Monrovia Police: Beer Bust, Mething Around With Cell Phone While Driving, Sleeping in Mid-Street, Etc.

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for Dec. 6-9. - Brad Haugaard]

 

Following are the weekend's highlighted issues and events.

 

Vandalism

December 8 at 5:12 a.m., an employee at a business in the 100 block of West Foothill called to report that the glass front window of the neighboring business had been smashed.  Officers responded and checked for any evidence.  The investigation is continuing.

 

Commercial Burglary - Suspect Arrested

December 8 at 7:06 p.m., a burglary was reported at a business in the 300 block of West Huntington.  A male suspect entered the business and went directly to an isle, where he placed two three-packs of beer under his sweater.  A store employee observed him leaving the store without attempting to pay and pursued him.  The suspect was apprehended by the store employee and convinced to return to the store.  He admitted to entering the store with the intent to steal the beer without any means or intent to pay for it.  He was arrested and charged with burglary.

 

Possession of a Controlled Substance - Suspect Arrested

December 8 at 9:36 p.m., the Monrovia Special Enforcement Team was assisting the El Monte Police Department in the containment of an armed robbery suspect and they were checking cars leaving the area for the suspect.  They observed a driver nearly collide with the car in front of him as he was talking on his cell phone.  They stopped him and while investigating the driver for possible driving under the influence, they observed a small baggie containing a white crystalline substance on the seat of the car.  The substance turned out to be methamphetamine.  The driver was arrested and charged with possession of a controlled substance.

 

Traffic Collision - Light Signal Damaged

December 10 at 12:27 a.m., a male driver who was not paying attention to his driving while looking for a gas station collided into a light signal mounted on a center island.  The signal was damaged and will need to be replaced.  The Monrovia Fire Department and Southern California Edison responded to turn off the power to the loose wires. 

 

Driving Under the Influence - Suspect Arrested

December 10 at 2:17 a.m., a male driver stopped his vehicle in the middle of the roadway at Mayflower and Duarte Road, turned the ignition off and fell asleep, leaving his headlights on and the car in drive with the keys in the ignition.  Passersby called police to check on the welfare of the subject.  When officers arrived, they discovered the driver was heavily intoxicated.  He was arrested for driving under the influence.

Monrovia's First Presbyterian Puts Up Nativity Scene

I guess it is really the Christmas season. Monrovia First Presbyterian Church has its nativity scene up.

- Brad Haugaard

Four Nights of Freeway Closures

Four nights of full eastbound 210 Freeway closures, starting tonight (Monday, Dec. 10) and continuing through this Thursday. Full closure of all lanes begins at 11 p.m. and ends at 5 a.m. the following morning.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Falls Short in Regional Playoff vs. Madison High :-(

Monrovia football loses state regional playoff game against San Diego's Madison High School, 21-17.

Story: http://goo.gl/YCbHl

- Brad Haugaard

Listen to Monrovia vs. Madison Football

Listen to Monrovia vs. Madison football live here: http://goo.gl/xxpvi

- Brad Haugaard

Foggy Monrovia Morning

Fog advisory for San Gabriel Valley until about 10 a.m. http://goo.gl/1GRdF

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia's World Vision Helps Typhoon Victims

Monrovia's World Vision, a Christian relief agency, reports that it is assisting thousands of families in the wake of a Philippines typhoon. http://goo.gl/7BXcg

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Schools: Major Water Damage at MHS Event Center; Yes, It Can Pay It's Bills ... For Now

At its 7 p.m. Dec. 12 meeting (agenda here: http://goo.gl/1PKa6 ), the Monrovia School Board will, among other things ...

~ Consider authorizing $115,111 to fix rainwater damage to the Monrovia High Event Center caused by over-pressurizing a heating, ventilation and air conditioning unit. http://goo.gl/QxncO

~ Affirm, as required by law, that it can pay its bills for the next four years. "However, due to probably flat State funding and estimates of continued declining enrollment, current budget projections show that the district may not be able to maintain a positive ending balance in 2015-16." http://goo.gl/fCTBQ

- Brad Haugaard

One More Week of Gold Line Bridge Construction, Reeds on Basket, Lane Closures

The basket-y reeds on the tops of the Gold Line bridge are now in place.

Also, the Gold Line should be completed by December 15. There could be up to four nights of lane closures until then. Lanes will be closed no earlier than 11 p.m. and reopen no later than 5 a.m.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovian Acquitted in School Sex Charges

A Monrovian who taught in Duarte schools has been acquitted on all charges of sexual abuse. http://goo.gl/2yFlT

- Brad Haugaard

Panda Express for Lunch

Went to Panda Express for lunch today (the one at Huntington and Monterey). Got the three-item entree for $7.88, plus the cost of drink and tax. Got Shanghai Angus Beef, Beijing Beef and Eggplant Tofu with noodles. Very good.

- Brad Haugaard

Rosemead Over Monrovia in Basketball :-( | Christmas Tamales for Science | Holden Swearing In

~ Rosemead over Monrovia in basketball. http://goo.gl/5a2bZ

~ Order Christmas tamales and help Monrovia High's Math and Science Academy. Here's the form: http://goo.gl/t1kfN

~ Chris Holden, who represents Monrovia in the Assembly, will have a local swearing-in ceremony this Sunday at 4 p.m. at Noor Terrace, 260 E. Colorado, Pasadena (located in Paseo Colorado). Reception at  4:30 p.m.

- Brad Haugaard

Pictures of Monrovia Holiday Parade

Pictures from Thursday night's holidays parade on Myrtle. Click them to get a bigger view.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia's New Christmas Tree Lighted

After a few words from Mayor Mary Ann Lutz, the lighting of Monrovia's new Christmas tree. The old one was blown over by the super wind storm. The new one was donated by Home Depot. It is at the southeast corner of Library Park.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia's Fiscal State: Difficult, But We Have a Balanced Budget

Monrovia City Manager Laurie Lile explains the city's fiscal situation:

Our Current Condition: 

- Since 2008, we have reduced staffing by 17%, an equivalent of 47 positions, and cut $2 million in expenditures.
- These cuts came to our key services, like street resurfacing, the Monrovia Area Partnership, literacy services, community policing, building and engineering.
- Federal and State regulatory compliance has remained constant.  That means that we still have to comply with many government regulations, like Storm water, state realignment for prison releases, energy compliance measures, and shutting down Redevelopment.  These are things that cannot be ignored when we realistically discuss what the City should be focusing on.
- Redevelopment funding has been taken away, and we don’t expect it to come back any time soon.
- Sales tax revenue, the second largest revenue source to the City, has been down 25% over the past three years.
- Property taxes remain flat.
- The good news: Monrovia’s budget is structurally balanced.

Source: http://goo.gl/wL2XO

- Brad Haugaard

Tickets for Monrovia Playoff Game | Library Closed | City Manager, Mayor Explain 'Plan Monrovia'

~ Monrovia School Board member Alex Zucco reports on Facebook that tickets for the Monrovia High State Regional Playoff game at Friday's street fair, from 5-8 p.m. "We hope to be located at the south end of Myrtle Ave. near Olive Ave."

~ Monrovia Library will be closed on Thursday, Dec. 13. http://goo.gl/qcr16

~ Video: City Manager Laurie Lile and Mayor Mary Ann Lutz discuss "Plan Monrovia." Lile writes: "With 47 positions cut and $2 million fewer dollars, the City can no longer be all things to all people. We have to pick and choose -- what are the most important things for the City to focus on achieving, and what can the community achieve on its own?" Video here: http://goo.gl/AkFlo

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Car Chase, Two Arrested; Female Impersonator Robs Bank; Stealing Liquor

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

 

During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 434 service events, resulting in 70 investigations.

 

Grand Theft Auto / Vehicle Pursuit / Felony Evading / Conspiracy to Commit Grand Theft Auto - Suspects Arrested

December 4 at 4:43 a.m., a resident in the 700 block of East Greystone called to report two suspicious male subjects who were standing next to the resident's parked truck.  When the resident asked the subjects what they were doing, they ran to two nearby vehicles and quickly fled the area.  The vehicle descriptions were broadcast and officers located both of them driving south on Mountain from Foothill. 

 

Officers stopped one of the vehicles at Mountain and Lemon.  The other fled, continuing southbound on Mountain.  The vehicle was traveling at a high rate of speed and collided into a wall at Mountain and Shrode.  The suspect exited the vehicle and fled on foot through yards and into a wash.  Los Angeles Sheriff's Department deputies responded to assist and detained the suspect at Mountain and Meridian.  He was positively identified as the driver of the vehicle, which was determined to be stolen out of West Covina. 

 

The suspect detained at Mountain and Lemon was found to be in possession of new power tools and had a suspicious story about how he obtained them.  A search was conducted of the area and officers found a vehicle parked in the 300 block of East Greystone that had fresh damage to the driver's door lock similar to the damage on the stolen vehicle.  Both suspects were arrested and taken into custody.  The suspect who fled was charged with grand theft auto, felony evading, and conspiracy to commit grand theft auto.  The second suspect was charged with conspiracy to commit grand theft auto and suspicion of receiving stolen property.

 

Bank Robbery - Chase Bank in Monrovia

November 5, at approximately 10 a.m., a male suspect trying to disguise himself as a female robbed the Chase Bank at 690 West Huntington in Monrovia, California.

 

The suspect approached the teller's window carrying a briefcase.  The suspect made a demand for money and told the teller there was anthrax in the briefcase.  The teller gave the suspect the money. The suspect took the money and the briefcase and left the bank.  The suspect was seen getting into a silver PT Cruiser.

 

The suspect is described as an African American male, wearing a tan women's tracksuit with a hood.  The hood was pulled up.  The suspect had a white bandana on his head, clear lip gloss, cherry red nail polish, gold hoop earrings, dark brown Ugg style boots, glasses with black plastic frames and clear lenses, and was clean shaven.

 

Anyone with information is asked to call the Monrovia Police Department Detective Bureau.

 

Commercial Burglary - Suspects Arrested

November 5 at 3:50 p.m., two adult suspects walked into a business in the 100 block of West Foothill.  The suspects were witnessed on camera stealing liquor and fleeing the business.  Police located the suspects at Foothill, near May.  Both suspects were arrested and taken into custody.

Will Monrovia Coach Maddox Leave?

Will Monrovia football coach Ryan Maddox move on after season? http://goo.gl/z3ATs

- Brad Haugaard

Gold Line Bridge: On-Time, On-Budget

Final details are being completed on the Gold Line Bridge, as Skanska readies the bridge for turn-over to the project alignment contractor (Foothill Transit Contractors) in just over one week. The landscaping, irrigation and lighting installation is well underway, and work will be completed over the next several days on the final barrier walls along the superstructure. Also, as you can see, nearly all of the reeds have been installed on the outrigger baskets.

With the rainy weather behind us for now, the contractor has cleared the way for an on-time, on-budget completion.

Source: Gold Line press release

- Brad Haugaard

Snow In Monrovia's Library Park | Nativity Scene | Tree Lighting | First Vineyard Service in New Building | Chu Cheers

~ The church, Fellowship Monrovia, has announced on Facebook that its Miracle on Myrtle event at 5 p.m. on Dec. 23 in Library Park will be "1 big Christmas celebration with Real snow. Yes I said real snow!!!" There will also be "live musical performances" and "the world premiere of an animation called, "Miracle on Myrtle."

~ Monrovia's First Presbyterian Church has announced, also on Facebook, that it will be putting up its traditional nativity scene on the corner of Myrtle and Foothill this Saturday at 10 a.m.

~ Christmas tree lighting in Library Park Thursday, Dec. 6, at 6 p.m., followed by "All that Glitters is Gold" parade (Grand Marshall, Kim Rhode) along Myrtle at 7 p.m.

~ Live Oak Vineyard Church will have its first meeting at its new Myrtle building (1307 S. Myrtle) this Sunday, Dec. 9, from 10-11:30 a.m. http://goo.gl/4cKvt

~ Monrovia's Congresswoman covering north-of-Hillcrest, Judy Chu, writes on Facebook: "Kudos to CA Attorney General Harris! Yesterday, she said local police don't have to participate in Secure Communities - a broken program that sweeps up immigrants who aren't even criminals." She adds, "We must secure our borders, but we should be smart and compassionate about it too."

- Brad Haugaard