arrested and transported to the Arcadia 
City Jail for booking. 

 8. Around 2:25 p.m., an officer responded to 
Walgreens, 253 East Foothill Boulevard, in reference 
to a theft report. An unknown Hispanic male 
concealed merchandise inside a used shopping 
bag and fled the location in a newer model PT 
Cruiser, which he had parked in front of the location. 
The suspect is described as approximately 
20-years-old, 5’8” tall, 170 lbs., with a mustache 
and beard, wearing a pink tank top, blue jeans, 
dark colored shoes, and glasses on his head. 

Thursday, August 15:

 9. At about 6:40 p.m., an officer responded 
to JCPenney at the Santa Anita Mall, 400 South 
Baldwin Avenue, in regards to a theft report. A16-
year-old Chinese male concealed merchandise 
while inside a fitting room and exited the store 
without making payment. An investigation revealed 
the suspect was a French citizen here on 
vacation without his parents. He was arrested, 
transported to the Arcadia City Jail for booking, 
and later released to a relative. 

10. At approximately 9:30 p.m., an officer 
was dispatched to Albertsons, 298 East Live Oak 
Avenue, in regards to a theft investigation. An 
employee noticed the store was completely out of 
men’s and women’s razors, crest white strips, and 
Oil of Olay products. Video surveillance revealed 
that on August 14th, two suspects concealed the 
merchandise inside their clothes and exited the 
store without making payment. Both suspects are 
described as Black males in their mid-twenties. 

Friday, August 16: 

12. At about 3:20 p.m., an officer was dispatched 
to the Arcadia Police Department front 
counter in regards to a fraud report. The elderly 
victim’s power of attorney discovered a large sum 
of money missing from her bank account. The 
victim had recently written three checks, for approximately 
$38,000 total, to an air conditioning 
company called “Outdoor Air Quality”. However, 
the victim could not recall writing the checks and 
did not know if any work was performed on her 
air conditioning unit. 

An investigation revealed two males had come to 
the victim’s house to work on her air conditioning; 
however, they were not from the company 
that installed the unit. The officer was unable to 
find any business information for the listed company. 
Further investigation is being conducted by 
the Fraud Investigations Unit. 


Monrovia Police Blotter

A SMART BACK TO SCHOOL 
START FOR DUSD

 Students attending Duarte Unified School District 
will start the 2013-2014 academic year on Monday, 
August 26, 2013.

“Our faculty and staff have been eagerly preparing 
for the arrival of our students, and it is sure to be 
an exciting year full of new learning opportunities. 
We will be expanding existing programs and 
launching new ones to provide our future 
‘Shoulder-Tapped Graduates’ the means to achieve 
success in the 21st Century with a focus on global, 
digital and cultural fluency,” states Superintendent 
Terry Nichols. 

Among the most significant additions to Duarte 
Unified this year is the revitalization of the district’s 
music education program at the elementary level. 
Both instrumental and choral instruction will be 
added for students in grades K-6, which was made 
possible in large part by the fundraising efforts of 
the newly established “Music Matters” program. 

In addition, expansion of technology is also a 
priority. Resources provided by Measure E will 
be utilized to ensure that every Duarte Unified 
student has access to a personal computer or 
digital device to enhance their learning and help 
them compete at the global level. Common Core 
Standards have been incorporated district-wide 
and will be implemented this year along with the 
21st Century Learning Skills needed to prepare 
our students for college and career.

An innovative community mentor program 
referred to as S.T.E.P. (Shoulder-Tapped 
Empowered Protégé) has been created with the 
assistance of DUSD School Board Member, Ken 
Bell. This program offers students a support 
network comprised of over 40 community 
volunteers from varied professional, service 
and leadership backgrounds. S.T.E.P., started 
originally at Northview Intermediate as the “Yes 
We Can” event, is expected to grow to include 
over 300 volunteer mentors and touch the lives 
of numerous students in the next 3 years. DUSD 
has also forged a partnership with Foothill Unity 
Center to provide medical, dental, vision and 
mental health services for many of our students 
and community members who are in need of 
health care assistance. 

We are also very proud to share that, as of September 
1, 2013, Maxwell Elementary is a candidate school 
for the Primary Years Programme and is pursuing 
authorization to become an International 
Baccalaureate World School. “All of these notable 
additions to our current district offerings will 
complement the stellar programs and teaching 
practices already in place at DUSD. I am thrilled 
by the possibilities and opportunities awaiting 
our students this year,” said Superintendent Terry 
Nichols. 

The district and school offices are now open 
during regular operating hours. Staff members 
are available to provide assistance to parents 
and students prior to the first day of school with 
information about start and dismissal times, 
registration, bus transportation, and vaccination 
requirements. School sites will be hosting a variety 
of events this week to welcome students back to 
campus including ice cream socials and pancake 
breakfasts. For further information about the 
activities taking place at your school, visit the 
DUSD website www.duarte.k12.ca.us. 

“We are asking our families to help us start the year 
off right and make the back to school transition as 
smooth as possible by arriving on time and ready 
to learn. With parents and community members 
working together alongside our excellent DUSD 
certificated and classified personnel, I am 
confident that this will be another very successful 
school year.”

Highlighted Activity for the Weekdays of July 29-31, 2013

During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 449 service events, resulting in 72 
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 
and follow us on Twitter for police notifications.

Commercial Burglary / Petty Theft with Prior - Suspect Arrested

On July 29, at 4:29 p.m., officers were dispatched to a business in the 1600 block of South Mountain 
regarding a shoplifter in custody. A male suspect was being detained for stealing over $500 worth of 
merchandise and using a booster bag. A computer check revealed he had several prior thefts with 
convictions. The suspect was arrested and charged with burglary and petty theft with a prior.

Mental Evaluation / Warrant – Suspect Arrested

On July 31 at 4:00 p.m., an officer stopped a male in the 100 block of East Lemon, who had been 
reportedly bothering several store owners by walking in and out of their stores behaving oddly. A 
computer check revealed the subject had minor warrants out of Los Angeles. While the subject was 
being booked he was having delusional thoughts and began banging his body against the wall and the 
bars of the jail. The subject was taken to a hospital, where he was held for mental evaluation.

Residential Burglary

On July 31 at 8:21 p.m., an officer responded to the 500 block of West Foothill regarding a residential 
burglary. The victim went home after work and noticed someone had been in the home. She was unable 
to say what was taken. The suspect (s) entered through a front unlocked window. There were no 
signs of forced entry found.

TIP OF THE WEEK

Beat the Heat – Check the Back Seat

Never leave your child alone in a vehicle – It’s the Law! California Law Requires: That a parent, legal 
guardian, or other person responsible for a child who is 6 years of age or younger, may not leave that 
child inside a motor vehicle without the supervision of someone 12 years of age or older.

Between May of 1998 to May of 2012, 527 children died of hyperthermia from being left alone in 
a motor vehicle in the United States. This is a completely preventable statistic. On a mild day of 80 
degrees, the inside of a vehicle can heat quickly. In only 10 minutes raising the inside temperature of 
the vehicle to 99 degrees, in 20 minutes to 109 degrees, in 30 minutes to 114 degrees, and 60 minutes 
to 123 degrees. It is never safe to leave a child alone in a parked car because the sun’s radiation warms 
objects inside of the car, such as the dashboard, steering wheel, child seat, etc., then these heated objects 
quickly heat the trapped air inside of the car, similarly to that of a convection oven.

What can you do? 

Never leave a child alone in a vehicle. 

Once you reach your destination; make sure that 
all occupants leave the vehicle when unloading; 
take all children, including sleeping infants, with 
you; lock your vehicle doors and trunks; and keep 
the keys out of the reach of children. 

This information is provided by the County of Los 
Angeles Public Health Department.

BROWN BAG WORKSHOP: LINKEDIN BASICS, SPONSORED 
BY THE FRIENDS OF THE MONROVIA PUBLIC LIBRARY

The Monrovia Public Library will host this timely workshop on Wednesday, September 4 from 
11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. in the Community Room. The Library is located at 321 S. Myrtle Avenue, in 
Old Town Monrovia’s Library Park.

 Job seekers, entrepreneurs, and business owners know the value of networking. Knowing someone 
may be the easiest way to get your foot in the door. And when done properly, cultivating new business 
contacts can open up new job and business opportunities. LinkedIn has become the world’s #1 
source for professional networking. 

 Bring your lunch and learn how to create and build your LinkedIn profile step-by-step in this 
workshop.

 Registration is encouraged. Stop by the Adult Reference Desk, call 626-256-8274, or visit www.
cityofmonrovia.org/library/page/library-calendar and click on library calendar link. Find DATE, 
click on the event and sign up. Walk-ins welcome.

Wednesday September 4

Library Community Room

11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Free