Police Blotter: Scammers Try to Buy Car With Forged Checks

From the Monrovia Police Department:

During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 438 service events, resulting in 74 investigations.

Petty Theft from a Vehicle March 27 at 3:48 a.m., a resident in the 300 block of South Mountain came to the police department to report her purse had been stolen from her vehicle. She reported that she was walking to her parked vehicle when she saw two males wearing backpacks walk away from her vehicle. After she got into her vehicle, she realized that she left the passenger window down and her purse was gone. Investigation continuing. 

Possession of Drug Paraphernalia - Suspect Arrested March 27 at 3:57 p.m., an officer was conducting an area check for the petty theft suspects from the above incident, when he observed a male subject walking in the 900 block of Valley View. As the officer approached in his police vehicle, the subject walked up a driveway. He then walked back down the driveway, where he was contacted by the officer. The officer checked the area where the subject was standing on the property and found a methamphetamine smoking pipe. The subject stated he threw it on the ground when he saw the police. The subject was arrested for possession of drug paraphernalia.

Bear Incident March 27 at 6:21 p.m., police responded to a residence in the 800 block of Crescent Drive on the report of a bear entering the home. The resident's mother had cooked lunch and left it on a table with the windows open. A bear caught the scent of the food, ripped out the doggie door and entered the home through it to get at the food. The resident's dog alerted the man, who came downstairs to find the bear inside his home. The resident immediately went upstairs and locked himself and his dog in his bedroom and called police. The man looked out his window and saw a second bear in his yard. Police officers arrived along with an animal control officer and the bears were encouraged back into the hillside with beanbags rounds. The officers advised the resident on the safety issue of the doggie door and methods to reduce bear attractants at the home.

Detective Bureau Case Follow-up

Attempt Grand Theft Auto / Identity Theft / Forgery - Suspects Charged
On February 26 at 2:35 p.m., police responded to a business in the 800 block of East Central regarding a fraud in process. Two suspects walked into the car dealership to purchase a vehicle. They each provided forged checks, and one provided an altered driver's license. The salesman was suspicious and called police. Both suspects were arrested and bonded out after being booked.

On March 26, 2013, both suspects were arraigned in court. The detective assigned to the follow-up investigation presented the case to the District Attorney. The case was filed and both suspects were charged with identity theft, forgery (three counts), and attempt grand theft auto. The suspects were remanded into custody.