Monrovia Police: Almost Arson; Hit and Run; Car Chase; Beer Theft; Disneyland Ticket Scam; School Vandalism

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

Following are the weekend’s highlighted issues and events.

Attempted Arson
February 18 at 2:25 p.m., officers responded to the 400 block of South Violet regarding an attempted arson. The victim reported he saw a former female roommate outside his residence. He watched her exit her vehicle and walk over to his vehicle. She opened the driver’s door to his vehicle and began pouring gasoline throughout the interior of his vehicle from a red gas can she was carrying. He ran outside and confronted her. As he approached, it appeared she was preparing to toss a lit cigarette into the vehicle, but she saw him and fled to her vehicle. She left the area without lighting the vehicle on fire. The investigation is continuing.

Hit & Run Traffic Collision
February 18 at 6:35 p.m., officers were dispatched to the 400 block of South Violet regarding a traffic collision. The victim was unloading her vehicle, which was parked on the street. An unknown vehicle traveling south on Violet struck the left rear door of the parked vehicle and fled the scene. The investigation is continuing.

Pursuit/Stolen Vehicle Recovered – Suspect Arrested
February 19 at 3:41 p.m., an officer located a stolen vehicle in the area of Myrtle and Duarte. A pursuit ensued that went from Myrtle to Huntington, east on Huntington, then south on Mountain. The suspect sideswiped a vehicle at the 210 Freeway underpass on Mountain and continued south. The suspect vehicle became blocked by traffic on Mountain at the railroad tracks. Officers blocked the suspect in and approached the vehicle. The suspect would not follow verbal commands and resisted the officers, but was eventually removed from the vehicle and taken into custody.

Warrant/Possession of a Controlled Substance – Suspect Arrested
February 19 at 8:45 p.m., an officer stopped a vehicle for a vehicle code violation at Primrose and Chestnut. The driver was found to have an outstanding warrant. During an inventory search of the vehicle prior to storing it, methamphetamine was found inside.

Traffic Stop/Evading a Police Officer
February 19 at 11:21 p.m., an officer attempted to stop a vehicle in the area of Euclid and Shamrock for a vehicle code violation. The driver fled in the vehicle, heading south on Flagstone, where the vehicle came to an abrupt stop. Both occupants then jumped out of the vehicle and fled on foot. The passenger appeared to be holding something in his waistband as he ran. A search for the suspects was conducted, but they were not found. The Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department helicopter assisted at the scene. The vehicle was impounded as it matched the description of a vehicle involved in a recent crime that occurred in Duarte. The investigation is continuing.

Petty Theft/Violation of Court Order – Suspect Arrested
February 21 at 12:08 p.m., an officer responded to a business in the 100 block of west Foothill regarding a shoplifter in custody. The suspect entered the store, concealed bottles of beer on his person, and left the store without paying. The suspect is an active gang member and was in violation of Monrovia’s gang injunction. He was arrested for shoplifting and violation of the court order.

Fraud/Scam – Suspect Arrested
February 21 at 2:15 p.m., the victim of fraud called police to report the scam. He reported an ad on Craigslist regarding tickets for sale for Disneyland. The victim said he met with the suspect and bought the tickets, only to find out that they were fraudulent. He had a friend call the suspect requesting to buy additional tickets and they agreed to meet in Monrovia. The victim asked if police could help him recover his money.

Although the first incident did not occur in Monrovia, it was similar to a Monrovia case that occurred earlier that week. An officer was dispatched to the location at the time they agreed to meet and the suspect was detained. The suspect admitted he had taken gift cards from a local grocery store and advertised on Craigslist. He admitted selling three gift cards that were never activated. Two incidents possibly occurred in Monrovia. The first incident occurred in Arcadia, and the victim was advised to file a police report with Arcadia. The suspect also had four outstanding warrants. He was arrested and taken into custody.

Vandalism – Suspect Arrested
February 21 at 7:05 p.m., dispatch received a call reporting suspects vandalizing a school in the 100 block of West Duarte Road. Two young male subjects were seen by witnesses spray painting a wall at the school. Officers arrived and detained two juveniles near the school. A field show up was conducted with three witnesses. All three witnesses positively identified the suspects. Both suspects were arrested for vandalism and taken into custody. They were booked and released to their parents with a citation to appear in court on the charges.

3 comments:

  1. Brad, It's been a good year since I've heard any chatter about the Wilderness Preserve access issues. I recall that last year (or the year before) Chi told you that things were in the works and "close". Do you have any updated information? I loved that you were persistent on this and I hope that you haven't given up!

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  2. No, I haven't at all given up. I have had several private discussions with city staff, one about a week or two ago, and I am very hopeful the matter will be resolved in March. I've been told again and again that it will be resolved and I hope this is the time. If not I'll keep at it, maybe ask the state for help if I must.

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