Monterey Park Police to Deploy Extra DUI Patrols to Crack Down on Drunken or Drugged Driving

Drivers are reminded to “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over”

Officers from the Monterey Park Police Department’s DUI (Driving Under the Influence) Enforcement Team were deployed to stop and arrest alcohol and drug- impaired drivers in the department’s ongoing traffic safety campaign. DUI Saturation Patrols were deployed on Friday, February 21, 2014 between the hours of 7:00 p.m. and 3:00 a.m. in areas with high frequencies of DUI collisions and/or arrests.

“We are working to make our community safe from impaired drivers,” said Monterey Park Police Chief Jim Smith. “This is a ‘zero tolerance’ crackdown so ‘Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over!’”

In California, this deadly crime led to 774 deaths in 2011 because someone
failed to designate a sober driver. In Monterey Park over the past three years, DUI collisions have claimed one life and resulted in 33 injury crashes harming 44 of our friends and neighbors.

DUI can impact the economy in addition to the pain and suffering of those immediately affected. Conservatively, a fatality has a $1.4 million impact, an injury $70,000, and a crash that only damages property averages nearly $9,000.

“California’s roadways are very much safer today than they were just a few years ago,” said Chief Smith. “The Monterey Park Police Department will be keeping the pressure on through enforcement and public awareness so that we can continue saving lives and prevent injuries.”

Funding for this program is from a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Report drunk drivers, call 911!

Police Arrest Parolee for Possession of a Loaded Firearm and Violation of Post Release Community Supervision (AB 109)

On Wednesday February 19, 2014 at 3:40 pm officers from the Monterey Park Police Department arrested a convicted felon in possession a loaded firearm.

A police officer observed a vehicle driven by an adult female traveling in the area of Newmark and Alhambra Avenues fail to stop for a posted stop sign. The police officer began to follow the vehicle and conducted a traffic stop for the vehicle code violation. While the vehicle was attempting to pull over, the front passenger, later identified as Suspect Robert Miramon Jr., 25 years old of Fontana, CA tossed an object out of the vehicle through the front passenger window.

The driver pulled her vehicle over and an investigation was conducted. During the investigation, it was determined that the object thrown from the vehicle was a small caliber handgun, which was found underneath a nearby vehicle. Officers retrieved the loaded Iver Johnson .22 caliber handgun, which Miramon later admitted possessing and discarding when the vehicle in which he was riding was being followed by police.

During the investigation and subsequent arrest of Miramon, he was found to be wearing an ankle-monitoring bracelet, commonly placed on individuals on Post Release Community Supervision (AB 109). Miramon was arrested for felon in possession of a firearm and revocation of post-release community supervision. He is being housed in the Monterey Park Police Department jail with no bail and will be arraigned at Alhambra Superior Court on February 21, 2014.

The female driver of the vehicle was determined not to be involved in Miramon’s actions and was released on scene.

Police Arrest School Teacher For Sexual Abuse

On Friday February 28, 2014 detectives from the Monterey Park Police Department arrested an Alhambra School District 5th grade teacher for suspicion of lewd acts with a minor.

Yoshitake, Jeffrey, 42 years of age of Monterey Park was identified as having a sexual relationship with a former female student from the time the victim was 15 years old into adult hood. Yoshitake, was the victim’s former math teacher and what started as a teacher-student relationship evolved into an inappropriate sexual relationship lasting approximately 7 years.

Yoshitake has been charged with one felony count of lewd acts with a minor and is being held at the Monterey Park Police Department Jail on $100,000.00 bail.

Investigators believe that this is an isolated incident, however if you have additional information regarding this case please contact the Monterey Park Police Department Investigations Bureau at 626-307-1236.

Monterey Park Police Department Special Traffic Enforcement Campaign Targeting Traffic Safety

Police to increase enforcement aimed at dangerous, careless motorists & pedestrians impacting traffic

The Monterey Park Police Department conducted a special Traffic Safety Enforcement Operation on Wednesday, March 5, 2014. Extra officers were on duty patrolling areas where officers have responded to frequent collisions cracking down on driving and pedestrian violations that cause collisions, injuries and fatalities.

Motorist failing to yield to pedestrians and those walking into traffic are a serious safety concerns that puts everyone on the road at risk. In the most recent release of data – 2010, 578 have been killed and 11,429 seriously injured in California as a result of collisions that involved pedestrians. In Monterey Park officers have investigated 44 pedestrian involved fatal or injury collisions.

Drivers & pedestrians who break the law and place themselves and others in danger will be cited. Officers will focus efforts in areas with heavy pedestrian traffic especially at intersections, streets where speed related collision are high and they will pay particular attention towards distracted driving – those using hand held cell phones or texting.

Officers remind motorist to slow down and obey posted speed limits, signs and signals; stay alert and always give pedestrians the right-of-way. Those on foot should always use crosswalks, use sidewalks, walk facing traffic where there are no sidewalks, and never walk into traffic. If you are walking in crosswalks, always watch for motorist who may not see you – except the unexpected while crossing the street.

To avoid a distracted driving ticket or crash, Monterey Park PD offers drivers the following tips:

• Turn off your phone and/or put it out of reach while driving.
• Include in your outgoing message that you can’t answer while you are driving.
• Don’t call or text anyone at a time when you think they may be driving. 
Funding for this program is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.