Reports of Shots Fired

Early this morning, at approximately 1:00 AM, Officers responded to the 100 blk. of Fano Street after receiving reports from several residents of a woman screaming and gunshots being fired. Responding officers were unable to locate any suspect(s) or victim(s), but did discover three (3) 9mm shell casings in the street.

No damage was discovered to any surrounding buildings or vehicles and no eye witnesses were located. A check with area hospitals reported no gunshot victims.

Once again, anyone with information is asked to call APD Detectives at (626)574-5160.

Armed Robbery at Papa John's

About 9:14 PM last night, Officers were called to the Papa John's Pizza in the 1300 blk South Baldwin Avenue regarding a robbery having just occurred. The suspects corralled employees into a restroom and at one point, one suspect possibly fired a gunshot into the ceiling. The suspects stole cash from the register and an office before fleeing the location.

The suspects were described as two (2) male Hispanics in their 20’s. Both suspects were approximately 6 ft. tall, wore dark pants and covered their faces with black bandannas. Suspect # 1 wore a white hoodie with a “G-Unit” logo and Suspect # 2 wore a black hoodie. The weapon was described as a small, silver colored handgun, resembling a starter’s pistol.

Please refer any information to APD Detectives at (626)574-5160. Photo by LA Times.

Get to Know Your Neighbors

Officers were called to a home in the 200 block of West Palm drive last night about 8:00 PM on a reported robbery in progress. The caller also said that shots had been fired at the house. Officers from Monrovia PD assisted on the call and the location was contained. The event was carried virtually live on the CrimeScene Blog with comments detailing some of the police activity. After some tense minutes, phone calls and public address announcements, Officers detained several people at the location. Investigation at the scene revealed that there had been no robbery and the original call was actually a false report of an emergency.

However, observations of the location and interviews lead to the discovery of the residence being used as a "House of Prostitution". An Asian male adult and an Asian female adult were both arrested and booked at APD for maintaining the house.

This is a good example of the importance of getting to know your neighborhood. Be aware of who your neighbors are and who belongs in the area. If an unusual amount of activity is observed at a particular home, call your local police. Record license numbers and descriptions of vehicles. If this residence was being used for any amount of time in this manner, there was sure to have been a high amount of foot and vehicle traffic. Be it prostitution, drug sales, or other illegal activity, we depend on your eyes to help us out!

UPDATE 12/05/08: KABC7 ran a story on the brothel discovery HERE.

Residential Burglary Thwarted

About 12:20 PM today, three male juveniles attempted to force entry into a residence in the 300 blk of Laurel in northeast Arcadia. The resident was home at the time and fled out the rear of the house. The juveniles fled on foot and the resident was able to follow them in her vehicle as she called APD. Officers detained the three males who were ultimately arrested for attempted residential burglary. All three juveniles were residents of Monrovia.

Fatal Collision on Lower Azusa

At about noon time today, Officers were dispatched to the 12300 block of Lower Azusa Road on report of a solo vehicle collision. El Monte PD and LA Co. FD were first on scene and found that a vehicle being driven E/B had lost control and collided with a tree. A male was found to be the solo occupant and driver of the vehicle. The male driver was pronounced dead on arrival. This primarily commercial and industrial stretch of Lower Azusa, in Arcadia, is just west of the 605 freeway on the City of El Monte border.

UPDATE, 12/03/08: The LA Co. Coroner has identified the deceased as 25 year old Daniel Delgado of Duarte. Witness accounts and preliminary investigation show that speed was a contributing factor in the collision. Our condolences go out to the family and friends of Mr. Delgado.

Tuesday Tip - Driving in the Fog

With winter comes adverse driving conditions. The roadways were damp and fog had settled in this morning throughout the San Gabriel Valley. In conditions like this it is important to slow down and increase your following distance. When driving in the fog, make sure that your low beams remain on as use of high beams will only decrease your visibility. Allow your vehicle to warm up before leaving and use window defrosters. Open your windows slightly and listen for other traffic on the roadway. Visit the CHP website for other winter driving tips.

Attempted Parking Lot Robbery

A woman walking through the Albertson’s parking lot in the 200 blk of East Live Oak was victimized by a male who tried to steal her purse last Saturday. The incident happened around 10:40AM and the male fled without the purse when the woman struggled with him. The victim was not injured. The suspect was described as a male Hispanic, 16 yrs, short black hair, dark complexion, 5-00/130, wearing a brown sweater and white baggy jeans.