Crime & Safety

Police Blotter: Settling a Vendetta With a Sword

This week a man grabbed his sword and went looking for gang members in the park, a bear broke its nose and had to be tranquilized, and a woman was sexually assaulted as she walked down the street. Read on for more.

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The weekend's highlighted issues and events:

Grand Theft

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June 7 at 7:43 a.m., an officer was dispatched to a transit lot in the 1600 block of South Primrose regarding a theft of property. The theft occurred sometime between 6:00 p.m. on May 22 and 5:00 a.m. on May 23. Small spools of copper wire and several car batteries were taken from the lot. Investigation continuing.

Sexual Battery

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June 8 at approximately 1:19 p.m., a 17-year-old female was walking south on Magnolia at about Cypress. She heard footsteps coming from behind her, but did not turn around. Suddenly, she felt someone grab her buttocks and crotch area from behind. She stopped, and the suspect ran past her on the left side.  The suspect is described as a male Hispanic, early 30's, 5 foot 7 inches tall, thick medium-length black hair, full beard, wearing a brown shirt and light blue jeans. Investigation continuing.

Deadly Weapon With Intent to Assault - Suspect Arrested

June 8 at 7:15 p.m., officers responded to a park in the 300 block of South Myrtle regarding a suspicious person carrying a sword. Officers detained the suspect, who was carrying a two-and-a-half-foot-long metal sword. The suspect had been involved in an altercation with gang members at the park a week prior and had returned to the park with the sword. The suspect was subsequently arrested for the above listed charge.

Bear Incident

June 9 at 2:00 p.m., a large bear was struck by a vehicle at Mayflower and Hillcrest. The vehicle was not damaged, but the by Monrovia Animal Control and the Department of Fish and Game. It was determined that the bear's injuries were minor, a broken nose and tooth, and should heal in a few days. The bear was released back into the wilderness area above Canyon Park.

Possession of Methamphetamine / Trespassing - Suspect Arrested

June 9 at 6:22 p.m., police responded to the report of a subject entering a vacant and unlocked residence in the 1600 block of South Mayflower. The subject was arrested for trespassing and also charged with possession of methamphetamine.

Commercial Burglary / Possession of a Controlled Substance - Suspect Arrested

June 9 at 9:27 p.m., police responded to a business in the 500 block of West Huntington regarding a burglary. A female suspect entered a business with a box cutter and used it to cut the tags off of merchandise. She took several items of clothing and left without paying. She was arrested and taken into custody. During the booking process, methamphetamine was found on her person. The additional charge was added.

Residential Burglary

June 10 at 8:30 p.m., a residential burglary was reported in the 200 block of West Palm. The victim left his residence for approximately two hours. When he returned, he found two computers and a backpack containing papers missing from his home. Nothing else was taken and the residence was not ransacked. The victim said he left his front door open, but the screen was closed and he believed it was locked. There were no signs of forced entry. A witness saw a male Black in his mid 30's and a female Hispanic in her mid 20's in the vicinity of the apartment during the time of the burglary. Investigation continuing.

Strong-arm Robbery

June 10 at 9:17 p.m., a robbery of a cell phone was reported at California and Maple. The victim and two friends were eating at a fast food restaurant. The two female suspects were at the same restaurant. When the victim and her friends left, the female suspects left and followed behind them, east on Huntington and then north on California. When the victim began to make a call on her cell phone, one of the female suspects ran up behind her, bumped her and grabbed the phone. Both female suspects ran eastbound on Maple. The victim and her friends ran after the suspects, but lost sight of them. Investigation continuing.

Special Enforcement Team Weekly Activity

Search Warrant

On June 7, Special Enforcement Team officers assisted patrol with an investigation of a suspect who was taking pictures of juvenile females near a school. A search warrant and consent was used to recover a camera and computer from the suspect. The searches included a vehicle, the suspect's work and residence. The investigation is continuing.

Unlicensed Driver / Warrant - Suspect Arrested

On June 8, the Special Enforcement Team stopped a vehicle on Longden at Live Oak. The driver was cited for being unlicensed and a passenger was arrested for a warrant for driving under the influence.

Driving With a Suspended License / Possession of Drug Paraphernalia - Suspect Arrested

On July 9, a suspicious vehicle that left the 200 Block of East Cherry was stopped by the Special Enforcement Team. The driver was arrested and cited in the field for having a suspended driver's license and possessing a rock cocaine pipe. The vehicle was stored.


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