Crimes Serve as a Reminder to Lock Up at Night

News Release:


Overnight Hot Prowl Burglaries Last Two Nights in Arcadia

Over the course of the last two nights, Arcadia residents were victimized by similar hot prowl burglaries. The first occurred early Tuesday morning at about 4:49 a.m., in the 100 block of Diamond Street, and the second occurred late last night around 11:00 p.m., in the 600 block of West Walnut Avenue. In both cases, the suspect was described as a male White carrying a flashlight.

The Diamond Street resident was awakened to find a suspect with a flashlight in her bedroom grabbing her purse from near the foot of her bed. The suspect immediately fled from the bedroom, ran through the house, and out the front door. The female resident was home with two teenage children when the crime occurred and no one was hurt in the incident. The only loss was the resident’s purse. Officers found that the suspect had entered the residential unit through an unlocked front door. In this case, the suspect was described only as a male White, 5’-10”, wearing a white t-shirt and basketball type shorts. This crime occurred on July 26, 2011, at about 4:49 a.m.

The second incident occurred last night when a West Walnut resident awoke to the sounds of someone attempting to open his front door. Moments later, the resident heard the suspect now attempting to open a side door. The resident turned on the porch light and was able to see the suspect on the porch. The suspect shined a flashlight in the face of the resident and then fled off the property, never making entry into the location. The resident described the suspect as a male White in his twenties, 5’-10”, 150 lbs, wearing a red shirt. This crime occurred on July 27, 2011, at about 11:00 p.m.

Although in different areas of the City, these crimes and suspect descriptions are similar. In both crimes, the suspect appears to be looking for a crime of opportunity, targeting unlocked residential doors. Please remember to check your home before going to bed. Close and lock your doors and windows, and set your alarm, if you have one installed at your home. Many times, thieves will target homes and vehicles that have been left unlocked or open. Take the time to help prevent this type of crime before it happens! If you see or hear anything suspicious, call the police right away.

Anyone with information on either of these crimes is encouraged to contact the Arcadia Police Department at (626) 574-5150.

If you prefer to provide information ANONYMOUSLY, you may call “Crime Stoppers” by dialing 800-222-TIPS (8477), texting the letters TIPLA plus your tip to CRIMES (274637), or using the tip page at Los Angeles Regional Crime Stoppers.

Get detailed, up-to-date emails and text messages specific to your community from the Arcadia Police Department by registering for "Nixle" alerts at: https://local.nixle.com/register/ You can also register for alerts and advisory text messages only by texting your zip code to 888777. (Standard text messaging rates may apply, depending on your cell phone plan). Nixle provides community wires nationwide. Once registered, you can subscribe to messages from other areas that service your relatives or other loved ones, or other locations of interest to you.

Sgt. Tom Le Veque 

Weekly Tip - Be Wary of Toy Guns

The image of toy guns has changed over the years - Cowboys and Indians, plastic guns, playing Army, all have all given way to an era of realistic toy weapons alongside real, functioning handguns and rifles. Search the Internet for "replica guns", "airsoft", "toy gun", and see how realistic our toys have become. Not only do the kids and collectors love the realistic look, but so can the bad guys. Take a look below at some photos of functioning weapons that are painted or colored to resemble toys.

This trend causes a dilemma for us all. We read about young kids bringing actual weapons with them to school and we have seen tragedy with school and workplace shootings. Our children play with toys that look like the real thing. So, with toy and weapon colliding, Law Enforcement is faced with even a greater challenge when responding to calls involving persons (of any age) armed with a weapon. The red plastic tip of old is no longer a deterrent for an Officer when a weapon is pointed at them. Unfortunately, some criminals have not only colored their weapons, they have also attempted to duplicate the red tip, all to "fool" the Officer and gain that split second advantage.

As parents, we need to do what we can to protect our children. If they play with replica weapons, have a responsible adult around to watch them and guide their form of play. Play in your own yard, not in a school yard, park, or around other buildings. Visit organized paintball courses. Most importantly, use common sense. The citizen passing by, your neighbor, or the responding Officer may not know that someone is "just playing."

Weekly Activity Highlights for July 17-23, 2011

http://www.ci.arcadia.ca.us/docs/weekly_7-17.pdf

Weekly Tip - Avoid Heat Related Illness

With July temperatures hitting the 90's and close to triple digits, we need to be aware of heat related illness.  The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offer some great prevention tips to avoid heat related illness.  Visit the CDC website for this valuable information.  Simple steps like wearing lightweight, loose fitting, and light-colored clothing, along with staying hydrated by drinking plenty of water can make a difference in keeping you healthy in the heat. 

Weekly Activity Highlights for July 10-16, 2011

http://www.ci.arcadia.ca.us/docs/1628101972011weekly_7-10.pdf

Matthies Honor Guard Photos from Arcadia Weekly

Thanks to Terry Miller and the Arcadia Weekly for providing some great photos from the opening ceremony honoring slain Arcadia Police Officer Albert E. Matthies.  View the full article HERE.  Daniel Ross also covered the event and wrote a nice article for the Arcadia Patch.  Be sure to check each piece for photos and more.

Foothill Unity Center Seeks Donations for their "Back to School" Event

The Foothill Unity Center is conducting their annual "Back to School" event coming up on Thursday, August 18, 2011, at the Santa Anita Race Track. In preparation for the event, the Arcadia Police Department has placed a collection bin in the police station lobby through August 6th. The Foothill Unity Center is asking that donations of school supplies be made in order to help local low-income kids prepare for school. In addition to the usual school supplies like pencils, glue sticks, backpacks, lunch boxes, pens, and more, clothing suitable for school age kids is also being sought. For additional information, contact the Foothill Unity Center, at (626) 358-3486. Donations may also be made by mail or at their Monrovia facility located at 415 West Chestnut, Monrovia CA 91016.  Please note "Back to School Fair" on any donation.

Bob Guthrie Appointed as Arcadia Police Chief

Arcadia City Manager Don Penman distributed an email this afternoon announcing that he has appointed Bob Guthrie as the Chief of Police for the Arcadia Police Department.  Please join the men and women of the Arcadia Police Department in congratulating Chief Bob Guthrie.

It is my pleasure to announce that I have appointed Bob Guthrie as Chief of Police, effective immediately.

Bob began his career in Arcadia in 1989 as a Cadet and subsequently worked his way through the ranks, having served in various positions and on a number of special assignments. Bob brings to the position strong communication skills and an extensive, well-rounded knowledge of all facets of law enforcement. These skills, combined with enthusiasm and a strong commitment to public safety in this community, will serve him well in his new role. I have every confidence that Bob will do an outstanding job as Arcadia’s newest Police Chief.




Don Penman


City Manager

In Remembrance of Arcadia Police Officer Albert E. Matthies

Tomorrow is the 84th anniversary of the murder of Arcadia Police Officer Albert E. Matthies, the only Arcadia Police Officer to be killed in the line of duty. Officer Matthies was shot while detaining three young men near the intersection of Northview and Foothill in north Arcadia on July 18, 1927, shortly before midnight. Officer Matthies came upon the men inside a vehicle parked on Northview. Officer Matthies was unaware that the men were preparing to conduct a robbery at a business nearby. The rear seat passenger was Frank Miller. Miller pulled out a .45 cal handgun and shot at Matthies, striking him in the neck. Matthies later died from the gunshot wound at 12:07 AM on July 19, 1927.

Leo Bertolina, a friend of Matthies, was riding along that night in the police car. Bertolina was able to scramble away after being shot at and hit with flying glass from windows being struck by gunfire. Bertolina telephoned for additional police assistance. The trio of suspects got away that night but were later apprehended in Los Angeles within days. The three suspects were later convicted of the murder of Officer Matthies and sentenced to prison. The shooter died in prison. The two accomplices were later paroled and died shortly after release.

The murder of Officer Matthies is memorialized at the following locations:

•Plaque memorial at Foothill Blvd/Northview Ave, Arcadia CA. Northview Avenue has been co-named Albert Matthies Way in honor of Officer Matthies.
•Los Angeles County Peace Officers Memorial, Whittier CA
•California Peace Officers Memorial, Sacramento CA
•National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial, Washington DC
•Officer Down Memorial Page

The Arcadia Police Officers' Association will honor the memory of Officer Matthies with an honor guard, commencing at noon today, through 12:07 a.m. tomorrow morning. Officers will stand in honor of the ultimate sacrifice made by Officer Matthies at the scene where he lost his life.  Please join us in honoring the memory of this Arcadia hero.

Weekly Tip - Spot the Tot

Another great blog post from Safe Kids USA discusses the many injuries and deaths that occur annually as a result of children being run over in driveways, many times by someone in the household.

"Nearly 7 children, ages 1 to 14, go to emergency rooms each day with injuries sustained from a vehicle backing up. Of that group, an average of 230 die each year according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). With school out for the summer, kids are everywhere,: playing in driveways, cul de sacs, sidewalks…. It's also light outside later, extending play time well into evening."

Visit the Safe Kids USA link to read the entire article and to view the associated safety video.

Weekly Activity Highlights for July 3 - 9, 2011

http://www.ci.arcadia.ca.us/docs/weekly_7-3.pdf

Assault with a Deadly Weapon

On Saturday July 9, 2011 at approximately 2:20PM, the Arcadia Police Department received a call regarding a fight in the parking lot located at Duarte Road and Golden West. When officers arrived, no fight could be located and all parties involved in the fight had left the location. At approximately 2:40PM, Methodist Hospital called the Police Department and reported that three (3) stabbing victims had come into the Emergency Room for treatment.

Arcadia officers responded to the hospital and found two adult victims who had sustained moderate stab wounds and a third adult victim who was taken into surgery with serious stab wounds.

Thus far, the investigation has confirmed that the stabbing victims were related to the original fight call at Duarte Rd & Golden West, all parties involved in the fight were described as male Asians and no arrests have been made at the time of this release.

The assault is currently under investigation by the Arcadia PD Detective Bureau.

Lt. Paul Foley
Watch Commander

Anyone with information is asked to call Arcadia Police Detectives at 626-574-5160.  You can also submit crime tips and information via text, phone, or web to LA Regional Crime Stoppers, 800-222-TIPS (8477), or by clicking on the "Submit a Tip" button on the APD Blog side bar.

Arcadia Police Honor Guard to stand in Remembrance of Officer Albert E. Matthies on July 18, 2011

On July 19, 1927, at approximately 12:07 a.m., Arcadia Police Officer Albert E. Matthies was shot and killed while detaining three grand theft auto suspects near the intersection of Northview Avenue and Foothill Boulevard, in the City of Arcadia. Officer Matthies remains the only Arcadia police officer killed in the line of duty in the department’s history.

On July 18, 2011, members from the Arcadia Police Officers’ Association will stand in honor of Officer Matthies’ memory at the intersection where he made his ultimate sacrifice for the citizens of Arcadia. Commencing at 12:00 p.m., the Arcadia Police Officers’ Association will provide an honor guard to stand watch at the site where Officer Matthies was killed. The ceremony will take place on the west side of Northview Avenue, between Foothill Boulevard and Laurel Avenue, and will commence with a statement from the President of the Arcadia Police Officers’ Association, Officer John Jurman. Bagpipes, played by retired Arcadia Police Sergeant Andrew Ballantyne, will be heard during the posting of the colors. The honor guard detail will stand watch for twelve consecutive hours, with a changing of the guard ceremony taking place every half hour. Interim Chief of Police Robert Guthrie will honor Officer Matthies’ memory by standing a post from 5:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

On July 19th, at approximately 12:07 a.m., a bell will sound in recognition of the 84th anniversary of Officer Matthies’ death. The event will then conclude with a closing prayer from Arcadia Police Department Chaplain Thomas Shriver of the Emmanuel Assembly of God church, Arcadia.

The Arcadia Police Officers’ Association is proud to coordinate this inaugural event in honor of our fallen brother, Officer Matthies. All participating members of the Arcadia Police Officers’ Association are donating their own time to this service in dedication to keeping the memory and spirit of Officer Albert E. Matthies alive.

Robert Guthrie, Chief of Police

Metro Gold Line I-210 Bridge Construction



Construction on the I-210 Gold Line Bridge has begun. The bridge is the first element of the Metro Gold Line Foothill Extension light rail project to move from final design to construction. The I-210 Bridge is scheduled to be completed in July 2012. The entire Foothill extension from Pasadena to Azusa is scheduled to be completed by early 2015.

The Metro Gold Line Foothill Construction Authority has excellent information available on-line at www.foothillextension.org, and specifically, an information flyer that details detour routes on Foothill Boulevard in Arcadia. The flyer can be found HERE.  The flyer also provides the community directions on how to receive periodic updates from the project. The project hotline is (855) 446-1160.

Currently, traffic may be impacted during overnight hours, approximately midnight to 5:00 a.m. Eastbound freeway traffic may be diverted to Foothill Boulevard between Sierra Madre Villa in Pasadena, and Santa Anita Avenue in Arcadia. Closed freeway on-ramps may include Rosemead Boulevard, Michillinda Avenue, and Baldwin Avenue, according to the project map. HOV and the #1 (left) lanes are impacted in the current phase of the project. In the event of a closure, eastbound traffic will be closed between Baldwin Avenue and Santa Anita Avenue.

You can also view a video with project information on YouTube HERE.

Weekly Tip - Never Leave Your Child Alone in a Car

This video is courtesy Safe Kids USA and focuses on the dangers associated with leaving an unattended child in your vehicle.  Even on mildly warm days, the heat inside a vehicle can be deadly.  For many safety reasons, including extreme temperatures, you should never leave a child, or an animal, unattended in a vehicle.  Thanks to Safe Kids USA for producing this and other child safety videos!

Weekly Activity Highlights for June 26 - July 2, 2011

http://www.ci.arcadia.ca.us/docs/weekly_6-26.pdf

Indepedence Day 2011

The men and women of the Arcadia Police Department wish you the best on this Independence Day 2011. Celebrate safely and remember that all fireworks are unlawful to possess or discharge in the City of Arcadia. HERE is a link to fireworks shows in Los Angeles County.