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Mountain Views-News Saturday, December 28, 2013
Arcadia Police Blotter
ARCADIA POLICE DEPARTMENT
UPCOMING DUI/DRIVER’S LICENSE CHECKPOINT & DUI
SATURATION PATROL
The Arcadia Police Department will hold a DUI/Driver’s License Checkpoint during the evening
hours of Saturday, December 28th and a DUI Saturation Patrol on December 31st, 2013. Said
enforcement efforts will be conducted during the California Office of Traffic Safety’s “December DUI
Crackdown,” which runs from December 13th thru December 31st. Additionally, members of the
Arcadia Police Department will participate in 4 multi-agency DUI task force operations as part of the
AVOID 100 program during this same time frame.
Earlier this year, the Arcadia Police Department received two grants from the California Office of
Traffic Safety (OTS) for a year-long program aimed at preventing deaths and injuries on our roadways,
through the use of DUI checkpoints, specialized enforcement efforts and public awareness.
One of the goals of our enforcement activity this holiday season is to promote public safety and
increase awareness of the dangers associated with drinking and driving. This will be accomplished by
providing a highly visible enforcement and publicity campaign, in order to deter intoxicated drivers
from getting behind the wheel and driving. Through these efforts, we also seek to reduce the number
of injuries and deaths associated with collisions involving intoxicated drivers.
We would like to remind the public of the dangers associated with drinking and driving. It simply is
not worth it to drive while impaired. Give the gift of life this holiday season and celebrate responsibly
by using a sober designated driver. Remember, “Friends don’t let friend’s drive while impaired.”
Don’t forget to visit the Arcadia Police Department News & Information Blog or follow us on
Facebook, Twitter or Nixle for other pertinent news and information. Remember, the solution begins
with you!
Funding for these operations is provided from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Report Drunk Drivers. Call 9-1-1!
For the period of Sunday, December 15th, through
Saturday, December 21st, the Police Department
responded to 1,067 calls for service of which 167 required
formal investigations. The following is a summary report
of the major incidents handled by the Department
during this period.
Sunday, December 15:
1. Around 3:48 a.m., an officer conducted a traffic
stop on a vehicle on Longden Avenue at Baldwin Avenue
for having no front license plate. A vehicle search revealed
the driver was in possession of a switchblade knife. The
20-year-old male of unknown race was arrested and
transported to the Arcadia City Jail for booking.
2. At about 3:20 p.m., an officer responded to
Arcadia Avenue and Sunset Boulevard regarding a
subject loitering in the area of the construction site. The
officer discovered the 62-year-old White male subject
was under the influence of alcohol and unable to care for
himself. He was arrested and transported to the Arcadia
City Jail for booking.
Monday, December 16:
3. Shortly after 1:30 p.m., an officer conducted a
traffic stop on a vehicle for expired registration in the
area of Duarte Road and Second Avenue. A records
check revealed the driver also had an expired license.
The 54-year-old female of unknown race was cited in
the field for the listed charges and her vehicle was left
legally parked.
4. At approximately 6:40 p.m., an officer was
dispatched to a solo traffic collision on Foothill
Boulevard at Loma Lisa Lane. The driver collided with
the center median as she attempted to enter the left
turning lane. No injuries were reported.
Tuesday, December 17:
5. Just after 10:30 a.m., an officer responded to
First Avenue Middle School, 301 South First Avenue,
regarding an assault with a deadly weapon investigation.
After unknown student(s) cracked the suspect’s wooden
drumstick, he stabbed another student in the calf with
the remaining part of the broken drumstick. The
drumstick punctured the victim’s calf and was sticking
out approximately three inches from the other side.
The victim was transported to the emergency room at
Arcadia Methodist Hospital for treatment. The 12-year-
old Asian male suspect was arrested, transported to the
Arcadia City Jail for booking, and later released to his
mother.
6. Around 4:14 p.m., an officer responded to the
Arcadia Police Department front counter regarding an
attempted oral copulation report which occurred at 6:00
p.m. on December 16th. While the victim was standing
in her driveway in the 000 block of Arcadia Avenue, an
unknown male subject approached her and forcefully
pushed her head toward his exposed penis. As the victim
screamed for help, the suspect released his grip and fled
the location.
The suspect is described as Hispanic, early twenties with
dark complexion, 5’8” tall, thin build, black hair and
brown eyes, wearing an unknown type of clothing.
Wednesday, December 18:
7. Just before 10:50 p.m., an officer was dispatched
to Denny’s, 7 East Huntington Drive, regarding a
defrauding an innkeeper complaint. The suspect ordered
$11.18 worth of food and left the location without
making payment. Shortly after being confronted by the
manager in the parking lot, the 41-year-old Asian female
was arrested and transported to the Arcadia City Jail for
booking.
8. Around 12:30 p.m., an officer responded to
Macy’s at the Santa Anita Mall, 400 South Baldwin
Avenue, regarding a theft report. The suspect concealed
jewelry inside a used shopping bag and exited the store
without making payment. The 67-year-old female of
unknown race was arrested and transported to the
Arcadia City Jail for booking.
Thursday, December 19:
9. Just after 2:40 a.m., an officer conducted a
traffic stop on a vehicle for a broken tail light in the
area of Santa Anita Avenue and Huntington Drive. The
officer discovered the driver had an expired license. The
51-year-old male of unknown race was cited, released
in the field, and his vehicle was left legally parked.
10. At approximately 7:22 p.m., an officer
responded to the area of Foothill Boulevard and Arcadia
Avenue regarding a subject with a possible warrant.
The officer discovered the subject was in possession
of concentrated cannabis and had an outstanding
misdemeanor warrant for driving with a suspended
license. The 50-year-old White male was arrested and
transported to the Arcadia City Jail for booking.
Friday, December 20:
11. At about 12:25 p.m., an officer responded to
Albertson’s, 298 East Live Oak Avenue, in reference to
a theft investigation. Video surveillance from December
16th revealed a suspect concealed over-the-counter
medications and cosmetics inside a used shopping bag
and exited the store without making payment. The total
loss was about $650. The suspect is described as a White
or Hispanic female, early twenties with brown hair styled
in a bun, thin build, wearing a blue and brown hooded
sweatshirt and dark colored pants.
12. At about 11:27 p.m., officers working DUI
Saturation Patrol as part of the AVOID 100 Multi-
Agency DUI Task Force observed a vehicle speeding
and lane swerving on the 210 freeway, and conducted
a traffic stop at the Mount Olive Drive exit. An
investigation revealed the driver was under the
influence with a blood alcohol content greater than 0.08
percent. The 25-year-old Hispanic male was arrested
and transported to the Arcadia City Jail for booking.
Saturday, December 21:
13. Around 5:36 a.m., officers were dispatched to
a possible residential burglary in progress in the 1000
block of Rafael Road. After the victims heard someone
trying to force entry through a rear bedroom door,
they called 9-1-1 and fled the location in their vehicle.
Officers searched the residence and located a female
suspect hiding underneath the covers in a bedroom.
Preliminary investigation revealed she caused over $400
in damages. The 47-year-old White female was arrested
and transported to the Arcadia City Jail for booking.
14. At approximately 10:53 p.m., officers
responded to the Santa Anita Mall, 400 South Baldwin
Avenue, in reference to a subject holding a syringe inside
the restroom. An investigation revealed the 22-year-old
White male subject was in possession of heroin and
drug paraphernalia. He was arrested and transported to
the Arcadia City Jail for booking.
SHOOTINGS ROCK DUARTE
Investigations Continue and
Sheriff’s Increase Patrols in
Response to Shootings
DUARTE, CA, December 24, 2013 -- Three separate Investigations
are underway in Duarte and the adjoining Monrovia County area
and law enforcement presence has been heavily increased in the
wake of three shootings, two fatal, in the last two days. Currently,
there is no information available that substantiates that any of the
three incidents are connected.
Christopher Rossi, a 16 year-old male Hispanic, was shot and
killed on Dec. 23 at approximately 11:45 pm in the 2500 block of
Huntington Dr. Two people were seen running from the location
but it is unknown if they were involved. Rossi was released last
week from a placement home where he had spent the past six
months. Investigators believe that he may have been an active
Duarte Eastside gang member or associate.
On Sunday, Dec. 22, Malcolm Mency, 18, was shot and killed in
the 2000 block of Broderick and Felberg Avenues in the County
area of Monrovia while walking home from his job at the Duarte
Sonic at 12:30 a.m. Mency had recently become a father and had
just finished trade school. A fund has been established to help pay
for Mency’s funeral expenses. Those who wish to donate may do
so by visiting the fundraising page on the website giveforward.
com.
Later that same day at approximately 3:30 p.m. in Duarte, two
male black suspects in a light colored vehicle shot a male Hispanic
while he was in his front yard in the 2300 block of Bloomdale
Ave. The victim sustained one non-life threatening shot in the
lower back.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department reminds residents
of the following safety tips in times of concern; encourage all
residents to remain calm and allow the Los Angeles County
Sheriff’s Department to conduct their investigations; community
assistance is critical, please report any and all information you
may have regarding these incidents to the Los Angeles County
Sheriff’s Department at (323) 890-5500 or (626) 285-7171. A key
factor in preventing oneself from being the victim of any crime is
to remain aware of your surroundings and to immediately report
any suspicious activity to your local law enforcement agency.
Finally, get involved in Neighborhood Watch; a crime prevention
program that requires the active participation of residents in
cooperation with law enforcement to reduce crime in Duarte.
It’s simple! Join a Neighborhood Watch group or start one by
contacting the Duarte Public Safety at (626) 359-5671 ext. 316
or visit www.accessduarte.com to obtain a Neighborhood Watch
Block Captain Registration Form under the Public Safety tab.
Residents are also encouraged to stay informed about important
public safety news through a variety of mediums: www.
accessduarte.com, email alert system; enews, Nextdoor, or Twitter
@cityofduarte. To sign up for these, visit www.accessduarte.com
or email or call Aida Torres at atorres@lasd.org or call the Duarte
Public Safety office at (626) 357-7938.
Residents and
Community Leaders
Attend an Open Forum
on Shootings
DUARTE, CA, December 24, 2013 – About
30 residents and community leaders met at
the Duarte Community Center on Monday
night (Dec. 23) to hear from City and law
enforcement officials and to discuss an
action plan about community safety in the
wake of the fatal shooting of an 18 year-old
man in the County area on Dec. 22 and the
wounding of another man in the City of
Duarte later that same afternoon. But just
hours after the Community Mediation Team
had concluded their meeting with an action
plan, a third victim was found shot and
killed in Duarte.
At approximately 11:45 p.m. on Dec. 23, in
the 2500 block of Huntington Dr., 16 year-
old Christopher Rossi, a male Hispanic,
sustained multiple gunshot wounds. Two
people were seen running from the location
but it is unknown if they were involved in
the shooting.
The first victim, Malcolm Mency, a Mt.
Olive High School graduate, was murdered
while walking home from work in the
2000 block of Broderick Ave. just after 1
a.m. on Dec. 22. Temple Station deputies
initially responded to the shooting in the
County area of Monrovia. Upon arrival,
they discovered the victim had sustained
multiple gunshot wounds. Los Angeles
County Fire transported the victim to
Huntington Memorial Hospital where he
was pronounced deceased. The family is
reporting that Mency had recently become
a father, just finished trade school and been
hired at Sonic. A fund has been established
by the family to help pay for Mency’s funeral
expenses. Those who wish to donate may do
so by visiting the fundraising page on the
website giveforward.com.
At approximately 3:30 p.m. on Dec. 22, in the
2300 block of Bloomdale Ave. in Duarte, two
male black suspects in a light colored vehicle
shot a male Hispanic while he was standing
in the front yard. The victim sustained one
non-life threatening shot in the lower back.
The Community Mediation Team (CMT)
meets monthly as a partnership of committed
Monrovia, Duarte and Los Angeles County
leaders and stakeholders. During times
of crisis, they provide effective, fact based
communications, proper resource matching
and meet monthly. Their action plan is as
follows:
1. Faith Community - the Faith Community
is responding and is committed to pray
for the well being of our community. We
encourage your participation through your
place of worship
2. Law Enforcement – Both Monrovia and
Duarte public safety offices are placing
additional resources throughout both cities
and the county area to provide a visible
presence to the community.
3. Community Outreach – Prevention
and intervention workers will be visible in
affected areas, providing factual information
and connecting people to needed resources.
Duarte Mayor Liz Reilly said there is
good progress on the investigation and
that Sheriff’s Homicide Division, which
is working the case, needs help from the
community. Currently, no arrests have been
made.
“We feel the sense of loss and our hearts go
out to the families. I want the community
to know that the City’s priority is to keep
our community members safe and work to
ensure that no more families have to suffer,”
said Reilly.
Duarte Director of Public Safety, Brian
Villalobos said the emphasis now is on
a combination of increased suppression
and prevention. He said the City has
added extra patrols by Sheriff’s deputies
and has numerous youth and young adult
intervention and prevention programs in
place. “You, the community, are a part of it.
Without the partnership of the community
we can’t be successful,” said Villalobos.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s
Department reminds residents of the
following safety tips in times of concern;
encourage all residents to remain calm
and allow the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s
Department to conduct their investigations;
community assistance is critical, please
report any and all information you may have
regarding these incidents to the Los Angeles
County Sheriff’s Department at (323) 890-
5500 or (626) 285-7171.
A key factor in preventing oneself from being
the victim of any crime is to remain aware
of your surroundings and to immediately
report any suspicious activity to your
local law enforcement agency. Finally, get
involved in Neighborhood Watch; a crime
prevention program that requires the active
participation of residents in cooperation
with law enforcement to reduce crime in
Duarte. It’s simple! Join a Neighborhood
Watch group or start one by contacting the
Duarte Public Safety at (626) 359-5671 ext.
316 or visit www.accessduarte.com to obtain
a Neighborhood Watch Block Captain
Registration Form under the Public Safety
tab.
Residents are also encouraged to stay
informed about important public safety
news through a variety of mediums: www.
accessduarte.com, email alert system;
enews, Nextdoor, or Twitter @cityofduarte.
To sign up for these, visit www.accessduarte.
com or email or call Aida Torres at atorres@
lasd.org or call the Duarte Public Safety
office at (626) 357-7938.
An outpouring of grief and support for the family at the scene of the murder of
Malcolm Mency. See related story on page 5. Photo by Joan Schmidt
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