Monrovia Now: News and Comment about Monrovia, California: Monrovia Police: Machete Robbery; Meth Suspect Calls Police; Etc.

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for Nov. 7–10. - Brad Haugaard]

Following are the weekend's highlighted issues and events.

Commercial Burglary

November 8 at 1:40 p.m., a male suspect walked into a business in the 500 block of West Huntington and went straight to the jewelry section. He immediately began to stuff his pants with jewelry and then ran out of the store. Store security followed the suspect and called police. Officers arrived and saw the suspect riding a bicycle south on Mayflower. When the suspect saw the officers, he jumped off the bike and ran through a condominium complex and out of sight. Officers attempted to surround and contain the area, but the suspect was not located. The investigation is continuing

Petty Theft / Warrant – Suspect Arrested

November 8 at 6:55 p.m., a petty theft was reported at a business in the 500 block of West Huntington. Loss prevention personnel had detained an adult female outside the store after they observed her place several items inside her purse. She paid for a couple of items, but did not pay for the more expensive items she had concealed in her purse. Officers responded and upon further investigation, discovered the suspect also had an outstanding warrant for theft. She was arrested and taken into custody.

Under the Influence of a Controlled Substance / Possession of Methamphetamine – Suspect Arrested

November 9 at 1:07 a.m., police dispatch received a phone call from a male subject at a hotel in the 900 block of East Huntington. He stated that several armed men had broken into his hotel room and he was barricading himself in the bathroom. The subject was ranting and seemed incoherent. Officers arrived on scene and surrounded the location. They called to the subject and told him to exit the hotel room. He did not respond immediately and was acting strange, but he eventually exited the room. The subject was determined to be under the influence of a controlled substance. Officers made a protective sweep of the hotel room and no other subjects were in the room. The officers discovered methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia in the room. The subject was arrested.

Driving Under the Influence – Suspect Arrested

November 9 at 1:08 a.m., an officer observed a driver make several vehicle code violations and conducted a traffic stop. When contacting the driver, the officer suspected the subject had been drinking. After investigation, the subject was determined to be driving under the influence and was arrested.

Shots Heard

November 8 at approximately 1:29 a.m., dispatch received numerous calls reporting two loud bangs, possibly shots heard, in the area of the 200 block of North Myrtle. No further information was given from any caller. At the time officers were working two separate crimes and both locations reported hearing the possible shots. An extensive area search was conducted with negative results.

Domestic Violence – Suspect Arrested

November 10 at 1:25 a.m., a family disturbance was reported at a residence in the 500 block of South California. Officers arrived and determined that during an argument, the male subject grabbed the female by the jacket and pushed her against the wall. No injuries occurred. The male subject was arrested for domestic violence.

Armed Robbery

November 10 at 6:04 p.m., a robbery was reported at the skate park in the 800 block of East Olive. Three male Hispanic suspects, ages 16 to 20 years old, were at the skate park when one of the suspects confronted the victim with a machete and demanded the victim's laptop computer and wallet. The suspects fled the area in a silver Honda Civic, heading southbound on Shamrock towards Huntington. Officers responded and searched the area, but the suspects were not located. The investigation is continuing.