Mountain Views News          Saturday, March 26, 2016

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Mountain Views-News Saturday, March 26, 2016 

ARCADIA POLICE BLOTTER

42ND ANNUAL CITY OF ARCADIA MAYOR’S 
COMMUNITY BREAKFAST, FRIDAY, APRIL 1, 2016, 
FRONTRUNNER RESTAURANT AT SANTA ANITA PARK

For the period of Sunday, March 13th, through Saturday, March 
19th, the Police Department responded to 881 calls for service 
of which 119 required formal investigations. The following 
is a summary report of the major incidents handled by the 
Department during this period.

Sunday, March 13:

Just after 12:01 p.m., an officer responded to a residence in the 
000 block of West Palm Drive regarding a mail theft report. An 
investigation revealed an unknown suspect tampered with the 
mailboxes to three residences and stole an unknown amount of 
mail. No suspects were seen and no witnesses were located.

 Around 2:39 p.m., an officer responded to the 000 block 
of East Huntington Drive regarding a road rage incident. The 
officer discovered the dispute escalated when the two drivers 
pulled off the 210 freeway and one of drivers pepper sprayed the 
other. The investigation is ongoing.

Monday, March 14:

At about 12:01 a.m., an officer responded to a residence in the 
1000 Don Alvarado Drive regarding a suspicious subject report. 
Surveillance footage revealed the male suspect crashed a stolen 
vehicle into the residence. He then attempted to open the door 
to the residence as well as three vehicles parked at the location. 
Unsuccessful, the suspect attempted to enter a second house. 
The suspect successfully entered the second home through the 
garage door. Once inside, the suspect stole a second vehicle 
and fled prior to the officers’ arrival. Follow-up investigation 
revealed the suspect, a 42-year-old male from La Puente, stole 
the original vehicle from his mother. Approximately an hour 
after the series of events, the suspect was arrested by Los Angeles 
County Sheriff Department, San Dimas Station for carrying a 
concealed dirk or dagger. 

 At approximately 9:33 p.m., an officer responded to 
Baskin-Robbins, 1427 South Baldwin Avenue, regarding 
a robbery report. An investigation revealed a male suspect 
entered the location, smashed the register, threatened 
the clerk by indicating he had a weapon, and fled with 
approximately $300.00. 

 The suspect is described as a white male, 20 to 30-years-old, 
5’10”, wearing a blue hooded sweatshirt and a red bandana 
across his face. The investigation is ongoing.

Tuesday, March 15:

Around 6:44 a.m., an officer responded to a residence in the 
100 block of East Haven Avenue regarding a petty theft report. 
The officer discovered the victim ordered a new credit card after 
noticing fraudulent purchases on her card. As the new card was 
delivered, an unknown male suspect took the package. 

 The suspect is described as a Armenian or Middle Eastern 
male in his early 20’s, thin build, with black hair. He was seen 
driving away in a newer model Nissan Juke. The investigation is 
ongoing.

 Just after 11:47 a.m., an officer initiated consensual contact 
with the driver of a parked car in the parking lot of Motel 6, 
225 West Colorado Place. During a consensual search of the 
subject, the officer located methamphetamine and numerous 
prescription pills inside the driver’s backpack. The 37-year-old 
female from Ridgecrest was arrested and transported to the 
Arcadia City Jail for booking.

Wednesday, March 16:

Shortly after 4:21 p.m., an officer responded to the Arcadia 
Police Department front counter regarding a fraud report. 
An investigation revealed an unknown suspect fraudulently 
changed the direct deposit information of the elderly victim’s 
Social Security payments and redirected the deposits. The 
investigation is ongoing.

 At about 4:51 p.m., an officer responded to the intersection 
of Fifth Avenue and West Chestnut Avenue regarding an 
activation of an Arcadia Police Department GPS tracker. 
Arcadia PD detectives had previously deployed decoy 
packages containing bait property and tracking devices to 
combat the increase in package thefts from residential areas. 
The officer determined a 28-year-old male from Canyon 
Country had two stolen packages, property, the tracking 
device, and a glass smoking pipe inside his vehicle. A 
records search revealed the vehicle had been stolen out of 
LASD Santa Clarita Station’s territory. Lastly, the officer 
discovered the driver had never been issued a license. The 
suspect was arrested and transported to the Arcadia City Jail 
for booking. Monrovia Police Department, the Pasadena 
Police Department air unit, and Los Angeles County Sheriff 
Deputies assisted in the capture of the suspect.

Thursday, March 17:

At approximately 12:21 a.m., an officer initiated a traffic stop 
on a bicyclist for riding on the sidewalk without a forward 
facing light and rear reflector near the intersection of St. 
Joseph Street and Santa Anita Avenue. During a consensual 
search of the subject’s backpack, the officer located a pipe with 
methamphetamine. The 53-year-old male from Temple City 
was issued a citation and released in the field.

 At about 1:10 p.m., an officer was dispatched to Payless 
Shoe Store at the Santa Anita Mall, 400 South Baldwin Avenue, 
regarding a sexual battery report. The victim reported the 
customer asked for assistance and stood uncomfortably close to 
her before making physical contact with her breasts. Another 
female employee also reported a similar incident by a customer 
with a matching description.

 The suspect is described as male 35 to 45 years-old, 6’0”, and 
200 pounds. The investigation is ongoing.

 Just after 3:04 p.m., an officer responded to JC Penney at the 
Santa Anita Mall, 400 South Baldwin Avenue, regarding a petty 
theft report. Loss prevention specialists witnessed the suspect 
conceal numerous items inside a luggage case before exiting the 
store, failing to make payment. The 26-year-old female from 
Phoenix, AZ was cited and released in the field. 

Friday, March 18: 

At about 12:30 p.m., officers responded to McDonald’s, located 
at 143 East Foothill Boulevard, regarding a male suspect 
brandishing a knife. An investigation revealed the male suspect 
drew a knife in a threatening manner towards a female victim 
who had asked him to move his vehicle, which was blocking 
traffic in the parking lot.

 The suspect is described as male, 35 to 40 years old, 6’0”, 
and 200 pounds driving an older model white truck. The 
investigation is ongoing.

 Just after 3:30 p.m., officers responded to a residence in the 
2000 block of Highland Oaks Drive regarding a burglary. The 
officer determined unidentified suspect(s) entered the residence 
through an unlocked bedroom window, stole jewelry and coins 
before fleeing. No suspects were seen and no witnesses were 
located. The investigation is ongoing.

Saturday, March 19:

At about 6:16 p.m., an officer responded to the scene of a non-
injury traffic collision between two vehicles. Upon contacting 
the driver of Party #1, the officer detected a strong odor of 
alcohol emitting from his breath. Through a series of tests, the 
officer determined the suspect had been driving under the 
influence of alcohol and drugs when he collided with Party #2. 
The 43-year-old male from Bell Gardens was also driving with 
an expired license. The suspect was arrested and transported to 
the Arcadia City Jail for booking. 

This year’s event features the 2009 California 
Teacher of the Year, Alex Kajitani. Creator 
of the “Rappin’ Mathematician,” Alex offers 
techniques to teachers nationwide in ways to 
engage students and make math cool! This same 
skill set extends to the business world, where 
Alex delivers fresh strategies that give positive 
results among business leaders.

 Tickets are $20 each. Breakfast buffet included. A 
portion of the proceeds will be donated to Foothill 
Unity Center, Arcadia Educational Foundation, 
Arcadia Performing Arts Foundation, and the 
Assistance League of Arcadia.

 To purchase tickets please call the Mayor’s 
Office at 626-574-5403, or email mbuttice@
ArcadiaCA.gov

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.

INCIDENT: GRAND THEFT ARREST

The Arcadia Police Department 
is committed to reducing 
property crimes by taking a 
proactive approach to catch 
criminals as they commit 
crimes. The police department 
has procured a number of GPS 
tracking devices and placed 
them in a variety of packages 
that are left on doorsteps of 
residences and businesses 
within the city. When these 
packages are stolen the police 
department is alerted and the 
packages are tracked.

 On March 24, 2015, at 
approximately 5:15 A.M., 
Arcadia police officers 
responded to the southeast 
portion of the city regarding an 
alert of a stolen package with a 
GPS tracker. Officers tracked 
the package and determined 
it was inside of a vehicle in 
the area. A traffic stop was 
conducted and the package was 
located inside the vehicle. In 
addition to the stolen package, 
officers discovered other 
suspected stolen property, stolen 
mail from the area, narcotics, 
and narcotic paraphernalia. 
Included in the suspected stolen 
property was an array of credit cards, checks, 
identifications, social security cards and other 
personal identifying information. 

 Suspect Devon Ricco 
Menendez, 24 years old of 
Canoga Park, was arrested for 
Penal Code 487(a) Grand Theft, 
Penal Code 496(a) Receiving 
Stolen Property, Penal Code 
529(a) False Impersonation 
and Vehicle Code 10851(a) 
Unlawful Taking of a Vehicle. 
Menendez is currently on 
probation for Grand Theft 
Auto. She is being held in 
custody at the Arcadia City Jail 
on $50,000 bail.

 Suspect Unique Rios, 19 years 
old of Canoga Park, was arrested 
for Penal Code 487(a) felony 
grand theft, Penal Code 496(a) 
receiving stolen property, Penal 
Code 529(a) false impersonation 
and an outstanding warrant. 
She is being held in custody at 
the Arcadia City Jail on $100,000 
bail.

 Anyone with information 
about this incident is encouraged 
to contact the Arcadia Police 
Department at 626-574-
5151. If you prefer to provide 
information ANONYMOUSLY, 
you may call “Crime Stoppers” 
by dialing 800-222-TIPS (8477), 
texting the letters TIPLA plus 
your tip to CRIMES (274637), or using the 
tip web page at Los Angeles Regional Crime 
Stoppers.


Unique Rios


Devon Ricco Menendez


DUARTE AND BRADBURY ADD AN ADDITIONAL SHERIFF PATROL 
UNIT IN RESPONSE TO RISING PROPERTY CRIME RATES

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. 

Vehicle Burglary March 17 at 4:33 p.m., the victim of a vehicle burglary came to the 
police department lobby to file a report. The victim parked her vehicle in a parking lot 
in the 800 block of West Colorado. When she returned, her purse was missing from 
inside the vehicle. The victim believes she locked the vehicle. There were no signs of 
forced entry. The investigation is continuing. 

Vehicle Burglary March 17 at 5:18 p.m., a vehicle burglary was reported in the 
500 block of S. Shamrock. The front passenger-side window was smashed and a 
handbag, tablet and other miscellaneous items were taken from inside the vehicle. 
The investigation is continuing. 

Public Intoxication – Suspect Arrested March 18 at 12:17 a.m., a resident in the 300 
block of West Lemon called police to report a male subject on his lawn. Officers 
arrived and located a male subject wandering around in the area that matched the 
description. The subject was intoxicated and did not know where he was. The officers 
determined the subject was too intoxicated to care for himself. He was arrested and 
held for sobering. 

Public Intoxication – Suspect Arrested March 18 at 12:50 a.m., an officer on patrol 
saw a male subject stumbling down the street. He stopped the subject to check on his 
welfare and determined he was extremely intoxicated and unable to care for himself. 
The subject was arrested and held for sobering. 

Driving Under the Influence – Suspect Arrested March 18 at 1:50 a.m., an officer 
stopped a vehicle for a vehicle code violation, and while speaking with the driver, 
the officer could smell alcohol. After field sobriety tests were performed, it was 
determined the subject was intoxicated. The driver was arrested for driving under 
the influence. 

 

Possession of Drug Paraphernalia – Suspect Arrested March 18 at 4:41 p.m., officers 
responded to a residence in the 200 block of Norumbega regarding the report of drug 
activity at the location. The resident gave the officers consent to search the location 
and officers found drug paraphernalia. A female subject admitted the items were hers 
and she was arrested for possession of drug paraphernalia. 

Receiving Stolen Property – Suspect Arrested March 19 at 12:56 a.m., officers 
detained a subject walking through a park in the 700 block of E. Lemon after it was 
closed. The subject was walking with a bike that had an address and a phone number 
on it. The officers phoned and spoke to the owner of the bike, who reported his bike 
had been stolen. The subject was arrested for receiving stolen property and taken into 
custody. 

Possession of Drug Paraphernalia/Weapons Offenses – Five Suspects Arrested 
March 19 at 10:48 a.m., officers were dispatched to a hotel in the 700 block of W. 
Huntington regarding foot traffic in and out of one of the rooms. Hotel employees 
suspected possible prostitution. The subjects had also set off the fire alarm in the room 
earlier in the week and marijuana was smelled coming from the room. When officers 
arrived, they contacted two males and one female in the room. The female and one 
of the male subjects are known gang members. The other male is a known drug user 
and burglar from prior police contacts in Monrovia. The subject who rented the 
room was not present. Drug paraphernalia and an empty Beretta handgun case were 
located in the room. The three subjects in the room were arrested for possession of 
drug paraphernalia. 

 As one of the officers was leaving the hotel, he saw another known local drug user 
pumping gas into a vehicle at a gas station across the street. There was a male and 
female seated in the vehicle. A computer check of the license plate revealed the vehicle 
was registered to the subject who rented the room at the hotel. Officers detained all 
three subjects. A search of the vehicle revealed a loaded Beretta handgun, a large 
amount of methamphetamine, heroin and cash. A total of 5 suspects were arrested 
for drug and weapon related charges in this incident. 

DUARTE, CA, March 23, 2016 – In a proactive response to growing 
resident and business concerns over increased property crimes, the 
Duarte City Council voted at its March 22nd meeting to increase 
its law enforcement contract with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s 
Department by an additional patrol unit starting April 1st. The 
addition of this unit increases the City’s daytime patrol by 50%. 

 The initial cost to add the additional unit is $169,172 annually 
increasing to approximately $280,000 after 18 months. The City of 
Bradbury has agreed to fund $25,000 towards the additional unit 
through June 30th, and contribute $75,000 in the following budget 
year. 

 The City of Duarte, like the majority of California cities, is 
experiencing an increase in Part 1 crimes last year. Specifically, the 
City has experienced an 8.5 % increase in overall Part 1 crimes from 
2014 to 2015. This trend is in contrast to the balance of the Country 
where violent crime rates continue to drop. Public safety professionals 
are concerned voter approved Proposition 47 combined with AB l09 
prisoner realignment is causing the uptick. Especially in the case of 
Proposition 47, which allows non-violent offenders and drug users to 
participate in early release programs without mandatory treatment or 
supervision.

 “The Cities of Duarte and Bradbury continue to be proactive 
in our approaches to preventing and suppressing crime in our 
communities,” said City Manager Darrell George. The City of Duarte 
has the ability to amend its Sheriff Contract at any time. 

 Residents are also encouraged to help stay informed about 
important public safety news through the City of Duarte’s E-Mail 
Alert System. To sign up, call Aida Torres at the Duarte Public Safety 
office at (626) 357-7938. 

About the City of Duarte

The City of Duarte was incorporated on August 22, 1957. With integrity 
and transparency, the City provides exemplary public services in a 
caring and fiscally responsible manner with a commitment to our 
community’s future. For more information visit www.accessduarte.
com or call (626) 357-7931. Follow the City of Duarte on Facebook at 
facebook.com/duartecommunity; Twitter @CityofDuarte; Instagram 
@city_of_duarte and LinkedIn.


BUILDING PERMIT PULLED FOR APARTMENT PROJECT LOCATED AT 
FIFTH AND HUNTINGTON

Last week, the development firm building the 5th and Huntington residential apartment project located at the southeast corner of Fifth 
Avenue and Huntington Drive pulled their final building permits. This means that the project is moving full speed ahead and that the 
developer will be starting construction on the project within the next month or so.

 The housing project has been a long time coming and will replace the former self-storage facility with a new four-story, 154-unit 
apartment complex, along with a small 1,340 square foot commercial space at the north corner of the building. A rendering of the proposed 
apartment complex is below for your review and reference.

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