Mountain Views News          Saturday, August 16, 2014

5

Mountain Views-News Saturday, August 16, 2014 

Arcadia Police Blotter


“What’s Going On?” 

News and Views from Joan Schmidt

For the period of Sunday, August 3rd, through Saturday, August 9th, the 
Police Department responded to 1,066 calls for service of which 113 required 
formal investigations. The following is a summary report of the major incidents 
handled by the Department during this period.

Sunday, August 3:

Just after 7:30 a.m., an officer was dispatched to a residence in the 800 block of 
Fairview Avenue regarding a fight in progress between a male subject and his 
girlfriend. While driving his vehicle in an attempt to flee the scene, the male 
subject accelerated as the girlfriend was partially inside the rear passenger 
compartment, causing her to fall to the ground. Arcadia Fire responded 
to the scene and provided treatment to the victim who refused medical 
transportation. The 18-year-old White male was arrested for Battery and 
Assault with a Deadly Weapon. He was transported to the Arcadia City Jail 
for booking. 

At approximately 8:59 p.m., an officer conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle in 
the area of Huntington Drive and Santa Clara Street for expired registration. 
The officer discovered the 36-year-old Hispanic female driver was never 
issued a license. She was cited and released in the field without incident. Her 
vehicle was impounded for 30 days. 

Monday, August 4:

At about 3:10 a.m., an officer made contact with a subject sleeping inside 
a bush in the parking lot of Outback Steakhouse, 166 East Huntington 
Drive. An investigation revealed the 32-year-old White male was under the 
influence of alcohol and had an outstanding misdemeanor warrant. He was 
arrested and transported to the Arcadia City Jail for booking. 

At approximately 3:35 p.m., an officer responded to Ralph’s, 211 East 
Foothill Boulevard, in reference to a battery report. The victim explained 
she was waiting in line to use a self-checkout terminal when an unknown 
female subject cut in front of her. The victim proceeded to the terminal, 
explained she was waiting in line first, and started scanning her groceries. 
The female subject became upset and grabbed the victim’s pony tail, causing 
her head to yank back. As the victim told the suspect she was going to call 
the police, the suspect fled the location in a white Ford Transit XLT van. The 
suspect is described as a White female in her sixties with balding gray hair, 
approximately 5’6” tall, 180 lbs., wearing black pants and unknown colored 
shirt. 

Tuesday, August 5:

Around 7:00 a.m., Arcadia officers and other officers working the West San 
Gabriel Valley Anti-Crime Task Force conducted a probation compliance 
check on a subject in the City of Montebello. An investigation revealed the 
38-year-old Hispanic male was in possession of methamphetamine and drug 
paraphernalia. He was arrested for the listed violations and an outstanding 
misdemeanor warrant. He was transported to the Montebello Police 
Department for booking. 

Just after 11:18 a.m., officers were dispatched to a residence in the 1000 block 
of West Naomi Avenue regarding a burglary in progress. Witnesses reported 
seeing an unknown subject exit the front of the residence and leave in an 
awaiting vehicle described as a tan-colored SUV. Assisting officers conducted 
an area check and located a vehicle matching the suspect vehicle’s description. 
A search of the vehicle revealed the driver and passenger, both 28-year-old 
Hispanic males, were in possession of burglary tools. Further investigation 
revealed the passenger forced entry into the listed residence through a rear 
bedroom window and stole cash. Both suspects were arrested for Burglary 
and transported to the Arcadia City Jail for booking.

Wednesday, August 6:

Shortly after 2:00 a.m., an officer conducted an enforcement stop on a vehicle 
in the area of Santa Anita Avenue and Santa Clara Street for a broken license 
plate lamp. Upon contact with the driver, the officer detected an odor of 
alcohol emitting from inside the vehicle. An investigation revealed the 
31-year-old Hispanic male was under the influence of an alcoholic beverage 
with a blood alcohol content greater than .08 percent. He was arrested and 
transported to the Arcadia City Jail for booking.

At about 10:30 p.m., an officer conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle in the 
area of Santa Anita Avenue and Foothill Boulevard for no front license plate. 
The officer discovered the 29-year-old Hispanic male was in possession of 
a narcotic controlled substance. He was arrested and transported to the 
Arcadia City Jail for booking.

Thursday, August 7:

At approximately 8:14 a.m., an officer conducted an enforcement stop 
on a vehicle in the 100 block of East Live Oak Avenue for tinted windows. 
An investigation revealed the driver, a 27-year-old Hispanic male, had an 
outstanding misdemeanor warrant. He was arrested and transported to the 
Arcadia City Jail for booking.

Around 12:12 p.m., an officer was dispatched to a non-injury traffic accident 
at the intersection of Duarte Road and Goldenwest Avenue. Party-1 and 
Party-2 entered the intersection at the same time and collided, causing 
Party-2 to side swipe two other vehicles. The officer was unable to determine 
who was at fault. 

Friday, August 8: 

Around 3:46 a.m., an officer conducted a DMV check on a vehicle parked in 
the area of El Monte Avenue and Live Oak Avenue. An investigation revealed 
the vehicle was stolen from the City of El Monte. The white Honda Accord 
was released to the registered owner.

At about 4:24 p.m., an officer responded to the 100 block of Woodland Lane 
regarding a fraud report. The victim stated she received a text message 
indicating there was possible fraudulent activity on her bank account and 
to call a specific phone number for verification. After entering her personal 
information into an automated telephone system, the victim grew suspicious 
when the system asked for her credit card information. After contacting her 
bank and learning no text message was sent, the victim realized it was a 
scam. 

Saturday, August 9:

At approximately 8:20 a.m., an officer conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle 
in the area of Huntington Drive and Santa Anita Avenue for expired 
registration. An investigation revealed the driver was never issued a license. 
The 50-year-old Hispanic male was arrested and transported to the Arcadia 
City Jail for booking.

Just before 5:58 p.m., an officer responded to Sephora at the Santa Anita Mall, 
400 South Baldwin Ave, regarding a female suspect in custody for theft. The 
suspect concealed several items of merchandise in a shopping bag and exited 
the store without making payment. The 17-year-old female was arrested and 
transported to the Arcadia City Jail for booking. 

Arcadia Fire Chief 

Kurt Norwood and

A Class 1 Department

 Arcadia Fire Chief Kurt Norwood was the guest speaker at the recent 
Chamber’s Government Forum Meeting, and what an informative 
and most interesting presentation he gave! He has been in fire service 
twenty-nine years and is honored to serve as the Arcadia Fire Chief.

 What we didn’t know was Chief Norwood’s dad was with the El 
Monte Fire Department for many years and restored old Fire Trucks!

 Chief Norwood feels Arcadia Fire Department is second to none. 
Arcadia is one of the few stations in the state to have the “Class 1” 
rating. It is no surprise with its high quality equipment allocated 
among the by its three fire stations.

 Station 105, Headquarters, on Santa Anita Avenue has nine 
personnel on a daily shift; Station106 on Baldwin Avenue has 5 
personnel on duty; Station107 on Orange Grove Blvd. has 3 on duty. 
Every day there is a Battalion Chief on Duty, who is in the Command 
Vehicle as needed.

 The Department is divided into three categories: Administration, 
Fire Prevention and Operations with 58 personnel. They have a 
13.7 million budget, which is 25% of the City’s general funds. This 
covers supplies and manages capital equipment. Operations include 
Suppression and Emergency Services. 

 Chief Norwood explained the differences between the various 
vehicle types: The Fire Engine carries 500 gallons of water, hose, and 
can bring water to the trucks. The Fire Truck does not carry hoses or 
water, carries a hook and ladder and other extradition equipment. 

 Chief Norwood told us that suppression responds to accidents and 
deals with calls such as someone who has stopped breathing. The 
EMS emergency ambulance goes to homes when 911 is dialed. They 
receive an average of 5,000 calls per year, 70% of which are for medical 
service or rescue. Ten percent are false alarms; 10% good intent-such 
as an elderly person falling or a bad odor in the house. Only 3% are 
actual fire service calls.

 Stations #105 and 106 have paramedics and ambulances and do 
their own transport. Arcadia Fire brings patients to Huntington 
Memorial in Arcadia; Kaiser in Baldwin Park; and San Gabriel.

 The firefighter is the youngest and most physically fit; paramedics 
are hired as firefighters, trained as paramedics and licensed by the 
state; the engineer-driver, must be well trained in cautious driving, 
as well as be trained in hydraulics and understand water pressure so 
firefighters are not hurt.

 Chief Norwood said the Fire Captain oversees the crew. AFD also 
has a Volunteer Reserve Program.

 The Fire Prevention Staff includes the Fire Marshall, the Fire 
Inspector and the Administrative Assistant. The Chief spoke of Lilly 
- a part-time Fire Inspector from Arcadia; fluent in Asian language, 
she has been such a great asset when it comes to translation. 

 The Department goes to schools, does demonstrations, and hands 
out color/activity books. AFD also hosts tours at the stations. They 
recently offered a leadership program for residents.

 There was mention of those “Yellow” Fire Engines. They are on loan 
from the state; and are on call 24/7. Arcadia, Monrovia, Sierra Madre, 
Montebello and Santa Fe Springs all have one. When Arcadia assists 
with fires throughout the state, they are reimbursed.

 Fire Inspection involves businesses. In California, 20,000 business 
fires occur annually, resulting in 760 million in damages, 280 injuries 
and 17 deaths.

 Arcadia has about 3,000 businesses; inspections are required by 
fire code. AFD’s goal is to stop fires before they start. Firefighters 
familiarize themselves with buildings, look at fire extinguishers, 
emergency lighting/exits, sprinklers and fire alarms.

 Thank you Chief Norwood for a most informative and interesting 
report.


Monrovia Police Blotter

THE DESIGN PHASE IS DONE. 
NOW, CONSTRUCTION BEGINS.

Highlighted Activity for the Weekend of August 11-13, 2014

During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 390 
service events, resulting in 66 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.

Injury Traffic Collision

 On August 11 at 7:12 p.m., a motorist struck a 12-year-old female 
riding a skateboard at Olive and Monterey. The skateboarder was riding 
in the street and the motorist did not see her. The juvenile was taken to 
a hospital for precautions and for complaint of pain to one of her legs.

Hit & Run Traffic Collision – Suspects Arrested

On August 11 at 5:57 p.m., an officer was dispatched to the 600 block 
of South Alta Vista regarding a hit and run traffic collision. The victim 
heard a loud crash. She went outside and found her gray Isuza Rodeo 
had been hit and the suspect vehicle had fled the scene. A witness who 
had also heard the crash had walked down the street to Olive. He saw 
a white Acura Integra with damage and a flat tire parked on the street.

 He saw a male Hispanic subject standing near the vehicle looking at 
the flat tire.

 Another male Hispanic subject exited the vehicle and began looking 
at the tire. The witness went back to the scene of the collision and saw 
white paint transfer on the victim’s vehicle. He reported what he saw to 
the police. The officer located the vehicle on Olive, but the suspects were 
gone. He observed fresh damage and gray paint transfer on the vehicle. 
The vehicle was stored for investigation of being involved in a hit and 
run.

 Later, at around 9:00 p.m., the owner of the suspect vehicle and his 
father came into the police department to report the vehicle had been 
stolen. The owner had a story about how his vehicle was stolen, but his 
statements were conflicting. The owner eventually recanted his story 
and confessed to being involved in the hit and run collision. He was 
arrested and taken into custody.

Felony Vandalism in Progress – Suspects Arrested

 On August 13 at 1:08 a.m., a female resident called police to report she 
could see four subjects jumping on the hood of her neighbor’s vehicle. 
The vehicle was parked on Alta Vista, just south of Montana. She gave a 
general description of the suspects, and officers responded and located 
them across the street from the damaged vehicle. The witness positively 
identified all four suspects, and they were all detained and arrested for 
felony vandalism. After interviewing the suspects and re-interviewing 
the witness, it was determined that only two of the four suspects were 
responsible for the crime, the other two subjects were released.

 Over the past two years, the City of Monrovia has been working hand-in-
hand with IBI Group to design the $25 million public improvement project 
we know as Station Square.

 Throughout this design process, the City Council gave direction at study 
sessions, the community weighed in at public meetings and open houses, 
and we worked with the Gold Line Construction Authority to make 
adjustments- all in an effort to get this project where it is today.

The design phase is over and I believe that through this process, we have 
created a Station Square concept that will truly allow us all to be proud.

 Now, we have to build it.

 As I write this, contractors are bidding on two parts of the process:

 1. Off-site work. This will include street improvements, medians, 
undergrounding of utilities, tree planting, freeway improvements and a new 
traffic signal.

 2. And Station Square. This is the work directly surrounding the not-so-
distant future Gold Line station. It will include our Neighborhood Park, 
Depot Promenade and Transit Plaza. You’ll see new bike racks, public art 
and wayfinding signs. Station Square is the centerpiece to this entire project.

 In September, the City Council will award the Off-Site and Station Square 
projects to the contractors who will complete the work. And on September 
10, the City Council will officially break ground. 

Construction will begin next month.

 Construction work will be significant. You may see streets closed, you may 
find your way blocked at times, and there will be noise and inconvenience. 
Bear with us. Remember, businesses will still be open, so please support 
them. This is the construction that will bring this project to life.

 We have committed to pushing the project along as quickly as possible 
so that you are not inconvenienced long, and we can open Station Square to 
you by the end of 2015 in conjunction with the completion of the Gold Line 
extension.

 For questions about construction, please call Public Works at (626) 
932-5575 or email pwcomments@ci.monrovia.ca.us. Visit our website at 
www.cityofmonrovia.org/stationsquare to sign up for email notices or text 
STATIONNEWS to 888777 for text alerts on construction.

WOMAN ROBBED OF 
$8,000 

 On Sunday, August 10th, 2014 at approximately 11:40 A.M., 
a theft occurred from the Din Tai Fung restaurant, located at 
1108 S. Baldwin Avenue in the City of Arcadia. 

The victim entered the restroom with her two small children 
and placed her purse on a table. The victim left the restroom 
and accidentally left her purse behind. 

The suspect entered the restroom shortly thereafter and 
quickly exited with the victim’s Chanel purse, which contained 
$8,000.00 in U.S. currency, a cell phone and miscellaneous 
personal property. The suspect was described as a female 
Asian, 20-25 years of age, slim build, with long dark colored 
hair, wearing a sleeveless dark colored top and a floral print 
skirt. 

 A male subject associated with the female suspect exited 
the restaurant shortly after the female suspect exited with the 
victim’s purse. The male subject is described as a male Asian 
with dark colored hair, wearing a horizontal striped blue and 
white colored short sleeved shirt and blue jeans. 

 Anyone with information on this incident is encouraged 
to contact the Arcadia Police Department at (626) 574-
5151, case #14-3992. If you prefer to provide information 
ANONYMOUSLY, you may call “Crime Stoppers” by 
dialing 800-222-TIPS (8477), texting the letters TIPLA 
plus your tip to CRIMES (274637), or using the tip 
web page at Los Angeles Regional Crime Stoppers. 


MONROVIA IMPLEMENTS PHASE 1 WATER CONSERVATION PLAN

MONROVIA – The Monrovia City Council Declared a Water Shortage 
Emergency and implemented Phase I of the Water Conservation Ordinance 
at the August 5 City Council meeting, following Emergency Resolution No. 
2014-0038 adopted by the State Water Resources Control Board on July 15, 
2014, an Emergency Regulation for Statewide Urban Water Conservation 
requiring mandatory water conservation. Water Conservation efforts went 
into effect August 11 and will remain in effect until the City Council cancels 
the declaration.

 The following restrictions are now in place:

 No person shall hose wash any sidewalk, walkway, driveway, parking area or 
other paved surface, except as required for sanitary purposes.

Washing of motor vehicles shall be done only with a hand-held bucket or hose 
equipped with a positive shut-off nozzle.

 No water shall be used to clean, fill or maintain levels in decorative fountains 
unless the water is part of a recycling (recirculating) system.

No restaurant, hotel, café, cafeteria or other place where food is sold, served 
or offered for sale shall serve drinking water to any customer unless expressly 
requested by that customer.

 All customers shall promptly repair all leaks from indoor and outdoor 
plumbing fixtures within 48 hours of discovery.

 All lawns, landscape or other turf area shall be watered down not more than 
every third day between the hours of 5 p.m. and 10 a.m.

 No person or customer shall cause or allow water to run off landscaped 
areas onto adjoining streets, sidewalks, or other paved areas due to incorrectly 
directed or maintained sprinklers or as the result of excessive watering.

 These water conservation efforts are part of an ongoing push by the State of 
California to respond to the statewide drought currently affecting California.

 In January 17, 2014, the Governor’s Proclamation No. 1-17-2014 declared a 
State of Emergency to exist in California due to the severe drought conditions, 
with 2014 projected to be the driest year on record.

In April 25, 2014, the Governor issued an executive order to strengthen the 
state’s ability to manage water and called on all Californians to re-double their 
efforts to conserve water.

 Due to the adoption of the State Resolution, the City of Monrovia may 
impose fines of up to $500 for noncompliance. City officials will provide 
warning notices for residents prior to enforcing a fine and residents will receive 
48-72 hours to address issues related to the Phase 1 restrictions.

The City of Monrovia must, by the 15th of each of month, report the amount 
of potable water it produced the preceding month and compare that amount to 
the same calendar month in 2013. By October 15, the report shall include the 
gallons of water used per person per day by the residential customers it serves.

 Water is a critical part of California’s way of life. The economy, environment 
and day-to- day lifestyle need water to flourish. Conservation will help stretch 
water availability.

There are lots of simple ways to reduce the amount of water used at home, 
both inside and outside. Residents are encouraged to install drought-tolerant 
landscaping, turn off the sink when brushing their teeth, and promptly fix 
leaks.

Rebate programs are available to residents to help conserve water:

Upper SGV Municipal Water District at www.usgvmwd.org or (626) 443-2297

SoCal Water$mart at www.socalwatersmart.com or 1 (800) 376-3314

Save Our Water at www.saveourH2O.org

For more information on how to use water wisely, please contact Public Works 
at (626) 932-5575 or email pwcomments@ci.monrovia.ca.us.

To report water wasters, residents should contact City of Monrovia Public 
Works Department at (626) 932-5575 during regular business hours or send an 
email to PWComments@ci.monrovia.ca.us. 

Residents looking to convert to drought tolerant landscaping should check 
with the Monrovia Building and Planning Divisions at (626) 932-5565 for 
information on permits required and the City landscaping ordinance