Mountain Views News, Combined Edition Saturday, September 3, 2022

8

Mountain View News Saturday, August 27 , 2022 

PUBLIC SAFETY 

IRWINDALE’S NEW POLICE 
CHIEF ROB CASTRO

By Joan Schmidt 

 The City of Irwindale has a new Police Chief, Rob Castro, who 
has 33 years of law enforcement under his belt. His career began at 
Glendora Police Department in 1985; promoted to Sergeant in 1995; 
Lieutenant in 1999; and Captain in 2004, managing daily operations and 
budget for the entire department. In January 2011, he was chosen as 
Glendora’s Chief of Police. Hs tenure there was outstanding as his peers 
selected him as Officer of the Year in 1991 and 2000.

 At Azusa Pacific University Castro graduated Magna cum Laude in 
1997 (Bachelor of Science degree in Applied Business Management) and 
a Master’s Degree in Business Management in 2005. He also graduated 
from West Point Military Academy Law Enforcement Leadership Program 
and from California PPST Command College. 

During his 33 year career in law enforcement, Castro worked many 
assignments; four years as a narcotic detective (three undercover apprehending 
major narcotic cartels) in Glendora. His partner and close 
friend, Glendora Detective Louie Pompei was killed in the line of duty 
in 1995. 

 After a nationwide search, the City of Glendale swore in Rob Castro 
as their Chief, assuming command of the third largest police department 
in L.A. County with a department of 500 personnel. Chief Castro 
created the only independent municipal police crime lab and provided 
crime lab services to police agencies throughout California. Chief Castro 
developed an Emergency Medical Technician program in Glendale 
with 40 EMT police officers, two Paramedic police officers and trained 
two hundred officers as Field Tactical Medics, the first of its kind in Los 
Angeles County. Hundreds of lives were saved as police officers often are 
on the scene first at many dangerous situations. 

 Chief Castro has focused police department resources to address 
homeless issues, traffic safety and technology advancement. He believes 
all employees are an organization’s most important resource for a police 
chief. Chief Castro attended patrol and special operations briefs to support 
his troops and trained and worked with his patrol, division, helicopter 
operations unit, bicycle patrol investigative divisions and K-9 
teams.

 For their Police Chief, the City of Irwindale has chosen Rob Castro, 
who is surely very experienced and qualified. 


SIERRA MADRE POLICE BLOTTER


August 21 – August 27, 2022 The following represents a summary report of some of the major 
incidents handled by the Sierra Madre Police Department during this period. This list is not intended to be 
considered exclusive or all-inclusive.

Monday, August 22 Hit and Run Traffic Collision

Officers responded to the area of Lima St. and Montecito Ave. for reports of a hit and run traffic collision. 
Upon arrival, officers contacted the victim, who reported that an unknown vehicle collided with their 
parked car, and fled the scene. The Detectives' Bureau is following up on this incident.

Thursday, August 25 Weapon Brandishing Investigation

Officers responded to the 300 block of Sierra Madre Blvd for reports of an unknown suspect brandishing a 
weapon. Upon arrival, officers contacted the reporting party, who stated that they witnessed an unknown 
suspect filming them with a drone. After a brief altercation, the reporting party stated that the suspect produced 
a handgun while he was leaving scene. The Detectives' Bureau is following up on this incident.

Saturday, August 27 Suspicious Circumstances

At approximately 5PM, officers took a report for a possible attempted kidnapping near the 300 Block of W 
Grandview Ave. The reporting party stated that a suspicious vehicle followed them as they were walking on 
the sidewalk. The vehicle then proceeded to slow down, and open their car door closest to the victim. The 
victim walked away from the vehicle and the car drove away from the scene. The vehicle was decribed as a 
black SUV with dark tinted windows. The Detectives' Bureau is following up on this incident. 


ARCADIA POLICE BLOTTER

Mike Castro on left (Arcadia PD Lieutenant at the time) & Rob Castro 
on right Glendale PD Chief at the time.

For the period of Sunday, August 21st through Saturday, August 27th, the Police Department 
responded to 797 calls for service, of which 106 required formal investigations. The following is a summary report 
of some of the major incidents handled by the Department during this period.

Sunday, August 21:

1. At 1:27 a.m., an officer responded to Tastea Arcadia, located at 304 East Huntington Drive, regarding a 
commercial burglary that had just occurred. Surveillance footage captured a lone suspect entered the secured 
business with a key and once he was inside, he searched the register. Thankfully, the Hispanic male suspect 
fled empty-handed. The suspect fled in an older model, grey, Chevrolet SUV or truck. 

2. At 12:29 p.m., an officer responded to a residence in the 200 block of West Longden Avenue regarding 
a mail theft report. The victim discovered someone forced open her mailbox and fled with an unknown 
amount of mail. The crime occurred sometime between August 18th and 21st. 

Monday, August 22:

3. At 3:42 p.m., an officer responded to Dana Middle School, located at 1401 South First Avenue, regarding 
a weapons violation. An investigation revealed a 12-year-old male student was found to be in possession 
of a folding knife and a taser. He was cited and released to his parents. 

4. At 4:03 p.m., an officer responded to the front counter of the Arcadia Police Department regarding a 
fraud report. The victim, a resident of the 1100 block of West Duarte Road, reported experiencing technical 
issues with her computer causing her to reply to a pop-up notification with a phone number. After contacting 
the phone number, the suspect, disguised as an employee from Microsoft, used a ruse to convince the 
victim to transfer a large sum of money into a bitcoin using a nearby kiosk. The victim complied and was then 
solicited to complete another fraudulent transfer to bitcoin. The victim realized she had been scammed but 
ultimately sustained a loss of more than $18,000.00. 

5. At 10:23 p.m., an officer responded to CVS Pharmacy, located at 1401 South Baldwin Avenue, regarding 
a robbery investigation. Store employees witnessed the suspects steal nearly $700.00 worth of hair products 
and cosmetics and flee in a gray Toyota Camry. One of the suspects pushed an employee as they exited 
the store. The suspects are described two heavy-set Black females and a Hispanic female. 

Tuesday, August 23:

6. At 12 a.m., an officer responded to 24 Hour Fitness, located at 125 North First Avenue, regarding a 
bike theft report. Sometime between 1:20 p.m. and 2:30 p.m., someone cut the victim’s bike lock and stole his 
electric bike from the front of the gym. 

7. At 3:24 p.m., an officer responded to a parking lot at 51 North First Avenue regarding a theft from 
vehicle report. The victim stated he witnessed four suspects flee in a tan Toyota after stealing the catalytic 
converter from his car. The investigation is pending a review of the available surveillance footage. 

8. At 10:23 p.m., an officer responded to the intersection of Sixth Avenue and Live Oak Avenue regarding 
the notification of a stolen vehicle in the area. The driver pulled over and during an initial search of the 
vehicle, the officer located a large amount of what appeared to be marijuana. The 56-year-old male from West 
Hollywood was arrested and transported to the Arcadia City Jail for booking.

Wednesday, August 24:

9. At 11:02 a.m., an officer responded to the 700 block of West Naomi Avenue regarding a theft from 
vehicle report. Sometime between 10:45 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. on August 24th, someone broke the front passenger 
window and fled with the victim’s wallet and personal identifiable information. 

10. At 6:37 p.m., an officer responded to Nordstrom, located at 400 South Baldwin Avenue, regarding a 
commercial burglary. Surveillance cameras captured three suspects use wire cutters to remove the security 
cables from ten designer wallets before fleeing in a silver sedan. The suspects are described as one Black male 
and two Black females, all between the ages of 20 and 25-years-old. 

Thursday, August 25:

11. At 12:48 a.m., an officer responded to the area of Las Tunas Drive and Baldwin Avenue regarding a 
notification of a stolen vehicle nearby. After conducting an area search, the vehicle was located, and a brief 
pursuit ensued and ended when the suspect stopped the vehicle and fled on foot. The suspect was located in 
the 5600 block of Lenore Avenue. The 27-year-old male from Los Angeles was arrested and transported to 
the Arcadia City Jail for booking. 

12. At 7:55 p.m., an officer responded Nordstrom, located at 400 South Baldwin Avenue, regarding a petty 
theft arrest. The suspect admitted to stealing a handbag from the department store. The 24-year-old female 
from Arcadia was arrested and cited in the field.

Friday, August 26:

13. At 4:14 p.m., an officer responded to a residence in the 600 block of West Huntington Drive regarding 
a battery report. An investigation revealed an adult son assaulted his elderly father during a family dispute resulting 
in the father sustaining injuries to his ear and hand. The 42-year-old male from Arcadia was arrested 
and transported to the Arcadia City Jail for booking. 

Saturday, August 27:

14. At 12:54 p.m., an officer responded to a residence in the 200 block of South Fifth Avenue regarding a 
burglary investigation. Surveillance footage revealed a lone Hispanic male, approximately 25 to 35-years-old, 
entered his residence and fled with the victim’s tools. The suspect was wearing dark clothing and appeared to 
be 5’7” tall and around 210 pounds. 


NATIONAL 988 SUICIDE 

& 

CRISIS LIFELINE

Nationwide, people who are experiencing a mental health crisis and in 
need of immediate help are now able to dial or text 988 and receive assistance 
through the new Suicide and Crisis Lifeline number. 

A new 988 Call Center, operated by Didi Hirsch, is now taking calls coming 
into the 988 hotline in Los Angeles County. Trained operators are 
available to triage callers to receive the appropriate services, including 
suicide crisis counseling over the phone and mental health de-escalation 
counseling over the phone. In addition, they will also triage callers to determine 
when dispatching a mobile crisis team is appropriate and, in rare 
cases, connection to law enforcement when safety is of concern.

Mountain Views News 80 W Sierra Madre Blvd. No. 327 Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024 Office: 626.355.2737 Fax: