Police Seeking Public Assistance to Identify Sierra Vista St. Assault Suspect

On June 23, 2012 at approximately 10:00 PM, Monterey Park Police responded to an assault in the 200 block of N. Sierra Vista St.

The assault occurred as the victim was returning to his residence with his wife and small child in his vehicle. The victim saw a shadow near his garage door and as he went to investigate, he was reportedly attacked and beaten by a Male Black, 5’5”-5’7”, 180-220 lbs. (very muscular) and 35-44 years old. The victim yelled for help and the suspect fled the area on foot. The victim is recovering from moderate injuries.

Police Investigators are seeking assistance in identifying the suspect. An artist’s rendering of the suspect was obtained courtesy of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. Anyone with information related to this crime may contact Detective Guevara, Monterey Park Police Department at 626-307-1428.

6-23-12 Sierra Vista St suspect artist rendering

Alleged Garden Ornament Thief Arrested

On June 29, 2012 at approximately 0256 hrs Monterey Park Police officers responded to a call of a suspicious person in a neighbor’s front yard in the 1900 block of Fulton Ave. A suspect was seen running from the front porch into a late model Chevy truck and fleeing at a high rate of speed northbound on Fulton Ave.

Officers located the vehicle and contacted the driver and sole occupant. Inside the bed of the truck were two potted Plumeria plants and a statue of the “Virgin Mary” on the rear floorboard. The suspect was arrested for suspicion of receiving stolen property. Follow-up by detectives lead to identifying the owner of the stolen plants, however, detectives are still seeking the owner of the statue of the Virgin Mary, depicted in the photos below.

The statue is approximately 25” tall.

It is believed that the suspect may be responsible for approximately 15 thefts in the City of Monterey Park and all the stolen property may have been sold at swap meets.

Cirilo Cebrian (DOB 02-09-59) of Los Angeles has been released on bail.

The Monterey Park Police Department has been investigating numerous thefts of lawn ornaments, statues and potted plants since May 2012.

Individuals with information regarding ownership of the statue may contact Detective Arlene Guevara at 626-307-1428.

Monterey Park Police Seize Marijuana Plants from Newmark Ave. Townhome

Monterey Park Police seized approximately 300 marijuana plants from a residence in the 600 block of East Newmark Avenue on Friday, June 15, 2012. Police were called to the location to assist Fire officials who responded to a water flow alarm; a small fire was extinguished near the electrical meter of the residence. Police and Fire personnel located a large marijuana growing operation inside the residence. There was no one home at the time of the incident. Personnel from Los Angeles County Hazmat and the Edison Company assisted with the investigation. The criminal investigation is continuing.

Monterey Park Police Warn Residents to be Aware of Distraction Burglaries

Monterey Park Police are warning residents to be wary of individuals posing as city workers or tree trimmers due to two residential burglaries that have occurred in the past two weeks. Victims were lured to their backyards by a male suspect while another unseen suspect entered the residence, stealing jewelry and money. Both burglaries occurred within a ten-minute time span while victims were distracted.

On June 6, 2012, at approximately 4:00 p.m., a resident in the 200 block of East Riggin Street was sitting on her porch when she was approached by a Hispanic male, 40-50 years old, 5-5/135lbs, with a dark complexion, clean shaven; he was wearing a blue or grey uniform-type shirt with an insignia similar to the Monterey Park city seal on it. The suspect told the victim that he needed to check the trees in her backyard. The victim spoke with the man for about ten minutes in the backyard before the suspect left the area on foot. No vehicle was seen. The victim realized that a burglary occurred the following morning when she discovered jewelry, money, and documents missing from her bedroom.

A second burglary occurred on June 19, 2012 at approximately 3:30 p.m., a resident in the 1800 block of Cielito Ave. was doing yard work in her front yard when a male, possibly Hispanic, late 20’s to early 30’s, 5-8, wearing a green work jumpsuit with a City of Monterey Park seal stitched on the front. He told her that he worked for the City of Monterey Park and wanted to show her trees in her backyard that needed to be trimmed. The victim walked to her backyard with the man for about ten minutes. The male subject left on foot after conversing with her; she discovered that the interior of her home had been ransacked.

Residents should be aware that the only reason a city worker will go into a rear yard is if service has been requested by the home owner. All city workers carry photo ID with them and wear blue or green uniforms. In the event that someone represents themselves as a city worker, residents should request to verify their ID and call 9-1-1 immediately if the person refuses or seems suspicious. Be especially wary if you have not requested any services from the Public Works Department. City workers will not trim trees on private property or in rear yards of residential homes.

In case of emergency, please call 9-1-1. For non-emergency, general home security and burglary prevention questions, residents can contact the MPPD Community Relations Bureau at 626-307-1215.

Animal Care & Control Services Transitioning to L.A. County

Temporary grace period for pet licensing in effect until program is operational

Effective July 1, 2012 the Los Angeles County Department of Animal Care and Control will begin providing animal sheltering and care, pet licensing, and emergency response to Monterey Park. The City has begun the transition and should be fully up and running on four paws by August 2012.

While in transition the City will be offering a grace period on pet licensing until the licensing program is fully operational. Monterey Park residents should not send license fees, either new or renewal, to the San Gabriel Valley Humane, as they are no longer accepting them. Over the next several months the M.P.P.D. Animal Control Bureau will be initiating a public education campaign via, the city website, cable channel, and by mail informing residents of the services provided and how to obtain additional information.

The Los Angeles County Animal Care and Control has been in operation for over 70 years and during that time they have provided animal care, sheltering, licensing, pet adoption, pet reunification, and enforcement for unincorporated county areas and contract cities. The City of Monterey Park will be serviced by the Downey Shelter, which is located at…

11258 South Garfield Ave.,

Downey CA, 90242

Cross streets: Garfield Ave. and Imperial Hwy.

Hours of operation:

Monday –Thursday: 12pm to 7pm,

Friday –Sunday: 10 am to 5 pm,

Closed holidays.

After the transition is completed, M.P.P.D. Animal Control Bureau will continue to offer, in partnership with L.A. County, two annual licensing, vaccination and micro chip clinics; and a low-cost spay and neutering program. New and renewal pet licensing will be able to be completed online via the L.A. County Animal Care and Control website, by mail, or in-person at the Downey Shelter or M.P.P.D. Police Department.

For further information please contact the Animal Control Bureau at 626-307-1217. For an immediate need for animal control services please call Police Dispatch at 626-573-1311.