From the Monrovia Police Department:
Following are the weekend's highlighted issues and events.
Commercial Burglary
March 14 at 12:01 p.m., a commercial burglary was reported at a business in the 1600 block of South Mountain. A male suspect switched labels on a higher priced metal welder with a less expensive welder and went through the self-checkout register, paying cash for the item. The investigation is continuing.
Residential Burglary
March 14 at 2:50 p.m., police responded to a residence in the 500 block of North Alta Vista regarding a residential burglary. The victim left the house at 11:30 a.m. and returned at 2:00 p.m. to find the upstairs area of the house had been ransacked. The front door was open and there was no sign of forced entry. A shotgun was taken, along with some expensive watches and purses. Investigation continuing.
Driving Under the Influence / Hit & Run Traffic Collision - Suspect Arrested
March 16 at 1:30 a.m., a driver spun out in his vehicle and struck several unoccupied parked cars at Foothill and Mountain. The driver exited his car and ran. An officer arrived and saw the suspect attempting to run from the scene. He directed additional resources to detain the fleeing suspect. A witness positively identified the suspect as the driver. The suspect was determined to be under the influence and was arrested and charged with DUI and fleeing the scene of a traffic accident.
Commercial Burglary - Suspect Arrested
March 16 at 10:59 a.m., police were dispatched to a business in the 500 block of West Huntington regarding the report of a burglary. A male suspect entered the store and took four pairs of jeans into the changing room, exiting the changing room with nothing in his hands. Loss prevention checked the changing room and found a cut security tag and a pair of pliers left behind. The suspect exited the store and was apprehended by officers a block away. He was still in possession of the stolen merchandise and a cutting tool. He was arrested and charged with burglary and possession of burglary tools. He is currently on probation for theft and has numerous theft arrests and convictions.
Attempt Assault With a Deadly Weapon - Firearm
March 17 at 12:45 a.m., a teenager was riding his skateboard northbound on Fifth Avenue, near Colorado. He heard a vehicle come to an abrupt stop behind him. The passenger fired a long barreled weapon at him. The victim felt objects fly by him and saw what he described as a muzzle flash. There was a call received by dispatch reporting a single shot heard in the area before the victim called the Police Department. No evidence was found at the scene and the victim was not injured. Investigation continuing.
Grand Theft Auto
March 17 at 2:02 p.m., a vehicle was reported stolen from a residence in the 800 block of South Alta Vista Avenue. The victim had his 1976, Ford pickup truck locked behind a gated yard. Suspect(s) removed the lock, entered the yard and took the vehicle. Investigation continuing.
Identity Theft / Warrants - Suspects Arrested
March 17 at 10:12 p.m., an officer conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle in the 200 block of Los Angeles for having tinted windows and no front license plate. Upon investigation, the two occupants, a male and female adult, were found to have outstanding warrants. The female was in possession of over 50 gift cards and several credit cards, belonging to another person, later determined to be the victim.
The victim of the identity theft is a former Monrovia resident, currently attending college in another state, and she knows both suspects as former associates. The victim said she has never applied for credit cards and does not know how the suspects obtained credit cards in her name; she desires prosecution. Upon searching the suspect vehicle, the officer found a trunk full of newly purchased clothing. The clothing was held for observation. The suspects were both arrested and taken into custody.
