Monrovia Now: News and Comment about Monrovia, California

Monrovian Discovers Old Bone Belonged to Dinosaur

Monrovia woman discovers old family treasure is a stegosaurus bone. http://goo.gl/BeVRh

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Che Guevara Wallet Robber, Honey Oil Fire, iBurglary, Etc.

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for Jan. 3-6. - Brad Haugaard]

Following are the weekend's highlighted issues and events.

Traffic Collision / Felony Driving Under the Influence / Child Endangerment - Suspect Arrested

January 3 at 4:04 p.m., a traffic collision involving three vehicles occurred at Madison and Foothill. Officers responded and determined the female driver who caused the collision was intoxicated. Her 13-year-old daughter was injured in the collision and was taken to a nearby hospital. The female driver was arrested for felony driving under the influence, child endangerment and driving with a suspended license. The Los Angeles County Department of Children Services was notified of the incident.

Driving Under the Influence - Suspect Arrested

January 5 at 1:08 a.m., officers were dispatched to the 500 block of West Duarte regarding a driver that was heading eastbound on Duarte and collided into three parked vehicles. Officers arrived and determined the driver was intoxicated and was driving under the influence. The driver was arrested and taken into custody.

Armed Robbery

January 5 at 3:45 p.m., police responded to the report of an armed robbery. A 20-year-old, male subject was at a coin-operated car wash in the 400 block of West Duarte Road when he was approached by a male suspect. The suspect displayed a handgun in his waistband and demanded the victim's wallet and cell phone. The victim gave his wallet to the suspect and told him he did not have a cell phone. The suspect took the wallet and fled westbound on Duarte Road.

The suspect is described as a male Hispanic, 20 to 30 years old, wearing a black T-shirt with a picture of "Che Guvarra" on it and the name written in white letters, baggie blue jeans, and Adidas tennis shoes. The suspect is approximately 5' 8" tall, thin build, with a black moustache. There was a light grey, 1990's Acura Integra that pulled up to the area where the suspect fled and the car may be associated with the suspect. The loss was a wallet containing approximately $70 and miscellaneous credit cards. There were no injuries. Police searched the area and notified surrounding agencies. The suspect was not located. The investigation is continuing.

Residential Burglary

January 5 at 6:30 p.m., a residential burglary was reported in the 500 block of North Alta Vista. The resident left his home at 5:00 p.m. to walk his dogs and left the house and garage unlocked. He returned at 6:30 p.m. and discovered someone had taken an iPhone and two iPads from his residence. There were no signs of forced entry. The investigation is continuing.

Structure Fire With Injuries

January 6 at 5:01 a.m., officers responded to the report of a structure fire in the 200 block of East Walnut. Upon arrival, they found a residence engulfed in flames. It appears three male occupants were attempting to make a substance called honey oil from marijuana in the home and caused the fire. Making honey oil in a confined, poorly ventilated space like a bedroom is extremely dangerous. The Monrovia Fire Department is investigating to determine the exact cause of the fire.

All three suspects were seriously burned and were taken to a hospital for treatment for their injuries. They are expected to survive. The homeowners were in another room and were able to escape unharmed. Monrovia officers are investigating the possibility these men were making honey oil illegally and will file charges if the investigation reveals they have committed a crime.

Critical Missing Person Located

January 6 at 5:27 p.m., police were dispatched to a home for the elderly in the 100 block of South Myrtle regarding a critical missing person who had walked away from the location. The elderly male subject wears a Project Lifesaver bracelet, which is a tracking device that can be used to locate him. Officers were able to utilize the Project Lifesaver System and located the elderly man at a nearby church. He was not injured and was returned to the facility. The missing subject was located quickly once the Project Lifesaver was activated.

Wednesdays in Old Town | Run for Monrovia Office | Giant Clue Game | Old Carriage House | CIF Celebration | 80+ Fastest Growing Monrovia Group

~ Wednesday, Jan. 9, is the kickoff for a weekly "Wednesdays in Old
Town" program, a 4-8 p.m. Sidewalk sale with live entertainment,
between Lime and Olive.

~ If you want to run for a Monrovia political office, hop over to the
City Clerk's office to get nomination papers by the deadline, Jan. 11.

~ Giant Clue game for teens (sixth to ninth grade) at the Library on
Saturday, Jan. 12, 7-9 p.m.

~ Jim Wigdon, head of Monrovia's historic preservation group, reports
there is an old carriage house at Encinitas and Greystone that needs
to be moved. Problem is cost, about $40,000.

~ Monrovia Schools is planning a celebration at Monrovia High for the
football team's third consecutive CIF championship, according to
School Board Member Ed Gililland. No details yet.

~ Fastest growing group in Monrovia is seniors 80-plus, according to
the head of the Monrovia Providers Group.

- Brad Haugaard

Windy Today? | Interview with Monrovia's Assemblyman | YMCA Fundraiser

~ National Weather Service says "damaging wind gusts around 60 mph are likely" today until 4 p.m., with the possibility of "downed trees and power lines along with power outages." http://goo.gl/thiKD . The Weather Channel, on the other hand, is predicting winds of just 11 mph in Monrovia. http://goo.gl/zNome

~ Interview with Monrovia's Assemblyman, Chris Holden. http://goo.gl/76Kgx

~ Santa Anita Family YMCA annual fundraiser. http://goo.gl/4hiZA

- Brad Haugaard

Three Burned in Monrovia House Fire

Men burned, marijuana found, in Monrovia house fire. http://goo.gl/LQCIT

- Brad Haugaard

Robbery at Monrovia Car Wash

Man robbed at Monrovia coin-operated car wash. http://goo.gl/GOYWG

- Brad Haugaard

Brooks Memorial Service | Work at Monrovia Train Maintenance Yard | Rain Sunday?

~ Memorial service for Monrovian William "Bill" Copland Brooks, volunteer with Monrovia- Duarte Elks Lodge #1427. http://goo.gl/AoIhP

~ Work progresses on Monrovia's Gold Line maintenance yard. http://goo.gl/Qqmt5

~ Sixty percent chance of rain tomorrow here in Monrovia, Sunday. http://goo.gl/CpFMg

- Brad Haugaard

Lunch at Peach Cafe

Lunch at Peach Cafe, about a block east of Myrtle on Colorado. Got a pesto chicken salad for $11.95, plus tea, tax and tip. It came with corn bread (delicious!). Good meal, especially when eaten on the front porch on a beautiful day.

- Brad Haugaard

Count of Homeless in Monrovia

Volunteers will help count the number of homeless in Monrovia on Jan. 29. Details: http://goo.gl/oeHqT

- Brad Haugaard

Mayor's State of the City Address | Plan Monrovia Workshop

~ Monrovia Mayor Mary Ann Lutz will deliver her State of the City Address on Jan. 28, 7 p.m. at the Krikorian in Old Town. To attend, call 932-5555 x1401. Space is limited. Following the event, the speech will be available on the city website and on KGEM TV.

~ Plan Monrovia community workshop Jan. 12, 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Calvary Chapel, 123 W. Pomona Ave. (just west of Myrtle and just south of the freeway). Comment: If you have thoughts on what Monrovia's priorities should be, attend. I went to one and it was pretty painless.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Congresswoman Happy About Fiscal Cliff Legislation

Rep. Judy Chu, who represents Monrovia, writes about the fiscal cliff legislation, saying that, "After months of negotiating, every middle class American can rest easier knowing that their taxes will not spike in 2013." She blamed Republicans for "refusing to negotiate until the very last minute." http://goo.gl/81J5h

Comment: Who were the Democrats negotiating with for months if the Republicans refused to negotiate until the very last minute?

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Assemblymember Appointed to Committees

Assemblymember Chris Holden, who represents Monrovia and serves as Majority Whip, was today appointed by Assembly Speaker Perez to serve on the Appropriations Committee, Business and Professions, Labor and Transportation Committees.

Holden said: "Many of these committees are areas in which I have some experience from my years working in the Pasadena City Council, the Burbank Airport Authority, and with Metro Gold Line."

Source: Holden press release

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Hot Prowl, Drugs, Breaking and Helping, Fights, Etc.

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for Dec. 20-Jan. 2 – Brad Haugaard]

During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 389 service events, resulting in 55 investigations.

Residential Hot Prowl

December 21 at 6:24 a.m., a female resident in the 400 block of Hill Street reported a prowler attempting to break into her home. Her sister had left the location at 6:10 a.m., and within approximately 10 minutes, she heard the door bell. She was getting up to see who was at the door and saw a flashlight from the outside. She then heard the sliding glass door breaking. She ran to the area were the sliding glass door is and saw a male suspect wearing dark clothing and a dark hat. The suspect saw the resident and fled through the backyard, out of sight. The resident called police. Officers arrived and searched the area, but were unable to locate the suspect. Investigation continuing.

Wanted Person / Resisting and Delaying a Peace Officer – Suspect Arrested

December 21 at 6:26 p.m., Special Enforcement Team officers conducted a traffic stop at Los Angeles and Ivy. During a vehicle search, they found items in the vehicle belonging to a subject wanted by the Monrovia Police Department. The vehicle was seen leaving an address in the 100 block of Los Angeles and there was a large group of people at the residence. An officer responded to see if the suspect was at the location. While the officer was speaking with some of the subjects outside the residence, he saw the wanted suspect. The suspect then turned and walked into the house, disregarding the officer's order to stop. Containment of the area was set up by Monrovia officers, along with assisting officers from Arcadia Police Department. A search was then conducted of the residence and adjacent homes with the help of the Foothill Air Support Team helicopter, but the suspect was not located.
The next day, December 22, security officers from the Santa Anita Mall in Arcadia responded to a disturbance and subsequently escorted a male subject out of the mall. He was told not to return. The subject initially left the location, but then returned. When mall security went to detain him for trespassing the subject ran and jumped off a second story parking structure to get away. The mall security officers chased down and detained the subject. The subject was determined to be the suspect wanted by Monrovia Police Department. He was booked at Arcadia Police Department for the new charges and then taken to Monrovia Police Department, where he was booked and housed.

Possession of a Controlled Substance / Warrant / Parole Hold – Suspect Arrested

December 21 at 9:24 p.m., an officer on patrol saw a bicyclist roll through a stop sign. The officer conducted a traffic stop and found the subject had marijuana and methamphetamine in his possession. He also had an outstanding warrant. He was arrested and taken into custody.

Fight in Progress / Drunk in Public / Possession of a Controlled Substance – Suspect Arrested

December 21 at 11:31 p.m., officers responded to a business location in the 300 block of West Huntington on the report of two subjects fighting. Both suspects signed a refusal to prosecute; however, one of suspects was determined to be drunk in public and was taken into custody. During a search, he was found to be in possession of marijuana and methamphetamine. He was arrested for the charges.

Vandalism / Grand Theft Auto Recovered

December 27 at 5:42 a.m., a delivery man reported a broken window at a business in the 100 block of West Huntington. While officers were investigating the vandalism, they ran the license plate of a vehicle parked in the lot and found it had been stolen from the City of La Crescenta. The vehicle was recovered and the Investigation is continuing.

Welfare Check

December 27 at 3:02 p.m., police received a call regarding a 76-year-old male subject who had not been seen by neighbors for several days. The neighbors reported that the subject had not been feeling well. Officer checked the residence and it was locked up and they could not see anyone inside. As the officers questioned neighbors further, they believed the subject would have taken his vehicle, which was parked in the driveway, had he left to visit relatives. The officers decided to force a rear door open. The subject was found inside the home in need of medical attention. Paramedics were dispatched and the subject was taken to a hospital for treatment. The residence was secured.

Petty Theft / Weapons Offense – Suspect Arrested

December 28 at 7:29 p.m., an officer on patrol in the 300 block of West Huntington Drive observed a juvenile being detained at the front of a store by the store manager. The manager flagged the officer down and advised that the juvenile had stolen merchandise. During a search of the juvenile, a modified knife blade with the flat side sharpened to an edge was found in his back pocket. The juvenile was arrested and booked. He was cited for the above listed offenses and then released to his older brother, who is his current guardian.

Vandalism – Two Suspects Arrested

December 28 at 10:49 p.m., two witnesses observed four male juveniles tagging several city signs, signal boxes, light poles and private property windows on Huntington Drive and called police. Officers responded and detained the four juveniles who matched the description of the suspects. Two of the juveniles were positively identified by witnesses as the suspects who committed the vandalism. They were arrested and taken into custody. The other two subjects were identified and released. Several other locations on Myrtle Avenue and Huntington Drive were vandalized with similar type graffiti. The two witnesses were advised of Monrovia Police Department's Stop Graffiti Bounty Program and each will be rewarded with a $100 bill for reporting the incident of graffiti which led to the arrest of the suspects.

Drunk in Public – Suspect Arrested

December 31 at 10:41 p.m., a female resident in the 700 block of West Colorado reported a male subject knocking on her door and trying to get into her house. The resident's father chased the subject away from the home. An officer responded and detained the subject at Violet and Colorado. He told officers that he was knocking on the resident's door because he thought it was his house. He was determined to be intoxicated and was arrested for being drunk in public.

Battery

January 1 at 2:03 a.m., officers responded to the area of Myrtle and Chestnut regarding a report of battery. The male victim and his girlfriend were walking south on Myrtle when they noticed three male Hispanic subjects behind them. As they walked, one of the male subjects suddenly came up from behind and started punching the victim, knocking him to the ground. The victim was taken to a hospital for treatment. The victim was not cooperative with officers. Investigation continuing.

Violation of Restraining Order – Suspect Arrested

January 1 at 2:45 a.m., officers were dispatched to the 200 block of West Central on the report of a male subject in violation of a restraining order. Officers arrived and arrested the suspect who was found outside the front door of the residence in violation of the court order.

Windy Thursday, Fake $100 Bills for a Car, Job Fair at Monrovia Library

~ Gusty winds up to 17 miles per hour expected tomorrow, Thursday. http://goo.gl/b2Lpt

~ Monrovia man charged with buying car in Rancho Cucamonga with fake $100 bills. http://goo.gl/RcZJD

~ All-Day Job Seekers Event at Monrovia Library. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Jan. 5. Resumes, cover letters, and interviewing skills. Motivational career coach and an introduction to the Libraryâ€™s new Job and Career Center. Also, meet representatives from job organizations, including LA Works and Foothill Workforce Investment Board.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police Get Grant for Traffic Safety Program

The Monrovia Police Department has been awarded a $54,760 grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety for a year-long program aimed at preventing deaths and injuries on our roadways through special enforcement and public awareness efforts. The grants received by the Monrovia Police will aid in the city's ongoing efforts to improve traffic safety and the quality of life. The Monrovia Police Department will use the funding as part of an ongoing commitment to keep our roadways safe through both enforcement and education.

The grant will assist in efforts to deal with traffic safety problems and to reduce the number of persons killed and injured in traffic collisions. While traffic deaths from all causes declined by nearly 39 percent between 2006 and 2010 in California, state and federal officials anticipate that figures will show a slight rise in 2011. DUI Deaths remain the largest sector, at nearly 30 percent of traffic fatalities. Recent trends show increases into new categories – distracted driving and drug impaired driving.

Activities that the grant will fund include:

- Specialized DUI and drugged driving training such as Standardized Field Sobriety Testing, Advanced Roadside Impaired Driving Enforcement, and Drug Recognition Evaluator

- DUI saturation patrols

- Distracted driving enforcement

- Seat belts and child safety seat enforcement

- Speed, red light and stop sign enforcement

- Warrant service operations targeting multiple DUI offenders

- Compilation of DUI "hotsheets," Identifying worst-of-the-worst DUI offenders

"Despite the recent increases, California's roadways are still very much safer than they were before 2006," said OTS Director Christopher J. Murphy. "The Monrovia Police Department will be keeping the pressure on through enforcement and public awareness so that we can continue saving lives and reach the vision we all share – Toward zero death, every one counts."

Funding for this program is from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Source: Monrovia Police Department press release

- Brad Haugaard

How to Get Rid of Your Christmas Tree

Place your Christmas tree curbside on your regular trash collection day beginning December 26, 2012 through January 11, 2013. Please remove all ornaments, tinsel, plastic bags, nails, lights, and plastic or metal stands. Click here for more info or call Public Works at (626) 932-5553. After January 11, trim branches and place in the green materials barrel.

Source: City of Monrovia

- Brad Haugaard