Southwest Grinding Building Being Replaced

Photo: Former Southwest Grinding building on Shamrock being rebuilt. http://goo.gl/iTTRo

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Sleeping Man in Woman's Clothing with Meth in His Purse, Airborne Car on Lemon, Mailbox Theft, Etc.

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for August 20-22. - Brad Haugaard]

During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 422 service events, resulting in 75 investigations.

 

Possession of Drug Paraphernalia - Suspect Arrested

August 20 at 9:48 a.m., police responded to an apartment complex in the 500 block of West Foothill regarding a subject sleeping on private property.  Upon arrival, they found a male subject wearing women's clothing asleep toward the front of the property.  When the subject was awakened, he was cooperative.  There was a purse in front of him, which he admitted to officers had methamphetamine in it.  A verbal consent to search was obtained and a large quantity of used needles and a burnt spoon were recovered. The suspect was arrested.

 

Rollover Injury Traffic Collision 

August 20 at 9:30 p.m., a young man was driving his vehicle eastbound in the 100 block of East Lemon.  He was traveling at a high rate of speed and failed to stop for the stop sign at Ivy.  When his vehicle hit the dip in the intersection, the vehicle went airborne.  It landed on the east side of the intersection and the driver lost control of the vehicle, striking a parked car.  The vehicle then rolled over several times in the street.  The driver received minor injuries and had to be removed from the vehicle by Monrovia Fire Department personnel.  The driver was taken to a hospital, where he is expected to recover from his injuries.

 

Vehicle Burglary

August 20 at 6:18 p.m., a vehicle burglary was reported in the 700 block of North Canyon.  The burglary occurred on August 18 between 6:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.  The victim left the windows down a few inches for ventilation, and it appears the suspect was able to reach in and unlock the door.  A power saw, coins, and keys were stolen.  Investigation continuing.

 

Mail Thefts

August 21, several mail thefts occurred throughout the city during daytime hours.  The thefts occurred in the 700 block of Anita, the 900 block of Royal Oaks, the 400 block of North Magnolia, and the 900 block of Norumbega.  Some of the mail stolen from Anita and North Magnolia was found in the street at Primrose and Scenic, indicating these cases may be related.  A witness to the thefts from Norumbega saw a suspect by the mailboxes at 4:00 p.m.  The suspect is described as a male, White, 40's, very short blond hair, wearing a white tank shirt.  The suspect vehicle is described as an older model, teal or dark colored Ford Bronco or Explorer.  Investigation continuing.

Why Monrovia Doesn't Have Parking Meters

Monrovia Mayor Mary Ann Lutz on the benefits to the city of having free parking instead of meters. http://goo.gl/HZULY

Opinion: Amen! Preach it, Mayor!

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Losing Green Dot Corporation in Early September

Green Dot Corporation, a leading provider of prepaid debit cards, will be moving out of Monrovia by Labor Day, September 3, according to a source who wished to remain anonymous. The company is reportedly moving to a building in east Pasadena, near the PetSmart/Best Buy shopping center on Foothill just east of Sierra Madre Villa. The company is currently located at the northwest corner of Huntington and Shamrock.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Council Member Becky Shevlin Joins Real Estate Firm

Monrovia City Council member Becky Shevlin joins Podley Properties real estate. http://goo.gl/s8IQJ

- Brad Haugaard

The Gold Line Environmental Impact Report and How to Comment on It

The Gold Line's draft environmental impact report has been released for the extension of the rail line to Montclair (assuming there is money for that part of the line). Here is the report, http://goo.gl/a6dar , along with details about how to comment on it.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia's Green Dot Working With Sallie Mae

Monrovia's Green Dot is providing prepaid debit cards for Sallie Mae,
the nation's main financial services company specializing in
education. http://goo.gl/wdxsB

The company's stock took a 10.55% jump. http://goo.gl/lzC0f

- Brad Haugaard

Portantino's Vanity Plate Bill Goes to Governor

A bill by Assemblyman Anthony Portantino (who represents part of
Monrovia) to eliminate cut-rate prices for legislator's vanity license
plates has been unanimously approved by the Assembly and sent to
Governor Jerry Brown. http://goo.gl/F03LV

- Brad Haugaard

Portantino Demands 710 Freeway be Stopped

Assembly ember Anthony Portantino, who represents part of Monrovia, is
demanding that any further work on the 710 freeway project be stopped.
http://goo.gl/xBf9I

- Brad Haugaard

Free Monrovia Leadership Training

Free six-week Monrovia Area Partnership Leadership Academy. It will
guide you through local government, community resources and your
potential as a leader. http://goo.gl/Rhk9w

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia's STAAR Surgical Consolidates Manufacturing in Monrovia

Monrovia's STAAR Surgical is consolidating its manufacturing in Monrovia, leasing a 26,000 square foot building immediately adjacent to its current facility to accommodate the consolidation and as provide for growth. The lease is for eight years, beginning approximately at the end of November 2012, assuming all contingencies are met. STAAR Surgical makes implantable lenses for the eye. http://goo.gl/JB9PE

- Brad Haugaard

Dry Lightning Possible Tonight To Wednesday Evening

Red flag warning in effect from midnight tonight until 5 p.m. Wednesday for dry lightning and gusty winds. http://goo.gl/Y7RvY

- Brad Haugaard

Gold Line Will Look for Other Money to Complete Rail Line | Full Freeway Closures Ahead | Huff Supports Film Industry Tax Relief

~ Gold Line Construction Authority Habib Balian reports that for the Azusa to Montclair phase of the rail line, "the Construction Authority will seek out other funding sources as we advance the preliminary engineering, planning and design." Other sources would be required, he said, because it appears Measure R funds will not be used for that purpose. In preparation, he said the Authority has released a draft environmental impact report on the the Azusa to Montclair phase of the line. Source: press release

~ The eastbound and westbound 210 will be completely closed August 28 and 29 from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. the next day. Also, the eastbound will be fully closed August 30 from midnight to 5 a.m. The closures are to begin the process of removing the temporary supporting structure for the bridge. There will be 20 full eastbound freeway closures in the next six weeks. Source: press release

~ Video: Senator Bob Huff (who represents Monrovia) supports a two-year extension of tax credits for the film and television industry to persuade them do do filming in California. http://goo.gl/xrnKF

- Brad Haugaard

Senator Bob Huff Predicts 30-Year Wait for Completion of Gold Line, Opposes Extension of Measure R Sales Tax

Video: Senate Republican Leader Bob Huff (who represents Monrovia) comes out against the proposed extension of the Measure R sales tax to fund mass transit, saying the R-extension does not provide money to complete the Gold Line to Claremont, as promised in 2008. He said that "if the extension is approved by voters, it will mean a 30-year delay or more for the Foothill Extension of the Gold Line from Pasadena to Claremont." http://goo.gl/j8D6c

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia's Golden Girl | Golden Plate

~ Monrovia's Golden Girl, a feature article about Olympian Kim Rhode. http://goo.gl/HP1BD

~ Monrovia's Foothill Unity Center will hold its 14th Golden Plate Awards on Friday, September 21, at the Pasadena Convention Center. Details: http://goo.gl/Husna

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia High Band Room to Close

The Monrovia High Band and Colorguard has announced on its Facebook page that the band will have to leave the MHS Band Room, which will be "closed indefinitely" because it is not earthquake safe. "The band program and all its ensembles and classes will continue on schedule. The current plan is to move all classes, equipment and assets to our new 'temporary' home."

- Brad Haugaard

Huff Lists 'Job Killer' Bills Being Considered by Legislature

Senator Bob Huff, who represents Monrovia, lists "five 'Job Killer' bills" the California state legislature is considering: http://goo.gl/WDOoD

- Brad Haugaard

Maryknoll Card Party | Monrovia Y Corn Toss

~ Monrovia's Maryknoll Sisters is holding a Fall Harvest Fundraiser Luncheon/Card Party September 11 beginning at 10 a.m. with luncheon ($15) at noon. Drawings and door prizes. Call 358-1825 for reservations.

~ The Monrovia Y is sponsoring a "Corn Toss" on Saturday, September 29 beginning at 3 p.m. at Monrovia Tennis Club, 158 N. Sunset. A corn toss is "a fun and exciting game similar to horseshoes except you use wooden boxes called Corn To9ss platforms and corn/bean bags instead of horseshoes and metal stakes." $50 per player. Interested in participating? Contact Jim ward at jim@wardservice.com

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Suicide by Cop Fails, Snapshots Lead to Suspects, Etc.

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for August 16-19. - Brad Haugaard]

Following are the weekend's highlighted issues and events. 

Warrant / Parolee at Large - Suspect Arrested

August 16 at 7:20 a.m., police were requested to the 800 block of West Chestnut regarding a male transient sleeping on a bench on a business property near their front lobby.  Officers arrived and recognized the subject from prior contacts.  Computer checks revealed he had an outstanding warrant out of Los Angeles Sheriff's Department and a no-bail parolee-at-large warrant.  He was arrested and taken into custody.

Disturbed Subject / Mental Evaluation

August 16 at 16:27 p.m., police dispatch received a call reporting a male subject walking around holding a knife in the 300 block of West Duarte.  After making the initial report the caller hung up the phone.  Officers responded and located the subject in a parking area.  The subject was holding a large knife and refused to drop it at the request of officers.  He stated to the officers that he wanted them to shoot him.  One of the officers eventually talked the subject into dropping the knife.  The subject was taken into custody.  

A check of the subject's cell phone revealed the phone number was the same as the reporting party.  It appears the subject was the one who made the initial report on himself.  The subject was taken to a hospital, where he was placed on a 72-hour hold for mental evaluation.      

Traffic Collision - Vehicle vs. Pedestrian

August 17 at 8:49 p.m., a 73-year-old female was walking east on Royal Oaks and began to cross Mountain in the pedestrian walkway.  The female claims she had a white figure facing her, indicating she was clear to cross the street, when a vehicle turned southbound onto Mountain from Royal Oaks.  The driver claims she had a green signal facing her direction of travel.  The pedestrian managed to push away from the vehicle with her arms, but still fell to the ground, striking her head on the asphalt.  She complained of pain to her left leg, left arm, and her head.  She was taken to a hospital, where she is expected to recover from her injuries.  The investigation is continuing.

Vehicle Burglary

August 18 at 8:34 a.m., an officer was dispatched to an apartment complex in the 1800 block of Eighth Avenue regarding a vehicle burglary.  The victim parked her vehicle in a guest parking stall to the rear of the complex in the evening.  She locked the vehicle, but had left her purse and laptop on the floorboard, behind the front passenger seat.  When she returned to her vehicle the next morning at about 8:30 a.m., she found the rear passenger side window shattered.  Her purse, credit cards and laptop were all missing. Investigation continuing.

Stolen Vehicle Recovered

August 18 at 10:36 a.m., the victim of a grand theft auto called to report he had located his stolen vehicle in the 100 block East Colorado.  The victim was out riding his bicycle around town and happened to come across his vehicle.  The vehicle is a silver, 2005 Toyota Camry and was reported stolen on August 15.  Investigation continuing.

Grand Theft Auto / Warrant / Receiving Stolen Property - Suspects Arrested

August 18 at 12:22 p.m., a vehicle was reported stolen from the 100 block of West Lemon.  The victim parked her vehicle in her designated parking stall at her apartment complex and locked it.  When she returned to the vehicle the next morning it was missing.  The vehicle is a green, 1997 Acura Integra.

At 2:02 p.m. the same day, a vehicle burglary was reported in the 200 block of California.  The reporting party ran out of his house when his wife told him someone had just broken into his vehicle.  He ran to the alley and saw three suspicious subjects in and around a green Acura Integra.  He was able to get a picture on his cell phone of the driver, suspects, the vehicle, and the license plate.  He attempted to follow the suspects, but lost them.  He then went home and called police.  Police responded and checked the area.  An area search was made and two of the suspects were eventually located.  The vehicle license plate was found to belong to the stolen Acura from earlier that morning.  The pictures taken by the reporting party positively identified the driver of the stolen vehicle.  The second suspect was found to have an outstanding warrant.  Both suspects were arrested and taken into custody.      

In the early morning hours of the next day, officers located the third outstanding suspect sleeping in an alley.  He had shaved his head in an attempt to alter his appearance.  He was taken into custody with incident. 

August 19 at 8:38 p.m., an officer on patrol was driving through an alley in the 200 block of West Colorado and located the stolen green Acura parked in a carport stall of an apartment complex.  The vehicle was recovered.

Grand Theft Auto

August 19 at 9:17 a.m., a vehicle was reported stolen from the 200 block of East Central.  The victim parked and locked his black, 2004 Chevy Silverado in front of his residence about 9:00 p.m. in the evening.  He noticed the vehicle missing the next morning at 9:00 a.m.  The vehicle has 20-inch chrome rims.  Investigation continuing.

Domestic Violence - Suspect Arrested

August 19 at 4:27 p.m., officers responded to a fight in progress between two subjects at a business parking lot in the 200 block of West Huntington.  When the officers arrived, they detained a male subject in the parking lot.  The other half involved in the fight was the male subject's girlfriend, who was last seen walking west on Huntington.  Officers located the girlfriend, who was found to have injuries from the fight.  The male subject was arrested for domestic violence.

Donnelly Rated 100% Conservative

In his Donnelly Dispatch newsletter, Assemblyman Tim Donnelly, who represents part of Monrovia, reports that he received a 100 percent rating from the American Conservative Union and was given its "Defender of Liberty" award. http://goo.gl/xdkXk

- Brad Haugaard