Police Blotter: Church Vandalism

For the period of Sunday, Nov. 18-24, the Arcadia Police Department responded to 887 calls for service, 92 of which required formal investigations. The following is a summary report of the major incidents handled by the Department during this period.

Church Vandalism

At 8:50 a.m. on Nov. 18, officers were dispatched to First Christian Martial Arts at 26 E. Duarte Road regarding vandalism. Someone had smashed windows, doors and mirrors inside the church. The church pastor indicated that he believed the a fellow church member was responsible for the damage, but opted not to pursue prosecution.

Tenant Allegedly Attempts to Strangle Landlord
   
At 2:50 p.m. on Nov. 18, officers responded to the 000 block of E. Floral Avenue regarding a domestic disturbance. An altercation between a landlord and tenant had escalated to a physical fight. Officers reportedly walked in on the male tenant attempting to strangle his  female landlord. Officers arrested the 45-year-old tenant and transported him to the Arcadia City Jail. He is charged with attempted murder. The victim was transported to Arcadia Methodist Hospital for treatment.

Drugs Reportedly Found in Car

At 10:29 a.m. on Nov. 19, an officer pulled over a green Honda Accord on Fifth Avenue near Huntington Drive for expired registration. The driver also had a suspended license. The officer searched the car, which reportedly contained stashes of marijuana and methamphetamine. The 28-year-old driver was arrested for possession of a controlled substance and transported to the Arcadia City Jail for booking.

Residential Burglary

At 4:41 p.m. on Nov. 19, officers were dispatched to the 700 block of Nicholas Lane regarding a residential burglary. Someone had pried open a kitchen window, entered the home and exited through the back door. However, there was no damage to the home and it remains unknown whether anything was stolen.

Littering

Shortly after 7 p.m. on Nov. 20 an officer observed a male bicyclist throw trash into the bushes on the 000 block of S. Baldwin Avenue. The bicyclist reportedly told the officer that he had thrown a wrapper and a partially eaten donut into the bushes. The officer cited the 48-year-old cyclist for littering.

Drunk Men Arrested in Liquor Store Parking Lot

At 10:48 p.m. on Nov. 20, officers were dispatched to GoGo Liquor at 914 W. Duarte Road regarding two men drinking alcohol and breaking bottles in the parking lot. Officers determined the men were too intoxicated to care for themselves. They arrested the 27 and 32-year-old men on suspicion of public intoxication. 

Graffiti

At 8:57 a.m. on Nov. 21, officers were dispatched to Delta Distributing at 111 S. First Avenue regarding vandalism. Someone had spray painted gang-related graffiti on the back wall of the business. There were no witnesses or surveillance cameras at the scene.

Unlicensed Driver

At 6:35 p.m. on Nov. 21, an officer stopped a black Jeep Wrangler in the area of Huntington Drive and Fifth Avenue for having an obstructed rear license plate. A records check revealed the driver did not have a license. The 43-year-old driver was cited and released in the field.

Driver Hits Parked Vehicle, Doesn't Leave Note

At 7:48 a.m. on Nov. 22, an officer responded to the Arcadia Methodist Hospital parking lot at 300 W. Huntington Drive regarding a hit and run. A vehicle had sideswiped a parked vehicle. The driver responsible did not leave a note and there were no witnesses at the time of the incident. 

Vehicle Windows Smashed

At 12:54 p.m. on Nov. 22, officers were dispatched to the 900 block of Huntington drive regarding an auto burglary. Someone had smashed the passenger side window of a 2001 white Toyota Tacoma. No items were found missing and there were no signs of the suspect(s) in the area.

Shoplifting

At about 4:08 p.m. on Nov. 23, an officer responded to Claire's at the Santa Anita Mall regarding a woman in custody on suspicion of theft. She had reportedly concealed several jewelry and clothing items in a bag and exited the store without paying for them. A loss prevention officer detained her until police arrived. The suspect had also allegedly stolen clothing from two other stores in the mall. The 55-year-old was arrested for burglary and transported to the Arcadia City Jail for booking.

Break-In

Around 6:21 p.m. on Nov. 23, officers were dispatched to the 1000 block of N. First Avenue in regard to a residential burglary. The resident arrived home and noticed that a back door was open and someone had ransacked several rooms. Further investigation revealed $200 was stolen.

Theft

At 11:09 a.m. on Nov. 24, an officer was dispatched to the 1000 block of W. Huntington Drive regarding a residential burglary. Someone had forced opened the victim's secured carport storage locker sometime between the late-night hours of Nov. 23 to the early morning hours of Nov. 24 and stolen several tools, along with a car audio subwoofer.

Shoplifter at Hollister

At 4:08 p.m. on Nov. 24 an officer responded to Hollister at the Santa Anita Mall regarding a man in custody on suspicion of theft. He had allegedly concealed a bottle of cologne in his sleeve and exited the store without paying for it. Loss prevention officers detained the 18-year-old until police arrived to arrest and transport him to the Arcadia City Jail for booking.