Gerardo Cortez, 26, of Monrovia, pleads not guilty in threats to shoot students in area schools. He is charged with 6 counts of making false criminal threats and 5 counts of falsely reporting an emergency.
Gerardo Cortez arraignment postponed to October 4, 2013. He allegedly made a series of threats to several San Gabriel Valley locations. He has a history of making false bomb threats.
The arraignment of Gerardo Cortez, of Monrovia, has been postponed to October 25, 2013. He allegedly made a series of telephone threats to several San Gabriel Valley locations, including a shopping mall, a medical center, and several schools, including Arcadia High School. The caller said he had an AK-47 gun and threatened to shoot people. The joint police forces from Arcadia, Covina and Monrovia, the FBI, and the Los Angeles County Sheriffs had investigated.
Former Arcadia police officer Christian Blesch (photo), 36, was arrested for embezzlement of Arcadia Police Officers' Association funds. As of September 24, 2013, Blesch was terminated. Blesch allegedly charegd more than $50,000 for personal items on a police association's credit card. He pleaded not guilty to a felony count of grand theft by embezzlement.
On April 28, Arcadia Police Department hosts first in-person Coffee-with-a-Cop event since the onset of COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, at the Bowlero in the Westfield Santa Anita mall. Prior to the pandemic, coffee was held once every 3 months. Arcadia Police Chief Roy Nakamura, five lieutenants, several sergeants, and volunteer police attended, along with some city council members.
Former Arcadia police officer Christian Blesch, 36, was arrested and charged with grand theft. He allegedly embezzled funds from the Arcadia Police Officers' Association over a period of several months. As of September 24, 2013, Blesch was no longer employed by Arcadia Police Department.
Nurhan Venk, 47, suspect in the shooting of Arcadia police officer, charged with attempted murder for shooting the officer in the face. He faces another attempted murder charge for allegedly shooting his 73-year-old mother in the chest. Zoo Yang, an 83-year-old neighbor across the street was also struck by a stray bullet while he was watching his grandchild.
Arcadia City Council approved spending about $297,700 in state police funds for various purposes, including an upgrade to the police shooting range, located beneath the Council Chamber.
Arcadia's crime drops in 2019. Compared to 2018, there was a 28% drop in residential burglaries, a 17% decrease in robberies, and an 11% reduction in assaults.
Arcadia Fire Chief Kurt Norwood announces his retirement. He began his career in Arcadia in March, 1987 as a firefighter. His last day will be July 9. See also Mountain Views News, p. 6, June 18, 2016.
Arcadia is teaming with Monrovia, Azusa, Covina and West Covina to form the regional Foothill Air Support Team (FAST) which will give the city police helicopter support.
Man charged with kidnapping, beating ex-girlfriend in Arcadia. Robert Michael Mendez faces one count each of kidnapping and criminal threats and three counts of injuring a girlfriend or child's parent.
Arcadia Police Chief Dave Hinig outlined a strategic plan to improve the department over a five-year period, at a cost of $536,498. The proposals would involve adding 11 new salaried positions.
A new Arcadia Police Officer Sergio Machado is ready to protect and serve Arcadia. He had his ceremonial badge pinning last week after completing his 18-month probationary period.
Former Arcadia Police Department officer Christian Blesch gets 180 days in jail for pilfering more than $40,000 from the Arcadia Police Officers Association. He has paid back the amount stolen and resigned.
Seven firefighters were injured in Arcadia house fire on White Oak Drive. The Arcadia Fire Department (AFD) required assistance from Monrovia, Sierra Madre, El Monte, and Los Angeles County. Six from AFD were treated at Arcadia Methodist Hospital. The seventh firefighter, from Sierra Madre Fire Department, remained hospitalized in stable condition at St. Luke's Hospital in Pasadena. The house sustained extensive loss. Nearby residents wondered if the AFD needed so much help from outside fire departments because of recent cuts to the AFD.