Crime & Safety

Police Blotter: Alleged Embezzler Caught by a Copy Machine

A wrap-up of the police activity in Monrovia over the last week.

This week the city saw it's first alleged homicide this year, a man was airlifted from the falls, and an employee of a local company was accused of embezzling a large sum of money. Read on for more.

The following information was provided by the :

During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 551 service events, resulting in 91 investigations.  Following are the last week's highlighted issues and events:

Find out what's happening in Monroviawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Stolen stereo

On October 13 at 9:49 a.m., a vehicle burglary was reported at a hotel parking lot in the 300 block of West Foothill. During the investigation, the officer checked video surveillance of the location. He observed a male Hispanic subject approach the victim's vehicle and enter through the passenger door. The window had been left cracked open and the suspect reached in and unlocked the door. He then removed the car stereo and a cell phone, which was left on the passenger seat. The suspect was last seen getting into a tan SUV and leaving the area. The investigation is continuing.

Find out what's happening in Monroviawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Homicide investigation

On October 14 at 5:18 a.m., the Monrovia Police Department received a 911 call from a resident in the 200 block of North Mayflower reporting a shooting. The Monrovia Police Department responded to the location and . The Monrovia Fire Department also responded. The victim was pronounced deceased at 5:29 a.m. The Los Angeles Sheriff's Department Homicide Bureau was called and assumed the primary investigative responsibility with the Monrovia Police Department's detectives assisting. There were no arrests made in the case and for filing consideration once the investigation is completed.

Attempted strong-arm robbery

On October 14 at 1:29 p.m., an attempt robbery occurred at a fast food restaurant in the 300 block of West Huntington Drive. A female subject was sitting by herself inside the location with her purse on the table in front of her. A male in his late teens entered the restaurant, approached the female and grabbed her purse. The female immediately grabbed her purse, as well, and the two were struggling for it. The female was pulled to the ground during the struggle, at which time the suspect gave up and ran outside. A witness followed the suspect outside and saw him get into the rear passenger side of a newer-model, blue, 4-door Nissan Altima, driven by a male. The suspects fled east on Cypress, out of sight. The suspect, described as African-American, had facial hair and was wearing a black hooded sweatshirt with "Monrovia" printed on the front in white, as well as black shorts and black Vans type shoes. Officers, including the Special Enforcement Team and the Foothill Air Support helicopter, searched for the suspect vehicle, but it was not located.

DUI

On October 15 at 12:40 a.m., officers were dispatched to the 900 block of West Duarte regarding a possible drunk driver. The reporting party followed the vehicle off the freeway and informed dispatch of his direction of travel. Officers located the vehicle in the 900 block of West Duarte, and after investigation, determined the driver to be under the influence. The driver was arrested.

Overdose

On October 15 at 1:42 a.m., officers responded to a medical assist in the 300 block of North Encinitas and found the victim had overdosed on heroin. He was transported to a hospital for treatment. Officers recovered drug paraphernalia, along with heroin, which was next to the victim when they arrived. He was charged with possession of a controlled substance, being under the influence of a controlled substance, and possession of a syringe.

Traffic Collision / Driving Under Influence - Suspect Arrested

On October 15 at 4:30 a.m., a traffic collision occurred in the area of Mountain and Olive involving a possible drunk driver.  Officers arrived on scene and determined the driver was intoxicated and he was arrested for driving under the influence.

Mental evaluation

On October 15 at 12:50 a.m., a subject entered a night club in the 300 block of South Myrtle without paying and immediately became aggressive with the patrons. Security guards had to physically remove him from the location. When officers arrived and contacted the subject, he was extremely delusional and continued to exclaim that everyone was going to die. The officers detained the subject and he was taken to a hospital, where he was held for 72-hour mental evaluation.

Air rescue

On October 16 at 2:00 p.m., a medical assist was requested for a female adult who was hit in the head with a rock at Monrovia Falls. paramedics responded and handled the call. Police were called back to the falls regarding a 49-year-old male subject that decided to climb above the falls to find the subject(s) that dislodged the rock. The male subject got stuck on a ledge and could not go up or down. The Los Angeles Sheriff's Department .

Embezzlement

On October 19 at 9:52 a.m., the victim/owner of a business in the 300 block of West Maple and a witness came into the lobby of the police station to file an embezzlement report. On October 14, they found a piece of paper in their copy machine that had been altered to the benefit of a female employee. They became suspicious, conducted audits, and put together packages of checks from different banks that had been altered to the benefit of the same employee. The employee has defrauded the company of a large sum of money. The investigation will continue.

Neighborhood Watch Report

Beginning November 1, 2011, the Monrovia Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report will be available on the city of Monrovia website, www.cityofmonrovia.org, under the Police Department section.


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