Mountain Views News          Saturday, November 21, 2015

7

Mountain Views-News Saturday, November 21, 2015 

ARCADIA POLICE BLOTTER

DUI ENFORCEMENT OPERATIONS PLANNED

Officers from the Arcadia Police Department’s Traffic 
Bureau will be deploying to stop and arrest alcohol 
and drug-impaired drivers in the Department’s 
ongoing traffic safety campaign. DUI Saturation 
Patrols will deploy on November 25, 2015 between 
the hours of 6:00 PM and 2:00 AM in areas with high 
frequencies of DUI collisions and/or arrests.

 In California, this deadly crime led to 867 
deaths and over 23,000 serious injuries in 2013 
because someone failed to designate a sober driver. 
Nationally, the latest data shows over 10,000 were 
killed by an impaired driver. Over the course of the 
past three years officers have investigated 119 DUI 
collisions which has resulted in 76 people being 
injured.

 Recent statistics reveal that 30 percent of drivers in 
fatal crashes had one or more drugs in their systems. 
A study of active drivers showed more tested positive 
for drugs that may impair driving (14 percent) than 
did for alcohol (7.3 percent). Of the drugs, marijuana 
was most prevalent, at 7.4 percent, slightly more 
than alcohol. Everyone should be mindful that if 
you’re taking medication – whether prescription or 
over-the-counter – drinking even small amounts of 
alcohol can greatly intensify the impairment affects. 

 Law Enforcement emphasizes the preventable 
nature of drunk driving reminding everyone that all 
it takes is a little planning ahead. Designate a sober 
driver or call a cab. But whatever you do, don’t drink 
and drive. The California Office of Traffic Safety 
DDVIP (Designated Driver VIP) mobile app is now 
available for free download on iOS and Android 
devices. Launched last year, the new DDVIP app 
offers enhanced features, allowing users to “Map 
a Spot” with their current location to find DDVIP 
partnering establishments in their area or a “List 
of Spots” to search all participating bars and 
restaurants throughout California. Users will be 
offered free incentives at each bar to celebrate their 
life saving role. They can stay up-to-date with the 
latest from DDVIP and see what other users are 
saying via its social tab. Also through the app, for 
those who want to imbibe but also make it a point to 
plan ahead, users can easily order a sober ride from 
Uber, Lyft or Curb – all from one screen. 

 The cost of a ride home is cheap, nothing 
compared to a $10,000 DUI conviction and the 
‘inconvenience’ of not driving your own car home is 
nothing compared to the inconvenience of spending 
time behind bars.

 Funding for this DUI operation is provided to 
the Arcadia Police Department by a grant from 
the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the 
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 
reminding everyone to ‘Report Drunk Driver – Call 
9-1-1. 

 Don’t forget to visit the Arcadia Police 
Department News & Information Blog or follow us 
on Facebook, Twitter or Nixle for other pertinent 
news and information. Remember, the solution 
begins with you!

For the period of Sunday, November 8th, through 
Saturday, November 14th, the Police Department 
responded to 1,133 calls for service of which 123 
required formal investigations. The following is a 
summary report of the major incidents handled by the 
Department during this period.

Sunday, November 8:

Just before 8:01 a.m., officers responded to Jerry’s 
Union 76 Gas Station, 102 East Duarte Road, 
regarding a burglary report. An investigation 
revealed unknown suspects cut a hole in the roll-
up service bay door, ransacked the cashier’s booth, 
and fled undetected with cash and cigarettes. The 
investigation is ongoing.

At about 11:47 a.m., an officer responded to a traffic 
collision in the area of Huntington Drive and Sunset 
Boulevard. Upon contacting the driver of one of the 
vehicles, the officer detected a strong odor of alcohol 
emitting from the driver’s person. Through a series 
of tests, the officer determined the 52-year-old male 
from Arcadia was driving under the influence of an 
alcoholic beverage. The suspect was arrested and 
transported to the Arcadia City Jail for booking.

Monday, November 9:

Just before 8:23 a.m., an officer responded to the 400 
block of West Duarte Road regarding a stolen vehicle 
report. The officer determined the victim’s unlocked 
vehicle was stolen sometime during the previous 
night from their carport. No suspects were seen and 
no witnesses were located.

 

At approximately 6:25 p.m., an officer responded 
to a residence in the 800 block of Arcadia Avenue 
regarding a fraud report. An investigation revealed an 
unknown suspect signed the victim’s check as “Ruth 
Pratt” and fraudulently cashed it. The investigation 
is ongoing.

Tuesday, November 10:

Around 2:28 a.m., an officer conducted a traffic stop 
on a vehicle in the area of Santa Anita Avenue and 
Camino Real Avenue for having expired registration. 
Upon contacting the driver, the officer discovered the 
31-year-old male from San Gabriel was driving with 
a suspended license and did not have the required 
ignition-interlock device installed on his vehicle. He 
was cited and released in the field. The vehicle was 
impounded for 30 days.

Just after 5:38 a.m., an officer responded to 
the intersection of Fourth Avenue and Joyce 
Street regarding a suspicious vehicle report. An 
investigation revealed the driver, a 39-year-old female 
from Alhambra, was in possession of marijuana, 
methamphetamine, and two glass smoking pipes. 
She was arrested and transported to the Arcadia City 
Jail for booking.

Wednesday, November 11:

Shortly after 7:55 a.m., an officer responded to 
a residence in the 2200 block of Highland Vista 
Drive regarding a burglary. The officer determined 
unknown suspects smashed the rear sliding glass 
door, ransacked the residence, and fled undetected. 
No loss was reported. No suspects were seen and no 
witnesses were located.

Just after 6:08 p.m., an officer responded to a 
residence in the 1700 block of Oakwood Avenue 
regarding a vandalism report. An investigation 
revealed unknown suspect(s) threw a rock causing a 
small hole in one of the windows. A witness saw the 
suspect(s) flee in a vehicle. No other suspect or vehicle 
description was provided. 

Thursday, November 12:

At approximately 6:37 p.m., an officer responded 
to the parking lot of Pepper’s Mexican Grill, 181 
Colorado Place, regarding an intoxicated subject. The 
officer determined the suspect was unable to care for 
himself. The 52-year-old male from Pasadena was 
arrested and transported to the Arcadia City Jail for 
booking.

Around 8:02 p.m., an officer responded to a hit and 
run, non-injury collision in the area of Santa Anita 
Avenue and the 210 Freeway on-ramp. Party 2 
stated he was rear ended by Party-1 while stopped 
at a red light. Both parties agreed to pull over, 
however, Party-1 fled the scene without exchanging 
information. Vehicle-1 is registered to a business out 
of Georgia. The investigation is ongoing.

Friday, November 13: 

At about 6:26 p.m., an officer responded to a parking 
structure at 411 East Huntington Drive regarding 
a vehicle burglary report. The victim witnessed an 
unknown male suspect run away from the victim’s 
vehicle to a nearby white van before the victim 
noticed his front window had been shattered and 
miscellaneous property had been stolen from inside. 

The suspect is described as a Hispanic male, in his 
mid-thirties, approximately 5’8” tall, with a medium 
build. The suspect’s vehicle is described as a white 
van similar to a Chevrolet Astro van, with tinted 
windows. The investigation is ongoing. 

Just after 6:35 p.m., an officer responded to the Arcadia 
Police Department front counter regarding a battery 
report. An investigation revealed a battery occurred 
between an uncle and nephew on November 7th at 
Motel 6, 225 Colorado Place, in Arcadia. During 
the fight, the nephew sustained lacerations to his lip 
and hand. He did not request medical attention. The 
investigation is ongoing. 

Saturday, November 14:

Just after 9:43 a.m., an officer responded to a residence 
in the 300 block of Sharon Road regarding a petty theft 
report. The officer discovered unknown suspect(s) 
stole the victim’s purse from her residence while she 
was being treated by Arcadia Fire personnel. The 
victim’s credit cards were then used for fraudulent 
purchases amounting to $1,500. The investigation is 
ongoing. 

At approximately 8:05 p.m., officers responded to a 
residence in the 2300 block of South Third Avenue 
regarding two suspicious males in their backyard. 
Surveillance footage revealed two unknown male 
suspects were in the victim’s backyard looking in the 
windows of the residence before they were scared off. 
The suspects fled northbound on Third Avenue in a 
black vehicle. The investigation is ongoing. 


MONROVIA POLICE BLOTTER

O2 BREATHE WALK IN MONROVIA:

 ONE STEP CLOSER TO PULMONARY 
HYPERTENSION CURE

Attempt Grand Theft Auto November 18 at 7:42 
a.m., a vehicle burglary was reported in the 600 
block of California Avenue. When the officer 
arrived, the investigation revealed the incident was 
actually an attempt grand theft auto, as the vehicle 
was found to have a damaged steering column. 
The vehicle is a blue, 2000 Chevy Blazer. The 
investigation is continuing.

Commercial Burglary November 18 at 11:00 a.m., 
officers responded to a business in the 100 block of 
West Walnut on the report of a burglary. Unknown 
suspects had stolen welding equipment and gas 
from the business. The investigation is continuing.

Driving Under the Influence of a Controlled

Substance – Suspect Arrested November 19 at 
1:29 a.m., officers were dispatched to a residence 
in the 200 block of East Fig Avenue regarding a 
suspicious subject in the area. A female resident 
returned home and reported that she was being 
watched by a shirtless male subject who was 
standing in the street in front of her home. The 
resident’s husband exited the home and the 
subject quickly left the area. Officers arrived and 
located the subject in an alley in the 100 block of 
Los Angeles Avenue. The investigation revealed 
the subject is employed by a local business and 
was under the influence of a controlled substance. 
He was arrested and held for a sobering period. He 
was later released with a citation to appear in court 
on the charges.

By Joan Schmidt

Last Saturday I attended the PHA (Pulmonary 
Hypertension Association) O2 Breathe Walk in 
Monrovia. PHA‘s mission is to find ways to prevent 
and cure PH and provide hope for the community 
through support, education, research, advocacy 
and awareness. PHA connects and works together 
with the entire PH community of patients, families 
and medical professionals. It relies on donations 
to fund its many programs, including diagnosis 
efforts, more than 245 support groups around the 
country and continuing education for medical 
professionals.

Pulmonary Hypertension (PH) is high blood 
pressure in the arteries of the lungs that can lead 
to heart failure. There is no cure. In 1985, patients 
had a 50% chance of surviving 2.8 years past date 
of diagnosis but thanks to new treatments, the 
prognosis is improving.

 Saturday’s event at Library Park was most 
enjoyable. Prior to the Walk, there was 
entertainment by the Licata Brothers and Monrovia 
High School Dancers. There were a Health Fair, 
Pharmacy Advisors, Vendors, give-ways, raffles, 
and many booths: Registration, Information, 
Mission, Kids PHun Zone, Massage, and Survivors 
Lounge. 

 Susie Alvarez, Co-leader welcomed everyone. 
She thanked the Task Force who worked several 
months for the Walk to happen and the many 
volunteers who arrived early Saturday to set up. 
Susie explained the disease, and its rarity, difficult 
to diagnose and treat. No drugs were available until 
1995. Currently there are about a dozen. 

 Joanie Yullie, a PHA survivor spoke. This little 
bundle of energy, and an inspiration to all, has 
lived in Monrovia her whole life. She said her 
Community cared about the well-being of every 
citizen and thanked the City Council for letting her 
be on committees and volunteer although she had 
PH. Joanie was the Grand Marshall for the Walk.

 Eight years ago Joanie was diagnosed with PH. 
She couldn’t breathe and her husband brought her 
to the Emergency Room, where he was told she 
wouldn’t survive the night. But Joanie’s a fighter 
and prayed-she didn’t want to miss her grandson’s 
birthday, three days later. The Lord convened, 
Joanie survived the night and eventually met Dr. 
Ronald Oudiz, from Torrance who treated her and 
saved her life.

Dr Oudiz has been twenty-one years in the field 
(PHA Specialist). PH is very rare; few physicians 
have received training in this area.

 We also were introduced to former NFL Coach 
Wayne Nullely who donated a signed football from 
a Pro Bowl in the 2000’s.

 Mayor Adams, Mayor Pro Tem Spicer, Council 
Members Becky Shevlin and Gloria Crudginton and 
City Manager Oliver Chi participated in the Walk as 
well as past Mayor May Ann Lutz and her husband, 
Corey. Mary Ann also presented a Certificate on 
behalf of Congresswoman Grace Napolitano.

 Sponsors included Actelion, Bayer, United 
Therapeutics Corporation, Gilead, Busy Hands 
Party Rentals and K.B. Construction. Special 
thanks to Monrovia’s Chamber of Commerce, Area 
Partners, Old Town Merchants, Kyrie Design and 
Volunteer Center of San Gabriel Valley who also 
helped the event.

 88.5% of funds raised by PHA go directly to 
research and their support, education, advocacy and 
awareness efforts. Please visit www.PHAssociation.
org to see how you can help make a difference.


SAN GABRIEL VALLEY HABITAT FOR HUMANITY 

– 75 HOMES IN 25 YEARS!

PHA Grand Marshall Joa nie speaks


Sonya Yates, Executive Director of San Gabriel 
Valley Habitat for Humanity has an amazing 
story to share. In the 25 years the organization 
has been here, they have built 75 homes for low-
income families. These families all contribute 
over 300 hours of “sweat” equity into their 
homes. They apply for their 0% mortgage with 
Habitat and provide 1% down payment. In these 
25 years there have been 0 (zero) foreclosures 
– and 0 (zero) home sales. All of these homes 
are owned by their original families – and many 
have paid off their mortgages! 

 Habitat is always looking for new ways to 
support our community. Finding affordable 
land and appropriate partners is key. Their 
latest project, Desideiro Project in Pasadena will 
provide 9 homes for families in West Pasadena 
on the land previously used by the Desiderio 
Army Reserve Base. Habitat is also expanding 
into exterior home repair programs as well. At 
a recent meeting of the Duarte Kiwanis, Sonya 
was able to share these stories and coordinate 
potential volunteer opportunities through 
Volunteer and Youth Programs Manager, Kathy 
Karimi. Pictured (from left), Sonya Yates, Duarte 
Kiwanis President, Cheryl Reynolds and Kathy 
Karimi. For further information on speaking or 
joining the club, contact Dr. Diane Hernandez 
at drdiane@drhernandezoptometry.com

Mountain Views News 80 W Sierra Madre Blvd. No. 327 Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024 Office: 626.355.2737 Fax: 626.609.3285 Email: editor@mtnviewsnews.com Website: www.mtnviewsnews.com