Mountain Views News          Saturday, December 14, 2013

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Mountain View News Saturday. December 14, 2013 


Human 

Remains 
Found in 

Altadena

Gang Members Arrested in 
$2.5 Million Drug Trafficking

 Federal charges were 
announced Thursday, 
against 24 members and 
associates of Pasadena-based 
gangs and drug trafficking 
organizations in the San 
Gabriel and Antelope 
Valleys for their roles in a 
narcotics network in which 
methamphetamine, cocaine 
and heroin were supplied 
from Mexico and distributed 
widely in southern 
California.

 “The Pasadena Police 
Department worked closely 
with the Federal Bureau of 
Investigation/Safe Streets 
Team, the Los Angeles 
County Sheriff’s Department, 
the Drug Enforcement 
Agency, and other regional 
law enforcement partners 
to bring this 18 month 
operation to a successful 
conclusion,” Pasadena Police 
Chief, Phillip L. Sanchez, said. 
“Moreover, this investigation 
underscores the results of 
combined law enforcement 
efforts, arresting numerous 
predatory gang members 
and significantly impacting 
the distribution and sales 
of narcotics in the San 
Gabriel Valley and Lancaster 
Region.”

 Operation Rosebud targeted 
the street gang known as 
“Vario Pasadena Rifa” (VPR) 
whose members are known 
to distribute large quantities 
of methamphetamine in 
the city of Pasadena and 
surrounding areas in the 
San Gabriel Valley. VPR 
operated through a network 
of suppliers that facilitated 
the delivery of pure 
methamphetamine from 
Mexico through southwest 
states and ultimately to local 
destinations. The task force 
seized more than 60 pounds 
of methamphetamine, heroin 
and powder cocaine from 
sources linked to the drug 
trafficking organization. 

 The Varrio Pasadena Rifa 
(VPR) is a violent, and one 
of Pasadena’s oldest, street 
gangs, consisting of more 
than 50 documented gang 
members. VPR members 
are known to control their 
distribution of illegal 
narcotics through violence 
and intimidation. Varrio 
translates in English to 
“neighborhood,” Pasadena 
relates to the City of 
Pasadena, and Rifa translates 
in English to “we rule,” or 
“we are the best.”

 Investigators are still 
not certain the identity of 
human skeletal remains 
found Wednesday along 
the 3900 block of Fair 
Oaks Avenue in Altadena. 
According to the Sheriff’s 
Homicide detectives, a skull 
and bones were found by 
hikers around 12:30 p.m. 
Although the bones were 
scattered, they are thought 
to be one person. 

A search Wednesday had 
to be called off due to bad 
weather and darkness. The 
area is the northern most 
part of Altadena in a section 
of the Angeles National 
Forest. Rugged terrain also 
made the search rough.

 The cause of death is still 
under investigation.

Anyone with information 
about this incident is 
asked to contact the Los 
Angeles County Sheriff’s 
Department’s Homicide 
Bureau at (323) 890-5500.

Plans Heard for St. Luke’s Medical Center

 The city council heard plans 
Monday night the for the, 
long vacant, former St. Luke 
Medical Center that include 
demolishing a number of 
potentially historic buildings, 
constructing a three-story 
parking structure and new 
medical offices. 

City staff made clear that 
no formal application, for 
the property, had been 
submitted.

 The site comprised of three 
parcels, with a total size 
of approximately 13 acres, 
would be redeveloped by 
Denley Investment. 

 Under the proposal, plans 
would include, re-occupying 
the former hospital with 
medical offices. The main 
building’s most prominent 
feature is the stepped form of 
the central tower component 
built in 1933 and designated 
a historic landmark. Plans 
also include demolition 
of the “Annex Building” 
—a potentially historic 
structure— to make way 
for a three-story, 280-space, 
parking structure. A one-
story office building, located 
south of the hospital building 
would also be demolished. 
A 750 square foot receiving 
facility to the rear of the 
power plant to the southeast 
of the hospital building is 
also planned.

 City Staff also said a Traffic 
Impact Study would need to 
be conducted for the project. 

 According to a city staff 
report, the St. Luke Medical 
Center closed in 2002 and in 
2003 portions of the hospital 
facility was used by Caltech 
as offices, but is currently 
unoccupied. The existing 
medical office building at 
2750 E. Washington Blvd., to 
the southeast of the hospital, 
is currently in operation. 
The site also contains five 
single family residences, 
along Woodlyn Road on the 
south side of the property. 
Although under the same 
ownership, no alterations to 
the residences are proposed.

One Person 
Dead in 
Retirement 
Center Fire


Chamber 
Holds 
Holiday 
Party

 One person was killed 
Monday afternoon during 
a fire at a senior living 
complex in the 2600 block 
on North Lincoln Ave. 
Firefighters said two units 
at the Friends Retirement 
Center were damaged. The 
fire started around 1:30 
p.m. The fire was knocked 
down in 20 minutes. 

 According to reports, 
firefighters found a body 
in one of the apartments. 
Another person was injured 
in the blaze estimated to 
have caused over 1 million 
in damage.

 Authorities had Lincoln 
Ave. blocked off all 
afternoon. Flames could be 
seen for blocks. 

 The name of the deceased 
had not been released. An 
investigation into the cause 
of the fire was also ongoing. 

 The Pasadena Chamber 
hosts its annual Holiday Party 
for members and friends at 
Castle Catering’s Romanesque 
Room at 50 East Green Street 
in Pasadena on Thursday, 
December 19th at 5:00 p.m.

 The party is organized by 
the Chamber Ambassadors. 
Food is being donated by 
Castle Catering, Stonefire 
Grill, Chefelle, Buca di 
Beppo, California Pizza 
Kitchen, Domino’s Pizza, 
Colombo’s Italian Steakhouse, 
Menchies Frozen Yogurt, 
Panda Express Catering and 
others. Dance Syndicate 
provides music. Drinks are 
offered at Happy hour prices. 
90 minutes of free parking is 
available across Green Street 
in the Schoolhouse Parking 
Structure.

 The Chamber Holiday Party 
is also the culmination of the 
Chamber’s annual toy drive to 
support local children’s service 
organizations. This year 
the Chamber is supporting 
Operation Santa Claus, the 
Pasadena Jaycees’ program 
that delivers toys to needy 
children on Christmas Eve. 
Anyone wanting to donate to 
the Chamber Toy Drive can 
bring an unwrapped toy to the 
Holiday Party or leave it at the 
Chamber offices in Pasadena.

 Chamber members who 
donate toys at the Holiday 
Party receive free admission. 
Non-members with a toy and 
Pasadena Chamber members 
without a toy pay $10. All 
others pay $20 to attend. For 
more information about the 
Toy Drive or Holiday party, 
please call the Chamber office 
at (626) 795-3355.

 The Pasadena Chamber 
of Commerce and Civic 
Association is a professional 
business organization. Since 
the earliest days of Pasadena, 
the Chamber has played a 
major role in the development 
of this internationally 
renowned city. 

Protest Planned Against 
Devil’s Gate Dam Project

Sheriff Lee Baca speaks during a press conference in Pasadena

Schiff Urges Extending 
Unemployment Insurance

 
Adam Schiff, a member 
of the Appropriations 
Committee, released 
the following statement 
Wednesday after a budget 
agreement was reached 
between Sen. Patty Murray 
and Rep. Paul Ryan last 
night, and urged Congress 
to extend unemployment 
insurance before leaving 
town for the holidays:

 “I appreciate the work 
that the budget negotiators 
have done to replace the 
sequester with a more 
rational budget process, 
and I will be evaluating 
the specifics to determine 
whether it is something I can 
support. The deal may help 
Congress return to a regular 
appropriations process and 
stop the economically-
destructive practice of 
going from crisis to crisis. 
It would also restore some 
of the funding cut by the 
indiscriminate sequester.

 “However, I’m deeply 
disturbed that this deal does 
not include an extension of 
unemployment insurance 
for 1.3 million Americans 
who are actively seeking 
employment. A recent CBO 
study showed that failure 
to extend unemployment 
insurance will not only hurt 
struggling families, but 
also will cost our economy 
another 200,000 lost jobs that 
we just can’t afford to lose 
during this tepid recovery. 
Congress should not leave 
town for the holidays until 
we have extended these vital 
benefits.

 “I hope that we will be 
able to reach agreement on 
unemployment insurance 
and avoid putting a lump of 
coal into families’ stockings 
during this holiday season.”

 

 Hahamonga Water Shed 
activists have organized a protest 
today decrying the County’s 
plan to excavate approximately 
120 acres from the Devil’s 
Gate Dam. According to event 
organizers, “Hands Across the 
Dam” will take place at 11 a.m.

 Activists say the action is a 
protest against planned silt 
excavation, which could involve 
trucks operating six day a week, 
over the course of years.

 “Trees will be clear-cut, 
all plants removed, and up 
to 120 acres excavated as a 
‘maintenance zone in what is 
now a rich riparian habitat,” 
activists said. “Regional traffic 
will snarl and air quality 
deteriorated. Animals will 
lose their homes. Trails will be 
obliterated.”

 The protest will take place atop 
the Devil’s gate Dam.

Pet of the 
Week


Altadena Crime Blotter

Sunday, December 1st

7:50 PM – Syntyshe LePerry, 
21 yrs, of Pasadena and Dejan 
Anderson, 21 yrs, of Pasadena 
were arrested for driving a 
vehicle without owners consent, 
possession of marijuana for 
sales, and receiving stolen 
property. 

Between 10:00 PM and 6:00 
AM (Monday) – A petty theft 
from an unlocked vehicle 
occurred in the 2900-blk of 
Mount Curve Ave. Loss: red 
coin bag, currency.

Monday, December 2nd

Between 12:01 AM and 7:00 
AM – A vehicle burglary 
occurred in the 300-blk of W. 
Crosby St. Suspect(s) entered 
the vehicle by shattering the 
rear passenger window. Loss: 
brown bag, shoes.

Between 12:00 PM and 3:30 
PM – A residential burglary 
occurred in the 200-blk of 
W. Mountain View St. Loss: 
laptop.

Wednesday, December 4th

Between 5:00 PM and 11:59 PM 
– A vehicle vandalism occurred 
in the 600-blk of E. Pine St. 

Between 7:00 PM and 7:00 
AM (Thursday) – A vehicle 
burglary occurred in the 1900-
blk of Jefferson Dr. Loss: silver 
MacBook Air, black/white 
flower print computer bag, 
books.

Thursday, December 5th

11:20 AM – A grand theft 
occurred in the 3000-blk of 
Lake Ave. Loss: gray/black 
Panasonic Toughbook laptop.

Between 6:00 PM and 6:00 AM 
(Friday) – A grand theft from 
an unlocked vehicle occurred 
in the 1600-blk of N. Allen Ave. 
Loss: rear seats (’07 Chevrolet 
Tahoe), black navigation/radio 
system. 

Friday, December 6th

1:26 AM – Omar Aguilar, 40 
yrs, of Altadena was arrested for 
public intoxication. 

8:36 AM – A vehicle was 
reported stolen from the 2100-
blk of Glenrose Ave. ***Vehicle 
outstanding***

2:30 PM – Joseph Diego, 24 
yrs, of Pasadena and Alberto 
Joya, 23 yrs, of Pasadena were 
arrested for shoplifting. 

Between 9:00 PM and 10:00 AM 
(Saturday) – A vehicle burglary 
occurred in the 1700-blk of 
Vistillas St. Suspect(s) entered 
the vehicle by shattering the 
window. Loss: black work bag 
containing tools.

10:42 PM – Brian Conley, 50 
yrs, of Altadena was arrested 
for possession of a controlled 
substance.

Saturday, December 7th

9:32 AM – Harry Caldwell, 52 
yrs, of Altadena was arrested for 
assault with a deadly weapon.

4:50 PM – A package theft 
occurred in the 1900-blk of 
Crary. Suspect described 
as a male, White, wearing a 
black hooded sweatshirt and 
blue jeans. Suspect was seen 
entering a silver Toyota 4 dr. 
Loss: HDMI cable, cell phone 
case. 

11:37 PM – Jeffrey Ortiz, 28 
yrs, of Altadena was arrested 
for possession of a controlled 
substance and possession of 
drug paraphernalia.

 Chuck is a seven-month-
old pitbull puppy. He’s very 
active and loves eating 
treats from his Kong toy.

 Chuck’s adoption fee 
is $125, which includes 
his neuter surgery, a 
microchip, the first set of 
vaccinations, as well as 
a free follow-up health 
check at a participating vet. 
New adopters will receive 
complimentary health and 
wellness exam from VCA 
Animal Hospitals, as well 
as a goody bag filled with 
information on how to 
care for your pet. Ask an 
adoptions counselor for 
more information during 
your visit. 

 Call the Pasadena 
Humane Society & SPCA at 
626.792.7151 to ask about 
A337936, or visit at 361 S. 
Raymond Ave. in Pasadena. 
Adoption hours are 11-4 
Sunday, 9-5 Tuesday –
Friday, 9-4 Saturday. Pets 
may not be available for 
adoption and cannot be 
held for potential adopters 
from phone calls or email. 
Directions and photos of all 
pets can be found at www.
pasadenahumane.org.

Learn How to Produce 
Your Own TV Show

 In anticipation of Pasadena 
Media opening new studios at 
150 S. Los Robles Ave, they are 
offering free television-training 
programs for producers. Plan 
to attend an orientation to 
discover the right classes for 
you. Producers’ Training 
teaches how to produce shows 
for The Arroyo Channel. Studio 
Production/Equipment training 
is also offered to volunteer 
crewmembers. In addition, 
on-going training will soon be 
available in citizen journalism 
and digital film groups. Call the 
office (626) 794-8585 or go to 
PASADENAMEDIA.ORG and 
explore what Pasadena Media 
has to offer.


Chu Votes 
to Rein in 
Patent Trolls

 Congresswoman Judy Chu 
voted last week to pass H.R. 
3309, the Innovation Act of 
2013. This legislation helps 
curb abusive litigation by 
patent assertion entities, 
more commonly referred to 
as “patent trolls.” These actors 
abuse the patent system by 
purchasing the rights to overly 
broad patents in order to 
threaten legitimate businesses 
and consumers with costly 
litigation. According to a 
Boston University study, 
lawsuits brought on by patent 
trolls cost the U.S. economy 
more than $29 billion annually.

Class Offerings 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm Nightly

Studio and Offices Closed

December 22, - Saturday January 4

Stage Manager Training

Tuesday, Jan. 7 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm

Character Generator Training

Wednesday Jan. 8 at 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm 

Video Tape Op. Training

Thursday Jan. 9 at 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Citizen Journalism coming soon

Digital Film Group coming soon