Happy New Year! Welcome 2014!

Wishing you the best in 2014!

As always, please party responsibly and Don't Drink and Drive!

News Release: Overnight Commercial Burglary at Nordstrom

Incident: Commercial Burglary
Date and Time of Release: December 31, 2013, 3:30 p.m.

At approximately 4:11 A.M. on December 31, 2013, the Arcadia Police Department had officers respond to 400 S. Baldwin Ave, Nordstroms at the Westfield Santa Anita Mall. They were investigating the report of an audible burglary alarm.

Officers discovered a smashed out west side lower level window leading into the store.
Inside of the store, the jewelry cases were smashed and an unknown amount of jewelry was stolen. In addition, there was an unknown amount of designer women’s purses stolen. No suspects were found inside of the store.

Nordstrom video surveillance shows three suspects wearing dark clothing entering the store. The suspects exited an emergency exit that activated the alarm
.
Nordstrom officials estimate an approximate loss of $100,000.00 to $200,000.00 in jewelry and $20,000.00 to $30,000.00 in purses.

The investigation is being conducted by the Arcadia Police Department Detective Bureau. Anyone with information related to this case is asked to call the Arcadia Police Department at (626)574-5150. You can also submit crime tips and information via text, phone, or web to LA Regional Crime Stoppers, 800-222-TIPS (8477).


Robert T. Guthrie
Chief of Police


By: Lieutenant Mike Castro
Operations Division
Refer Case #13-6340

Visiting Arcadia for the Rose Bowl or the Rose Parade?

Visitors in town for the parade or big game?  Have a friend staying at one of our local hotels?  Nixle is a great resource for those living in town or visitors to the area.  The two major agencies responsible for Tournament of Roses activity both have active Nixle accounts and share valuable safety information with the public.  The Pasadena Police Department and the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, along with other local police agencies like Arcadia, Burbank, and South Pasadena, all use the Nixle platform for instant messaging.

We would like to encourage everyone, including those visiting the area, to take advantage of these services and subscribe to local public safety before the need arises.

A simple method to subscribe for Nixle alerts is to text your zip code, or perhaps the zip code for your local hotel, to 888777.  For those in Arcadia, text either 91006 or 91007 to 888777 and you will be included in any emergency alerts sent by APD.  Check with your host or concierge for the local zip code for your area hotel in neighboring cities.

You can also download our smart phone app for links to other information and services.

Weekly Tip - New Year's Eve Safety

We will celebrate New Year's Eve this week and there are a number of things to consider when it comes to celebrating safely. Here are a few things to think about for our New Years celebrations:

•Don't Drink and Drive!

•Use a designated driver, or if need be, call Jan's Don't Drive Drunk Detour Program for a ride home for you and your car. See Jan's Towing website for details.

•DO NOT fire weapons into the air. Bullets and projectiles can travel long distances causing injury and death. You have no control where a projectile will land when fired indiscriminately into the air.

•Stay inside at the stroke of midnight! Celebrate with friends and family indoors.

•Keep an eye on your pets. Loud noises, fireworks, gunshots, all can be frightening to animals. Keep your pets indoors or consult your veterinarian for options. Make sure they are wearing collars with identification should they become lost.

Remember to celebrate safely and smartly. Enjoy the New Year celebration!

Farewell to an Old Friend...Officer Chuck Chapman - End of Watch, December 26, 2013

We lost one of our family today with the sudden passing of Retired Officer Charles "Chuck" Chapman.  Chuck retired from the Arcadia Police Department in March of 2002.  He put in over thirty years with APD, first as a Police Cadet in 1967, and later sworn in as a Police Officer in 1970.  Chuck was drafted and served in Vietnam in 1968.

During his long career, Chuck worked many years as a Traffic Officer, partnered with a K9 during the mid-1980's, and worked in the Detective Bureau handling Collision Investigations in the 1990's.

Chuck was a friend to many throughout Arcadia and loved the Santa Anita Race Track.  Sad, but very fitting, his EOW is on Opening Day of the 2013-2014 race season at Santa Anita.  Whether we knew him as Chuck, Officer Chapman, "Sqautch", "52-Tom", or "Portable 86", he was always a loving Dad and husband to his family.  Chuck was 64 years old.

We will post additional information on services/condolences for Officer Chapman as they become available, as Chuck has been residing out of state.

News Release: Upcoming DUI/Driver's License Checkpoint & DUI Saturation Patrol

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:                                                                    December 26, 2013

Upcoming DUI/Driver’s License Checkpoint & DUI Saturation Patrol

The Arcadia Police Department will hold a DUI/Driver’s License Checkpoint during the evening hours of Saturday, December 28th and a DUI Saturation Patrol on December 31st, 2013.  Said enforcement efforts will be conducted during the California Office of Traffic Safety’s “December DUI Crackdown,” which runs from December 13th thru December 31st.  Additionally, members of the Arcadia Police Department will participate in 4 multi-agency DUI task force operations as part of the AVOID 100 program during this same time frame.

Earlier this year, the Arcadia Police Department received two grants from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) for a year-long program aimed at preventing deaths and injuries on our roadways, through the use of DUI checkpoints, specialized enforcement efforts and public awareness. 

   

One of the goals of our enforcement activity this holiday season is to promote public safety and increase awareness of the dangers associated with drinking and driving.  This will be accomplished by providing a highly visible enforcement and publicity campaign, in order to deter intoxicated drivers from getting behind the wheel and driving.  Through these efforts, we also seek to reduce the number of injuries and deaths associated with collisions involving intoxicated drivers.

We would like to remind the public of the dangers associated with drinking and driving.  It simply is not worth it to drive while impaired.  Give the gift of life this holiday season and celebrate responsibly by using a sober designated driver.  Remember, “Friends don’t let friend’s drive while impaired.”

Don’t forget to visit the Arcadia Police Department News & Information Blog or follow us on Facebook, Twitter or Nixle for other pertinent news and information.  Remember, the solution begins with you! 

Funding for these operations is provided from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.  Report Drunk Drivers.  Call 9-1-1!

Robert T. Guthrie

Chief of Police

By: Brett Bourgeous

Traffic Sergeant

Merry Christmas 2013

From our house to yours, the men and women of the Arcadia Police Department wish you a very Merry Christmas!

Thank you to all those in public safety who are working on this Christmas Eve and Day - Be Safe!