SATURDAY, JANUARY 10, 2015

VOLUME 9 NO. 2

EMPLOYEES LOCKED IN FREEZER DURING 
ARCADIA ROBBERY

By Dean Lee

A man walked into the restaurant with a semi-automatic handgun late Sunday night 
and demanded cash from the manager before locking two employees in the freezer and 
fleeing the scene with a backpack full of money. 

As of Monday, Arcadia police officers were still looking for the suspect described as a 
20 year old Black male about 5 feet 10 inches tall with a slim build. Reports suggest the 
suspect was wearing dark clothing, including a hooded jacket and a facemask.

According to local news reports, Arcadia police officers responded to an armed robbery 
call at 10:31 p.m. after employees from Coco’s Restaurant, 1150 W. Colorado Boulevard, 
dialed 911 saying they had been robbed. 

During the robbery the suspect demanded the restaurant manager fill a backpack with 
cash before locking two employees in a freezer. The suspect entered through a back door. 
No customers were in the building at the time. A third employee was unaware of the 
robbery and no one was hurt.

Anyone with information can call Arcadia Police at (626) 574-5123 or anonymously 
through “Crime Stoppers” at (800) 222-8477. 


COMMANDER DAVE LOERA 
CHOSEN AS SIERRA MADRE’S 
2014 CITIZEN OF THE YEAR


The Sierra Madre Chamber of Commerce announced on Thursday the winner of 
the 2014 Citizen of the Year. By an overwhelming number of ballots cast, Dave 
Loera, Commander of VFW 3208 was selected.

The announcement came as a complete surprise to Loera who was lured to the 
Veterans Wall in Memorial Park by VFW colleague Duncan MacGillivray. Known 
as an extremely punctual man, Loera was there ten minutes early and wasn’t the 
least bit surprised to see his daughter-in-law Shawna and grandson, 5 year old 
Lancelot in the park. Nor did he notice members of the Chamber of Commerce 
Board slowly assembling. In fact, he struck up a regular ‘how are you doing’ 
conversation with one member. But soon, when he saw his son and daughter and 
other family members, he was a bit puzzled. When told by Chamber President 
Ed Chin that he had been nominated and selected as the Citizen of the Year, he 
was speechless. The site of the presentation was chosen because it would not be 
difficult to get Dave to the Veteran’s Wall in a moment’s notice. He has worked 
and still works diligently to get Sierra Madre residents to submit names and photos to be placed on the wall. 

 
The COTY award is granted to an outstanding Sierra Madrean who is 
the personification of the town’s spirit of volunteerism during the year, 
and Dave’s credentials are extensive. In addition to being Commander 
of VFW Post 3208, he currently serves on the Committee for 
Congresswoman Judy Chu in the collaboration between the Veteran’s 
Administration Health Care System and Pasadena City College to 
establish a Veteran’s Health Center in the San Gabriel Valley. He 
also serves on Assemblymember Chris Holden’s Veteran’s Advisory 
Committee.

 In Sierra Madre it is easier to articulate what Dave has not done than 
to list the many, many contributions he has made. He was a Reserve 
Police Officer for the City for 10 years; He has coached T-ball, Little 
League, Pony Colt Baseball and AYSO soccer. He is currently President 
of the St. Rita Men’s Club and is Past President of the Sierra Madre 
Kiwanis Club.

 He has been instrumental in getting the VFW to support the 4th 
of July Parade, raise funds for the maintenance of Dapper Field and 
with replacing the bleachers at Heasley Field. He has served on Sierra 
Madre’s Utility User’s Tax oversight committee and much more.

 The COTY dinner honoring Dave on Saturday, January 31, 2015 in 
The Sierra Madre Room, 611 E. Sierra Madre Blvd., Sierra Madre, Ca. 
Reception from 6:00 Dinner at 7:00. Tickets are $30 per person/Tables 
of 10 $275.00.

For more information, please contact the Chamber of Commerce at 
626-355-5111. MVNews


Coco’s Restaurant, located at Colorado and Foothill in Arcadia was victimized 
by an armed robbery on Sunday evening. Photo courtesy infoUSA

The big surprise was facilitated by (left to right) Chamber President Ed Chen, Ariane Loera, Dave 
Loera, Jr., Morgan Loera in Dad’s arms, Duncan MacGillivray, Dave Loera with USC fan, grandson 
Lancelot, SMCC Board Members Carol Canterbury and Susan Henderson, Kellie Loera with Baby 
Madeline and Shawna Loera. Below, Dave and wife Terry, along with Lancelot. Photo by ‘Chris’

Inside this week: 

ACT 2015 CANDIDATE FORUM –

Pasadena Unified School District & 

Pasadena City Council

Pasadena – If you want to know what’s going on in local politics, 
who’s running for Mayor, City Council or Pasadena Board of 
Education, ACT – the oldest and largest progressive political 
organization in the San Gabriel Valley – is hosting a candidate 
forum. The forum is free and open to the public.

When: Tuesday, January 13 

 6:30 pm PUSD candidates

 7:30 pm Mayoral candidates

 8:45 pm CD 1 candidates

Where: Pasadena City College, Westerbeck 
Recital Hall, 
Center for Arts Building, 1570 E. 
Colorado Boulevard, Pasadena

 This is a special opportunity to hear from the candidates running 
for Mayor, City Council District 1 and PUSD candidates in districts 
2, 4, and 6. Sierra Madre will be voting on a representative to the 
PUSD in the upcoming election.

 There is parking in structure #5 on Bonnie Street. $2 fee. 


CALENDAR Pg. 2

SIERRA MADRE NEWS 
Pg. 3

 PASADENA/ALTADENA

 Pg. 4

AROUND SGV 

 Pg. 5

ARCADIA NEWS 

MONROVIA/DUARTE 
Pg. 6

EDUCATION & YOUTH

 Pg. 7

FOOD & DRINK

Peter Dills 

 Pg. 8


SIERRA MADRE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT TO 
BEGIN NEW PROJECTS IN 2015

Phase 1 Street Project to Begin

Construction is set to begin Monday, January 12th on repairs to West Montecito, between North 
Sunnyside Avenue and North Michillinda Avenue and the Sierra Madre half of South Michillinda 
Avenue. The project will involve the complete removal and replacement of asphalt pavement, along 
with the installation of crushed rock sub-grade and minor concrete repairs. The City Council awarded 
the project to TerraPave, Inc., of Whittier at a contract amount of $334,745. Project funding is through 
County Proposition C and Measure R. The Contractor’s current schedule (subject to change due to 
weather) provides for completion of the project by March 3.

Phase 2 Street Project out to Bid

The second phase of the current street project involves the resurfacing of both East Sierra Madre 
Boulevard, from Baldwin Avenue to the easterly city limits and South Baldwin Avenue, from Orange 
Grove Avenue to Sierra Madre Boulevard. Bids are due January 27 with City Council award of contract 
expected February 10. The project construction could begin as early as February 25.

Grand View Sewer Replacement Project 

The City Council has awarded a contract to Vasilj, Incorporated, of Irwindale for the replacement of 
existing sewer in West Grand View. The sewer is being replaced in order to correct the over-capacity 
condition of the existing pipe. The construction site is located between Toyon Road and approximately 
147 West Grand View. The contract amount is $205,275 and is funded through the City’s sewer fund. 
The project is expected to begin approximately January 26 and take 15 working days to complete.

HEALTHY LIVING

 Pg. 9

BEST FRIENDS

 Pg. 10

 ARTS & 

 ENTERTAINMENT

 Pg. 11

GOOD LIFE

 Pg. 12

BUSINESS NEWS 

 Pg. 13

THE WORLD AROUND 
US Pg. 14

OPINION Pg. 15

LEGAL NOTICES 

 Pg. 17