Mountain Views News          Saturday, May 9, 2015

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Mountain View News Saturday, May 9, 2015

CELLULAR TOWER PLACEMENT 
DISCUSSION - RIDGESIDE 

WATER RESERVOIR 

During the past several months, staff has been interfacing with 
representatives from Verizon Wireless, who have requested that 
the City consider leasing them space to place a cell tower on our 
water reservoir off of Ridgeside Drive. Before we would consider 
the application, however, staff informed Verizon Wireless that they 
would have to do outreach to the neighbors in the area to ascertain 
issues of concern in the neighborhood. 

An initial meeting that was hosted by Verizon Wireless a few months 
ago did not go well. Representatives from Verizon Wireless were late 
to the meeting and were unable to address some very basic concerns 
raised by the neighbors off of Ridgeside Drive. Following that 
meeting, we informed Verizon Wireless that we would no longer be 
considering their application unless they took the outreach process 
more seriously.

Those discussions culminated in an additional meeting with the 
neighbors that was coordinated this past week. Representatives from 
the Community Development Department and the City Manager’s 
Office did a great job facilitating the meeting, and based on feedback 
from those that participated in the discussion, the conversation with 
Verizon Wireless at this second meeting resulted in feedback from 
the residents that they vehemently oppose locating a cell tower on 
the City’s water reservoir off of Ridgeside Drive.

Staff will be meeting this upcoming week to address next steps in 
the matter, and we will be sure to keep everyone informed moving 
forward.

COMMISSIONER RECRUITMENT 
APPLICATION DEADLINE BEING 
EXTENDED TO MAY 15, 2015

As you may be aware, the application deadline for those interested 
in serving a Commissioner was initially scheduled for Friday, May 
1, 2015. However, given the results of the most recent City Council 
election, which created an additional vacancy on the Community 
Services Commission, and given the fact that several incumbent 
commissioners have decided not to reapply, staff has extended the 
recruitment period through Friday, May 15, 2015. Please contact City 
Clerk, Alice Atkins for more information – aatkins@ci.monrovia.
ca.us

LAB LAUNCH 

MONROVIA UPDATE

Working in cooperation with Samuelson Fetter, a new biotech 
incubator company called Lab Launch Monrovia has executed a 
lease agreement to locate their operations here in our community. 
Lab Launch Monrovia is leasing approximately 11,000 square feet 
of research space at 605 East Huntington Drive via a unique leasing 
arrangement in which Samuelson Fetter discounted their typical 
lease rates by several hundred thousand dollars in an effort to 
support local job creation in the science and technology sector here 
in Monrovia. 

At this point in time, based on the work that Lab Launch Monrovia 
has done to date, they anticipate being able to open their doors by 
July 1, 2015. Included as an attachment to this email are several 
outreach and marketing materials that their firm has developed 
touting their new operations.

In parallel with the efforts of Lab Launch Monrovia, staff has 
continued working with representatives of Oak Crest Institute 
of Science in an effort to develop a supplemental science and 
technology incubator program. This additional program will be 
focused on attracting entrepreneurs who are not yet at a point where 
they need the type of lab space offered by Lab Launch Monrovia, 
and will, in our estimation, enhance the appeal of Monrovia as one 
of the first places that those working in the science and technology 
industry will consider when deciding where to locate their business.

GOLD LINE CONSTRUCTION 
AUTHORITY OPERATIONS CAMPUS 
GRAND OPENING CEREMONY 
SET FOR 9:30 AM TO 12:30 PM ON 
SATURDAY, MAY 23, 2015

This past week, staff had a chance to interface with representatives 
from the Gold Line Construction Authority, who reminded us that 
a dedication ceremony to celebrate the opening of the Maintenance 
and Operations Campus will be held on May 23, 2015, from 9:30 
a.m. – 12:30 p.m. As part of that celebration, a portion of the event 
that day will include the dedication of the park plaza located at the 
south-east corner of Evergreen and California. That particular park 
property, which has been named Evergreen Plaza by the Gold Line 
Construction Authority, will at some point be deeded over to the 
City. Representatives from the Gold Line have been working with 
staff to coordinate the process of transferring the park to the City, 
and we will be certain to keep you informed as to the status of this 
project as we move forward. 

POLICE DEPARTMENT 

ANNUAL AWARDS CEREMONY 

SET FOR MAY 7, 2015 

On Thursday, May 7, 2015, at 5:00 p.m., the Police Department will 
hold its Annual Awards Ceremony in the Monrovia City Council 
Chambers. A cake and punch reception will follow immediately 
after in the Police Department Emergency Operation Center. The 
outstanding men and women of the Monrovia Police Department 
who will be recognized this year with a Distinguished Service 
Medal include:

- Sergeant Tom Loy

- Detective Sarah Bushmeyer

- Detective Wendie Contreras

- Detective Chad Harvey

- Detective Stewart Levin

- Detective Kevin Oberon

- Detective Robert Van

- Officer Damien Bartholomy

- Officer Jose Pacheco

- Officer Richard Schneider

- Officer Steven Bracci

Many thanks to these officers for their dedication to changing the 
world that is Monrovia for the better. 

HAMBY PARK UNITS GETTING 
INTEREST FROM POTENTIAL 

BREWERY OPERATIONS

During this past week, staff had inquiries from two separate beer / 
wine brewery operations that expressed an interest in purchasing one 
of our Hamby Park units. Based on the inquiries, we did show the site 
to the potential users and discussed with both the exciting things that 
are happening down in the Station Square area. In addition to the 
new Gold Line stop, we described the $24 million dollars in public 
enhancements that the City is making, the 261-unit Parks at Station 
Square residential project, and the exciting development potential of 
the Wine of the Month Club project. We will continue to work with 
these new potential users at Hamby Park and will be sure to provide 
updates regarding this process as additional information becomes 
available.

FRANCHISING SEMINAR BEING 
HOSTED BY THE SAN GABRIEL VALLEY 
COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS ON 
MAY 28, 2015

The San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments (SGVCOG) will be 
co-hosting a Franchising Seminar with the International Franchising 
Association. Information regarding the event includes the following:

“How to Be in Business for Yourself, But Not By Yourself”

Thursday, May 28, 2015

Embassy Suites, Arcadia

211 Huntington Dr.

Arcadia, CA 91006

8am-3pm

$25 (includes Continental Breakfast, Lunch and Materials)

Those interested in registering for the event can find additional 
information online at:

https://arcadiaifa.eventbrite.com

According to the SGVCOG, those who should attend this event include 
individuals who:

- Yearn to own their own business

- Have their own business and want to expand it through franchising

- Want to take control of their own destiny

- Desire to understand how franchising works

FOUNTAIN TO THE FALLS 

RUN/WALK - REGISTRATION 

FILLING UP FAST! 

Registration for 5th Annual Fountain to the Falls race began February 
20, 2015, and to date, we have over 200 participants registered! The 
overall event, which includes a fitness expo, is scheduled at open at 7:00 
a.m. on Saturday, May 9, 2015. The overall race, which is a 7 mile out-
and-back race, from the Library Park Fountain to the Canyon Park 
Waterfall, has been developed in cooperation with the Santa Anita 
Family YMCA. Medals will be awarded to the best time for male and 
female participants who finish in first place, second place, and third 
place in each of the age categories. Please note, the race is limited to 
325 participants and advance registration is required as no race day 
registration will be accepted. The $35 entry fee includes a participation 
ribbon and a t-shirt and registration is accepted on-line at www.
cityofmonrovia.org. Interested participants can register through May 
6, 2015, or until we hit the maximum participant threshold of 325 
people. For additional information, please contact the Department of 
Community Services at (626) 256-8246.

CONGRESS WOMAN GRACE 
NAPOLITANO SET TO HOST 
A CONGRESSIONAL PRAYER 
BREAKFAST ON MAY 27, 2015

Congress Woman Grace Napolitano will be hosting a Congressional 
Prayer Breakfast event on May 27, 2015, at the Pacific Palms Hotel in 
the City of Industry. We will be sure to provide additional information 
regarding the event as details become available.

MONROVIA POLICE BLOTTER

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.

Fraud/Elder Fiduciary Abuse

April 30 at 9:52 a.m., an officer was dispatched to a bank in the 200 block of South 
Myrtle regarding fraud and elder fiduciary abuse. An elderly couple received a 
fraudulent scam call from the 209 area code. The caller claimed to be the IRS 
and demanded taxes due. The husband attempted to call the IRS, but could not 
reach anyone to get verification. In fear of getting in trouble, he went to the bank 
to withdraw money to send to the suspects.

 While the husband was on his way to the bank, the wife contacted the 
Monrovia Police Department and asked for police intervention. An officer 
arrived just as the husband was exiting the bank and was able to advise him 
he was being defrauded. He re- deposited the $4,000, and while the officer was 
still with the victim, the suspect called again. The officer answered the phone 
and attempted a ruse to get the suspect to advise on where to send the money; 
however, he would only talk to the victim. There was no loss, but the emotional 
impact on this elderly couple was significant. The investigation is continuing.

Stolen Vehicle Recovered

April 30 at 1:46 p.m., a resident in the 300 block of South Violet called police after 
a resident moved out of an apartment, leaving behind what everyone thought 
was his van. They contacted him, and he said the van was not his. He thought 
it belonged to another resident. A computer check of the van revealed it was a 
stolen vehicle taken from Arcadia back in 2013. All of the residents had assumed 
the van belonged to someone in the apartment complex, so they had not called 
police to report it. The vehicle was recovered.

Vandalism/Battery

April 30 at 3:21 p.m., an officer responded to the corner of Central and Myrtle 
regarding a vandalism and battery incident. A driver was sitting at a green light, 
texting in his SUV. The driver of a large cement truck in back of him honked at 
him to go, and the impeding driver held up his middle finger at the truck driver. 
The truck driver exited his vehicle, and at some point, the cement truck driver 
was punched in the mouth by the SUV driver. The cement truck driver then 
smashed the windows of the SUV. The order of events could not be determined 
and there were no independent witnesses. Statements and pictures were taken 
and a verified complaint report for the appropriate violations will be submitted 
to the District Attorney’s Office.

Warrant – Suspect Arrested

April 30 at 9:20 p.m., an officer was dispatched to the 400 block of South Myrtle 
on the report of a suspicious person in area. After contacting the subject, the 
officer discovered the subject had an outstanding warrant issued by the Long 
Beach Police Department. The suspect was arrested for the warrant.

Bear Incident

May 1 at 3:39 p.m., a resident in the 700 block of North Canyon was upstairs 
and heard noises downstairs. He went down and saw a bear in his kitchen. He 
was able to get out of the house and call police. The Fish and Wildlife Warden 
was notified and began to respond. Officers arrived first and observed the bear 
coming out of the house. No tags were observed on the bear and it was persuaded 
back into the foothills without further incident.

Stolen Vehicle

May 2 at 9:28 a.m., a stolen vehicle was reported in the 300 block of Highland. 
The vehicle stolen is a silver, 2007, Toyota Tacoma, pickup truck. The vehicle 
was stolen between 2:00 and 9:30 a.m. There was no sign of forced entry. The 
investigation is continuing

Hit and Run Traffic Collision

May 2 at 10:08 p.m., a hit and run traffic collision occurred in the 200 block of 
North Myrtle. The suspect vehicle was a black Audi. The vehicle side swiped two 
parked cars.

 Witnesses saw the car heading west on Foothill after the collision and wrote 
down the license plate number. Upon investigation, the registered owner was 
contacted and said he had let a friend borrow his car. The officer arranged to 
speak to the friend, who eventually admitted to being involved in the collision 
and said he was unfamiliar with the vehicle, a stick shift, and he lost control of 
the car. A verified complaint was filed with the District Attorney’s Office for 
vehicle hit and run charges.

Stolen Vehicle

May 2 at 10:32 a.m., dispatch received a call reporting a stolen vehicle in the 
100 block of North Myrtle. The vehicle stolen is a white, 2005 Ford Escape. The 
vehicle was locked and there was no sign of forced entry. The investigation is 
continuing.

Stolen Vehicle

May 2 at 11:13 a.m., an officer was dispatched to the 1600 block of South 
Mountain regarding a stolen vehicle. The vehicle stolen is a white, 1985, Toyota, 
pickup truck. The vehicle was stolen between 7:30 and 8:30 a.m. There was no 
sign of forced entry. The investigation is continuing.

Domestic Violence – Suspect Arrested

May 3 at 6:21 a.m., an officer responded to the area of 605 Freeway at Lower 
Azusa Road regarding a domestic violence incident. Officers from Irwindale 
Police Department had stopped a vehicle on the freeway, and the two subjects 
in the vehicle were arguing. The driver had bruising and swelling to her eye. 
She said she was punched in the face by her female partner, who was the other 
subject in the vehicle. The incident occurred in the 100 block of West Cherry in 
Monrovia. A Monrovia officer arrived and confirmed that domestic violence 
did in fact occur in Monrovia’s jurisdiction. He arrested the suspect and took 
her into custody.

Petty Theft From Vehicles

May 3 at 7:30 a.m., dispatch received a call reporting several vehicles parked in 
the 500 block of Fano Street with there doors open and no one in the vehicles. 
Officers arrived and located four vehicles that appeared ransacked and 
burglarized. After speaking with the registered owners of the vehicles, it was 
determined that all of the vehicles had been left unlocked and various items were 
stolen from the vehicles. The investigation is continuing.

Battery – Suspects Arrested

May 3 at 2:34 p.m., dispatch received a call from a business in the 300 block of 
West Huntington. The employee reported that two male adult subjects came into 
the store and were arguing with the female manager of the store. The subjects 
decided to leave the store, and the female manager followed them out of the store 
and continued to argue with one of them outside of the store.

 Once outside, the male subject removed his phone and began to video tape 
the manager. She became more upset and slapped his phone out of his hand. 
She then removed her phone and began to video tape him. He then slapped 
her phone out of her hand and she responded by pepper spraying him. Both 
subjects desired prosecution. Both subjects were arrested and received a citation 
to appear in court on battery charges.

Commercial Burglary – Suspect Arrested

May 3 at 3:21 p.m., a business in the 500 block of West Huntington called police 
to report a male subject that had stolen items from inside the store. The loss 
prevention officer was chasing the subject through the parking lot. Police were 
given a suspect description and responded to the area. The suspect was located 
and detained near the corner of Huntington and Mayflower. The suspect was 
arrested and received a citation to appear in court on burglary charges.

Injury Traffic Collision

May 3 at 5:13 p.m., officers responded to the area of Stedman and Greystone 
regarding a traffic collision. A driver struck a parked car and lost control 
of the vehicle. The vehicle then rolled, landed on its hood and slid to a stop. 
Both occupants, mother and teenage son, exited the vehicle on their own and 
sustained only minor injuries. Alcohol was not a factor in the collision. Officers 
responded quickly and controlled the scene.

Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol – Suspect Arrested

May 4 at 1:05 a.m., a possible drunk driver was reported exiting the 210 Freeway 
at Mountain. An officer in the area of Foothill and Alta Vista saw the driver 
swerving in the roadway and stopped the vehicle for further investigation. 
The driver was determined to be driving under the influence. The subject was 
arrested and held for sobering.

Traffic Collision/Vehicle vs. Bicyclist

May 5 at 8:57 a.m., a bicyclist was traveling southbound on the wrong side of the 
road on California and was struck by a vehicle traveling on Central as they both 
entered the intersection. The vehicle was traveling at a slow speed, so the cyclist 
sustained only minor injuries and was treated by Monrovia Fire Department 
paramedics.

72 Hour Mental Evaluation

May 5 at 8:35 p.m., officers responded to a fight in progress at a business in 
the 100 block of West Foothill. A male subject and his girlfriend were getting 
coffee at the business, when a male suspect started yelling at the girlfriend and 
hitting the male subject for no reason. Police have had previous contact with the 
suspect for prior mental issues. The victim was not injured and did not want 
prosecution. The suspect was taken to a hospital, where he was held for a 72-hour 
mental evaluation.

Driving Under the Influence/Hit and Run Traffic Collision – Suspect Arrested

May 6 at 12:13 a.m., police dispatch received a call reporting a speeding 
vehicle in the area of Huntington and Magnolia. Officers responded and were 
searching the area for the vehicle, when dispatch received a second call from 
a witness, stating the vehicle had crashed into a church parking lot wall in the 
500 block of West Lemon. Officers responded to that location, but the vehicle 
was gone.

 The Foothill Air Support helicopter responded to assist in the search for the 
vehicle. Officers located the vehicle in a business parking lot on Foothill, and the 
driver had gone inside a store. There was collision damage found on the vehicle 
from the church wall. The suspect was positively identified as the driver by a 
witness and was determined to be driving under the influence. The suspect was 
arrested for DUI and hit and run.

Warrant – Suspect Arrested

June 6 at 2:13 p.m., police received a call reporting a male subject digging 
through a trash dumpster at a park in the 800 block of East Olive and it appeared 
as if he had two rifles in a blue trash bag on the ground next to him. Officers 
responded and determined the rifles were actually BB guns, and the subject said 
they were not his. A computer check revealed the subject had a warrant for his 
arrest. He was arrested for the warrant and the BB guns were taken and held for 
safe keeping until the owner can be found.

Driving Under the Influence – Suspect Arrested

June 6 at 11:06 p.m., officers were dispatched to the 100 block of West Duarte 
Road regarding an injury traffic collision. The investigation revealed that the 
20-year-old driver was intoxicated and had collided into the center median that 
is under construction. A section of the center median curb sustained damage 
and will need to be replaced. The driver was not injured, but was arrested for 
driving under the influence and held for sobering.

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