Monrovia Police: Million Dollar Warrant, Bad Checks, Overdose, Arrest of Molester, Etc.

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for April 23-25. - Brad Haugaard]

During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 482 service events, resulting in 87 investigations.

 

Burglary / Forgery - Suspect Arrested

April 23 at 12:08 p.m., an officer was dispatched to a bank in the 500 block of South Myrtle.  A male subject attempted to pass a forged/stolen check.  A bank employee called police and upon arrival, the suspect was detained and subsequently arrested.  Investigation continuing.

 

Medical Assist

April 23 at 2:14 p.m., a 17-year-old male subject was found unresponsive at a park in the 700 block of East Lemon.  Paramedics took the young man to a hospital for possible overdose.

 

Grand Theft Auto / Vehicle Recovered

April 25 at 6:04 a.m., a vehicle was reported stolen from the 800 block of West Walnut.  The vehicle is a black, 1996 Honda Civic.  Officers checked the area and located the vehicle on Monterey.  Investigation continuing.

 

Grand Theft Auto / Vehicle Recovered 

April 25 at 8:04 a.m., a vehicle was reported stolen from the front of a residence in the 1400 block of Monterey.  The vehicle is a silver Honda CRV.  The vehicle was recovered later that day at 1:00 p.m. in the City of Fontana.  Investigation continuing.

 

Burglary / Warrant - Suspects Arrested

April 25 at 2:31 p.m., police responded to a burglary at a business in the 700 block of East Huntington.  A male and female subject entered and took numerous bottles of liquor.  They exited the store and fled in a waiting vehicle driven by a third suspect.  The vehicle was located by an officer and a traffic stop was conducted in the City of Duarte.  The driver was found to have a million dollar warrant.  All three suspects were arrested for burglary.  

 

Theft From a Vehicle

April 25 at 7:16 p.m., a theft from an unlocked vehicle occurred at a residence in the 700 block of West Foothill.  A stereo faceplate was stolen from the dashboard of the vehicle.  Investigation continuing.

 

Shots Heard

April 26 at 2:25 a.m., police received a call reporting shots heard in the area of Foothill and Grand.  Officers responded and searched the area, but were unable to locate any evidence of gunfire, witnesses or victims.  Investigation continuing.   

 

Detective Bureau Case Follow-up

On April 19, detectives went to an apartment complex in the City of El Monte and arrested a child molester who was recently released from jail and had reestablished a relationship with the victim he abused.  The victim is now an adult, but the suspect has been ordered by the judge to stay away from the victim, regardless of the victim's age.  The suspect was taken into custody without altercation.  The suspect has a preliminary hearing on Friday, April 27, 2012.

Senate Committee Votes Down Monrovia Senator's Ads-on-Buses Bill

Senate Republican Leader Bob Huff, who represents Monrovia, said Democrats who control the Senate Committee on Education rejected a measure today that would have allowed school districts to sell ad space on the exterior of their buses would have given them full authority over how to spend the resulting revenue. Source: http://goo.gl/HzhHg

And here's Huff's comments on video: http://goo.gl/uTtLh

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Summer School Choices | Music Dinner | Cupcake Contest | Scholarships

~ Full set of summer school choices at Monrovia schools. http://goo.gl/xZYX4

 

~ Monrovia Music Dinner. Five bands, four orchestras, four choirs, one drum line. May 16. Details: http://goo.gl/xeaXb

 

~ Monrovia Kiwanis Club Cupcake contest on May 19. http://goo.gl/Ai8Pv

 

~ Monrovia Rotary Club giving out $22,700 in scholarships. http://goo.gl/VVWcm

 

- Brad Haugaard

New Monrovia Gym | First Place in Baseball

~ New gymnastics club coming to Monrovia. http://goo.gl/np7cn

 

~ Monrovia baseball in first place. http://goo.gl/Q03hd

 

- Brad Haugaard

Local Legislators Want Clarification on Gold Line's Use of Funds

State Senators Ed Hernandez and Bob Huff, speaking for legislators representing the San Gabriel Valley, have written to the Metro Gold Line board asking exactly how it would use the extra money the line would get if the Measure R sales tax is extended beyond its expiration date. They were also bothered by a $764 million funding gap to get the line to Claremont, and bugged that recent talk has been of the line going from Pasadena to Azusa rather than Pasadena to Claremont.

Source: Press release from Gold Line

- Brad Haugaard

Robber Bridegroom Performances at Monrovia High | Canned Food for Cinco de Mayo | Barbecue for Babies

~ The MHS Drama Program will perform its the first musical in the new Louise K. Taylor Performing Arts Center at Monrovia High. This American Fairy Tale, The Robber Bridegroom will play from May 2-5, starting at 7:30 pm. Tickets are $10 at the door and all are welcome. "This is your final chance to see a production under Mr. Segal's direction." http://goo.gl/NsfVF

 

~ Monrovia Mayor Mary Ann Lutz requests on her Facebook page that if you bring canned goods if you attend the Monrovia Cinco de Mayo Festival Celebration this Sunday April 29, 2012 from 12pm to 9pm on Myrtle Avenue. All food donations will go to Monrovia's Foothill Unity Center.

 

~ Mark your calendar. Monrovia Chamber of Commerce wants you to know there will be a Barbecue for Babies (to benefit children with cleft lips in Guatemala) May 30 from 6-7:30 p.m. in Recreation Park (Olive and Shamrock). http://goo.gl/Fl5Ak

 

- Brad Haugaard

Portantino Bill Would Require Politicians to Reveal More About their Finances

A bill by Assemblymember Anthony Portantino to update financial reporting for politicians and public officials has been approved in the Assembly Appropriations Committee. Portantino says the Form 700, Statement of Economic Interest, gives the public a way to keep tabs on the outside financial interests of officeholders and other officials to ensure that they avoid conflicts of interest, but hasn't been updated in more than 35 years. Currently there are four ranges for investments, property and income. This bill would revise the dollar amounts associated with these ranges to 8 levels for investments and real estate and 10 levels for income ranges. Currently, he said, "the forms are so general with such wide reporting ranges it's almost impossible to figure out just how much outside money politicians are making."

Source: Portantino press release

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Assemblymember's Rape Kit Bill Approved by Committee

A bill by Assemblymember Anthony Portantino to extend the time law enforcement has to analyze rape kits from two to five years was unanimously approved Tuesday by the Public Safety Committee. Portantino represents part of Monrovia. He said, "Not all rape kits are being tested in a timely manner and many languish past the statute of limitations for prosecuting the crime. It's frustrating to know a rapist could be walking the streets because a vital piece of evidence went untested and the statute of limitations ran out."

Source: Portantino press release

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia School Board Concerned About Its Internet Provider | Portantino vs. 710 | Students for Counselor

~ Monrovia School District concerned about its relationship with its Internet and telephone service provider, which is run by the former Superintendent's husband. http://goo.gl/Xz5tH

 

~ On his Facebook page, Assemblymember Anthony Portantino, who represents part of Monrovia, writes: ‎"710 freeway would be disaster for our region. Make your voice heard!" He links to this story about a freeway meeting - http://goo.gl/ehCRA . Opinion: Sorry, I'd love to see that freeway completed.

 

~ Students trying to save Monrovia High counselor's job. http://goo.gl/MPEF9

 

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Relief Organization Warns of Hunger in Africa

Monrovia's World Vision relief organization warns that a "huge gap" in funding for aid projects threatens to leave millions of people in the Sahel hungry in the coming months. (The Sahel is the area along the southern edge of the Sahara Desert.) http://goo.gl/Z86ze

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia in Playoffs? | Postal Food | Tuition for Military | Surgery for Gordo | Former Monrovia Police Officer Promoted

~ Sportswriter Miguel Melendez thinks Monrovia High baseball looks good for the playoffs. http://goo.gl/vNz2o

~ May 12 is Letter Carriers Food Drive. Locally, this will support Monrovia's Foothill Unity Center. Leave food by your mail box, the letter carrier brings it to the post office, and Unity will have volunteers transporting and warehousing the food. On its Facebook page, the Center writes: "We usually receive over 100,000 pounds of food on that day."

~ Assemblyman Tim Donnelly, who represents part of Monrovia, writes on Facebook that, "Today, I proudly spoke in favor of AB 2250, a bill I am co-authoring, which will give Military service members and their spouses in state tuition for college."

~ Help Gordo the dog get needed surgery after being abused. http://goo.gl/XCIGm

~ Former Monrovia Police officer, Joe Allen, promoted to commander at Atascadero PD. http://goo.gl/y6MBi

- Brad Haugaard

Assembly Committee Kills Monrovia Assemblyman's Whistleblower Bill

For the second time this year, a California Assembly Committee has killed Assemblymember Anthony Portantino's bill to provide legislative employees with protection from retaliation in whistleblower cases, according to a press release from Portantino's office. Portantino represents part of Monrovia. The press release continues:

 

"I am deeply disappointed that once again an Assembly Committee chose to kill Whistleblower Protection for capitol employees," said Assemblymember Portantino. "For more than 35 years, the Whistleblower Protection Act has covered employees of every other state agency or department except the Legislature.  It makes no sense that legislators would kill this bill; what do they have to hide? If we truly want to root out fraud and waste in state government, we have to provide protection for those who come forward with claims so they can be candid without fear of reprisal."
 
AB 2256 would have established the California Legislature Whistleblower Protection Act and would have given legislative employees legal protections from reprisals for reporting government wrongdoing such as waste, fraud and abuse. The measure would have required the Rules Committees of both the Assembly and Senate to receive written complaints and forward them on to the California Fair Practices Committee (FPPC) to investigate.  Penalties for retaliation would have included a $10,000 fine.
 
By maintaining a self-serving exemption we are communicating a self-serving message instead of focusing on common core values.  We should be fostering and encouraging folks to report waste, fraud and abuse, not stifling those reports," said Portantino.  "I am extremely disappointed that a committee which unanimously passed a similar bill in January would kill one today.  It begs the question, what is the Assembly hiding?"

 

- Brad Haugaard

Freeway Bridge Mold

Here you can see the mold taking shape into which the concrete will be poured for the Gold Line 210 Freeway bridge.

And here is a six-minute video of construction progress and what to expect. Very cool time lapse.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia High Dance and Color Guard Wins

The Monrovia High dance team took first place at the Southern California Classic at Claremont High this weekend and the color guard took second place in the divisional championships at Marina High School. http://goo.gl/W8Thc

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia High Reunion - Class of '72

Monrovia High School's Class of 72 is planning its 40th reunion, called "On a Hot August Night," 6-11 p.m. on Saturday, August 4, at the Santa Anita Inn in Arcadia. Bonus Friday warm-up event August 3 starting at 5:30 p.m. $75 per person. Send to Shirley Slattery, P.O. Box 2112, Monrovia CA 91016, by May 31.

Alums can call Shirley Slattery at 626-387-3906 for more information or on Facebook at: MHS Class of 1972 - 40th Reunion

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Edged by Glendora in Girls Track; Boys Win

Glendora girls track team edges out Monrovia 90 to 89.5 in Mt. SAC Relays for team title.  But Boys win! http://goo.gl/SZtVo

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Assemblyman's Interest Rate Bill Approved by Assembly Committee

Assembly Bill 2048, by Assemblyman Tim Donnelly, who represents part of Monrovia, was unanimously approved by the Assembly Revenue and Taxation Committee today. The bill would "ensure that interest rates will be calculated the same way for underpayments as it is for overpayments. When government owes taxpayers, it will then pay the same interest rate required of Californians who owe taxes." Source: http://goo.gl/29UP7

 

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Biking Under the Influence, Boxers Only, Burned by Marijuana, Traffic Injuries, Shoplifting, Etc

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for April 19-22. - Brad Haugaard]

 

Following are the weekend's highlighted issues and events.

 

Driving a Bicycle While Under the Influence - Suspect Arrested

April 19 at 10:51 p.m., an officer was on patrol in the 900 block of West Huntington when he was flagged down by an employee from a hotel.  The employee reported a male subject who was at the hotel asking for free food and approaching guests asking them for money.  The officer searched the area and located a subject matching the description riding a bike without a light at night in the area of Encino and Alta.  The subject was detained and was determined to be riding his bike while under the influence.  He also had a small amount of marijuana on his person.  He was arrested and taken into custody.

 

Commercial Burglary

April 20 at 2:53 p.m., an officer was dispatched to a business in the 1600 block of South Mountain.  Loss prevention called to report a male Hispanic subject with a shaved head had stolen merchandise and fled the store through the exit doors without paying.  He was seen getting into a burgundy Ford vehicle with paper plates.  Officers responded to the area and made an area check, but the suspect was not located.  Investigation continuing.

 

Traffic Collision With Injuries

April 20 at 4:32 p.m., a traffic collision was reported in the 700 block of West Foothill.  A vehicle stopped to make a left turn into a driveway.  A vehicle following behind collided into the stopped vehicle, sending it into opposing traffic, where it collided with an oncoming vehicle.  As a result of the collisions, a fourth vehicle was also struck.  Two people were taken to the hospital for complaint of pain to their neck, back and legs.

 

Commercial Burglary - Suspect Arrested

April 20 at 5:44 p.m., an officer was dispatched to a business in the 1600 block of South Mountain regarding a female subject in custody for shoplifting.  The female suspect entered the store with a store shopping bag.  She selected several items and concealed them in the bag.  She then exited the store without paying for the items and was detained by store employees.  She was arrested and taken into custody. 

 

Drug Activity

April 20 at 9:32 p.m., a subject called to report that her tenants, who live in the 200 block of Jasmine, were badly burned.  The caller did not know how the male and female subjects were burned.  Through investigation it was revealed that the male subject was attempting to extract marijuana, which caught on fire.  He was walking out of the kitchen area with the burning container and the female subject walked into him, causing them to get splattered with burning extraction.  The subjects were treated by Monrovia Fire Department paramedics and taken to a hospital.  The male subject sustained first degree burns on his torso and arms.  The female subject sustained first and second degree burns.  Charges will be filed against the male suspect.

 

Parole Hold - Suspect Arrested

April 20 at 10:35 p.m., officers were dispatched to a residence in the 1800 block of South Peck Road for a second disturbance call on the same male subject.  The male subject had been involved in an altercation at the residence.  He had left the location earlier and was told by officers not to return.  He returned to the location and was causing another disturbance.  Officers arrived and learned the subject was on parole for assault with a deadly weapon and contacted the subject's parole officer.  The parole officer placed a parole hold on the subject and he was arrested and taken into custody.

 

Commercial Burglary

April 21 at 6:12 p.m., a burglary was reported at a business in the 300 block of West Huntington.  The victim reported that she left her business at 3:00 p.m. and everything was fine at the location.  She returned shortly after 6:00 p.m. and found that someone had entered through the roof and ransacked the business.  Investigation continuing.

 

Under the Influence of a Controlled Substance - Suspect Arrested

April 22 at 3:05 a.m., a motorist reported that a male subject, wearing boxer shorts only, was sitting on Myrtle Avenue, south of Duarte.  Officers responded and located the subject, who was found to be under the influence.  The suspect was arrested and taken into custody.  Computer checks revealed the suspect had three warrants for his arrest.  

 

Disturbed Subject / Mental Evaluation

April 22 at 4:07 a.m., officers responded to a residence in the 800 block of West Duarte Road regarding a violent subject who had broken a window and cut himself.  The subject had been drinking heavily, and it appears he tripped, knocked over a dresser and fell through a window, cutting himself.  Monrovia Fire Department paramedics treated the subject, who was then taken to a hospital.  At the hospital, the subject stated he did not want to live anymore.  The hospital will complete a 72-hour hold for mental evaluation.

 

Grand Theft Auto

April 22, three vehicle thefts were reported in the morning hours that had occurred sometime overnight.  The thefts were from the 1100 block of South Primrose, the 100 block of Pomona and the 200 block of East Maple.  All of the vehicles were taken from the immediate area of the owners' residences.  The investigation is continuing.

 

Grand Theft From Vehicle

April 22 at 6:38 p.m., an officer responded to the report of theft from a vehicle in the 2000 block of South Peck Road.  The victim reported that he left his vehicle unlocked and someone took his military-issue flak jacket from the backseat of his vehicle.  Investigation continuing.

Monrovia Schools Community Budget Meeting

If you'd like to hear more about the Monrovia schools' financial woes - and give your ideas - there will be another community budget meeting, this one at Santa Fe Middle School gym (148 W. Duarte Rd.), April 25 at 7 p.m. http://goo.gl/O30Zw

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Movie Music concert

San Gabriel Valley Choral Company "Goes to the Movies" concert, May 9, 7 p.m. at Monrovia Presbyterian Church. Songs from favorite movies. "Solos, duets, small ensembles, and the full chorale." Directed by Alexander Ruggieri ( http://goo.gl/Qmyd6 ). Also, they're still looking for singers: http://goo.gl/BIlpp

 
- Brad Haugaard