Arcadia · Monrovia · Duarte | ||||||||||||||||||||
Mountain Views News, Sierra Madre Edition [Pasadena] Saturday, March 11, 2017 | ||||||||||||||||||||
6 Mountain View News Saturday, March 11, 2017 ARCADIA POLICE BLOTTER ARCADIA UNIFIED SAVES TAXPAYERS OVER $40 MILLION BY BOND REFINANCING For the period of Sunday, February 26th, through Saturday, March 4th, the Police Department responded to 1,057 calls for service of which 139 required formal investigations. The following is a summary report of the major incidents handled by the Department during this period. Sunday, February 26: 1. Shortly before 1:35 a.m., an officer responded to the 300 block of West Longden 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. An investigation revealed a 32-year-old male from La Puente, a 32-year-old female from El Monte, a 22-year-old female from La Puente, and a 20-year-old male from Whittier were in possession of the stolen package, property, tracking device, and stolen mail from Arcadia residences. The suspects was arrested and transported to the Arcadia City Jail for booking. A records check of the 32-year-old male from La Puente revealed he was on Post Release Community Supervision. 2. Around 6:04 p.m., an officer responded to T-Mobile, 101 Huntington Drive, regarding a fraud report. The victim stated a former roommate obtained her personal information and fraudulently opened a cellular account in her name. The victim believes the suspect, a female from Rosemead, has left the country. Monday, February 27: 3. At approximately 7:13 a.m., an officer responded to a residence in the 00 block of East Duarte Road regarding a stolen trailer report. The officer discovered unknown suspect(s) stole a “Grady Construction” trailer from the location sometime during the previous weekend. No suspects were seen and no witnesses were located. 4. Just after 1:09 p.m., an officer responded to the 700 block of Sunset Boulevard regarding a vandalism report. An investigation revealed unknown suspect(s) spray painted “INK”, “626”, and “LTG” near a driveway during the previous night. No suspects were seen and no witnesses were located. Tuesday, February 28: 5. Around 1:07 a.m., an officer responded to Motel 6, 225 Colorado Place, regarding a robbery report. The victim stated his ex-boyfriend forcibly stole her phone, and then proceeded to kick and choke the victim. The 31-year-old male from Pomona was gone by the time officers arrived and is outstanding at the time of this report. The investigation is ongoing. 6. Just before 8:50 a.m., officers responded to a residence in the 00 block of Alice Street regarding a burglary report. Officers determined an unknown suspect smashed the rear sliding glass door of a vacant residence, ransacked the location, and fled empty-handed. No suspects were seen and no witnesses were located. 7. At approximately 11:05 a.m., an officer responded to the Arcadia Police Department front counter regarding a battery that occurred in the 300 block of South Baldwin Avenue. An investigation revealed two physical altercations occurred between a husband and wife on separate occasion resulting in the husband choking his wife. The 38-year-old male from Arcadia is outstanding at the time of this report. The investigation is ongoing. Wednesday, March 1: 8. Shortly after 2:39 p.m., an officer responded to Ralph’s, 211 East Foothill Boulevard, regarding a theft report. The officer discovered three unknown suspects stole a cart full of merchandise and fled in a white Oldsmobile van. The suspects are described as two 25 to 30-year-old Hispanic females, approximately 5’4”, both with large builds. The third suspect is described as a 40 to 45-year- old Hispanic female, roughly 5’5”, with a medium build. The investigation is ongoing. 9. At about 7:01 p.m., an officer responded to the intersection of Huntington Drive and Centennial Way regarding a subject causing a disturbance. The officer located the subject and detected a strong odor of alcohol emitting from his breath. The officer determined the 62-year-old male from Palm Desert was unable to care for himself. He was arrested and transported to the Arcadia City Jail for booking. Thursday, March 2: 10. At approximately 1:58 a.m., an officer conducted an enforcement stop on a vehicle in the area of East Huntington Drive and Second Avenue for not having a license plate or the proper registration stickers. Upon contacting the driver, the officer detected a strong odor of alcohol and marijuana emitting from the suspect. Through a series of tests, the officer determined the 26-year-old male from San Gabriel was driving under the influence of an alcoholic beverage and marijuana. He was arrested and transported to the Arcadia City Jail for booking. 11. Around 4:21 p.m., an officer responded to Burlington Coat Factory, 1201 South Baldwin Avenue, regarding a shoplifting report. On two separate occasions, the suspect selected store merchandise, exited the store without paying for the items, then returned to the store and attempted to return the items. The suspect fled by the time officers arrived. The suspect is described as a Caucasian male, approximately 50-years-old, 5’4” tall, roughly 200 pounds, wearing a LA Dodgers hat. The investigation is ongoing. Friday, March 3: 12. At about 1:26 a.m., an officer responded to a residence in the 00 block of Christina Street regarding a domestic dispute. An investigation revealed a husband and wife were arguing when the altercation turned physical and the husband punched the victim in the arm. The 41-year-old male from Arcadia is outstanding at the time of this report. The investigation is ongoing. 13. Just before 2:49 p.m., an officer responded to a residence in the 400 block of Fairview Avenue regarding a burglary report. The officer determined the unknown suspect removed the window and screen, entered the home, and fled empty-handed. No suspects were seen and no witnesses were located. Saturday, March 4: 14. Shortly after 11:34 a.m., an officer responded to the 800 block of Kingsley Drive regarding a vehicle burglary report. The victim stated an unknown suspect entered his unlocked vehicle, ransacked the interior, and fled with an unknown amount of property. DNA was located at the scene and the suspect, a 22-year-old male from Pasadena, was later arrested. ARCADIA-- Arcadia Unified School District’s Board of Education voted unanimously at its February 28 meeting on a resolution that will save Arcadia taxpayers over $40 million. The savings will come by way of refinancing bonds that were obtained through the Measure I, Facilities Bond. Approved by voters in November 2006, Measure I, or the Arcadia Neighborhood Schools, Health, Safety and Repair Measure, authorized $218 million of general obligation bonds to be spent solely for the improvement and modernization of Arcadia Unified School District (AUSD) schools and facilities. Fiscal management of the bonds has been overseen by AUSD Business Services, headed by Assistant Superintendent Christina Aragon. `“We constantly keep an eye out for opportunities to be sound stewards of Arcadia taxpayer money,” said Assistant Superintendent Aragon. In light of the bonds’ call date occurring this year, AUSD Business Services partnered with a financial advisor to examine the option of refinancing. “By refinancing these bonds, we will be able to take advantage of current interest rates that are lower than those originally available in 2007,” Aragon explained. “It will come at no cost to AUSD, and although it will not directly benefit AUSD, it will save Arcadia taxpayers over $40 million in taxes. The savings are exclusively for the taxpayers.” The savings will be seen over the life of the repayment plan, which will save taxpayers, on average, 10 percent each year from taxes related to these bonds. Measure I funding was approved for the purpose of making structural improvements to AUSD schools. To date, every project on the district’s original capital improvement list has been completed, with every AUSD school receiving upgrades to classrooms and school facilities. Upgrades have included the following: improved technology and renovations in every classroom in the district; enhanced safety features, including additional security lighting and fencing; upgraded landscaping and sidewalks; new phone and master bell systems; the Arcadia Performing Arts Center; improved utility and power infrastructure; new library and media centers; electronic marquees at every school; enhanced student support facilities and services; and several other needed restorations and repairs district-wide. “The upgrades we have been able to make to our schools and facilities have created amazing learning spaces for our students and have equipped teachers with state-of-the-art teaching tools. None of this could have been accomplished without Arcadia taxpayers’ support of our schools. It makes me very happy to know we constantly adhere to best practices of fiscal responsibility in our oversight of taxpayer money,” said AUSD School Board Vice President Fenton Eng. Post-resolution approval, AUSD Business Services will secure these taxpayer savings, with a presentation of the results of the refinancing anticipated to occur at the AUSD Board of Education meeting on May 9, 2017. MONROVIA POLICE BLOTTER From the City Manager's Report MONROVIA POLICE OFFICERS’ ASSOCIATION (MPOA) SURPRISES A MONROVIA SPECIAL NEEDS STUDENT WITH A WHEELCHAIR AT MAYFLOWER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 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. Battery / Possession of a Controlled Substance / Possession of Drug Paraphernalia / Warrants – Suspects Arrested March 2 at 5:29 p.m., dispatch received several calls reporting two male adults fighting in the 100 block of Norumbega Drive. Officers arrived and located one male adult, and while speaking with him, discovered he was on probation. During a pat-down search, he was found to have drug paraphernalia in his possession. Another officer located the second male suspect nearby, who was found to have several warrants. While speaking with the second suspect, a female approached. She was found to have several warrants and had methamphetamine in her possession. All three suspects were arrested. Theft From a Vehicle March 2 at 7:25 p.m., a theft from a vehicle was reported in the 900 block of Crescent. The vehicle was parked in the victim’s driveway with the doors unlocked. The suspect entered the vehicle and took a backpack containing miscellaneous school supplies and a bag containing clothing that was going to be donated. The investigation is continuing. Possession of a Controlled Substance / Possession of Drug Paraphernalia – Suspect Arrested March 3 at 3:30 p.m., officers responded to the report of a male adult slumped over the wheel of a parked vehicle in the 200 block of Linwood Avenue. Officers located the vehicle and an adult male inside, who was unresponsive. The officers made entry into the vehicle and saw a loaded syringe sticking out of the inner thigh of the driver. Officers were able to revive the subject, who admitted to being addicted to heroin. The suspect was arrested and the vehicle was stored. Defrauding an Innkeeper March 3 at 10:14 p.m., a male subject ordered a dinner meal at a restaurant in the 800 block of W. Huntington and then left the location without paying. The investigation is continuing. Defrauding and Innkeeper March 3 at 11:27 p.m., a male subject ordered food at a restaurant in the 1100 block of E. Huntington and was unhappy with the order. He was given a discount on his bill, but still left the location without paying. The investigation is continuing. Suspicious Subject / Warrant / Possession of Drug Paraphernalia – Suspect Arrested March 4 at 12:54 a.m., officers responded to the 400 block of W. Huntington regarding the report of a suspicious subject in the area. They arrived and contacted the subject. A computer check revealed he had an outstanding warrant and he was arrested. While searching the suspect, he was found to be in possession of drug paraphernalia. Weapons Offense March 4 at 11:13 a.m., a security guard from a business in the 100 block of W. Foothill flagged down an officer who was driving by on Myrtle. He informed the officer that a subject in a silver charger had just sped through the parking lot and almost hit him. The officer turned into the parking area to look for the vehicle and was stopped by a patron, who reported that the same subject in the silver charger had tossed a handgun out of the vehicle window as it sped through the parking lot. The officer recovered the weapon, which was not registered, and an extensive search was conducted for the vehicle, but it was not located. Neighboring agencies were contacted to see if they had any reports of a recent shooting. The investigation is continuing. Battery / Possession of Drug Paraphernalia – Suspects Arrested March 4 at 3:04 p.m., officers responded to a residence in the 100 block of Norumbega on the report of a family disturbance. Officers arrived and separated three adults and spoke with them. They were all disruptive and combative with each other. One subject was arrested for possession of drug paraphernalia and a second was arrested for battery. Counterfeit Currency / Warrant – Suspect Arrested March 4 at 4:13 p.m., officers were dispatched to the 300 block of W. Huntington on the report of subjects bathing outside. The officers arrived and located several subjects possibly involved in the reported activity. While speaking with the subjects, the officers located counterfeit U.S. currency belonging to one of the subjects. He was arrested and taken into custody. He was also found to have an outstanding warrant. Driving Under the Influence – Suspect Arrested March 4 at 10:07 p.m., an intoxicated female in a vehicle was reported at a business parking lot in the 1600 block of S. Mountain. Officers arrived and located the subject. After investigation, the female driver was arrested for driving under the influence and was taken into custody. Vehicle Burglary March 5 at 12:24 a.m., a vehicle burglary was reported at a business parking lot in the 900 block of W. Huntington. The victim parked her vehicle in the parking lot and when she returned, she found the driver side window had been shattered and her purse, which she left in the vehicle, was gone. The investigation is continuing. Vehicle Burglary March 5 at 6:15 a.m., a vehicle burglary was reported in the 1600 block of Royal Oaks. The resident parked and locked her vehicle in front of her home. She looked out the window and noticed a subject standing by her vehicle and pulling a toolbox from the back seat. The suspect fled in a vehicle. The victim went out to her vehicle and found the rear window had been smashed, allowing the suspect to gain access. The investigation is continuing. Vandalism March 5 at 12:19 p.m., a resident in the 100 block of N. Myrtle called police to report a vandalism incident. Sometime during the early morning hours, an unknown suspect shattered the front passenger side window of his parked vehicle. No property appeared to have been taken. The investigation is continuing. Vandalism March 5 at 12:55 p.m., a resident in the 700 block of W. Foothill parked his vehicle in front of his apartment complex and went in for the night. When he returned in the morning, he found one of his tires had been slashed with a sharp object. The investigation is continuing. Through our School Resource Officer program with the Monrovia Unified School District (MUSD), the MPOA became aware of a special needs child who required access to a specialized wheel chair. The child, Jose DeAnda, is a 9 year- old who is afflicted with cerebral palsy. Jose, a 4th grade student at Mayflower Elementary School, was able to borrow a special wheelchair for an hour a day while at school. The wheelchair allowed Jose to move around under his own power, and Jose’s family tried to purchase him his own special wheelchair. Unfortunately, his insurance company denied the claim for the special wheelchair, and his family was unable to afford the equipment. When our School Resources Officer, James Ruano, heard about Jose’s story, he coordinated a response with the Monrovia Police Officers’ Association. MPOA raised the funds needed ($3,500) to purchase the special wheelchair for the family. The chair, manufactured by Rifton, allows Jose to be in a forward standing position. He is able to propel himself under his own power with the wheelchair, which gives him a sense of freedom to explore his surroundings. Police Officer Ruano also contacted the manufacturer, and through that discussion, was able to get the wheelchair for a discounted price, saving over $1,000. Last week, Mayflower Elementary School had a special school assembly. With the attendance of Sid Garcia of ABC7 News, and Jose’s family and friends, the gift was presented by the Monrovia Police Officers’ Association as a total surprise to Jose! What a terrific outcome for this overall situation, which highlights just how integrated our law enforcement personnel are here in the Monrovia community! MONROVIA TO PARTICIPATE IN THE NATIONAL LEAGUE OF CITIES 2017 MAYOR’S WATER CONSERVATION CHALLENGE PROGRAM TO ENCOURAGE WATER CONSERVATION - SIGN-UP TODAY FOR YOUR CHANCE TO WIN HUNDREDS OF GREAT PRIZES! We are excited to share that the City will be participating in the National League of Cities 6th Annual National Mayor’s Challenge for Water Conservation! The program will take place from April 1 – 30, 2017, and as part of the program, we will be coordinating with the National League of Cities to encourage all residents to enhance our water conservation efforts. The overall National Mayor’s Challenge for Water Conservation is a friendly competition that takes place between participating cities from across the country with a goal of encouraging residents to sign-up online and pledge to reduce water consumption, energy use, and pollution. Those who do sign-up and pledge online between April 1 – 30, 2017, will be entered in a contest where you can win hundreds of great prizes – including home irrigation kits, home improvement store gift cards, and even a brand new Toyota Prius! For your chance to win, and to make a pledge to start conserving water, be sure to sign-up online between April 1 – 30, 2017, at the following link: http://www.mywaterpledge.com/campaign/ national-campaign ATTENTION DUARTE RESIDENTS: SCE CONDUCTS MAINTENANCE POWER OUTAGES ON MARCH 14TH AND 15TH AFFECTING 313 CUSTOMERS On the dates of March 14th and 15th,, a total of 278 residential customers, 35 business, and 2 traffic signals will be involved in a 9 hour maintenance outage conducted by Southern California Edison. This scheduled maintenance will begin on Tuesday, March 14th at 8:00 pm and end at 4:30 am on Wednesday, March 15th. SCE notified city officials and mailed notices to every affected household of the intended shutdown. Edison describes boundaries for the planned outage to include Central Avenue on the south side and west of Crestfield Avenue. This outage will allow SCE to make needed upgrades and repairs to increase their reliability. To prepare for the planned outage, SCE advises customers to shut off or disconnect all sensitive electronic equipment, such as computers and fax machines, before the outage begins. Notify security and/or phone companies that provide businesses with service as the outage will ffect alarm systems and may affect private phone systems. Customers should make sure that they could override or manually operate their security gates or garage doors. Plan to minimize the opening of refrigerator and freezer doors during the outage to maintain temperature. If customers plan to operate an emergency generator, notify SCE before the outage so SCE can protect its employees from possible electrical back feed. To notify SCE of a generator, call 1-(800) 990-7788. For more information and status on a planned outage, visit www.sce.com/outage or call1-(800) 611-1911 and reference Planned Outage #813337. 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 | ||||||||||||||||||||