~ Following the county trend, unemployment in Monrovia is up. http://goo.gl/pNocY8
- Brad Haugaard
~ Got a singing voice? The San Gabriel Valley Choral Company is seeking new singers for its 2013–2014 concert season. http://goo.gl/Cb6R8V
~ A report by the city on the new Station Square project. http://goo.gl/6a4sMN
[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for August 12–14. - Brad Haugaard]
During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 491 service events, resulting in 82 investigations.
On August 12 at 4:00 p.m., an officer observed a tractor in the 1600 block of South Shamrock. A computer check revealed the tractor was stolen out of LASD – Century Station. The tractor was recovered and released to a company agent.
On August 12 at 4:15 p.m., an officer was dispatched to the 1000 block of East Lemon regarding 4 large marijuana plants being loaded into a Toyota 4runner. The vehicle was located and stopped and the marijuana was recovered.
On August 12 at 6:26 p.m., dispatch received a transfer call from California Highway Patrol regarding a stolen vehicle. The victim stated his vehicle was taken from an apartment complex area in the 1000 block of South Alta Vista, within the last hour. The vehicle stolen was a 1991 Honda Accord, green in color. A check of the area was completed, but was unable to locate the stolen vehicle. The investigation is continuing.
On August 13 at 7:04 p.m., officers were dispatched to the 1600 block of South Mountain regarding a burglary that just occurred. A female suspect entered the business and exchanged two five gallon cans of paint for $ 400.00 dollars. She then took more paint cans off the shelf and placed a pre-made barcode label on the can, which had a very low price and went through the register. Security caught the theft on video while the suspect was in the garden area. Further investigation revealed numerous receipts for the same items from Home Depot stores in different cities. The suspect was taken into custody and arrested for burglary.
August 14 at 8:52 p.m., an officer responded to 500 block of Fano regarding a domestic violence report. The suspect fled the scene prior to his arrival. The female claimed she was hit and choked by the father of her children, who has been staying at the residence. The victim had marks that were consistent with her statement. The officer called the suspect on his cell phone. The suspect denied the assault and refused to return to the residence. A want was entered into the system for domestic violence. The investigation is continuing.
On July 31 and August 9, 2013, two crimes occurred involving the same gang members. The first case involved the brandishing of a firearm by two gang members. The second case involved a robbery and assault by three gang members.
These cases were presented together to the District Attorney's office. Felony complaints were filed for robbery, assault with a deadly weapon, exhibiting a firearm, and violations of criminal street gang injunction.
[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for August 8–1. - Brad Haugaard]
Following are the weekend's highlighted issues and events.
On August 9 at 8:45 p.m., an officer responded to the 600 block of East Huntington regarding a suspicious person in the bushes. Upon arrival, the officer observed a female sitting down near the bushes. Through investigation, it was determined she was under the influence of a controlled substance and in possession of methamphetamine. The suspect was arrested.
On August 9 at 3:24 p.m., officers responded to the 500 block of Linwood regarding a robbery that just occurred. The victim was walking when 4 male suspects arrived in an older model, blue or gray Ford Aero Star van. One of the suspects threw a 12 oz. beer bottle at the victim, striking his leg. The victim was not injured from the bottle. Another suspect grabbed the victim in an effort to pull him to the ground, while another suspect grabbed the victim's skateboard out his hands. All four suspects returned to the vehicle and fled with the victim's skateboard.
Later that evening, a Special Enforcement Officer observed a vehicle matching the description of a vehicle used in the robbery. The officer requested additional units to assist. The vehicle was stopped in the in the 1500 block of South Mountain. Officers were able to determine that the suspects in the vehicle were in fact the suspects involved in the robbery and located the stolen property inside. The suspects were arrested and held for bail.
On August 9 at 8:30 p.m., an officer responding code–3 to assist another officer was struck by another vehicle at the intersection of Magnolia and Huntington. As the officer stopped and cleared each lane, a vehicle that was traveling east on Huntington did not realize an emergency vehicle was approaching. As the patrol vehicle began to cross the last lane of traffic, it was struck on the right rear portion, causing the patrol vehicle to travel up the sidewalk and strike a small tree. Witnesses indicated the other vehicle failed to stop for the emergency vehicle when all other traffic on the road had yielded. The officer complained of pain, so he was taken by ambulance to a hospital and later released back to work.
On August 10 at 3:56 a.m., an officer was approaching the intersection of Graydon and Camino Real when he observed a vehicle run a stop sign. The officer conducted a traffic stop and noticed the driver appeared to be under the influence. The driver was arrested and taken into custody.
On August 10 at 8:20 a.m., an officer observed a known subject near 300 South Myrtle. The officer was informed this suspect has a restraining order, restricting him from being within 100 yards of a business. The suspect was seen within 100 yards of the business and was in violation of the court order. The suspect was contacted and during a search found to be in possession of a hypodermic syringe. The suspect was arrested and additionally charged.
On August 11 at 3:16 a.m., a minor traffic collision occurred between two motorists near the intersection of Mayflower & Huntington. One driver fled from the collision scene and was followed by the other driver (victim) to an area in Temple City. The victim called Monrovia Police on his cell phone as he continued to follow the driver. The driver realized he was being followed by the victim and parked his vehicle. Both parties exited their vehicles and exchanged words. An officer responded to Temple City and contacted both parties. Through investigation, it was found that the driver who fled the scene was unlicensed, driving under the influence and in violation of a hit and run traffic collision. He was arrested and his vehicle was stored.
On August 11 at 4:46 p.m., a subject known to suffer from mental illness was running through a residential neighborhood knocking on doors. The subject's mother was following him in her vehicle and called police for assistance. The mother claimed her son is not taking his medication. An officer contacted the subject, confirmed his illness, and he was taken to a hospital for a 72 hour mental evaluation.