Crime & Safety

Police Blotter: Man Smashes Windows and Furniture at First Baptist Church

This week a mentally ill man broke into the First Baptist Church and started destroying things before he was detained by Monrovia police.

From the Monrovia Police Department:

Following are the weekend's highlighted issues and events. To see a complete listing of crimes reported, go to the City of Monrovia website and click on the crime mapping link. Sign up to follow us on Twitter for police notifications.

Outside Assist - La Verne Police Department Felony Pursuit / Traffic Collision - Suspect Arrested
February 22 at 1:54 p.m., the La Verne Police Department was in pursuit of a suspect who had just robbed a bank in their city. The suspect exited the freeway and was driving west on Live Oak. He attempted to turn north on Myrtle at a high rate of speed and lost control of his rental car, colliding into a big rig truck in the 3000 block of South Myrtle. The driver of the truck was not injured. The suspect attempted to flee the scene, but was apprehended by Los Angeles County Sheriff's deputies who were in the area. He was taken into custody by La Verne Police Department and then taken to a hospital. Monrovia Police Department documented the traffic collision.

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

Fight in Progress
February 22 at 1:55 p.m., a fight in progress was reported at a park in the 700 block of East Lemon Avenue. The caller reported approximately 7 male teenage subjects fighting in the park near the baseball field. Officers arrived and detained three of the subjects. The subjects claimed they had been jumped by six male gang members who had fled in a grey or black BMW. There were no injuries and no named suspects. One of the subjects detained claimed he was a gang member, but his two brothers denied any gang involvement. The three subjects did not desire prosecution. They were identified and released.

Foot Pursuit / Suspended Drivers License / No Identification - Suspect Arrested
February 22 at 8:21 p.m., an officer stopped a vehicle in the 100 block of South Shamrock for a vehicle code violation. When the vehicle stopped, the rear seat passenger fled from the vehicle and ran through several backyards. A perimeter was set up and officers searched for the suspect, but he was not found. The female driver and front seat passenger refused to identify the person who fled. The driver did not have identification and was driving on a suspended driver's license. She was arrested and the vehicle was stored.

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

Road Rage / Throwing a Substance at a Vehicle - Suspect Arrested
February 23 at 9:50 p.m., officers were dispatched to an incident of road rage in the 900 block of South Fifth involving two motorists. The suspect motorist threw a 32 ounce beer bottle through the back window of the victim's vehicle while it was in motion. The suspect was located and arrested. No one was injured.

Assault - Suspects Arrested
February 24 at 2:00 a.m., officers responded to the 400 block of South Myrtle regarding a battery investigation. The involved parties had been drinking at a pub and eventually went outside and began fighting. The investigation revealed that three male suspects punched and kicked one male victim, who had to be taken to a hospital for his injuries. The victim sustained moderate facial injuries. The three suspects were positively identified by witnesses and were arrested and taken into custody.

Residential Burglary / Theft From a Vehicle
February 24 at 7:51 p.m., a burglary was reported in the 700 block of South Fifth. The victim reported that unknown suspects entered his garage through the unlocked pedestrian door and entered his unlocked vehicle, which was parked inside the garage. The suspects then took the victim's remote to the garage door from the vehicle.

Several hours later, the victim heard his garage door opening. He went outside and saw two male subjects near the front of his house. The two subjects immediately ran and the victim chased them to the 800 block of West Olive, where he lost sight of them. Officers were dispatched and conducted a search of the area, but did not find the subjects. Investigation continuing.

72-Hour Mental Evaluation
February 24 at 11:05 p.m., officers were dispatched to the 200 block of South Encinitas regarding suspicious circumstances. When the officers arrived, they found a male subject inside of a church, destroying the interior by breaking furniture and smashing windows. The subject was detained and determined to be suffering from mental illness. He was taken to a mental health care facility, where he will be held for 72-hour mental evaluation.


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