Excessive Heat Continues For Next 7 Days

 
SATURDAY, JULY 22, 2023 

VOLUME 17 NO. 28VOLUME 17 NO. 28

webbmartingroup.comreal estateJan Greteman 626.975.4033lic #01943630Judy Webb-Martin 626.688.2273lic #00541631Katie Orth 626.688.0418lic #0094250020222023Average 
Sold Price:$1,832,942$1,788,835Average Sq. Ft. 2,4992,240Average Price 
Per Sq. Ft.$764$857Units Sold171720222023Average 
Sold Price:$989,500$940,333Average Sq. Ft. 1,7361,612Average Price 
Per Sq. Ft.$574$607Units Sold33Single-Family HomesApril-June 2023Condo/TownhomesCHILL OUTThis Summer & Let Us 
Take Care of Your 
Real Estate Needs!
DISTRACTION 
THEFT 

COMMUNITY 
ALERT

The Sierra Madre Police Department is currently investigating a recent 
“Distraction Theft” turned Robbery that occurred on July 17, 2023, at 
about 10:30 a.m. on the 1900 Block of Liliano Drive. Two female suspects 
approached our elderly victim asking for directions. The suspects offered 
the victim a ring and a gold chain. While the victim was distracted, the 
suspects removed the victim’s bracelet from her wrist. Victim managed to 
retain her property. Suspects fled in a vehicle driven by an unknown male 
suspect. 

Police have noted a common pattern in these incidents, where elderly victims 
are approached by suspects under the pretense of seeking directions or 
engaging in casual conversation. During these encounters, the suspects often 
resort to physical contact, such as hugging, brushing against victims, or 
standing uncomfortably close. It is in these moments of distraction that the 
perpetrators skillfully remove valuable jewelry from their victims and replace 
it with counterfeit or costume jewelry. Additionally, thieves have also 
employed various tactics to divert attention and successfully pilfer wallets 
and cell phones from purses. Alarmingly, victims frequently fail to realize 
they have been deceived until much later. 

These acts of sleight-of-hand deception are typically orchestrated by groups 
of individuals who work together to distract victims in public. The elderly 
population, in particular, has proven more susceptible to these crimes, as 
the distraction tactics effectively impair their vigilance.

Protect yourself and remain vigilant:

• Don’t let strangers into your personal space or let them touch or hug
you.

• Maintain constant awareness of your surroundings – even when
watering your garden or simply going for a walk.

• If you feel like you are being targeted by a thief for a distraction
theft, yell or make a lot of noise to attract attention.

• If you feel someone is acting suspiciously, call 9-1-1. If you can see
the license plate on the car belonging to that person, memorize it or write it
down, and give it to police.

• If you have been the victim of a distraction theft, call 911 immediately 
or the Sierra Madre Police Department at 626-355-1414. If you wait to
call police, the chances of police finding the suspects decrease significantly.

By raising awareness about these thefts and providing practical safety
guidelines, the Sierra Madre Police Department aims to empower the community 
and reduce the prevalence of distraction thefts. Residents are encouraged 
to remain vigilant and stay informed to protect themselves and
their loved ones from falling victim to this insidious form of crime.

The Sierra Madre Police Department emphasizes the importance of reporting 
any suspicious activity by contacting their nonemergency, 24-hour 
number at 626-355-1414. For emergencies, residents should dial 9-1-1.


SIERRA MADRE NEWS 
THIS WEEK

REMEMBERINGSIERRA 
MADRE 
ICON ROBERT 
HARTFIELD 

Operator of Arnold's Hardware 
from 1957 until his 
retirement in 2003, Mr. 
Hartman passed away on 
July 4th.

Remebrance on Page 2


SIERRA MADRE SEARCH AND RESCUE PART OF 
TEAM SEARCHING FOR MISSING MONROVIA 
HIKER COLLIN WALKER


At press time SMSR had 
worked consecutive 24 
hour shifts for the last 3 
days. Rescue teans frin 
the Sheriffs Department 
and other agencies, as well 
as from Northern California 
and Nevada are also 
searching.

 SMSR, with the assistance 
of the City of Sierra 
Madre and the YMCA is 
providing housing for the 
crews that have arrived 
from out of town.

 Walker, an experienced 
hiker has been missing for 
more than a week. 

 According to one source, 
one of the challenges of 
finding him is that he may 
have been on trails that 
are no longer in use, as he 
was working on a book 
and was possibly using old 
trail maps.

 Collin Walker is a 43 
years old.

Above: 

SMSR is briefed on the current 
satus of rescue efforts. 

Photo courtesy SMSR

IMPORTANT NOTICE FROM 
THE SIERRA MADRE PUBLIC 
WORKS TEAM:

The 2023 Water Main and Street Project for West 
Sierra Madre Blvd. from Baldwin Ave. to S. 

Hermosa Ave. will commence on Monday, July 
24, 2023. 

ALL BUSINESSES MAY REMAIN OPEN 
DURING THE PROJECT.

The Water Main replacement project which includes 
new service lines for the businesses and 
new fire hydrant locations. The project also includes 
the widening of the southside sidewalk and 
street resurfacing. The project is scheduled to take 
up to 90 days.

West Sierra Madre Blvd. will be open in one direction 
during the day and both lanes open at the end 
of the day. 

Parking will be available in the city parking lots 
behind the businesses. Street parking will be 

allowed outside of the daily project area. 

Windsor Lane will be closed to through traffic 
for the staging of equipment and materials for the 
project. At the conclusion of the project Winsor 
Lane will be reopened to one-way traffic from Sierra 
Madre Blvd. to Montecito Ct. for northbound 
traffic only.

Pedestrian traffic will be allowed on sidewalks, 
crossing the street may be limited at times.

Your cooperation is appreciated during while this 
necessary work is being performed. 

Your patience will be rewarded by a dependable 
water infrastructure wider sidewalks and a new 
surface coating on our street, which will last many 
years.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR COOPERATION, 

SIERRA MADRE PUBLIC WORKS TEAM

Eileen Benson626.278.0187CalRE# 01880650Barbara Rogers626.484.8135CalRE# 01169115Not intended as a solicitation if your property is already listed by another broker. Affi liated real estate agents are independent contractor sales associates, not employ-
ees. ©2023 Coldwell Banker. All Rights Reserved. Coldwell Banker and the Coldwell Banker logos are trademarks of Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. The Coldwell 
Banker® System is comprised of company owned offi ces which are owned by a subsidiary of Anywhere Advisors LLC and franchised offi ces which are independently 
owned and operated. The Coldwell Banker System fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act.
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