Monrovia Police: Unlocked Car Leads to Missing Purse, Mountain Lion Tips

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for September 3-5. - Brad Haugaard]

 

During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 422 service events, resulting in 64 investigations.

 

Theft From a Vehicle

September 6 at 1:41 a.m., a theft from an unlocked vehicle was reported in the 300 block of East Hillcrest.  The vehicle was parked in the victim's driveway.  The victim heard noises, looked out his window and saw an unknown suspect exit his vehicle and run eastbound.  A purse was stolen from the vehicle.  The suspect is described as a male Hispanic, 25-30 years old, medium build, wearing a white shirt, white shorts and white shoes.  The investigation is continuing.

 

 

Tip of the Week: Living With Mountain Lions

There has been very little research on how to avoid mountain lion attacks.  But mountain lion attacks that have occurred are being analyzed in the hope that some crucial questions can be answered.  Following are safety tips and information provided by the California Department of Fish and Game.  For further, more detailed, information click on Living With California Mountain Lions.   

 

Do Not Hike Alone:  Go in groups, with adults supervising children.

 

Keep Children Close To You:  Observations of captured wild mountain lions reveal that the animals seem especially drawn to children.  Keep children within your sight at all times.

 

Do Not Approach a Lion:  Most mountain lions will try to avoid a confrontation.  Give them a way to escape.

 

Do Not Run From a Lion:  Running may stimulate a mountain lion's instinct to chase. Instead, stand and face the animal.  Make eye contact.  If you have small children with you, pick them up, if possible, so they don't panic and run.  Although it may be awkward, pick them up without bending over or turning away from the mountain lion.

 

Do Not Crouch Down or Bend Over:   A person squatting or bending over looks a lot like a four-legged prey animal.

 

Do All You Can To Appear Larger:  Raise your arms.  Open your jacket if you are wearing one.

 

Fight Back If Attacked:  Throw stones, branches, or whatever you can reach without crouching or turning your back.  Wave your arms slowly and speak firmly in a loud voice.  The idea is to convince the mountain lion that you are not prey and that you may be a danger to it.

 

Immediately Report All Encounters or Sightings.