Crime & Safety

Police Blotter: Burglar Breaks Into Monrovia Elementary School

This week a burglar set off an alarm at a local elementary school, left footprints on a counter top, but apparently took nothing. Read on for more.

From the Monrovia Police Department:

Following are the weekend's highlighted issues and events.

Commercial Burglary - Suspects Arrested
February 14 at 11:20 a.m., police responded to a business in the 700 block of East Huntington regarding a burglary. Three subjects, two male and one female, entered the store and went to the makeup aisle. The female handed items to one of the males and he stuffed the merchandise into his pockets, while the other male acted as a lookout. The three fled the store without paying and were stopped outside by loss prevention. The suspects refused to return the items and fled in a grey vehicle. They were quickly located and stopped by officers and were still in possession of the merchandise.

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The male suspect who had hid merchandise in his pockets was also in possession of a demagnetizing tool for removing store security tags. Additional makeup items stolen from another store were found in the vehicle, along with a list of makeup Valentine's Day gifts to take for friends. The suspects had some cash on them, but not enough to pay for the items they had taken.

Grand Theft Auto
February 14 at 6:21 p.m., a vehicle was reported stolen from the 200 block of Sunset Street. The vehicle is a black, 4-door, 2007 Acura TL. The vehicle was taken sometime between 10:00 p.m. on February 13 and 5:05 a.m. on February 14. The investigation is continuing.

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Driving Under the Influence / Hit & Run Traffic Collision / Possession of a Controlled Substance - Suspect Arrested
February 16 at 2:13 a.m., a vehicle was involved in a hit and run traffic collision on Foothill and Poinsettia. The victims of the hit and run were able to stop the suspect in the 200 block of Norumbega. A fight ensued and residents called police. Officers arrived and the suspect driver was identified and determined to be intoxicated. He was arrested and taken into custody. During the booking process, he was also found to be in possession of a controlled substance. He was charged with the above listed offenses.

Armed Robbery
February 17 at 8:40 p.m., officers were dispatched to an armed robbery that occurred at a business in the 700 block of East Huntington. A male suspect entered the fast food business with a handgun concealed in a plastic bag. The suspect pointed the gun at the clerk and demanded money. The clerk gave the suspect a small amount of cash and the suspect fled the location.

The Foothill Air Support Team helicopter, Los Angeles Sheriff's Department deputies, and officers from Arcadia and Sierra Madre Police Departments assisted in the search for the suspect, but he was not located. The gun was not seen by the clerk, but a witness confirmed the suspect was in possession of a black handgun. The suspect is described as a male White, early 20's, wearing a black hooded sweatshirt draped over his head, and a black mask covering his face. Investigation continuing.

Burglary
February 18 at 1:01 a.m., officers responded to a burglary alarm at an elementary school in the 900 block of East Lemon Avenue. When they arrived, they found an electrical panel cover partially removed and an open bathroom window, leading into the administration office. Officers gained access into the building and discovered footprints on the bathroom counter top, consistent with someone entering through the open bathroom window. Officers searched inside the office, but did not locate any suspects. The alarm company could not locate a responsible person to respond to the location. Nothing appeared to be disturbed inside of the office. The officer will follow up with school personnel to determine if anything was stolen. Investigation continuing.

Grand Theft Auto
February 18 at 3:05 a.m., a vehicle was reported stolen from the 100 block of Oaks Avenue. The vehicle owner was at home asleep when he heard the sound of screeching tires in front of his residence. He looked outside and saw his vehicle being driven away westbound on Oaks and out of view. The victim said his vehicle was left parked and secured in his driveway, but he had a hidden spare ignition key attached to the vehicle. The vehicle is a gold, 2005, Toyota Tacoma pickup. The investigation is continuing.


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