NorthPrimrose

Update From MPD On Burglaries and A Crime Prevention Tip

Neighbors:

We just got a call from CPT Hunt of MPD who was nice enough to give us a ring on his day off.

While he could only release limited information on the recent burglaries in the Scenic/Canyon area, he said there does not appear to be a tie between them, and there is no statistically unsual trend or a "rash" of crimes.  The most recent crime was investigated and that investigation is ongoing.

Apparrently some leads have been developed in the previous case in that area (involving a local realtor's family) and the two appear to be unrelated.

Special Crime Prevention Tip

CPT Hunt wanted to remind all of you that the holidays are coming, and that means special crime prevention measures are in order.  Primary be extra careful about leaving valuables in plain sight in your car during and after Christmas shopping.  In his words: "Crooks need presents too"

MPD usually sees a major spike in such crimes around the holidays, 99% of them involving items in plain site and/or un-locked cards.  He added that GPS systems, Ipods and cell phones are tempting targets, and should be hidden away when you park, lest they should be hidden in a thief's pocket when you return.

Thanks, always, to CPT Hunt for going the extra mile on his day off!

Burglaries Continue to Our Northeast

Neighbors:

The following news was added to the comments on another post.  The source is someone we are familiar with who has provided reliable information in the past.  We have emailed CPT Hunt at MPD seeking confirmation, but as of yet have not heard back.  Anyway, here's the comment:

News flash-

Monday midday
Another burglary in the Scenic/ Canyon neighborhood. 

Burglar broke window. Said to have taken small items, including handguns.

Maybe service workers and their vehicles need to be registered in Monrovia. Someone is casing homes and setting these break-ins up.

Sad to see it happen here but it's wise to be suspicious of anybody that you do not recognize.

[Edited to remove information about the location which would likely bother the victims. -RCJP]

While this is obviously quite bad for the victim in question, it raises more significant concerns in terms of patterns.  Barely a month ago, the home of a well known local realtor in the same neighborhood was burglarized. A family member interrupted the crime and was assaulted as the thief escape with several thousand dollars in goods. More disturbing is the timing - Mid-Day!

Some suggestions:

    1) Please keep your eyes open. If you see something suspicous, report it!

    2) Make sure you have phone numbers for at least your three immediate neighbors (left, right and across).

    3) Let your neighbors know if you are going out of town. Make sure newspapers, etc. get collected so your home does not look abandoned.

We will be in touch with MPD to see about setting up a neighborhood watch meeting sometime soon. But, with the holidays, that could prove difficult. In the mean time, pay attention to unusual cars - especially commercial vehicles - on local streets.

ADDENDUM: Details on past crimes issues in the area can be found here in our CRIME!!!! archive.

UPDATE: Burglars!**

An MPD source tells us that last night's excitement stemmed from a burglary at Blockbuster video.  The suspect was caught pretty much in the act, and ran across Stedman toward Primrose.  He (they?) was (were?) eventually captured in the area of Dr. Domotor's Animal Hospital, thanks to some good ol' fashioned smart policing.  Apparrently, the suspect is also a parolee, and a frequent customer of the State's incarceration services.

UPDATE X2:  Lynda, just north of the Apartments, tells us that the suspect ran through her side yard around 12:20 this morning.  MPD officers were hot on his heels.  We've also had reports up and down the block that officers were searching back yards and garages South of Oaks on the East side of the street.

Bottom Line:  MPD got their man, and we can all rest assured that we have a very professional police department.

UPDATE X3: The official word from CPT Jim Hunt of MPD: There was a burglary of a business on Foothill. Officers spotted the suspect and he ran from them north on Primrose.  After a lengthy search they captured the suspect and recovered the stolen property.  Great job by the
officers.

BREAKING NEWS: But, Unknown What is Going On....

(1:57 AM) .......Final update (and going back to bed!)... There are still 5 MPD cars arrayed from Foothill to Oaks, lights flashing away in the dark.  Not sure who or what they are looking for, besides an evidently suspicious person.

(1:26 AM)  .......Three MPD officers just walked passed our house, toward Foothill. After about 5 minutes, the helicopter departed.

(1:21 AM) .....Report from a neighbor in the 200 block.  Reports she called MPD (non emergency) and was told there is "a suspicious person in the neighborhood," to go inside and lock doors.

(1:00 AM, November 5) .....Neighbors:

We assume some of you are awake right now.  From our hit tracker, we can see some of you have checked the blog in the last few moments.  Unfortunately, we have no idea why MPD officers have converged on Primrose, or why the helicopter is orbiting.

A patrol car is parked in front of our home, lights ablaze, and an officer rather firmly instructed Robert to go inside.  He did, and we suggest you do the same.  If anyone has any insight, email to us and we'll post.

THEFT II!

Neighbors:

We put this in an email the other day, but based on a conversation with MPD want to reiterate: If you think you might have had an unauthorized withdrawl with your ATM card, please contact the police immediately.

Apparrently there is a ring of thieves who have used technology-based methods to steal credit card and PIN data. They have been hitting customers who use the Pavillions ATM. 

As you may know, one of our Primrose area neighbors was among the victims. Also, a friend of ours from the VFW was victimized at the Ralphs in Arcadia. When he went to report the crime, there were five other victims in line!  He lost $600!

Word from MPD is to be careful when using ATMs, and look carefully at the machine before you use it. If anything looks awry, don't do it!

THEFT!!!!

The photo at left should fairly communicate where the Slow Down signs went this morning. Rick, from up at Oaks & Primrose, came out his front door this morning to find our signs topping off the dumpster he's been filling with scraps from a yard project.  He kindly collected them and stacked them on his porch (and Robert put a couple back to get the photo).

Some of the stakes were left behind on the street, and we have put a few back.  We also have some extras left, and will be setting them up too (which frankly we meant to do last weekend, anyway!)

But, the bottom line is that those who disrespect our neighborhood carry on. Because we got he signs back, and it was unlikely anything would happen, we let CPT Hunt know, but didn't ask for a police report.

However, if you saw anything (or see anything), please let us know.

BULLETIN: Burglars in our Area

Neighbors:

Friday, comments were posted on the Foothill Cities Blog regarding a sudden wave of crime in north Monrovia.  During the yard sale, we were visited by folks from Madision who had helped us research speed-bumps.  They told us the same story, and that there were fliers distributed.

We have checked with several MPD Officers, and this is what we know so far:
- Four houses in the area of Scenic Drive and Highland were burglarized around 7-8:00 am on Friday.  The crimes were back-to-back-to-back. We do not know what was taken.
- At least two of the houses were almost immediately adjacent.
- The suspects are in a black SUV, both approximately 20 years old with short hair and neat appearances.

They got away, and may well still be operating in our area. If you see ANYTHING suspicious please call 911 and report it to MPD immediately. As yet, nothing is posted on the City's blog or other information resources.

UPDATE:  It is probably worth noting that these crimes are nothing extraodinary, and unrelated to the dispute between the City and the Police Officers' Association, except inasmuch as the victimes undoubtedly would like the best, most motivated folks in blue to investigate and find the perpetrators.

Monrovia PD Officer Shot (Updated)

Neighbors:

A Monrovia PD Officer was shot early this morning in the South end of the City. 

We are told that he will survive, as will his assailant.  CBS2.com has the story here and there is a post up at The Foothill Cities Blog.  The Tribune is also reporting on the incident, and Frank Girardot's Crime Scene blog will likely prove the most informative ultimately (right now he seems to have Sunday off). He's the best source for these stories.

It is important to note that this incident appears (initially) to be unrelated to the gang problem of the last few months.  Robert was told by an MPOA source that the suspect was a known felon from the local area.

This is simply a reminder not only of the dangers our officers face on a daily basis, but also of the fact that we are not alone in needing their services.

We will keep you posted.

UPDATE:  The City's Web site reports that the officer involved is SGT Dan Verna. He is expected to be released today the report says.  The suspect may be responsible for string of burglaries in the area.

UPDATE 2:  An MPOA source tells us that he is in ICU and will likely spend the night, but still is recovering well.

UPDATE 3:  SGT Verna did, in deed, go home Sunday evening.  If anyone wants to collect signatures for a card and flower donations, let us know, and we will spread the word!

ATTACK ON PRIMROSE RESIDENTS

The following email was sent to CPT Hunt of the Monrovia Police Department.

Maribel and I have recently been talking to lots of folks around town, and they all speak very highly of Captain Hunt's professionalism, dedication and "bedside manner."  This is consistent with the response and interaction we've had since we started this formal process. It's good to know that the enforcement piece of this solution is going well.  But, as you'll see in our email, other parts are not going so well. Here's the text of the email.

CPT Hunt:

Maribel & I want to bring a couple of things to your attention.


First, you might be interested to know that the City traffic survey "tubes" on Primrose, just south of Hillcrest, were pulled up and tossed out of the road way.  We have a photo we'll post later. 

Clearly, between this vandalism, the theft of signs, and the "saluting" that continues to occur from certain blatant offenders, it is not unreasonable to say that sombody appears to be at war with our neighborhood, simply because we want to preserve it's peace and safety.

In addition, per your request that we report offenders, please drop by and visit the owner of a white full-size pick-up, licenese 7M0---- About 15 minutes ago, I witnessed the young man behind the wheel tear onto Primrose from Hillcrest (westbound to southbound), and gun his engine until he saw the traffic sign. Five-six seconds AFTER he hit his brakes, the "speed board" registered him at 32 MPH. Goodness only knows how fast he was going before he braked, but I'd say well over 40 or 45.

Thanks for your continued attention to this matter, especially when you have some very big headaches right now.  We really apprecite your effort.


All the best,
Robert C. J. Parry

Who knew: We have a theft problem, too!*

[*UPDATE: The Pasadena Star News and SGV Tribune have covered the theft here.

We are quite disappointed to report that we are not the ones who took down the signs in the rain.  Apparrently, some very angry (and very wet) individual stole 47 of them last night, in the rain.

Robert has spoken to Mayor Hammond and CPT Hunt, both assure us that the City had no role in the disappearance, what so ever.  ("If we did, I'm going to wear out a pair of shoes on somebody," quoth the Mayor). CPT Hunt has taken a petty theft report, and is checking applicable statutes. 

On a related note (I suspect, extremely related), CPT Hunt also said that MPD wrote seven speeding tickets on Primrose just yesterday.  Do ya think there's a problem?  Anyway, that sounds to us like there are at least seven suspects!  We know of one speeder who was reported to MPD. As promised, the officers tracked the offender down. In this case, the passenger had committed some violation, and was cited.

Clearly, the city is reacting to our plea.  Now its a matter of maintaining their focus.

If anybody saw anything regarding the thefts, please email us. Also, we need to know if anyone saw them after 8 last night.

Keep reporting the offenders!