Monrovia Police: Gallant Man Pushed Through Window; Fight, Snooze, Fight; Drugs, Etc.

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for Nov. 25–Dec. 1. - Brad Haugaard]

Following are the weekend’s highlighted issues and events.

Child Abuse – Suspect Arrested
November 27 at 7:56 p.m., a 15-year-old female subject ran into the police department lobby with visible injuries.  She told officers her father assaulted her with his fists.  She said she ran from her house to get away from him.  The mother was not home at the time of the assault.  Paramedics were called to the station to treat the victim for her injuries.  Officers were dispatched to the residence in the 200 block of East Olive, where they detained and arrested the father for felony child abuse.  The victim was later released to her mother.

Battery with Serious Bodily Injury – Suspect Arrested
November 27 at 10:47 p.m., dispatch received several calls reporting two male subjects fighting in front of a restaurant in the 100 block of East Lemon.  The subjects had crashed through the restaurant's plate glass window.  When officers arrived, one of the subjects had fled on foot to the rear area of the restaurant.  Both subjects were detained and treated by paramedics for lacerations from the glass.

The investigation revealed that one of the male subjects had been drinking and was making inappropriate comments to a female subject.  He grabbed her and began punching her.  The second male subject jumped in to protect the female and was pushed backwards through the plate glass window, causing severe injuries to his back and legs.  The male suspect who started the fight was arrest for felony assault with great bodily injury.

Burglary – Suspect Arrested
November 27 at 11:50 p.m., a business in the 100 block of East Pomona called to report the alarm to their stored vehicle lot was going off and they saw a suspect on the property.  When officers arrived, a suspect started running west on Pomona towards Myrtle.  Officers detained the suspect and recovered a car stereo he had discarded in front of the business.  The employees positively identified the suspect and confirmed the stereo was stolen from one of their vehicles.  The suspect was arrested.

Grand Theft Auto
November 29 at 9:20 a.m., a resident in the 800 block of Encino Way called police to report his vehicle had been stolen.  He had parked his 2007 Honda Accord in front of his residence at 11:30 p.m.   When he returned to his vehicle the following morning, he discovered it missing.  The investigation is continuing.

Domestic Violence / False Imprisonment – Suspect Arrested
November 29 at 10:45 a.m., officers responded to a residence in the 200 block of West Lemon regarding a domestic violence incident.  A male and female subject that live together were arguing and the male subject had been drinking.  The female tried to slap the male subject, but he grabbed her and struck her twice in the face with a clenched fist.  The female tried to call the police with her cell phone, but the male subject grabbed her phone and smashed it.  She tried to leave the room, but he covered her mouth to prevent her from calling out for help.  They both fell asleep on the bed.  She woke up later and left the location.

The female subject returned a few hours later to retrieve some property.  She tried to grab the male subject’s cell phone since her phone was broken, but he grabbed her and struck her with his elbow in the face several times.  She managed to get away again and went to the police department to report the incident.  The boyfriend was interviewed at the residence and was arrested.  An Emergency Protective Order was granted.

Grand Theft Auto
November 29 at 5:47 p.m., dispatch received a call from a business in the 1600 block of South Mountain regarding a stolen vehicle.  An employee came to work that morning and parked his 1995 Acura in the parking lot.  He returned to the area where he parked his vehicle eight hours later and discovered it was missing.  The investigation is continuing.

Stolen Vehicle Recovered
November 29 at 6:05 p.m., while officers where investigating the vehicle theft in the above incident, they located a stolen vehicle in the same parking lot.  The vehicle is a 1996 Acura that was stolen out of the Los Angeles Police Department jurisdiction.  The investigation is continuing.

Under the Influence of Controlled Substance – Suspect Arrested
November 30 at 1:45 a.m., an officer contacted a male subject pushing a bicycle north on Myrtle.  The subject was noticeably nervous and out of breath.  Through investigation, the officer determined the subject was under the influence of a controlled substance. The subject was arrested and taken into custody.

Possession of a Controlled Substance / Possession of Drug Paraphernalia – Suspect Arrested
December 1 at 12:55 p.m., officers were dispatched to the 700 block of West Huntington regarding a suspicious person loitering in a parking lot.  They arrived and contacted the subject, who was walking around the parking lot carrying a backpack.  The officer conducted a consent search of the subject’s backpack and found a small baggie containing methamphetamine and five used hypodermic syringes.  The subject was arrested and taken into custody for the above listed charges.

Vehicle Burglary
December 1 at 7:08 p.m., a vehicle burglary was reported in the 400 block of West Huntington Drive.  The victim had parked and secured her vehicle in the parking at approximately 5:30 a.m., leaving her purse in the back seat.  An unknown suspect smashed the victim's right rear passenger window and took her purse containing cash, a camera, and other miscellaneous items.  The investigation is continuing.

Panera Bread Opens in Monrovia Today

Panera Bread, at the old Acapulco site on Huntington, opens in Monrovia today, and the first 25 guests to visit each day from December 2-4 will receive a stainless steel Panera Bread coffee mug and a voucher for free coffee for a week. 

As part of the bakery-cafe’s ongoing fundraising efforts, all donations from the location’s Community Breadbox™ and Day-End Dough-Nation™ programs will go to the Foothill Unity Center, Monrovia’s local food bank and crisis center for those struggling within the community.

The new bakery-cafe will include menu favorites like the Breakfast Power Sandwich and Fuji Apple Chicken Salad, as well as new offerings like the Fontina Grilled Cheese Sandwich and Chicken Tortellini Alfredo Pasta and will be open to the public on Monday, December 2nd.

Source: press release

- Brad Haugaard

December Events in Monrovia

~ Christmas tree lighting and parade, this Thursday, Dec. 5. Tree lighting at 6 p.m. Parade - north from Chestnut to Palm on Myrtle - at 7 p.m.

~ Classical Holiday Sounds in the Monrovia Library Lobby, featuring the Sterling Flute Choir Saturday, Dec. 7, 3-4 p.m. Free.

~ A professional performance of Irving Berlin's "White Christmas," Dec. 6 at 8 p.m., Dec. 7 at 2 and 8 p.m., and Dec. 8 at 5 p.m. at the Taylor Performing Arts Center (aka Monrovia High Auditorium). Details: http://goo.gl/02HIg4 Preview: http://goo.gl/1Wa73g

~ Buy a tree Saturday, Dec. 7, at Annandale Country Club in Pasadena and help Monrovia's Boys and Girls Club. Call 303–5352.

~ Handel's Messiah - and other Christmas choral pieces - will be performed on Sunday, Dec. 8 at 7:30 p.m. at Monrovia Presbyterian Church (Myrtle and Foothill).

~ Electronic Waste Recycling Event this Saturday and Sunday (Dec. 7 and 8) at Myrtle and Pomona, 9 a.m. To 3 p.m. Details, Chamber of Commerce: 358–1159.

~ VFW BBQ to help vets. Friday, Dec. 13. 825 S. Magnolia. RSVP to Brian Hanley at 234–0489.

~ Miracle on Myrtle, Friday, Dec. 13, by Fellowship Monrovia. Live Music and snow at 5 p.m. At Library Park.

~ Foothill Unity Center will be distributing food on Dec. 21 and 23. If you'd like to help, contact Raina at 358-3486.

~ "Winter Portrait" will be performed by San Gabriel Valley Choral Company Dec. 21, 7:30 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church at Myrtle and Foothill. "A festive, musical collection of seasonal favorites and choral gems including music by Sweelinck, Rutter, Balser, and Baker. With a holiday sing-along and special guest brass quintet, The Oakwood Brass Conspiracy, it's a musical portrait to stir up your holiday cheer." Advance tickets ($15 for gneral admission, $10 for seniors 65+ and for students, $5 for children under 12) at sgvccsingers.org or by calling 253-7248. At the door: $20 for gneral admission, $12 for seniors 65+ and for students, $5 for children under 12.

- Brad Haugaard

Christmas and Hanukkah Books | New VFW Scholarships | Colder Days Ahead

~ Friends of the Monrovia Library will be selling Christmas and Hanukkah books and media after Monday, Dec. 9. The Friends' Store is located inside the Monrovia Public Library, Monday-Wednesday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Thursday-Saturday, noon-5 p.m.

~ Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2070 has created a scholarship fund to memorialize local service members who have been killed in combat. It will provide awards to members of the community for patriotism and excellence in their fields. http://goo.gl/gp2FyZ

~ Cold, dry days ahead. Highs should drop to as low as 61 degrees Wednesday through Friday. http://goo.gl/qhZBJ6

- Brad Haugaard

Lost Monrovia Woman

Police looking for lost Monrovia woman. http://goo.gl/QJOog6

Update: Found in Irwindale. http://goo.gl/ERgJKL

- Brad Haugaard

Small Business Saturday in Monrovia

ABC video of Small Business Saturday along Myrtle Avenue. http://goo.gl/OndrMX

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovian Named Sheriff's Honor Recruit

Deputy Bryan Cramer of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, a resident of Monrovia, was named the Honor Recruit for Sheriff's Academy graduating class. http://goo.gl/4V3aNM

- Brad Haugaard

Paraclete Defeats Monrovia :-(

Paraclete defeats Monrovia 22 to 21. http://goo.gl/ZUfK0p

- Brad Haugaard

Newly Discovered Photo of Monrovia's Founder

Monrovia founder William Monroe and wife Mary Jane in 1929. He died at the age of 94 in 1935. This and other photos recently came to light from the descendants of Monroe's son, G. O. Monroe. (Photo and information courtesy of Monrovia Historic Preservation Group.)

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Museum Preparing Military Exhibit

Mark Still, curator of the Monrovia Historical Museum, writes in the latest newsletter of the Monrovia Historic Preservation Group that he is building a military exhibit, to be unveiled in spring of 2014. He has discovered that 6,690 Monrovia men and women served in World War II. A few were: Monrovian Bettie Mae Scott, who test-flew military planes and bombers; Tuskegee Airman, Leroy "Buster" Criss, who flew "red-tailed planes" in the war; and Frank Morimoto, a Monrovian of Japanese descent, who served in the famous 442nd Regiment while the soldiers' relatives were incarcerated in relocation camps.

- Brad Haugaard

Lunch at Popeyes

Lunch at Popeyes. They just remodeled this place, so I thought I'd give it a try. Looks a lot nicer inside and out. Got the spicy three-piece boneless combo with dipping sauce for $7.62. Fine for fast food. 

- Brad Haugaard

Help Stuff a Monrovia Fire Engine Today

Today until 4 p.m. Monrovia firefighters need your help to "Stuff the Engine!" A fire truck is parked in front of the Krikorian Theater and the firefighters are collecting new unwrapped toys and sporting goods for a child who would otherwise go without a gift this holiday season. "Join the Monrovia Fire Department and ABC 7 and enjoy the festivities in Old Town Monrovia while contributing to make a child's Christmas more enjoyable!"

Source: City of Monrovia Facebook posting

- Brad Haugaard

Rain in Monrovia? | Restaurant Line-Up | AeroVironment Flies!

~ Thirty percent chance of rain today. There were already some sprinkles on my car when I woke up this morning. http://goo.gl/S6JvbE

~ Gem City Images has discovered the fourth business to occupy the four business spots that have replaced the old Acapulco Restaurant. It appears to be a place called Menchies Frozen Yogurt. So the line-up is: Panera Bread, Menchies, SmashBurger, and Chipotle. http://goo.gl/fZIfi4

~ Monrovia's AeroVironment, though it lost money in its last report, has had its stock jump up 11 percent because it did a lot better than expected. http://goo.gl/Irh5yu

- Brad Haugaard

Happy Thanksgiving! | White Christmas Video | Student Music Video | Black Friday

~ Happy Thanksgiving! Just a 20 percent chance of rain today: http://goo.gl/ZsNtAl

~ Video preview of the professional performance of White Christmas coming up at the Louise Taylor Performing Arts Center (aka high school auditorium): http://goo.gl/unu5Vr

~ Video of Monrovia Schools' all school music program with all grades and ages. At Monrovia High. http://goo.gl/RVM2WM

~ Old Town merchants planning their own Black Friday. http://goo.gl/bDB197

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia's Foothill Unity Center - Best Charity

Monrovia's Foothill Unity Center reports that readers of Beacon Media News (that's the Monrovia Weekly and others) voted the Unity Center the "Best Charity" in its 2013 Readers' Choice Poll.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Council: Impose Labor Contract on Firefighters; Station Square; Honor Servicemen

At its Dec. 3, 7:30 p.m. meeting (agenda: http://goo.gl/GXl2pL ), the Monrovia City Council will consider imposing its "Last, Best and Final Offer" on the city firefighters. It would require that firefighers "pay an additional 3% of the employee cost (9%) of the Public Employees' Retirement Benefit, which will eliminate the Employer Paid Member Contribution (EPMC) benefit. The MFA will now be paying the full 9% employee cost of their retirement benefit." Without the requirement, the staff report says, "the City's budget for the 2013-2014 fiscal year would not be balanced." Details: http://goo.gl/0OC1F5

Before the main meeting, at 7 p.m., the Council will honor Monrovians serving in the military: Christopher Rosedale, Private Second Class, United States Army; Anthony Daniel Exposito, Second Lieutenant, United States Army; Blake Darby, Seaman Apprentice, United States Navy; Nicholas Espinosa, Seaman Apprentice, United States Navy; Calvin Ray Pratt, Jr., Petty Officer First Class, United States Navy.

At 5:30 p.m., also before the main meeting, the council will hold a study session to consider the "Station Square Public Improvements Concept Design."

- Brad Haugaard

Christmas Music in the Monrovia Library

Classical Holiday Sounds in the Monrovia Library Lobby, featuring the Sterling Flute Choir Saturday, Dec. 7, 3-4 p.m. Free, just walk in.

- Brad Haugaard

Gold Line to Azusa About Half Done

The Gold Line between Pasadena and Azusa is almost half done. The Construction Authority reports that: "Most bridge structures and at-grade crossings have been completed or are nearing completion, and light rail track will soon be laid along the corridor. Work is underway at four of the six stations, and ... the [Monrovia] Operations Campus is also moving along on schedule. Light rail track is being installed, and nearly all of the OCS (overhead catenary system) pole foundations for the future system to power the trains are now ready."

Source: Gold Line Construction Authority press release

- Brad Haugaard

Mayflower Avenue Opens this Evening

Doing the finishing touches on Mayflower/Duarte intersection.

This evening, Nov. 27, at 6 p.m., Mayflower Avenue will fully reopen to through-traffic at the railroad crossing located between Evergreen Avenue and Duarte Road. The sidewalks will also reopen, and the pedestrian shuttle service will no longer be available.

Source: Gold Line Construction Authority press release

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia's AeroVironment: Profits Down, Stock Up

Monrovia's AeroVironment second-quarter profits dropped 81% (Ouch!) but in after-hours trading the stock is up. Why? Because it beat expectations. http://goo.gl/HaCvmK

- Brad Haugaard