Monrovia Police: From Jail to Jail; Burglary From School; Catalytic Converter Stolen; Etc.

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for June 18-21. - Brad Haugaard]

Following are the weekend’s highlighted issues and events.

Non-Injury Traffic Collision
On June 18 at 7:02 p.m., officers were dispatched to a non-injury traffic collision in the area of Primrose and Huntington. The investigation revealed one of the drivers failed to yield and pulled out in front of on coming traffic. Both vehicles were damaged and a city owned traffic control sign.

Under the Influence of a Controlled Substance – Suspect Arrested
On June 18 at 10:03 p.m., officers responded to the 600 block of East Huntington regarding a male subject trying to get into parked cars. The officer arrived and located the subject. The investigation revealed the male was under the influence of a controlled substance and he was arrested.

Violation of Court Order – Suspect Arrested
On June 18 at 10:16 p.m., officers were dispatched to the 600 block of East Olive regarding a restraining order violation. The subject, who was released from County Jail earlier that day, took a cab to his parent’s house, where a valid restraining order is in force. A family member who feared for his safety called police and the violator was contacted and arrested.

Stolen/Vehicle Recovered
On June 19 at 8:04 a.m., an officer on routine patrol was driving through a parking lot in the 400 block of West Huntington Drive. He observed a 1998, gray Honda Civic parked in the parking stall near the rear alley. A computer check revealed the vehicle was a reported stolen out of Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Walnut Station. There was no sign of forced entry and the owner was notified.

Burglary Commercial
On June 19 at 8:06 a.m., an officer was dispatched to a school in the 800 block of West Colorado regarding a burglary investigation. The reporting party was contacted and stated the shed was left locked and secured. Upon returning, he found the lock latch had been pried away from the shed and all their tools and gardening equipment were stolen. The investigation is continuing.

Vehicle Burglary
On June 19 at 2:46 p.m., a vehicle burglary was reported in the 200 block of West Lemon. The victim parked her vehicle and rolled up the windows, but unsure if she locked the doors. When she returned the following morning she saw that the interior appeared ransacked and her laptop computers, checkbook and vehicle registration were missing. The investigation is continuing.

Grand Theft
On June 19 at 3:09 p.m., an officer was dispatched to the northeast corner lot at Primrose and Pomona regarding a theft. The victim parked his vehicle on May 30 and returned to his vehicle 2 hours later. He turned his ignition on and immediately heard a loud sound. The victim exited his vehicle and examined the rear end, discovering his catalytic converter was stolen. The investigation is continuing.

Petty Theft – Suspect Arrested
On June 20 at 11:13 a.m., an officer responded to the 100 block of West Foothill regarding a theft. A male subject entered a grocery store and put a bag of disposable razors in his pocket. He ran out of the store without paying for the merchandise. Officers searched for the male and located him at the corner of Magnolia and Huntington. A field show-up was conducted and the male was positively identified as the shoplifter. He was placed under private person’s arrest, and transported to the Monrovia Jail, where he was booked. He was still in possession of the razors, which were returned to the store.

Possession of a Controlled Substance / Possession of Methamphetamine / Possession of Drug Paraphernalia – Suspect Arrested
On June 20 at 8:00 a.m., an officer stopped a vehicle and contacted the driver. Upon contacting the subject a strong smell of marijuana emitted from the vehicle. Further investigation revealed the subject is on probation for drug related violations. A search of the vehicle revealed a small amount of marijuana. The subject admitted to having syringes in his possession. Also found in his possession was Methamphetamine and Heroine. The suspect was arrested and taken into custody.

Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol – Suspect Arrested
On June 20 at 12:10 p.m., dispatch received a call reporting three subjects drinking in a vehicle at Shamrock/Huntington. The vehicle left before officers arrived. The vehicle was spotted and stopped on Huntington near Myrtle. The driver, a 19-year-old male, was determined to be driving under the influence of alcohol and was arrested and taken into custody.

Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol – Suspect Arrested
On June 21 at 4:00 a.m., officers stopped a vehicle for a traffic violation in the area of Central and Myrtle. The driver was determined to be driving under the influence of alcohol and was arrested and taken into custody.

Support Education Picnic at Monrovia's Shamrock Park

Twenty third annual family day picnic for HOPE (Helping Others Pursue Education) at Monrovia's Shamrock Park, June 27, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Details: http://goo.gl/Wwc88S

- Brad Haugaard

Help Monrovia's Mayflower School Win $20k for Playground Equipment

Jennifer Bray reports that the contest for Mayflower School to win $20,000 for new playground equipment ends on Friday, June 26, and "our lead has diminished - we need all the support we can to finish this strong!" You can vote to help Mayflower win,. here: https://www.facebook.com/LetsPlay . More detail here: http://goo.gl/lJipTh

- Brad Haugaard

Whole Foods to Compete Against Monrovia-Based Trader Joe's

Whole Foods is entering the high-quality/small-store market dominated by Monrovia-based Trader Joe's with a new store chain called 365. http://goo.gl/Jub6Oe

- Brad Haugaard

Forum About Serving Low-Income Families | More on Monrovia/Arcadia Street Fair

~ Community members with ideas or concerns about programs and services for local low-income families can share them at a public forum hosted by Foothill Unity Center on Wednesday, June 24, at the Center's Monrovia location, 415 W. Chestnut Ave. Your input helps to establish program priorities for the 2016/2017 Community Action Plan (CAP). For questions, call the Center at 358-3486.

~ More on the Monrovia/Arcadia street fair dust-up, from an Arcadia perspective ( http://goo.gl/vjJwpt ). Comment: The producer of the Monrovia street fair is moving to Arcadia; the Monrovia street fair is not.

- Brad Haugaard

Looking at the Sun in Library Park

New Monrovian Kristin Kyle looks at the sun in Library Park. Brad Hori has his solar telescope out as part of the Charlie Bates Solar Astronomy Project, a solar astronomy outreach project. http://www.solarastronomy.org/

- Brad Haugaard

Get a View of the Heavens Tonight at Myrtle and Lime in Monrovia

Monrovia's Old Town Sidewalk Astronomers will be at Myrtle and Lime from about 8-10 p.m.

"You might have seen that lovely show last night in the western sky put on by the crescent moon, Venus, and Jupiter. We'll get a repeat tonight with a slightly different arrangement. The nearby moon will make a significant move against the background of the distant planets.

"It should also be a great night for Saturn, which is putting on a fabulous show this year. The rings are tilted toward Earth, making it possible to see the Cassini division in Saturn's rings.

"It's going to be hot and clear. Drop by for a look if you can."

- Brad Haugaard

No, Monrovia Street Fair is NOT Moving to Arcadia

A lot of Monrovians on Facebook are really upset about a news article that appears to say that the Monrovia Street Fair is moving to Arcadia. http://goo.gl/7jRjoD

The second paragraph of the article says: "On June 2 the Arcadia City Council unanimously approved the new weekly event that has been in Monrovia for 23 years to now be staged from 5-9 p.m. on Fridays in Arcadia..."

Comment: Uh, no. The Monrovia Street Fair isn't going anywhere.

- Brad Haugaard

School Board: Roof Repair and 2015-16 Budget

At the June 24 Monrovia School Board meeting (agenda: http://goo.gl/2o6NrX ), the board will consider, among other things, ...

- spending $186,787 "for the roof repair, restoration, and replacement at Plymouth Elementary School, Mayflower Elementary School, Canyon Early Learning Center, Santa Fe Middle School, and Monrovia High School." http://goo.gl/ZbiC0M

- adopting the 2015-16 budget. http://goo.gl/g9sA69

- Brad Haugaard

Dinner at Shrimp House

Dinner at the Shrimp House last night, at Myrtle and Live Oak, on the south end of town. Got the seafood sampler plate for $15.99, and a beer for $3.65. The meal came with coleslaw, not shown, and that bowl is rice and beans. It was really quite good. Kind of an old style restaurant but clean and tidy.

- Brad Haugaard

Prayer Vigil Tonight Following Killing of Lajoya McCoy

Following the recent killing in Monrovia of Lajoya McCoy, Rev. Melanie Mays is opening Bethel AME Church tonight for a prayer vigil. The church is at 148 W Lime Avenue. Mays writes that she "would love to have you come and support to help people feel safe." She added that, "Our church has suffered loss that we can not explain away."

- Brad Haugaard

'Blue Boy' Unveiled at Monrovia's Wildrose School

Video of the unveiling of Wildrose School's copy of "The Blue Boy." https://goo.gl/6U1LbT

- Brad Haugaard

'Bluto' Cases Monrovia Bank | 'Athlete of Year' Mosley To State Finals

The "Bluto Bandit" seen casing a bank in Monrovia. http://goo.gl/BqyJTs

Monrovia High's Sydney Mosley goes to CIF State finals and wins "athlete of the year." http://goo.gl/kEfZTJ

- Brad Haugaard

Coming Up in Monrovia

~ June 27 Kattywompus Traditional Music Gathering, in the breezeway behind 412 S Myrtle Ave, 7-9 p.m.

~ June 27 The PG movie Annie at the Monrovia Historic Museum, 742 E Lemon Ave. at 8 p.m. Bring a chair.

~ July 11 The PG movie Maleficent at Rotary Park, 401 S. California; at 8 p.m. Bring a chair.

~ The play, Thoroughly Modern Millie, July 16-19 at The Taylor Performing Arts Center (aka Monrovia High Auditorium), 845 W. Colorado Blvd. Thursday and Friday at 8 p.m.; Saturday 2 and 8 pm and Sunday 4 pm. Tickets at http://www.brownpapertickets.com

~ July 25 Kattywompus Traditional Music Gathering, 7-9 p.m. in the breezeway behind 412 S Myrtle Ave.

~ July 25 MAFA Summer Art Walk in Monrovia Old Town, on the east side of 400 Block of S. Myrtle; 6-10 p.m.

Source: Becky Shevlin's great community calendar

- Brad Haugaard

Jimmy John's Sandwich Shop Coming to Monrovia? Plus a Hot Dog Stand?

It appears there is a Jimmy John's sandwich shop coming to the Huntington Oaks Shopping Center since the city's Design Review Committee is being asked to approve a "Jimmy John's" sign for 672 W. Huntington.

Also, the committee is being asked to approve a hot dog stand out in front of Home Depot. Comment: HD has had a few a hot dog stands there before, and one of them was really good. Get that one back!

Source: http://goo.gl/ILeKsu

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia High Student Selected to Attend Technology Congress in Boston

Samantha Childers, a freshman at Monrovia High, has been nominated to attend the Congress of Future Science and Technology Leaders in Boston on June 28.

The Congress is an honors-only program for high school students who are passionate about science, technology, engineering or mathematics. The event is to honor, inspire, motivate and direct the top students in the country who aspire to be scientists and technologists, to encourage them to stay true to their dream and, after the event, to provide a path, plan and resources to help them reach their goal.

Samantha Childers was nominated by astronaut Buzz Aldrin, Science Director of the National Academy of Future Scientists and Technologists, to represent California based on her academic achievement, leadership potential and passion for science and technology.

During the three-day Congress, she will join students from across the country and hear Nobel Laureates and National Medal of Science winners talk about scientific research; be given advice from deans of the world's top tech universities; be inspired by fellow teen science prodigies; and learn about cutting-edge advances and the future of science and technology.

Source: press release

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Homicide; Runaway Mental Patient; Burglary Tools; Injury Accident; Etc.

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for June 15-17. - Brad Haugaard]

During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 386 service events, resulting in 69 investigations.

Homicide
On June 12, a family member reported a woman, Lajoya McCoy, who lived in Monrovia as missing. The Monrovia Police Department began working on locating the missing person by contacting family, friends, and neighbors. On Monday June 15, Monrovia Police detectives investigating the case gathered information that caused them to suspect the missing person may have been the victim of a crime. Monrovia detectives asked for assistance on the case from the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department. Monrovia Police officers conducted a grid search of the city for the missing person’s vehicle. On June 16, around 5:30 AM, the missing person’s vehicle was located in the 200 block of West Cypress. Inside the vehicle was the body of a female adult. Sheriff's Homicide Detectives and the Coroner responded to investigate. At the time of this report the Coroner has not yet confirmed the identity of the victim in the vehicle. Sheriff's homicide is responsible for the investigation of this case. Anyone with information about Lajoya McCoy is asked to contact the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Homicide Bureau at (323) 890-5500.

72 Hour Mental Evaluation
On June 16 at 3:03 p.m., dispatch received a call from a County Mental Health Worker in the 2600 block of California regarding mental patient running away. The subject ran from the office after he was notified he would be committed for a 72 hour evaluation. The security officer chased after the subject and caught him. Two hours later as they were preparing to transport the subject by ambulance to the hospital, the subject took off running again. An area search was conducted by health staff workers and day watch officers. Through investigation the officers were able to locate him on a transit bus, which was stopped by Monterey Park Police officers. The subject was then transported back to the hospital for a 72 hour hold.

Public Intoxication – Suspect Arrested
On June 16 at 7:14 p.m., officers responded to the 300 block of South Myrtle regarding an intoxicated female battering a male transient. When officers arrived the male wished to remain anonymous and did not desire prosecution, but wanted the officers to check on the safety and welfare of the female believing she was too drunk to care for herself. The female was located in the park and she was detained. She did not know where she was or what the date or time were. She admitted to drinking some type of alcoholic beverage, but said she only had two drinks. It was the officer’s opinion that she was intoxicated and if left alone she could injure herself, she was arrested for being drunk in public and held for sobering.

Possession of Burglary Tools / Expired License / Unsafe Turn – Suspects Arrested and Cited
On June 17 at 2:49 a.m., an officer was patrolling the 900 block of West Foothill where he observed a suspicious vehicle parked in the parking lot of a business. There are usually no cars parked at the business at night. As he drove closer to it, he saw both car doors open. As the officer drove around to the alley to see what they were doing, the vehicle began to drive away. The vehicle was stopped for a traffic violation and was occupied by two males and one female. The officer smelled a strong odor of Marijuana emitting from the vehicle. A computer check revealed the driver was on probation and his license was expired. The officer conducted a search and found the male passenger in possession of tools used to commit burglaries. The male passenger was arrested for being in possession of burglary tools and the driver was cited for expired license and unsafe turn.

Injury Traffic Collision
On June 17 at 1:01 p.m., dispatch received a call from Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department dispatch reporting they had patrol units at the scene of a traffic collision in the area of Mountain and Duarte. Officers responded and it was determined the traffic collision occurred in Monrovia’s jurisdiction. Officers conducted an injury traffic collision investigation. During the course of the investigation it was determined one of the drivers was driving with a suspended license and had several outstanding warrants. Identity Theft / Commercial Burglary / Forgery with a Counterfeit Access Card –

Suspect Arrested
On June 17 at 3:00 p.m., an officer responded to a business in the 200 block of South Myrtle regarding a fraud report. The reporting party said a male adult subject was inside the store attempting to cash fraudulent checks. Officers responded and established probable cause to arrest. The subject was arrested for the listed charges and taken into custody.

Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol – Suspect Arrested
On June 18 at 12:57 p.m., an officer was traveling north on Myrtle approaching the 210 freeway. As the officer passed under the freeway with a green light for northbound traffic at Central, a white Honda Civic went west on Central through a solid red light and turned left directly in front of the officer almost causing a collision. The officer made a uturn and followed the vehicle south on Myrtle to Duarte Road, where a traffic stop was conducted. After contacting the male driver, the officer believed the driver was intoxicated. Field sobriety tests were conducted and the driver was arrested for driving under the influence. He was taken to the Monrovia City Jail, where he was booked and held for sobering.

Look at the Sun This Sunday at Monrovia's Library Park

If you are around Monrovia's Library Park this Sunday, June 21, drop by the northwest corner of Lime and Myrtle to see the sun. Yes, you've seen the sun before, but have you looked at it directly through a telescope? The sun is 93 million miles away, although it looks as big as the moon.

See it through two specialized telescopes, White Light and Hydrogen Alpha. Unlike looking at the moon, which looks the same day after day, year after year, the sun surface changes day by day, hour by hour, and sometimes faster. Sun spots, filaments, prominences, spicules are all visible through these telescopes. It is safe and free!

Sponsored by the Charlie Bates Solar Astronomy Project an Internet outreach program started by Stephen W. Ramsden in Atlanta, Georgia with thousands of members all around the world.

Rain will cancel this event.

Source: Brad Hori

Pieology Pizza Now Open in Monrovia

Pieology Pizzeria has opened its Monrovia location at 915 W. Huntington Drive across the street from the Double Tree Hilton. Monrovia is Pieology's 29th Southern California location, and is one of the first to feature Pieology's new custom salad program. The restaurant seats approximately 48 guests inside and 50 outside, in an industrial-chic and friendly environment where inspirational quotes decorate the walls, menus and employee uniforms. The restaurant is open Sunday through Thursday 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. and on Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. The restaurant can be contacted at 357-6973. Source: Press release

- Brad Haugaard

Bike Safety Class | Profile of Monrovia Business

~ Free bicycle safety classes at Monrovia Public Library on June 27 from 9 a.m.-noon. http://goo.gl/P5Oe3w

~ A profile of Railcar Fine Goods, and old town store that specializes in creating denim garments and accessories. http://goo.gl/2vSpvz

- Brad Haugaard