Mountain Views News          Saturday, December 12, 2015

7

Mountain Views-News Saturday, December 12, 2015 

ARCADIA POLICE BLOTTER

WINTER REGISTRATION IS HERE!

“The way to get started is to quit talking and 
begin doing. Pick up the latest copy of “The 
Peacock Buzz” to find out what is going on in 
the City of Arcadia! Copies are available at the 
City of Arcadia Recreation Office, 375 Campus 
Drive, Arcadia, CA 91007, the Arcadia Public 
Library, 20 W. Duarte Road; and City Hall, 240 
W. Huntington Drive. 

 The Recreation and Community Services 
Department is pleased to announce recreation 
participants will now be able to view, register 
and pay for City offered activities and programs 
through the City of Arcadia’s new website. 
Once you have created an account online you 
will be able to search for and enroll in any 
activity listed on the Department website. (You 
will no longer need to use your former login ID 
and Pin Number.) For more information please 
call 626.574.5113 or log onto the city’s website 
at ArcadiaCA.gov and look for the online 
link to recreation programs. Registration is 
now available to everyone online, walk-in and 
fax-in. 

About the City of Arcadia

Nestled in the foothills of the San Gabriel 
Mountains, Arcadia is an 11.38 square mile 
community with a population of just over 
56,000. Located approximately 20 miles east 
of downtown Los Angeles, Arcadia is known 
for combining small-town charm with the 
conveniences and amenities of a mid-size city. 
Arcadia is a full-service charter city governed 
by a five-member City Council, elected at 
large. Recognized for exceptional education 
and recreation opportunities and beautiful 
neighborhoods, Arcadia is also defined as the 
“Community of Homes” and has twice been 
designated the “Best City in California in which 
to Raise Kids” by Business Week Magazine.

For the period of Sunday, November 29th, through 
Saturday, December 5th, the Police Department 
responded to 938 calls for service of which 129 required 
formal investigations. The following is a summary report 
of the major incidents handled by the Department during 
this period.

Sunday, November 29:

Just before 9:51 a.m., an officer conducted an enforcement 
stop on a vehicle in the 000 block of West Huntington 
Drive for having expired registration. A records check 
of the vehicle revealed the registration had expired; 
however, the vehicle displayed a 2016 registration 
sticker. A records check of the driver revealed the 
51-year-old male from Sun Valley had an outstanding 
felony warrant. During a search of the vehicle, the 
officer located numerous credit cards, driver’s licenses, 
merchandise, and mail not belonging to the driver. The 
suspect was arrested and transported to the Arcadia 
City Jail for booking.

 At approximately 6:23 p.m., an officer responded 
to Macy’s at the Westfield Shopping Town, 400 South 
Baldwin Avenue, regarding a petty theft report. An 
investigation revealed an unknown suspect reached over 
the bathroom stall door and stole the victim’s purse. No 
suspects were seen and no witnesses were located. 

Monday, November 30:

At about 2:11 a.m., an officer responded to a single-
vehicle traffic collision in the area of Santa Anita Avenue 
and Camino Real Avenue. Upon contacting the driver, 
the officer detected a strong odor of alcohol emitting 
from his breath. Through a series of tests, the officer 
determined the 35-year-old male from Glendale was 
driving under the influence of an alcoholic beverage. 
The suspect was arrested and transported to the Arcadia 
City Jail for booking. He was the sole occupant of the 
vehicle and did not sustain any injuries as a result of the 
collision.

 At approximately 8:26 a.m., an officer responded to a 
residence in the 700 block of South Golden West Avenue 
regarding a vehicle burglary. An investigation revealed 
an unknown suspect entered the vehicle by unknown 
means and stole the victim’s P.O. Box keys and gate 
access card. No suspects were seen and no witnesses 
were located.

Tuesday, December 1:

Around 6:46 a.m., an officer conducted an enforcement 
stop on a vehicle near the intersection of El Monte 
Avenue and Las Tunas Drive for having tinted front 
windows. Upon contacting the driver, the officer 
discovered the 45-year-old male from Los Angeles had 
never been issued a license. He was cited and released in 
the field. His vehicle was not stored.

 Just after 10:41 p.m., an officer responded to the 1200 
block of Oakwood Drive regarding a woman heard 
screaming. The officer located a subject on a bicycle 
near the reporting party’s address. A records check of 
the subject revealed the 38-year-old male from South 
Pasadena was on probation for a drug offense. During 
a consensual search of the subject, the officer located a 
bag of heroin. He was arrested and transported to the 
Arcadia City Jail for booking.

Wednesday, December 2:

Shortly after 7:59 a.m., an officer responded to the 
Arcadia Library, 20 West Duarte Road, regarding a 
battery report. An investigation revealed an incident 
of road rage occurred between two drivers resulting in 
both vehicles pulling into the library parking lot, and 
the suspect punching the victim in the mouth. The 
victim did not request medical attention. The suspect’s 
vehicle is registered out of the City of San Gabriel. The 
investigation is ongoing. 

 At about 6:49 p.m., an officer conducted a traffic 
stop on a vehicle in the area of Second Avenue and 
Huntington Drive for failing to stop at an intersection. 
During a consensual search of the vehicle, the officer 
discovered a passenger had provided false information 
and had outstanding misdemeanor and felony warrants. 
The 24-year-old female from Temple City was also in 
possession of a shaved key, a fraudulent check, and stolen 
checks. The suspect was arrested and transported to the 
Arcadia City Jail for booking.

Thursday, December 3:

At approximately 6:58 a.m., officers responded to the 
1000 block of Heritage Oaks Drive regarding a report 
of illegal camping. Upon contacting the subjects, the 
officers discovered drug paraphernalia belonging to 
one of the suspects. The 27-year-old female from Little 
Rock, CA, in possession of two glass smoking pipes, 
was arrested and transported to the Arcadia City Jail for 
booking. The second suspect, a 35-year-old male from 
Pasadena, was cited and released in the field. 

 Around 2:58 p.m., an officer responded to a residence 
in the 400 block of North Altura Road regarding a 
burglary report. An investigation revealed unknown 
suspect(s) smashed the rear glass door, ransacked the 
residence, and fled undetected. No suspects were seen 
and no witnesses were located. The loss is unknown as 
the owner is out of town. 

Friday, December 4: 

At about 9:53 a.m., an officer responded to LA Fitness, 
1325 South Baldwin Avenue, regarding a vehicle 
burglary. The victim discovered her car window had 
been broken and an unknown suspect stole her purse. 
A short time later, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s 
Department – Temple Station arrested a suspect in 
possession of the victim’s stolen property. The 26-year-
old male from El Monte was arrested by the Sheriff’s 
Department.

 Just after 8:59 p.m., an officer conducted a traffic stop 
on a vehicle in the area of Duarte Road and Second 
Avenue for having expired registration. Upon contacting 
the driver, the officer discovered the 30-year-old male 
from Norwalk was driving with a suspended license. 
He was cited and released in the field. The vehicle was 
released to a licensed driver.

Saturday, December 5:

Just after 11:18 a.m., an officer responded to a parking 
lot in the 200 block of West Huntington Drive regarding 
a domestic dispute. An investigation revealed a physical 
altercation ensued between a husband and wife resulting 
in the husband pushing his wife, causing her to fall and 
hit her head. Arcadia Fire transported the victim to 
Arcadia Methodist Hospital for further evaluation. The 
22-year-old male from Moreno Valley was arrested and 
transported to the Arcadia City Jail for booking.

 At approximately 5:38 p.m., officers respond to the 
Arcadia Police Department front counter regarding 
a carjacking report. The victim stated two suspects 
approached him in the parking lot of the Santa Anita Race 
Track and demanded the keys to the vehicle. In fear for 
his life, the victim handed over his keys and the suspects 
entered his vehicle and fled in an unknown direction.

 The suspects are described as two black males, both 17 
to 20-years-old, one suspect 5’ tall, and the other 6’ tall. 
The investigation is ongoing. 

 
Saturday, Feb 20th 8pm 
Saturday, Jun 4th 8pm 
Saturday, May 14th 8pm 
Saturday, Jan 9th 8pm 
Coming to Arcadia in 2016 
MONROVIA POLICE BLOTTER

UPDATE REGARDING STATE 

AUDITOR REVIEW OF MONROVIA

During the last seven-day period, the Police 
Department handled 389 service events, resulting in 
72 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. 

Residential Burglary December 7 at 3:51 p.m., police 
responded to the report of a residential burglary in 
the 400 block of Highland. Suspects shattered a rear 
glass door of the home and entered the property. They 
removed a safe that was bolted down and took it out 
of the house. They attempted to open the safe in the 
driveway using various tools, but were unsuccessful. 
They fled the scene with jewelry taken from the 
residence. The investigation is continuing. 

Attempt Vehicle Burglary December 7 at 5:01 p.m., an 
attempt vehicle burglary was reported in the 300 block 
of South Heliotrope. An unknown suspect shattered 
the window on a 2006 Toyota Camry. Nothing was 
taken. The investigation is continuing. 

Warrant – Suspect Arrested December 7 at 6:53 
p.m., officers were dispatched to a domestic violence 
incident in the 100 block of East Lemon Avenue. 
The investigation revealed no crime had occurred. 
The subjects involved had been in an ongoing verbal 
argument throughout the weekend. The female 
subject was found to have an outstanding warrant for 
her arrest. She was arrested and taken into custody for 
the warrant. 

Grand Theft Auto December 7 at 8:45 p.m., a stolen 
vehicle was located in the 2000 block of South Myrtle. 
The suspect vehicle turned into a residential driveway 
in the 200 block of Montana Avenue. The suspect 
exited the truck and fled on foot. Containment of the 
area was established and a search was conducted with 
the assistance of the Sierra Madre Police Department, 
The Foothill Air Support Team helicopter and an El 
Monte Police Department canine unit. The suspect 
was not located. The investigation is continuing. 

Domestic Violence – Suspect Arrested December 8 at 
12:53 p.m., officers responded to a domestic violence 
incident in the 600 block of Parker. A husband and 
wife were involved in an argument. During the 
argument, the wife attempted to walk away and the 
husband struck her in the neck with a closed fist. The 
husband was arrested for domestic violence. 

Mail Theft December 8 at 3:19 p.m., an incident of 
mail theft was reported in the 1200 block of South 
Mayflower. Several mailboxes were forced open 
and mail was taken from six of the mailboxes. The 
investigation is continuing. 

Residential Burglary December 8 at 7:20 p.m., an 
officer responded to the 400 block of Sunset regarding 
a residential burglary. The resident left the location at 
6:00 p.m. and believes he secured all the doors and 
windows. As the homeowner was driving away, he 
noticed a 1990’s, white, Toyota Sienna van driving 
slowly in the neighborhood. At the time he did not 
think anything of it. He returned home at 7:05 p.m. 
and found his home had been ransacked and a jar of 
coins and two old cell phones were taken. It appears 
the suspects gained entry through an unlocked rear 
sliding door. The investigation is continuing. 

Vehicle Burglary December 9 at 12:32 p.m., an officer 
was dispatched to a vehicle burglary that occurred in 
the 600 block of West Huntington. Suspects smashed 
the window on a 1997 GMC Safari and took a stereo 
from the vehicle. The investigation is continuing. 

Theft From a Vehicle December 9 at 7:17 p.m., a theft 
from a vehicle was reported in the 900 block of West 
Duarte Road. The victim parked her vehicle on the 
street and walked to the preschool to pick up her child, 
leaving her purse and cell phone in the vehicle. After 
picking up her child and driving away from the school, 
she noticed her purse and cell phone were missing. 
Although less than 30 minutes had passed, her credit 
cards had already been used at the mall in Arcadia. 
There was no sign of forced entry to the vehicle. The 
investigation is continuing. 

Suspect in Grand Theft Auto Incident Arrested 
December 9 at 9:35 p.m., a suspect involved in a grand 
theft auto incident that occurred on December 7, see 
incident above, was arrested and taken into custody. 
Through investigation and evidence recovered at the 
time of the incident, an identified suspect was linked 
to the crime. Officers responded to the last known 
address for the suspect and the occupants of the home 
consented to a search for the suspect. The suspect was 
located hiding in a locked bedroom closet and was 
taken into custody without incident. The suspect is 
being held pending his court appearance.

As you may be aware, there were several media 
reports from last week which indicated that 
Monrovia had been identified by the California 
State Auditor as potentially being at high risk for 
financial trouble or fraud. We wanted to provide 
some additional clarification and context regarding 
the matter.

 Pursuant to California Government Code 
8546.10, the California State Auditor is authorized 
to audit those local government agencies that they 
determine to possess a high risk for potential waste, 
fraud, abuse, and mismanagement, or that have 
major challenges associated with their economy, 
efficiency, or effectiveness.

 Earlier this year in July 2015, the State Auditor’s 
Office informed the City that pursuant to 
California Government Code 8546.10, they would 
be conducting an initial assessment of Monrovia 
to determine whether or not the City should be 
subject to a full audit. The State Auditor’s Office 
then conducted a three week review of our overall 
operations.

 Upon completing that review, the State Auditor’s 
Office notified the City that they would not be 
performing a full audit of the City. Ultimately, 
the State Auditor’s Office determined that while 
there were certainly things we could improve upon, 
Monrovia did not exhibit high-risk characteristics 
and therefore, they would not be looking for the 
authority to perform a full audit of the City.

 Furthermore, the State Auditor’s Office did 
share with the City their specific concerns about 
our overall operations, which centered around 
pension costs, the City’s ability to pay for non-
pension related retirement benefits, public safety 
overtime costs, grant management, and contract 
administration. However, during the close-out 
discussion, the representatives from the State 
Auditor’s Office acknowledged that the City 
was already working on the development and 
implementation of better systems to address 
the areas where they had identified operational 
weaknesses. The State Auditor’s Office shared 
that this factor did contribute in part to their 
determination that no further audit of the City was 
necessary. Furthermore, moving forward, we will 
be submitting additional follow-up information to 
the State Auditor’s Office in the early part of 2016 
to demonstrate our continued implementation of 
operational improvements.

MONROVIA HIGH SCHOOL FIRE UPDATE

On November 30, 2015, at around 12:30 a.m., an 
act of arson resulted in a fire causing significant 
damage at Monrovia High School. The City’s Fire 
Department responded to the call and ultimately, 
the fire was fully contained by 2:00 a.m. 

 In total, there were 18 fire units on scene, 
including 9 engines, 4 trucks, 1 squad, 1 air / 
light unit and 3 chief officers. Furthermore, there 
were over 50 firefighters from Monrovia, Arcadia, 
Pasadena, San Gabriel, San Marino and Alhambra 
Fire Departments that responded. Heavy fire 
damage impacted the administrative offices 
located on the first floor, and moderate damage 
occurred in the room above the administrative 
office on the second floor.

 After the fire was contained, City personnel 
from our Police Department, Fire Department, 
Public Services Department, and Community 
Development Department have spent significant 
time last week interfacing with and assisting 
Monrovia Unified School District (MUSD) 
personnel. To help facilitate and speed up the 
repair work, the MUSD has requested the ability 
to work around the clock to complete the needed 
repairs to Monrovia High School. Given the 
emergency situation, the City has authorized 
the MUSD staff and contractors to work beyond 
normal construction hours. It is important to 
note that while most of the repair work being 
coordinated will take place inside Monrovia High 
School, there will be outdoor activity at the site as 
work crews access different portions of the facility. 
Furthermore, the MUSD also shared with the City 
that they have hired a private security company 
to be on site to help monitor the work being 
conducted.

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