Mountain Views News          Saturday, June 14, 2014

5 

Mountain View News Saturday, June 14, 2014 

“What’s Going On?” 

News and Views from Joan Schmidt 


Arcadia Police Blotter 

For the period of Sunday, June 1st, through Saturday, June 
7th, the Police Department responded to 916 calls for service 
of which 126 required formal investigations. The following 
is a summary report of the major incidents handled by the 
Department during this period. 

Sunday, June 1: 

1. Around 2:33 a.m., an officer conducted a traffic 
stop on a vehicle in the area of Duarte Road and El Monte 
Avenue for a warrant attached to the license plate. The officer 
discovered the driver, a 30-year-old Hispanic male, was under 
the influence of a controlled substance. A records check 
revealed the warrant belonged to the passenger, a 43-year-old 
Hispanic female. Both subjects were arrested and transported 
to the Arcadia City Jail for booking. 
2. Just after 2:30 p.m., an officer was dispatched to a 
residence in the 400 block of West Duarte Road regarding 
a burglary report. Unknown suspect(s) forced entry into the 
garage and stole $10,000 worth of Chinese medicinal herbs. 
No evidence or witnesses were located. 


Monday, June 2: 

3. At approximately 11:30 a.m., an officer located a 
stolen vehicle traveling north on Baldwin Avenue at Live Oak 
Avenue. A pursuit ensued after the vehicle failed to yield and 
fled at a high rate of speed. Due to heavy traffic conditions 
and the suspect vehicle’s reckless speed, officers terminated 
the pursuit in the area of Lower Azusa Avenue and Arden 
Way. Shortly after, the suspect vehicle ran the red light at 
Lower Azusa at Arden Way, causing a four car collision. 


LA County Fire Department responded to the scene to 
provide treatment to the injured parties. One of the drivers 
involved in the collision was transported to Baldwin Park 
Kaiser Hospital for treatment; the other two drivers were not 
injured in the collision. The passenger in the suspect vehicle, 
a 38-year-old Hispanic male, ultimately succumbed to his 
injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene by LA County 
Fire. The suspect driver, a 28-year-old Hispanic male, was 
arrested and transported to USC County Hospital for medical 
clearance prior to being booked into the LA County Jail. The 
collision investigation is being handled by LASD Temple 
Station. 

4. At about 11:19 p.m., an officer conducted a traffic 
stop on a vehicle in the area of Baldwin Avenue and Gate 
8 for two warrants attached to the license plate. The officer 
discovered the driver, a 23-year-old Hispanic male, had a 
suspended license and was in possession of an illegal weapon 
in the form of an altered wooden bat. He was arrested for the 
listed violations and transported to the Arcadia City Jail for 
booking. 


Tuesday, June 3: 

5. At approximately 7:30 a.m., an officer responded 
to a residence in the 500 block of West Foothill Boulevard 
regarding a report of two deceased dogs. The owner woke 
up in the morning and discovered both of her Chihuahuas 
unconscious in the backyard. She had no idea what caused 
their deaths and observed them in good health the day before. 
She believed someone may have poisoned them and was 
going to take them to a veterinarian for necropsies. 
6. Around 9:15 p.m., an officer was dispatched to the 
000 block of Alta Street regarding a theft report. The victim 
returned to his vehicle, which he had parked on the street, and 
discovered unknown suspect(s) stole his catalytic converter. 
No evidence was located and no one reported seeing or 
hearing anything suspicious. 


Wednesday, June 4: 

7. At about 6:40 a.m., an officer was dispatched to a 
residence in the 300 block of El Dorado Street regarding a 
burglary report. Unknown suspect(s) forced entry through a 
sliding glass door, ransacked the location, and fled undetected 
with jewelry and personal documents. No evidence was 
located. 
8. Around 8:21 p.m., dispatch received a call from a 
woman in the 000 block of East Newman Avenue and heard 
cries before she hung up the phone without saying anything. 
Officers responded to the residence where the victim 
explained her husband had pushed her. The husband left 
the scene prior to the officer’s arrival. The woman declined 
prosecution and refused an emergency protective order. 


Thursday, June 5: 

9. At about 2:01p.m., an officer responded to U.S. Bank, 
1101 West Huntington Drive, regarding a fraud report. A 
bank investigator explained two suspects, a 47-year-old 
Hispanic male accompanied by a female subject, deposited 
six non-sufficient funds checks into the suspect’s personal 
bank account and withdrew money resulting in a loss of 
approximately $3,600. The suspected deposited the checks 
at multiple branch locations over the course of five days and 
all the checks returned as “Stop Payment”. The suspects are 
wanted for Passing Non-Sufficient Funds Checks with the 
Intent to Defraud. 
10. Shortly before 8:00 p.m., an officer responded to 
Abercrombie & Fitch at the Santa Anita Mall, 400 South 
Baldwin Avenue, regarding a theft investigation. Video 
surveillance revealed a male subject entered the store on two 
different occasions and stole approximately 36 fragrances, 
worth over $2,500. The suspect is described as mid-twenties 
with short hair parted to one side. During both incidents, he 
was wearing a light colored long-sleeved button up shirt with 
dark colored pants. 


Friday, June 6: 

11. Around 2:00 a.m., an officer conducted a traffic stop 
on a vehicle in the area of Live Oak Avenue and Mcculloch 
Avenue for tinted windows. The officer discovered the 
56-year-old Asian male driver had an expired license. He was 
cited for the listed charges and released in the field without 
incident. His vehicle was left legally parked at the scene. 
12. Shortly after 12:40 p.m., an officer was dispatched 
to a residence in the 500 block of West Wistaria Avenue 
regarding a burglary report. Unknown suspect(s) forced 
entry through a bedroom window, ransacked the bedrooms, 
and fled undetected with jewelry. No witnesses were located 
and no evidence was left behind. 


Saturday, June 7: 

13. At about 4:23 p.m., an officer responded to an 
apartment complex in the 800 block of West Huntington 
Drive regarding a suicidal subject. The reporting party 
observed the subject sitting inside his car crying and holding 
a knife to his throat. The officer talked to the subject and 
detained him before he could injure himself. The 38-year-old 
White male was transported to Baldwin Park Kaiser Hospital 
where he was placed on a psychiatric hold. 
14. Shortly after 9:00 p.m., an officer conducted a traffic 
stop on a vehicle for expired registration in the area of Santa 
Clara Street and Second Avenue. The officer discovered the 
21-year-old Hispanic male driver had an outstanding felony 
warrant and was in possession of a loaded firearm. The 
26-year-old Hispanic male passenger also had an outstanding 
misdemeanor warrant and was in possession of narcotics. 
Both subjects were arrested and transported to the Arcadia 
City Jail for booking. 


Remembering A Great Man: 

Retired Arcadia Police Chief 

Neal Johnson 

 This past Monday, there was a special Memorial 
and Celebration of a truly great man, Retired Arcadia 
Police Chief Neal Johnson (November 13, 1934-June 3, 
2014) at the Church of the Nazarene in Pasadena. 

 When I arrived, I was totally surprised by the great 
number of peace officers. From Arcadia PD, there was 
Retired Chief Bob Anderson, current Chief Bob Guthrie, Captain Paul Foley, Lieutenant 
Mike Castro, recently retired Sgt. Tom Levesque and many officers and explorers! 
From Glendale PD, there was Chief Rob Castro and officers; Monrovia PD Chief Jim 
Hunt, Captain Alan Sanvictores, Lt. Mike Lee and officers; Sierra Madre PD Chief 
Larry Giannone and officers; San Gabriel PD Chief David Lawton and Alhambra PD 
Lieutenant Jennifer Weiss. There also were representatives from so many other agencies: 
El Monte, Chino, Pomona, San Marino, Monterey Park, Torrance, and even Indio Police 
Department! The CHP Assistant Chief Marc Shaw, Commander Mark Odel from the 
Newhall Station and many CHP officers also attended. From the Sheriff’s Department, 
retired Lt. J.P. Harris, Lt. Corinne Jacob, Sgt. Burton Brink and several officers and 
deputies came to pay their respects. There also were several police explorers from various 
agencies. 

 The service included three speakers: 
Arcadia Police Chief Bob Guthrie, Larry Lear, 
Director San Gabriel Valley Law Enforcement 
Explorer Academy and retired Arcadia 
Police Chief Bob Sanderson. 

 Chief Guthrie traced Chief Johnson’s 
great career at Arcadia Police Department. 
It was he who founded the Police Explorer 
Academy so many years ago in Arcadia. 
Chief Guthrie relayed how he (Guthrie) was 
an explorer, and later was hired as an officer 
by Chief Johnson. As Chief Guthrie’s career 
advanced, the retired Chief Johnson still 
kept in touch and was always his mentor. 
Chief Johnson was Guthrie’s personal friend 
whom he could call for assistance or advice. 
Chief Johnson was “Chief of Chiefs for all of 
us.” 

 Chief Guthrie not only led us 
through Chief Johnson’s outstanding career 
in Law Enforcement, but spoke of the kind 
man who was in charge of the Christmas Toy Drive and dressed as the “Easter Bunny” to 
the delight of many children. 

 Larry Lear, Director of the San Gabriel Valley Law Enforcement Explorer 
Academy spoke of the outstanding impact Chief Johnson had on youth. In addition 
to the Academy, he was very involved in boy scouts. I also would like to mention that 
explorers from the entire program in El Monte and San Gabriel attended. I asked the 
Indio Policeman why he attended and he had gone through the Explorer Program! So 
many officers came for that reason; many attended to pay their respects to a fine man 
who had given so much of himself to his community and surrounding communities. 

 Retired Chief Robert Sanderson read tributes from Chief Johnson’s children 
and son-in-law. Neal and wife Norma Jean had three children, Neal, Terri and Roger. 
When Jerry Ligget was fourteen, his parents died and Norma and Neal adopted Jerry. 
In Jerry’s tribute, he speaks of an awesome Dad who took him in at fourteen years-not 
many people would do that, and what a wonderful father he was. Neal, Terri and Roger 
also spoke lovingly of their dad- they were disciplined, but there was a lot of love and 
many fun times traveling, camping and fishing! 

 Prior to the service, I spoke with Glendora Mayor Joe Santoro and wife Jeannie. 
Joe was Monrovia Police Chief for several years, and was succeeded by Neal’s son Roger 
as Monrovia Police Chief. Joe knew Neal as a neighboring Police Chief, but also came out 
of respect for Roger. Jeanie Santoto told me their son Ron went through the Academy, 
worked at Arcadia PD and is now a DA in Orange County. Ron was very disappointed 
he couldn’t attend because of work commitments. 

 Neal’s son Roger is also well-liked and respected as a former Monrovia Police Chief and 
great human being like his dad. Many from Monrovia PD came for Roger, including 
retirees Rick Miglia, Don Lacher, Bill Couch and Steve Cofield. 

What a wonderful man Neal Johnson was. I cannot believe how much he accomplished 
during his life and how many people were truly inspired by him. 


Monrovia Police Blotter 


Highlighted Activity for the Weekend of June 9-11, 
2014: 

During the last seven-day period, the Police 
Department handled 388 service events, resulting 
in 64 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. 

Under the Influence of a Controlled Substance / 
Resisting Arrest Causing Injury –Suspect Arrested 

On June 9 at 9:34 a.m., officers responded to Myrtle 
and Huntington regarding a male subject walking 
in and out of traffic. Officers arrived and located 
the subject, who was exhibiting signs of being 
under the influence of a controlled substance. 
When officers attempted to arrest him, he pulled 
away and a struggle ensued. The suspect was taken 
into custody. One of the officers was injured in the 
incident. 

Residential Burglary 
On June 9 at 10:32 a.m., a residential burglary was 
reported in the 600 block of Ranchito Road. The 
residents left for work at different times. When 
they returned from work, they found their dogs 
had been separated and locked separate rooms. The 
master bedroom was ransacked, and a wallet and 
jewelry was taken. The investigation is continuing. 

Commercial Burglary 
On June 9 at 2:17 p.m., a business in the 1600 
block of South Mountain called police to report 
a burglary that had just occurred. A male suspect 
walked in and selected electrical switches. He 
walked past open registers and exited without 
paying. He fled in a waiting vehicle. An employee 
of the business took a photo of the vehicle, which 
turned out to be a rental. The officer obtained the 
name of the renter. A DMV photo was obtained 
and compared to photos provided by the business. 
The suspect was positively identified and a wanted 
person entry was made into the law enforcement 
system computer for the suspect. The investigation 
is continuing. 

Commercial Burglary – Suspect Arrested 
On June 9 at 7:24 p.m., an officer was on patrol 
in a shopping center in the 500 block of West 
Huntington. An employee of a business ran outside 
and reported a theft that just occurred. The 
employee provided a description of the suspect and 
the suspect vehicle. 

Another officer in the area located the suspect 
vehicle, parked, with the suspect seated in the right, 
front passenger seat. The suspect was detained 
and arrested for commercial burglary. The store 
merchandise was recovered from the suspect 
vehicle and returned. 

Warrant / Under the Influence of a Controlled 
Substance – Suspect Arrested 
June 10 at 2:58 a.m., an officer on patrol near 
Myrtle and Pomona observed suspicious subjects 
walking around in the area. Officers detained 
one of the subjects and determined she had an 
outstanding warrant for her arrest. The suspect 
was also determined to be under the influence of 
a controlled substance. She was arrested and taken 
into custody. 

Grand Theft 
On June 10 at 1:20 p.m., the victim of a grand theft 
came to the police department lobby to report the 
crime. The victim parked his vehicle, a 2002 Honda 
Accord, across the street from his residence in the 
100 block of South Madison. When he returned 
to the vehicle, he started it up and heard a loud 
noise. He looked under the car and saw the exhaust 
pipe had been cut and the catalytic converter was 
missing. The investigation is continuing. 

Trespassing – Suspect Arrested 
On June 10 at 7:34 p.m., an officer was dispatched 
to a business in the 900 block of West Huntington 
regarding a disturbing subject. The subject entered 
the store the day before and caused a disturbance by 
yelling and throwing trash on the floor. The subject 
had now returned to the location and continued his 
bizarre behavior. The subject refused to leave, as 
requested by store management and was placed on 
a private person’s arrest for trespassing. The subject 
was arrested and taken into custody. He was later 
released on a citation to appear in court. 

Traffic Collision with Injuries 
On June 11 at 5:48 a.m., an officer responded to 
Evergreen and Myrtle regarding a traffic collision. 
It appears the drivers of a big rig truck and a 
motorcycle were both attempting to make a right 
turn from Evergreen to southbound Myrtle. The 
motorcycle was attempting to make the turn by 
passing the big rig on the right. The motorcycle was 
hit by the trailer of the big rig and dragged a short 
distance. The motorcycle rider sustained a broken 
right leg and some minor abrasions. He was taken 
to a hospital for treatment of his injuries.