Bank robbery and murder

The Arcadia Police Department responded to 1001 calls for service from Sunday, Aug. 15 through Saturday, Aug. 21, of which 132 required formal investigations.
Here is a summary report of the major incidents handled by the officers of the Arcadia Police Department during this period. (Listed in crime categories created by Arcadia’s Best).

ARCADIA POLICE DEPARTMENT
Calls for Criminal Activity
Totals Year-to-Date (thru 8/21)
Calls for Service: 30,757 (2009 total: 50,371; 2008 Total: 49,699)
Formal Investigations: 4,473 (2009 total: 7,092; 2008 total: 6,705)

Brother bludgeons brother to death
Around 5:19 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 18, units responded to the 800 block of Fairview regarding a murdered victim found inside an apartment unit. A 47-year-old male Caucasian was bludgeoned to death. A few days later, the victim’s 44-year-old brother was arrested for the homicide.

$9,550 in tools stolen from Dana Middle School contruction site
Between 3:45 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 17, and 7:47 a.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 18, a commercial burglary occurred at the Dana Middle School construction site. Unknown suspect(s) climbed over a chain link fence, pried open a storage container, and stole about $9,550 in tools and welding equipment.

Victim beaten in face
Units were dispatched to the 100 block of East Haven around 8:23 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 19. The victim claimed that two male Caucasian suspects struck him in the face and midsection. He had visible injuries and was transported to a nearby hospital for treatment. The victim declined prosecution so a report was taken for documentation purposes.

Business theft/burglary
*Between 4:30 p.m. and 5:40 p.m. Monday, Aug. 16, an auto burglary occurred at the 24-Hour Fitness parking lot located at 125 North First. Unknown suspect smashed a car window and stole a purse.
* Loss prevention personnel from Macy’s advised that they had detained two sisters for theft around 6:43 p.m. Monday, Aug. 16. The juveniles concealed store merchandise while in a fitting room and left the store without making payment. Additional stolen property from American Eagle Outfitters, H&M, and Forever 21 were also recovered. Private persons’ arrests were made, and the 16 and 17-year-old Caucasian suspects were taken into custody for commercial burglary.
* A commercial burglary occurred between 4 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 16, and 6:45 a.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 17, at a construction site located in the 00 block of Hacienda. Unknown suspect(s) stole tools and a front door totaling about $6,490.
* Shortly after 4 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 17, a bank robbery occurred at Bank of America, 180 North Santa Anita. A male Asian, 5’6” to 5’7,” 140 pounds, with a moustache and goatee, presented a demand note and claimed to have a gun. Fearing for her safety, the bank teller gave the suspect money from her cash drawer.
* JC Penney’s loss prevention personnel detained a male juvenile for theft around 6:37 p.m. The 14-year-old Hispanic was seen concealing a pair of tennis shoes in a shopping bag and then left the store without paying. A private person’s arrest was made, and the juvenile was charged with commercial burglary. Additional stolen property from Zumiez and The Scream were also recovered.
* A victim came to the station around 5:47 p.m. Friday, Aug. 20, to report a grand theft that occurred between 4 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 19, and 8 a.m. on Friday. The victim believes that her wallet was stolen at the Foreign Exchange store located at Westfield Mall on the 19th.
* Around 2:33 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 21, units responded to Wells Fargo Bank, 444 East Huntington, regarding a commercial burglary. A male African-American suspect disguised 30 rolls of pennies by placing a dime on the top and bottom of each roll in order to steal about $140 from the bank.

Auto burglary
An auto burglary occurred between 8 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 20, and 8 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 21, in the 400 block of West Duarte. Unknown suspect smashed a car window and stole a $2,000 laptop computer.

Drugs and alcohol
* A traffic stop was conducted at Second and California around 12:22 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 15, for excessive speed. The odor of an alcoholic beverage was detected on the driver’s breath and person, and the passenger initially provided officers with a false name and date of birth. The passenger also advised that there was a gun in the glove compartment, and indeed a loaded handgun was found. A 25-year-old male Hispanic driver was arrested for DUI and carrying a loaded firearm, and a 23-year-old male Hispanic passenger was arrested for obstruction.
* Around 1:36 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 15, units responded to the 100-to-1 Bar, 100 West Huntington, in reference to an altercation between a patron and an employee.  Investigation revealed that a 24-year-old male Hispanic was bothering other patrons and fought with the doorman.  The suspect was taken into custody for disorderly conduct/drunk in public and for a $30,000 outstanding misdemeanor warrant.
* Shortly after 4:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 20, a car was found idling in the intersection of Second and Bonita. Officers detected the odor of alcohol in the vehicle and found an unconscious female in the driver’s seat. The 23-year-old Hispanic later awoke and a field sobriety test was conducted. It was determined that the woman was operating the vehicle while intoxicated and was arrested for DUI.

Click image above for video of ride-along demo of new automated license plate reader system.

Click two images below for two-part video of Police volunteers, including ride-alongs.

Click image above for video tour of police station.

Click image above for video of dedication to Arcadia’s only officer who died in the line of duty.