Monrovia Police: Car Thief Escapes; Man Holds Suspects with Gun, Police Take Suspects and Gun; Suspect Leaves Her Phone at Crime Scene

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for March 11-13. - Brad Haugaard]
During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 432 service events, resulting in 71 investigations.

Vehicle Pursuit / Grand Theft Auto Recovery

March 12 at 2:06 a.m., officers attempted to stop a vehicle that was reported stolen to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department on March 10, 2013, and a short vehicle pursuit ensued. The suspect abandoned the vehicle and fled in the area of Canyon and Palm. Containment was established and a yard-to-yard search was conducted, but the suspect was not located. The investigation is continuing.

Residential Burglary

March 12 at 8:07 p.m., officers responded to the 100 block of Garfield regarding a residential burglary. The burglary occurred between 1:00 p.m. and 7:45 p.m. that day. An unknown suspect pried the backdoor open, ransacked the house and stole a loaded pistol. Investigation continuing.

Mental Evaluation

On March 13 at 10:20 p.m., officers were dispatched to the 500 block of West Foothill regarding a female juvenile trying to hurt herself. The juvenile was detained and appeared to be intoxicated. She was taken to a hospital, where she was placed on a 72 hour hold for mental evaluation.

Fight in Progress / Drunk in Public - Suspects Arrested

On March 14 at 2:31 a.m., a fight in progress was reported in the 500 block of West Foothill involving three male subjects; one subject possibly having a gun. Officers arrived and detained all three subjects. The subject with the gun stated that he heard fighting outside his residence. He thought one of the subjects was being robbed, so he armed himself and went outside. He held both subjects at gunpoint until the police arrived. The investigation revealed that the two subjects were fighting with each other and were both intoxicated. The handgun was taken for safekeeping, pending further investigation, and the two suspects were arrested for drunk in public.

Detective Bureau Case Follow-up

Suspect in Residential Burglary Arrested and Sentenced to 2 Years

November 5 at 3:55 p.m., police responded to a residence in the 300 block of Greystone. The resident came home and found a large quantity of items had been gathered by the suspects, but were left near the front door. A laptop computer and video game were taken. It appears the suspects were scared off and left the items behind.
During the burglary, the suspect also left her cell phone behind. Officers located the phone during the initial investigation and evidence collection. The detective assigned to the follow-up investigation obtained a search warrant for the phone, located the owner and then issued a want for her arrest. The suspect was arrested and charges were filed.
On March 7, 2013, the suspect was sentenced to 2 years for residential burglary - a felony and a strike.

- Brad Haugaard