Police Blotter: Monrovia Meat Thieves Strike Again

From the Monrovia Police Department:

Following are the highlighted issues and events for November 8-14, 2012.  During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 469 service events, resulting in 90 investigations.

Battery on a Peace Officer / Parole Violation - Suspect Arrested

November 8 at 6:50 a.m., officers were dispatched to a residence in the 300 block of East Olive regarding a subject trespassing. An officer located and detained a person matching the suspect's description at the corner of Olive and Myrtle. The officer confirmed it was, in fact, the suspect, and also learned that the suspect was on active parole. An assisting officer arrived and during a search of the suspect, a bag of illegal narcotics was found in his possession.  The suspect became uncooperative and made attempts to break free from the officers. A brief struggle ensued, but the suspect was eventually taken into custody. As a result of the struggle, one of the officers sustained minor injuries. The suspect was charged with battery on a peace officer and violation of parole.

Residential Burglary

November 8 at 3:43 p.m., a residential burglary was reported in the 900 block of East Greystone. The burglary occurred sometime between 7:00 a.m. and 3:40 p.m. The point of entry appears to be an unlocked bathroom window. The items taken were a Kindle, laptop computers, and a television. The investigation is continuing.

Man Attempts to Lure Teen into Car

November 8, at approximately 4:00 p.m., a 14-year-old middle school student was walking home alone after attending an after school sporting event. As the student approached the area of Canyon and Colorado, a male suspect approached her and made inquiries about schools, as if he were unfamiliar with the area. When the student answered the suspect's questions, he told her he needed to go to the high school and was in a hurry. The suspect asked the student to get in his car and direct him to the high school. When the student refused, the suspect offered her $200 to get in his car and direct him to the high school, but she refused again and continued to walk away. The student glanced back and observed the suspect enter his vehicle and drive away. 

The suspect is described as a male, Hispanic, 20-25 years old, 5-09 to 5-10, 180 to 190 pounds, black shaggy hair - medium length, brown eyes, clean shaven, with silver metal-framed prescription glasses. The suspect was wearing a black t-shirt and khaki pants with a brown camouflage pattern stripe on the legs. The suspect vehicle is described as a silver, late 90's model, Honda Civic, 4-door, with a bicycle rack attached to the back of the trunk. Click here to see a sketch of the suspect. The investigation is continuing.

Commercial Burglary - Two Suspects Arrested

November 9 at 6:24 p.m., officers responded to a business in the 700 block of East Huntington regarding a burglary. A male and female entered a grocery store and concealed packages of meat on their person; the female suspect concealed meat in her purse. Both suspects attempted to exit without paying. Loss prevention attempted to stop them. The female stopped long enough for the loss prevention agent to grab her purse, and then both the male and female fled to a waiting car, which was driven away by another male suspect. Officers located the vehicle with the suspects. One suspect fled, while the other two were detained by officers. Despite an area search, the male suspect that ran was not located. The other two suspects were arrested and taken into custody.

The female admitted they had planned the theft and to several prior thefts from the same store. The three subjects are suspected of several thefts of meat and alcohol in recent weeks from the location. Both have extensive prior criminal history.

Vandalism

November 10 at 6:59 p.m., vandalism was reported in the area of California and Cypress. Green spray paint was used to write graffiti on a residential wall. Three male subjects were observed tagging the wall with a spray can; however, they were not located. The investigation is continuing.

Grand Theft Auto

November 11 at 3:00 a.m., a blue, 1989 Toyota Camry was stolen by unknown suspects. The reporting party saw the vehicle being driven away toward the City of Arcadia. Officers made an area search, but were unable to locate the vehicle. Investigation continuing.

Residential Burglary

November 11 at 7:29 p.m., a burglary was reported in the 200 block of North Encinitas. The victim left his home on November 9 at 9:00 p.m. in the evening and returned at 7:15 p.m. on November 11 to discover his backdoor had been broken into and items had been taken. Four firearms, one laptop, and a tablet were taken. The investigation is continuing.

Battery Report

November 11 at 9:14 p.m., an officer was dispatched to a hospital regarding a female victim who was battered by her adult son. The victim stated she was punched by her son, who had recently been kicked out of a sober living home.  The son also pushed the victim's boyfriend during the attack. The victim sustained a fractured nose. A wanted person entry for felony battery was made into the system for the suspect. Investigation continuing.

Attempt Burglary

November 13 at 11:09 a.m., an attempt burglary was reported in the 600 block of Laurel Lane. Neighbors witnessed a suspect coming out of a residence on Laurel Lane. It initially appeared that the suspect was carrying a laptop. The suspect was chased away and the neighbors called police. Containment was set up and the area was searched on foot and by air, with no results. The investigation continues. The home owner responded and determined there was no loss.

Vehicle Burglary

November 13 at 6:35 p.m., police responded to the report of a vehicle burglary that occurred in a business parking lot in the 700 block of East Huntington. The passenger side window was smashed and a purse that was left in the vehicle was stolen. The investigation is continuing.