News
Burglar Enters Unlocked Rear Door on Gardenhill; Weekly La Mirada Crime Report: January 14-January 20, 2013
The following is the crime report for La Mirada, California for January 14th-20th, 2013:
Aggravated Assault-An assault was reported on the 13200 block of Woodridge Ave. The suspect assaulted the victim with a shovel. The suspect was taken into custody by responding deputies.
Residential Burglary-Three attempted burglaries to residences were reported last week. An incident was reported on the 14400 block of Gardenhill Dr. Entry was attempted through an unlocked rear sliding door. An incident was reported on the 14500 block of Fairvilla Dr. Entry was attempted through the garage pedestrian door and window. An attempted burglary was reported on the 14300 block of Bluefield Ave.
Other Structure Burglary-A burglary to a business was reported on the 14200 block of Valley View Ave. Entry was made by shattering a glass door. A safe was stolen but recovered on scene. The incident remains under investigation.
Thieves Steal Golf Cart; Weekly La Mirada Crime Report: January 7-January 13, 2013
The following is the crime report for La Mirada, California 1/7/13-1/13/13
Residential Burglary-Five burglaries and one attempted burglary were reported last week. An incident was reported on the 14200 block of Whiterock Dr. Collectible magazines and toys were stolen. A burglary was reported on the 13600 block of Woodridge Ave. Home fixtures were taken from the location. A burglary occurred on the 15200 block of Vanada Rd. Cash and jewelry were taken from the home. Various items were stolen from a residence on the 12000 block of Kibbee Ave. Computer equipment, cash, and jewelry were taken from the home. A burglary was reported on the 15900 block of Dalmatian Ave. The suspects gained entry by breaking in through the rear door window. An attempted burglary was reported on the 13600 block of El Espejo Rd.
Vehicle Burglary-Six vehicle burglaries were reported last week. DMV paperwork and a temporary driver's license were stolen from a vehicle on the 15700 block of Hayford St. Various items were taken from a vehicle on the 14900 block of La Mirada Blvd. A burglary occurred to a vehicle on the 16100 block of Rosecrans Ave. Various tools were stolen from the vehicle. Two separate burglaries were reported on the 12800 block of Breezewood Dr. and the 12400 block of La Pomelo Rd. There was no loss reported in either incident. An incident was reported on the 11800 block of Holston Ave.
Grand Theft-Diesel fuel was reported stolen from work trucks on the 16600 block of Knott Ave. A wallet was reported stolen from a business on the 13900 block of Imperial Hwy. Truck tires were reported stolen from vehicles parked at a business on the 17100 block of Valley View Ave. A purse was reported stolen from a restaurant on the 14200 block of Firestone Blvd
Grand Theft Vehicle A golf cart was reported stolen from the 15500 block of Alicante Rd. A vehicle previously reported stolen from La Mirada was recovered on the 15400 block of Loretta Dr.
BREAKING: âInappropriate Affairâ Leads to La Mirada Public Works Director Steve Forster Removal from City Hall
La Mirada~La Mirada Public Works Director Steve Forster was escorted out of city hall on Wednesday afternoon after he allegedly engaged in an inappropriate affair with a fellow married female staff employee, Hews Media Group has learned.
Forster was physically removed from La Mirada City Hall at approximately 12:15 p.m. on Wednesday, sources tell the La Mirada Lamplighter and Los Cerritos Community Newspaper.
Those same sources, who did not want to have their name revealed for fear of retaliation, is an employee with the City of La Mirada.
She said that Forster had engaged in a “long time affair” with a married female employee who works at the La Mirada Public Safety Department. The female involved in the alleged affair is also married to a male employee who directly reported to Forrester.
“He packed up his office and was escorted out of the building. He carried out boxes of his personal belongings and placed them in the back of his car,” the source said.
The Lamplighter was also told that the husband of the female employee involved in the affair confronted Forster about their relationship earlier this week.
“Steve Forster created a hostile work environment for years, and he finally got caught,” the source said.
Last week, La Mirada City Hall was reeling when Mayor Gabe Garcia was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence after he was involved in a car accident. Garcia was released on a $5,000.00 bail and will be reporting to court next month.
La Mirada Mayor Gabe Garcia Arrested for Reported DUI
Mayor crashes vehicle into parked car on Tacuba Drive
La Mirada~Hews Media Group is reporting that La Mirada Mayor Gabe Garcia was arrested last night, reportedly on suspicion of driving under the influence.
According to the La Mirada Lamplighter and the Los Cerritos Community Newspaper, Garcia struck a parked vehicle while driving his car along the 14700 block of Tacuba Drive near Biola Avenue around 10:30 last night, said Captain Pat Maxwell of the Norwalk Sheriff's Station.
La Mirada Lieutenant Pat Valdez told the La Mirada Blog that the Mayor received no special treatment and was booked by standard protocol, "The fact that he is a city councilman absolutely had no affect on how he was treated. He was treated no differently than anyone else."
Valdez said Garcia was held for eight hours was then released around 5:30 this morning, and was issued a citation for drunk driving.
Garcia more than likely will face a court appearance in the future, but we have no information on the court date at this time.
There were no other persons or moving vehicles involved.
The Mayor is seeking re-election for a second term as a La Mirada City Councilman on March 5th.
We will provide additional information as it becomes available.
EXCLUSIVE: Standard Protocol for Career Politicians; Wendy Greuelâs Official Calendar Shows Years of Campaigning for LA Mayor on Taxpayerâs Dollar
(Copyright Los Cerritos Community Newspaper, La Mirada Lamplighter, La Mirada Blog. All Rights Reserved. Republishing Granted With Proper Attribution)
Cerritos~A six month investigation by Los Cerritos Community Newspaper (LCCN) into the official activities of Los Angeles City Controller Wendy Greuel has shown that, in possible violation of the Los Angeles Governmental Ethics Commission Ordinance, she has spent an overwhelming majority of her official schedule for the past three years attending lavish dinners, lunches, breakfasts, and social events in an effort to advance her 2013 mayoral campaign.
Greuel is in a heated four-way campaign for Mayor of Los Angeles in the upcoming March 5th Primary Election against fellow city councilmembers Eric Garcetti, Jan Perry, and former Federal Prosecutor Kevin James.
LCCN released more than 640 pages of Greuel’s “official city appointment calendar” that was obtained through the Freedom of Information Act. Those FOIA requests went unanswered for more than five months by Greuel and her office.
“We had received tips from inside her office that Gruel was campaigning on county time, so LCCN requested copies of her 2009-2012 daily calendar,” Hews said. “LCCN was able to conquer a bureaucratic maze created by the Controller’s Office that included being told more than 15 times that our request was being “gathered” by personnel in her office.”
“The process to obtain the records was extremely arduous and involved. As a public official, whose calendar is open to the public, I expected this process to be simple, and for city staff to be helpful rather than adversarial toward releasing information about a public employee, especially to a community newspaper,” Hews said. “This treatment certainly raised some red flags.”
According to the California Public Records Act (PRA) [GOVT. CODE 6250 - 6276.48] the responding agency of the government must fulfill the request for public records within approximately 24 days. Further extensions can be requested but should not go longer than three months.
“But in this case it took the Controller’s office six months and several phone calls to provide LCCN with Greuel’s calendar. That being said, whether or not the controller’s office is in compliance with the California Public Records Act is definitely a big question,” Hews said.
Vehicle Burglaries Lead LM Crimes; La Mirada Weekly Crime Report 12/10/12-12/16/12
CRIME REPORT
Aggravated Assault -A fight was reported near Duffield Ave. and Ratliffe St. A male at the location was assaulted by two unknown males.
Vehicle Burglary-Six vehicle burglaries were reported last week. A window smash burglary to a semi-truck was reported on the 16800 block of Trojan Way. It is unknown if items were taken. Cash and school supplies were reported stolen from a vehicle on the 13700 block of Biola Ave. Two window smash burglaries were reported on the 14300 block of Firestone Blvd. A laptop and other items were stolen from one vehicle. A leather bag stolen from another vehicle was recovered nearby. A burglary was reported on the 16100 block of Rosecrans Ave. Identification and miscellaneous clothing were stolen from the vehicle. A burglary also occurred on the 15500 block of La Mirada Blvd.
Other Structure Burglary-A burglary to a business occurred on the 15700 block of Imperial Hwy. Cartons of cigarettes and electronics were stolen.
Grand Theft -Steel shelving was reported stolen from a business on the 14700 block of Artesia Blvd. A grand theft was reported on the 14200 block of Firestone Blvd. The incident is currently under investigation.
Grand Theft Vehicle-A utility trailer was reported stolen from a business on the 14700 block of Artesia Blvd.
La Mirada Blog Calms Community as News Agencies Trip Over Themselves
La Mirada Blog First to Report Situation at La Mirada High; Uses Social Media to Reassure Parents
La Mirada~Los Angeles County Sheriff's deputies help secure La Mirada High School Friday morning after an unspecified threat was made against the school according to the Norwalk Sheriff's Station.
Captain Pat Maxwell said they were dealing with unsubstantiated rumors only, "At this point of the investigation, there is no specific information that the threat is credible, or to identify the source or wording of the alleged threat. It appears to be spoken concerns only," he said in a press release issued by the Sheriff's Department about 8:20 a.m. Friday morning, about ten minutes after the first La Mirada Blog followers were already tweeting us letting us know that there was some kind of police activity at the school.
At 8:10 a.m. follower @MaryRandall8 tweeted, "Anyone know what is going on at La Mirada High? LOTS of police activity." Eight minutes later and two minutes before the sheriff press release follower @MimsyYamaguchi reported, "My son said there were threats at La Mirada High, so there's an increased sheriff presence on campus and the park,"
Yesterday was the last day of school for students before beginning winter break and sheriff's deputies continue to work closely with school officials to ensure the safety of the students on the heels of the events in Connecticut last week, and to help deal with the ramifications of the tragedy that has affected many schools across the nation.
Deputies on the La Mirada campus yesterday encouraged students to ask questions and/or comment on what was, or is, on their mind in regards to school safety.
Officials from schools continue to grapple with numerous threats and the copycat syndrome that seems to follow in such tragedies. Earlier in the day deputies entered the Diamond Ranch High School campus in Pomona after two telephone threats that morning against the school. A similar security alert also occurred at South Pasadena High earlier in the day.
Shortly after the sheriff press release, at 8:37 a.m., the La Mirada Blog informed its readers of the situation by linking to the sheriff press release on its Twitter feed. With over 1000 followers in the La Mirada area, the service allows for messages to get out into the community almost immediately.
Within that same hour hour we already had parents tweeting us, on-scene at the school, letting us know that everything was under control, messages we were able to relay to followers. At 9:20 a.m. LM Blog fan @Crab_Apel tweeted "only a few police units out front. Things seem to be normal at the school. Nothing serious." Again, a message we were able to get out into the community almost immediately.
La Mirada student @LeviFrafjord tweeted, "every where I looked I saw a cop."
Throughout the day, news stations continued to blast the "breaking story" of the "police presence" at La Mirada High, giving the impression something was wrong, even though most in the La Mirada community already knew there was no story, as early as 9:30 a.m. they knew, thanks to our Twitter feed.
La Mirada Blog fan @ipadsforautism tweeted, "Numerous High Schools in the area had similar events this week, everyone is understandably jumpy given recent events."
Even into the early evening the news stations led with the "big story" at La Mirada High, but most parents in La Mirada already knew, since early in the morning, there was no story.
La Mirada City Manager Announces Retirement
La Mirada~Although already expected, La Mirada City Manager Tom Robinson recently announced his plans to retire.
Robinson came to La Mirada in 1985 and worked his way up to Community Services Director.
He became City Manager in 2008 when he replaced Andrea Travis, who resigned, when she clearly wore out her welcome, and was about to be fired.
“When I was selected as City Manager in 2008, the City Council requested that I commit to serving four years in the position,” Robinson said in a prepared statement, “That commitment has been fulfilled.”
Discussions will begin at the December 11th City Council meeting about hiring Robinson, 62, on a part-time basis until a replacement can be found.
“I have enjoyed my years in La Mirada, and appreciate the opportunity to serve as City Manager in such an outstanding community,” wrote Robinson. “Any achievements I have made would not have been possible without the support of past and present members of the City Council, our dedicated City staff, and the community.”
“After 40 years in local government management, it is time to prepare for life’s next chapter,” he said. “As I turn the page, however, be assured that I will continue to perform my responsibilities as City Manager with the same commitment as always.”
Sources indicate to us the City will use Robinson in the recruitment process, with pay.
His lifetime annual pension will be $189,227 when he retires.
La Mirada Weekly Crime Report; Eight Car Burglaries Plague LM, Ocaso Ave Hit With Grand Theft
The following is the weekly crime report for La Mirada provided by the city for the week of November 26-December 4, 2013:
Aggravated Assault-An assault occurred on the 15100 block of Las Flores Ave. The victim was attacked with an unknown object by two suspects. The incident is currently under investigation.
Residential Burglary-Three residential burglaries were reported last week. A burglary was reported on the 16500 block of Summershade Dr. There was no loss reported in the incident. An incident was reported on the 13700 block of Capistrano Rd. Cash and jewelry were stolen from the home. A burglary occurred on the 13900 block of Plume Dr. A safe containing cash and a firearm was taken.
Vehicle Burglary-Eight vehicle burglaries were reported last week. An incident occurred on the 16700 block of Valley View Ave. The vehicle's stereo and stereo accessories were stolen. Bags containing various paperwork and other items were stolen from a vehicle on the 16000 block of Canary Ave. One of the stolen bags was recovered. Four vehicle burglaries were reported on the 16800 block of Trojan Way-all related to each other. A suspect was taken into custody in connection with one of the incidents. The incidents are currently under investigation. A window smash burglary was reported on the 15200 block of Santa Gertrudes Ave. A wallet and other various items were stolen from the vehicle. A burglary to a toy hauler trailer occurred on the 15200 block of Valeda Dr. Various items from the trailer were removed, however they were later recovered.
Grand Theft- Grand theft was reported on the 15600 block of Ocaso Ave. Cash and jewelry were stolen from inside of a residence. A back flow device was reported stolen from the 13700 block of Hillsborough Dr.
Grand Theft Vehicle-A vehicle was reported stolen from the 16200 block of Phoebe Ave. The vehicle was recovered later the same evening on the 16800 block of Trojan Way. A vehicle reported stolen from the city of Fullerton was recovered near Mart Dr and Mercado Ave.
To receive this report directly to your inbox, sign up at cityoflamirada.org
Three Take Out Papers to Run For La Mirada City Council
La Mirada~Earlier this week, on Monday and Tuesday, three potential candidates pulled papers at city hall with the intention to run for City Council.
The three include incumbent Pauline Deal, 53, who was appointed last year in July to replace Susan Tripp, who resigned to pursue personal interests.
Deal was a member of the Norwalk-La Mirada School Board of Trustees from 1998-2011, leaving to take the council position.
The other two who took out papers are Randy Gray, 52, and Connie Balloue, 58.
There are two terms ending and up for grabs, one is Deals' and the other belonging to current La Mirada Mayor Gabe Garcia who has not pulled yet, but sources indicate he will seek another term.
The last to day to file for the March 5th election is December 10th, or December 12th if no incumbent files, which hardly seems the case.
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