Mountain Views News          Saturday, October 4, 2014

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Mountain Views-News Saturday, October 4, 2014 

Arcadia Police Blotter


For the period of Sunday, September 21st, through Saturday, September 
27th, the Police Department responded to 1,117 calls for service of which 
112 required formal investigations. The following is a summary report of 
the major incidents handled by the Department during this period.

Sunday, September 21:

Just before 12:43 a.m., an officer initiated consensual contact with three 
men gathering in the parking lot of Motel 6, 225 Colorado Place. An 
investigation revealed two of the men were in possession of glass pipes 
typically used to smoke methamphetamine, with one of them also smoking 
marijuana. The 43-year-old White male was arrested for Possession of 
Marijuana and Drug Paraphernalia and the 33-year-old White male was 
arrested for Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Both were transported to the 
Arcadia City Jail for booking. 

At approximately 6:54 p.m., an officer responded to a residence in the 1000 
block of Volante Drive regarding a burglary report. The officer determined 
that unknown suspect(s) cut the chain link fence and stole various building 
materials totaling a loss of $19,000. Surveillance footage captured a U-Haul 
truck parked in front of the location during the time frame when the crime 
could have occurred. No suspects were seen and no witnesses were located.

Monday, September 22:

At about 4:09 p.m., an officer responded to Macy’s at the Santa Anita Mall, 
400 South Baldwin Ave, regarding a petty theft report. Surveillance footage 
revealed the suspect concealed various items of merchandise in a shopping 
bag and exited the store without making payment. The 39-year-old Korean 
female was cited and released in the field.

At approximately 8:38 p.m., officers responded to Albertson’s, 298 East Live 
Oak Avenue, regarding a burglary that had just occurred. An investigation 
revealed a 46-year-old Hispanic female and a 53-year-old Hispanic male 
selected $447.00 worth of groceries and exited the store without making 
payment. The suspects were located and arrested. During the arrest, the 
officer located a glass pipe, commonly used to smoke methamphetamine, 
in the female’s purse. Both suspects were arrested for Commercial Burglary 
and the female was also charged with Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. 
Both were transported to Arcadia Methodist Hospital for medical clearance 
prior to booking.

Tuesday, September 23:

Around 12:25 p.m., an officer responded to a residence in the 1400 block of 
Oak Meadow Road regarding a burglary report. An investigation revealed 
unknown suspect(s) entered the residence through an unlocked rear door 
and stole handbags, shoes, and jewelry. No suspects were seen and no 
witnesses were located. 

Just after 1:58 p.m., officers responded to the intersection of Fano Street and 
First Avenue regarding a vehicle burglary that had just occurred. Officers 
determined an unknown suspect broke a window of the vehicle and stole 
the victim’s purse from the front seat. The victim’s stolen credit cards 
were used a short time later at numerous local stores. The investigation is 
ongoing. 

Wednesday, September 24:

Shortly after 2:00 a.m., an officer conducted an enforcement stop on a 
vehicle in the area of Huntington Drive and Baldwin Avenue for unsafely 
stopping. Upon contacting the driver, the officer discovered the 35-year-
old Hispanic male was never issued a driver’s license. He was cited and 
released in the field. The vehicle was impounded.

At about 6:40 a.m., an officer initiated consensual contact with an 
individual loitering near closed businesses. A records check of the 51-year-
old Hispanic male revealed he had an outstanding misdemeanor warrant. 
He was arrested and transported to the Arcadia City Jail for booking.

Thursday, September 25:

At approximately 1:48 p.m., an officer responded to a residence in the 000 
block of East Orange Grove Avenue regarding a package theft report. An 
investigation revealed unknown suspect(s) stole the victim’s package from 
their porch and discarded the empty box nearby in the area of Santa Anita 
Avenue and Orange Grove Avenue. No suspects were seen and no witnesses 
were located.

Around 5:02 p.m., officers responded to the intersection of Baldwin Avenue 
and Arcadia Avenue regarding an injury traffic collision. The officers 
discovered Vehicle-1 collided with Vehicle-2 while making a left turn in 
front of on-coming traffic. Party-2, the driver of Vehicle-2, was a juvenile 
under the influence of alcohol with a suspended license. Party-2 and two 
passengers were transported to Arcadia Methodist Hospital for treatment. 
Party-2 was cited for Driving Under the Influence Causing Bodily Injury 
and Driving with a Suspended License. The 17-year-old male juvenile was 
released to his parents. 

Friday, September 26: 

Just after 1:45 a.m., officers responded to 24 Hour Fitness, 125 North 
First Avenue, in reference to a suspicious occupied vehicle. A records 
check revealed one of the occupants, a 19-year-old Hispanic female, had 
an outstanding misdemeanor warrant. During a search of the vehicle, 
the officer located a bag containing a white rock substance resembling 
methamphetamine. She was arrested and transported to the Arcadia City 
Jail for booking.

At about 4:45 p.m., an officer responded to the intersection of Live Oak 
Avenue and El Monte Avenue regarding a hit and run traffic collision. The 
collision occurred when Party-1 turned into Party-2’s path of travel. Party-1 
fled the scene prior to exchanging information. Vehicle-1 is registered out 
of Glendale. The investigation is on-going.

Saturday, September 27:

Just after 1:45 a.m., an officer conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle for 
abruptly reversing and making a U-turn without signaling. Upon contacting 
the driver, the officer detected a strong odor of alcohol emitting from the 
driver’s breath. The driver, a 23-year-old Hispanic male, would not submit 
to a breath test and stated he would not pass. Due to his performance in 
the field sobriety tests, the officer determined he could not safely operate 
his vehicle. He was arrested and transported to the Arcadia City Jail for 
booking.

At approximately 7:15 p.m., an officer responded to the 500 block of Cornell 
Drive regarding a stolen vehicle report. The officer determined the victim 
left their unlocked vehicle parked on the street, and a short time later, the 
victim saw a White adult male drive his vehicle eastbound toward Santa 
Anita Avenue.

HAI DI LAO WINS BEST OF SHOW 

AT TASTE OF ARCADIA

Five Culinary Contest winners include

three new Arcadia eateries

ARCADIA, CA – Three new local restaurants claimed three of the five 
Culinary Contest awards at the Arcadia Chamber of Commerce’s annual 
Taste of Arcadia Sept. 22 at the Los Angeles County Arboretum:

 · Hai Di Lao hot pot restaurant on the Promenade at the Westfield Santa 
Anita mall won the Best in Show award. It featured meats, noodles and 
vegetables boiled on the spot, while a worker entertained attendees with 
his “dancing noodle” act of swinging an elongated uncooked noodle like 
a cowboy with a rope lariat.

 · Most Innovative award went to Rita’s Shaved Ice at 733 W. Naomi 
Blvd., which also blends gelato, frozen custard, and snacks with its shave 
ice.

 · Villa Catrina Mexican Restaurant, which opened on Cinco 
de Mayo this year at 251 N. Santa Anita Avenue at the former 
location of Domenico’s, was also a new first-time winner for 
Most Savory Dish. At Taste, Villa Catrina offered flautas, 
tacquitos, enchiladas, tacos, and desserts to the 1,500 attendees. 
A quartet of radio and TV food and wine experts served as judges: 
radio and TV personality Peter “King of Cuisine” Dills of AM 830 
KLAA; Food Network personalities Jyll Everman (“Next Food 
Network Star”) and Cassandra Pugh (“Guy’s Grocery Games”); 
and David Flood, local private chef and consultant. Judging was 
based on three criteria: Appearance, Flavor, and Originality. 
The final two winners were:

 · The Peacock Grille at Embassy Suites Arcadia on Huntington Drive at 
Second Avenue, which won for Best Presentation. The offerings at Peacock 
Grille’s booth included bleu cheese and honeycombed grilled sandwiches 
as well as Chinese chicken salad and cheesecake bites.

 · Sweet Nothings Cake Shop, 1849 Huntington Drive in Duarte, which 
offered a plethora of delicious cupcakes and cookies.


Monrovia Police Blotter

SAVE THE DATE FOR: CITY OF 
ARCADIA AND BREEDERS’ CUP - 
HALLOWEEN FRIGHT DAY! 

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2014 

– 12NOON TO 5PM!

 Join us in the Santa Anita Park Infield, 285 W. Huntington Drive, 
Arcadia on Breeders’ Cup Friday, October 31, 2014 for a Halloween 
Fright Day from 12-5pm! All ages welcome! Best of all, admission to 
the event is FREE for Arcadia residents (with valid resident ID) and 

children! Admission for non-resident adults is $5. The City of Arcadia 
Recreation and Community Services Department and Breeders’ Cup 
are excited to announce this special Halloween event. Just show up at 
the Infield Entrance – Gate 6 on Colorado Place, parking is $10. 

 On Fright Day enjoy trick or treating with local businesses, carnival 
rides, carnival games, pumpkin painting, pony rides, music with 
themed performances, Haunted Maze, bounce houses and more! Wear 
your best costume for a chance to win Breeders’ Cup’s Best Dressed! 
Full-face masks for adults 14 and older are not permitted. For more 
information please call 626.574.5113 or visit: www.breaderscup.com/
Halloween or www.ci.arcadia.ca.us.

Following are the weekend’s highlighted issues and events. To see a complete listing 
of crimes reported, go to the City of Monrovia website and click on the crime 
mapping link. Sign up to follow us on Twitter for police notifications.

Drunk in Public – Suspect Arrested 

On September 26 at 12:21 a.m., an officer noticed a male subject standing, 
looking as if he was off balance, in the 300 block of West Duarte Road. When the 
subject saw the police car, he completely lost his balance and fell backwards into 
a bush. The officer stopped to check on the welfare of the man and determined 
he was so intoxicated that he was unable to care for his own safety. The subject 
was arrested for being drunk in public and was taken into custody and held for 
sobering. 

Driving Under the Influence / Warrant – Suspect Arrested 

On September 28 at 1:50 a.m., an officer followed a vehicle onto the 210 Freeway 
for a vehicle code violation. He attempted to stop the vehicle, but the vehicle 
continued traveling west at 35 miles per hour, then exited at Baldwin in the city 
of Arcadia, where it stopped. After investigation, the driver was determined to 
be intoxicated and was arrested for driving under the influence. The suspect also 
had a no-bail warrant for his arrest for a previous DUI, which was added to his 
charges. 

Under the Influence of a Controlled Substance / Weapons Offense – Suspect 

Arrested 

On September 28 at 4:39 a.m., a hotel in the 700 block of West Huntington called 
police to report that a male subject had entered the hotel and was yelling that 
someone was going to kill him. The subject had a large knife and went up to 
the ninth floor. Officers arrived and detained the subject, who was in possession 
of a dagger. The suspect admitted he had just used methamphetamine. He 
was hallucinating and believed something was chasing him. The suspect was 
determined to be under the influence of a controlled substance; he was arrested 
and taken into custody.

LIEUTENANT EZEQUIEL CERECEREZ 

RETIRES AFTER 29+ YEARS WITH 

MONROVIA POLICE DEPARTMENT

By Joan Schmidt

 If you heard someone retired after almost thirty years with a local Police 
Department, you would take notice. But there is even more to Lieutenant “Zeke” 
Cerecerez than his brilliant career with Monrovia PD.

 This fine man had dreams of becoming a physician, but often things don’t go 
as planned. He was in the Navy before he began law enforcement career. Then 
there was Desert Storm and a stint in the Army in the midst of his MPD career.

 I can’t even remember when I met Zeke, a Patrol Officer-easily 27+ years ago! 
He became a canine officer and came twice to my Sixth Grade classroom at 
Annunciation School. Zeke had “Ike” from Czechoslovakia and Officers Weiss 
and Lee had “Dyster” much to the students’ delight.

 How did his fantastic law enforcement career begin? He became a Police 
Recruit in August, 1985 and on November 1, officially became a Police Officer; 
on July 26, 1992, an Agent, and on May 30, 1999, became a member of the SET. 
(Special Enforcement Team) Zeke was part of the joint effort between MPD 
and LASD to combat gang and drug problems in Monrovia/ Duarte areas. In 
August 2001, Zeke promoted to Sergeant and returned to SET, January 2002, 
and went to Community Policing in April 2003. He promoted to Lieutenant, 
February, 2005.

 During the program, Sergeants Glen Coleman and Rob Wilken gave a career 
overview; noted involvement in charities, such as the Law Enforcement Special 
Olympic Run. Zeke was a kind, compassionate man, wanting to help others. 

In April, 2014, he attended the LAPD Leadership Academy, wanting to advance 
his career and gather more knowledge. (He had a psychology degree.)

 When my husband Bob and I arrived, we met retired Police Chief Roger 
Johnson, and retirees Carlos Calderon and Steve Cofield. Shortly after, we 
spotted Chief Jim Hunt, Captain Alan Sanvictores, Lieutenant Mike Lee, wife 
Teri, Lieutenant Tom Loy, Lieutenant Jaime Alfaro and Agent John Donchig. 

During festivities, Zeke’s wife Ava was presented flowers by Chief Hunt who 
acknowledged the great sacrifices made by law enforcement officers’ families. 
When Zeke spoke, he acknowledged her and how she supported him throughout 
his entire career. He thanked her and their three sons for all the support and 
understanding all these years. (Zeke’s great four sisters were at the next table 
and many other family members attended as well as retired Arcadia Lieutenant 
Tom Levesque!) Zeke also thanked his outstanding training officers with MPD.

 Mayor Pro Tem Becky Shevlin and Council Member Larry Spicer stopped by 
and wished Zeke well. Presentations were by Interim City Manager Fran Delach; 
Monrovia Police Officers Association President, Agent John Donchig; and Chief 
Hunt, a retirement Badge. (There was also a framed collage of awards/badges.)

 We sat with Monrovia/Duarte Historian Steve Baker and Agent Jim 
Emmet and his lovely wife- known throughout the community for her great 
volunteerism with community policing/neighborhood watch programs. 

 It was truly a wonderful evening and everyone wished Zeke and Ava a long 
happy retirement.

SEMI-ANNUAL 50% OFF BOOK SALE

October 13, Monday, through October 18, Saturday, 

10 am - 5 pm

 Great bargains, terrific prices, and an ever-changing supply of 
books, records, DVDs, and a host of other items are available at the 
Friends Book Sale the week of October 13 through October 18. Come 
browse and buy at half-price between 10 am and 5 pm Monday through 
Saturday. Supporting the Friends Book Sale means supporting the 
library because all funds raised are donated to the library for support 
programs, materials and services, including summer reading programs. 
Be a Friend! See you there! 

Location: Arcadia Public Library Friends Book (inside the front door 
of library) 20 W. Duarte Rd.

DUARTE HISTORICAL MUSEUM 

A GREAT “FIELD TRIP”

The Duarte Kiwanis Club had the pleasure of traveling to the Duarte 
Historical Museum for a recent “Field Trip” meeting. Historical Museum 
Board member, Claudia Heller, is a wealth of information. She shared a bit 
of the history of the building itself. The house was originally built in the 
1920’s and was on the site of the church at the corner of Cotter and Royal 
Oaks. The Historical Museum bought the house for $1.00 and then had to 
make arrangements to move it to the current site. The house was actually 
cut into two portions as was moved on a Saturday morning – followed by 
the High School Marching Band! 

 She shared stories of the great flood in the 1930’s and how the bridge 
running parallel to Huntington Drive was washed out in the deluge. 
Members were reminded of the plane crash of 1971 and the great fire of 
1980 and of Duarte’s most famous former resident – Glen Miller. The 
Duarte Kiwanis Club will be donating their original charter from 1955 to 
the museum later this year. Pictured are members of the club with Claudia 
Heller (right). 

 The Duarte Kiwanis Club has lunch meetings the first, third and fifth 
Tuesdays of the month at Westminster Gardens. For further information 
on speaking or joining the club, contact Dr. Diane Hernandez at drdiane@
drhernandezoptometry.com. 

THE UPCOMING ELECTION 

Barbara Shell Stone, a former National Republican Woman of the 
year, who is active in all levels of the Federation Returns by popular 
request as a guest speaker of the Arcadia Women’s Republication 
Club. She is a retired professor of political science at Cal State 
Fullerton where she served on the faculty for 25 years. She will talk 
about the upcoming elect on Thursday Oct 16th. Meeting Starts at 
10:30 with coffee, short meeting at 11am, speaker 11:30, lunch at 
12. Cost is $1700. 

Meeting is at The Santa Anita Golf Course in the Sunset room at 
405 Santa Anita Ave, Arcadia. 

Call Carolyn Papp for more information. 626-446-5769

2591 Fair Oaks Avenue Altadena, CA 91001 
626-797-1135 FAX 626-797-5889 
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