Police Blotter: Three Girls Fight Over One Boy

This week a woman was arrested while wielding a phony gun, a man who may or may not have had a gun robbed a local business, and three women were picked up for fighting over a boy. Read on for more.

Information provided by the Monrovia Police Department:

During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 609 service events, resulting in 102 investigations.  Following are the last week's highlighted issues and events.

Packing fake heat

July 8 at 10:30 a.m., a caller reported seeing a female subject carrying a pistol in the 100 block of West Foothill. Officers located the subject, who was now walking on Lime, approaching Magnolia. The officers observed that the female was carrying a pistol. Once the female saw the officers, she immediately complied with their commands. The pistol turned out to be a very realistic replica of a semi-automatic pistol. As the officers interviewed the female, it became apparent she was a danger to herself and others, and she was taken to a hospital where she was held for 72-hour mental evaluation.

Three-way fight over a boy

July 8 at 8:44 p.m., officers responded to a park in the 300 block of South Myrtle regarding a fight. Three female juveniles were involved in an altercation over a boy. One female sustained an injury to her hand and was taken to a hospital for treatment. All three juveniles were cited for fighting in a public place.

Using an alias for no apparent reason

July 9 at 12:20 a.m., an officer stopped a vehicle for a traffic violation. The driver said that he did not have his driver's license with him, but identified himself and provided a driver's license number. The officer became suspicious and with further investigation, discovered that the driver did in fact have his license on him and he had provided a false name to the officer. A computer check with the driver's actual name revealed a no-bail warrant. The subject was arrested and taken into custody.

DUI

July 9 at 4:25 a.m., a vehicle was stopped for a traffic violation in the 700 block of West Huntington. The driver was determined to be under the influence of alcohol and was arrested.

Suspicious toolbox draws bomb squad

July 9 at 4:00 p.m., security in the 100 block of West Huntington saw a suspicious toolbox in the parking lot on the north side of a building. The security officers had made foot passes in the area and had not seen the toolbox prior to 4:00 p.m. Officers were dispatched to the location to inspect the toolbox. Based on the recent threats reported in the news and the unusual location of the toolbox, the Los Angeles County Bomb Squad was requested and responded to the location. The toolbox was opened by the bomb squad and no suspicious items were found.

Gang member caught making gang graffiti

July 11 at 6:09 p.m., a witness reported a male juvenile gang member was spray painting gang graffiti in the 100 block of East Walnut in the alley. Officers responded quickly and apprehended the suspect. He was arrested for vandalism. The citizen who witnessed the crime and took action reporting the suspect was rewarded with Monrovia Police Department's $100.00 Graffiti Bounty.

Bike heist

July 11 at 7:06 p.m., a subject who lives in the 700 block of South Myrtle reported his bicycle stolen. His bicycle, a 10-speed silver mountain bike, was secured by locking the front wheel to the bike rack on the third floor of the parking garage. The suspect removed the frame from the front wheel. It appeared that two other bicycles were stolen in a similar fashion, but officers were unable to locate additional victims. Investigation continuing.

Caught on tape

July 12 at 11:00 a.m., a business in the 200 block of East Huntington called police to report a male subject rummaging through a car that was not his. When officers arrived, the suspect was gone. One of the officers watched the store's security video and recognized the male subject from prior contact. She quickly apprehended him nearby and he was arrested for vehicle tampering.

Robbery, but was there a gun?

July 12 at 9:51 p.m., a business in the 300 block of West Huntington reported a robbery. The suspect approached a cashier with his hand in his jacket pocket. He threatened to shoot her if she didn't give him the money from the register. After obtaining the cash, he ran south on Magnolia, then west on Cypress, out of sight. The suspect was described as a male, African American, approximately 30-years-old, six foot tall, about 200 pounds, wearing a black hooded sweatshirt and blue jeans. He had some sort of tattoo next to his right eye.  Investigation continuing.

Marijuana DUI

July 12 at 10:57 a.m., an officer stopped a female driver at Walnut and Fifth. During the investigation, it was determined the driver was driving under the influence of marijuana and the driver was arrested.

Stolen stereo

July 12 at 3:42 p.m. an officer responded to the 1600 block of South California, regarding a vehicle burglary. The owner discovered his car was broken into and stereo system and speakers were stolen.  Investigation continuing.

Smashed car window

July 13 at 8:55 p.m., an officer responded to the 500 block of South Mountain regarding a smashed vehicle window. The victim parked his vehicle on the street at 7:45 p.m. When he returned to his car he had discovered the crime. There was no loss. Investigation continuing.