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ARCADIA -- An intense fire Thursday destroyed a vacant Arcadia home that was in the process of being sold, authorities said.
The fire was first reported about 6:25 p.m. in the 1300 block of South First Avenue, Arcadia Fire Department spokeswoman Beth Stogner said in a written statement.
Both Arcadia and Monrovia firefighters responded to the blaze, which had already engulfed the home when they arrived, Stogner said.
"The structure was dangerously unstable due to a heavy interior fire load," she said. "Taking a defensive stance, firefighters extinguished the fire utilizing exterior tactics."
The fire did not spread to nearby structures, including the nearby Richard Henry Dana Middle School gym, officials said.
The cause of the fire, which caused an estimated $300,000 worth of damage, remained under investigation, Stogner said.
The home was vacant and was in the escrow process when the fire occurred, she said.
PHOTOS courtesy of the Arcadia Fire Department
ARCADIA -- Authorities have announced several temporary road closures Monday to accommodate services for a longtime Arcadia Fire Department firefighter who died earlier this week after a battle with cancer.
Capt. Andy Troncale succumbed to cancer Jan. 23 at the age of 52. He retired in 2009 after 30 years of service to the department.
A funeral is to take place 10 a.m. Monday at the Holy Angels Catholic Church, 370 Campus Drive, with internment to follow immediately after at Rose Hills Memorial Park, 3888 Workman Mill Road in Whittier, according to city officials.
Due to a large anticipated attendance, which is expected to include firefighting apparatus, and the procession, the the following street closures have been announced.
*Campus Drive: Closed for traffic and parking from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. from Holly Avenue to El Monte Avenue. Limited access will be provided to Campus Drive from Santa Anita and El Monte avenues until 8:30 a.m. Monday morning to accommodate Arcadia High School traffic. AHS students may park on Campus Drive, east of el Monte Avenue, if arriving before 8:30 a.m.
*Campus Drive: Closed to traffic from 8:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. between Holly and Santa Anita avenues. Arcadia High School can be reached via Duarte road during the closure.
*Santa Anita Avenue: Closed to traffic from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. between Duarte Road and Fano street.
*Baldwin Avenue: Northbound traffic shut down from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. between Huntington Drive and the 210 Freeway.
*Huntington Drive: Eastbound traffic shut down from 8:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. between Campus Drive and southbound Holly Avenue.
*Huntington Drive: Westbound left turn lanes at Holly Avenue closed from 8:00 am to 12:30 p.m.
*Huntington Drive: Eastbound left turn lanes at Baldwin Avenue, Gate 1 and La Cadena Avenue closed from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
*Holly Avenue: Northbound traffic shut down from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. between Fairview Avenue and Huntington Drive.
*Park Avenue: Closed to traffic from 8:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Campus Drive.
Traffic is expected to be "extremely congested" during the listed time periods, Arcadia police Lt. Tom LeVeque said.
"Use alternate routes or avoid the area during this time, if at all possible," he said, "If dropping off a student at AHS, we suggest arriving at least 15 minutes early on Monday. Consider dropping off your student outside the listed closures and allowing them to walk. The closures should not impact pick-up from AHS at the end of the school day."
Access to the Westfield Santa Anita shopping mall will also be limited during the funeral procession.
Suggested alternate routes around the area include Foothill Boulevard or Duarte Road for eastbound or westbound travel, and Rosemead Boulevard or Second Avenue for northbound or southbound commuters.
For more information, contact the Arcadia Fire Department at 626-574-5112, or 626-574-5102.
Andy Michael Troncale
4/8/1959 - 1/23/2012
"I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith."
Wonderful husband, father, son and friend, Andy Michael Troncale lost his valiant battle with cancer on January 23, 2012 at the age of 52.
Born to parents Steve and Evelyn Troncale and raised in Covina, CA, Andy graduated from Covina High School in 1977 and attended Mount San Antonio College in Walnut, CA, where he studied fire science. Andy later earned his Bachelor Degree from Cal State Long Beach.
Andy developed an interest in the fire service early in life and began his career as an explorer with Los Angeles County Fire Department at the age of 16. He worked for the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection for a brief time before being hired by the Arcadia Fire Department in 1979. Andy received several awards during his career, including the City
of Arcadia Exceptional Service Award and Arcadia Fire Department Firefighter of the Year.
As a senior Captain, he embodied the finest qualities of a true firefighter. Andy served the citizens of Arcadia with honor and distinction for nearly 30 years, retiring from the Arcadia Fire Department in 2009 after being diagnosed with advanced stage colon cancer.
Andy's smile and sense of humor endeared him quickly to all who crossed his path. His greatest love was his family. He married the love of his life, Debbie (Clark) in 1986 and had three sons, Clark, Chad and Clint. He also loved animals, especially his dogs Cocoa and Gigi.
Andy's interests included model trains, fishing, baseball, football, hockey, weightlifting and bicycle riding. Andy enjoyed cooking Italian food using family recipes and was a barbeque expert.
Andy is predeceased by his mother, Evelyn, and his brother, Steven. He is survived by his wife of 25 years, Debbie, and their three sons, Clark (22), Chad (20), and Clint (17), his father, Steve, sister, Paula, in-laws Robert and Diane Clark, brothers-in law, nieces and nephews.
A viewing will be held on Sunday, January 29, 2012 from 4:00 - 7:00 (Rosary at 5:00 pm) at Douglass & Zook Chapel of Remembrance Funeral Home, 600 E Foothill Blvd, Monrovia, CA 91016.
Funeral services are scheduled for Monday, January 30, 2012, at 10:00 am at Holy Angels Catholic Church, 370 Campus Drive, Arcadia, CA. Interment will follow at Rose Hills Memorial Park, 3888 Workman Mill Road, Whittier, CA.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Cancer Society or to the Andy Troncale Benevolent Fund by mail through the Los Angeles Firemen's Credit Union, 815 W Colorado Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90041 or online at www.firefamilyfoundation.org.
- Courtesy of the Arcadia Fire Department
ARCADIA -- Police are planning to hold several sobriety checkpoint Saturday, officials said.
The checkpoints will take place "at multiple locations within the city, during the evening hours," Arcadia police Lt. Tom LeVeque said in a written statement.
"We would like to remind everyone of the dangers associated with drinking and driving and encourage the use of designated drivers," he said.
Anyone who spots an impaired driver on the road is encouraged to report it by calling 9-1-1.
<USDEFAULT>ARCADIA -- A Lynwood man accused of shooting two Good Samaritans during a botched robbery, including one who stabbed him in the neck, was arrested Monday after arriving at the Methodist Hospital in Arcadia seeking treatment, officials said.
Alleged gunman Kyle Henderson, 30, of Lynwood, is being detained at the hospital in connection with the shooting and failed robbery and being held at the hospital, according to sheriff's officials and county booking records.
Terrance Fair, 47, of Lynwood was also arrested on suspicion of driving the getaway van that dropped Henderson at the hospital, as well as Ischa Criner, 42, of Lynwood, on suspicion of taking part in the attempted robbery, sheriff's Sgt. Pauline Panis said in a written statement.
The incident began shortly before 6 p.m. Sunday when Henderson entered a meat market in the 11800 block of Atlantic Avenue in Lynwood but was confronted by two good Samaritans -- one armed with a kitchen knife, Lt. Dave Dolson said.
The witness with the knife stabbed Henderson in the neck before Henderson shot both of them and fled in a white van, investigators said.
One of them men was no expected to survive his wounds, officials said. The other suffered a gunshot wound to the hand that was not believed to be life-threatening.
Detectives arrested Henderson Tuesday morning after tracking him down at the Arcadia hospital, Panis said. The investigation then quickly led to the arrests of Fair and Criner.
Henderson and Fair, who were already on parole, were being held without bail, according to county booking records. Criner was being held in lieu of $1 million bail.
All three were due for arraignment Wednesday in Compton Superior Court.
ARCADIA -- Police arrested a man on suspicion of driving with a blood-alcohol level at twice the legal limit after he crashed and sheared of a fire hydrant at the Westfield Santa Anita shopping mall early Friday, authorities said.
Michael Frye, 25, of Ontario was booked on suspicion of drunken driving in connection with the 1 a.m. crash in a parking lot at the south end of the mall, Arcadia police Lt. Roy Nakamura said.
Officers responded to reports of a car shearing off a hydrant and found the driver, later identified as Frye, appeared to be drunk, the lieutenant said.
A breath analysis indicated Frye's blood-alcohol level was at .16 -- twice the legal limit of .08, police said.
ARCADIA -- Three fleeing armed robbery suspects briefly forced the closure of the 210 Freeway Saturday, officials said.
Authorities chased the robbers from San Bernardino County before the chase came to an end on the freeway at Baldwin Avenue, Arcadia police Lt. Bob Anderson said.
Two of the three suspects were in custody as police from several area agencies continued hunting for the third late Friday, the lieutenant said.
The manhunt closed the 210 Freeway in both directions from about 9:55 p.m. to 10:15 p.m., California Highway Patrol Officer Patrick Kimball said.
The Baldwin Avenue onramps and offramps remained closed through 11 p.m. as San Bernardino sheriff's deputies and local police searched for the outstanding robbery suspect, he added.
The incident began just after 8 p.m. in Rancho Cucamonga with an armed robbery at a Walgreens pharmacy on Carnelian Avenue, San Bernardino County sheriff's spokeswoman Cindy Bachman said.
"Two black males robbed a clerk at the store," she said. They fled the scene in a vehicle, but a witness was able to provide a description.
"The CHP observed a vehicle on the 210 (that matched)," Bachman said. The car failed to pull over for the officer and began a chase westbound on the freeway.
The suspects exited the freeway at Baldwin Avenue and continued to flee on foot, Anderson said.
Two of the three were quickly apprehended, but the third eluded immediate capture, he said.
All freeway lanes and offramps were open late Saturday night as officials continued hunting the third suspect.
Mike Dancer, 57, of Arcadia, who was previously reported missing, returned home Saturday afternoon, police said.
ARCADIA -- Police asked the public's help Saturday in finding a man who walked away from a retirement home.
Mike Dancer, also known as Mike Harwell, 57, was last seen about 5 p.m. Friday at the Arcadia Royale, 607 W. Duarte Road, Arcadia police officials said in a written statement.
He is legally blind and suffers from seizures, anxiety, depression and possibly other health problems and requires medication several times a day, police said.
Officials described Dancer as white, about 5 feet 11 inches tall, 150 pounds, with white hair, blue eyes and a tattoo of a star on the side of his head.
Anyone with information is asked to call Arcadia police or 9-1-1.
PHOTO of Mike Dancer courtesy of the Arcadia Police Department
ARCADIA -- An Arcadia man was arrested early Friday on suspicion of using a cell phone to record a portion of "The Devil Inside" at an opening night showing at the AMC Santa Anita 16 movie theater.
Michael Johnson, 29, was booked on suspicion of operating a recording device inside a movie theater -- a misdemeanor -- and released less than an hour later after posting $2,500 bail, according to Arcadia police officials and county booking records.
Employees called police about 1:30 a.m. to report a man had recorded a portion of the horror movie at the theater, 400 S. Baldwin Ave., Arcadia police Lt. Roy Nakamura said.
He was found to have about three minutes of the film recorded on his cell phone, the lieutenant said.
"He said he was taking the footage for his wife who was home sick," Nakamura added.
But regardless of the reason, "It is against the law," he said.
ALHAMBRA -- An Alhambra man is due in court next week in his second murder trial in connection with the death of his girlfriend more than four years ago.
A jury in December was unable to reach a verdict in the trial of Isaac Campbell, 36, who is charged with the Aug. 12, 2007 slaying of Liya "Jessie" Lu, 31, of San Gabriel.
The jury hung 10-2, with 10 in favor of convicting Campbell, Deputy District Attorney Steve Ipson said.
A pre-trial hearing for his second trial has been set for Jan. 12 in Alhambra Superior Court, the prosecutor said.
"I would hope that we could get it to trial within a month after (that hearing)," he said.
Campbell is accused of killing Lu in his apartment before hiding her body in a trash can which he left at a friend's home in Arcadia.
The defense argued during the previous trial that Campbell discovered Lu's body and handled the situation badly, but he did not kill her.
Defense attorney James Duffy could not be reached for comment Thursday.
One obstacle for the prosecution is the fact that coroner's investigators were unable to determine an officials cause of death for Lu, Ipson said, but the case against Campbell remains strong.
"Jurors naturally expect to hear the coroner testify to cause of death, but I think we can overcome that," Ipson said.
Campbell was arrested in Minnesota following the discovery of Lu's body about a month after she was reported missing.
Quick stat: According to information from the Arcadia Police Department, officers fielded 48,253 calls for service in 2011, resulting in 6,383 formal investigations.
ARCADIA -- Officials charged one man with murder and released a second man without charges Thursday in connection with a fatal stabbing behind an Arcadia strip mall, authorities said.
Juan L. Lorenzo, 31, of San Gabriel was charged with one count of murder and one count of assault with a deadly weapon in connection with the fatal stabbing of Anthony Berry, 18, of Pomona, in the 1300 block of South Golden West Avenue, Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office spokeswoman Jane Robison said.
A second man, 26-year-old Jose Cruz Ramirez of San Gabriel, was initially arrested in connection with the stabbing.
"We declined to file (on Ramirez) because of insufficient evidence," Robison said.
Lorenzo and Ramirez, employees of the Money Pot Shabu Shabu restaurant, became involved in an argument with Berry as the teen was waiting for a friend who worked at a different restaurant in the strip mall, Arcadia police Lt. Tom Leveque said.
The argument led to a stabbing, and Berry was pronounced dead at an area hospital from his wound, police said.
Witnesses directed police to Lorenzo and Ramirez, who were initially detained as "persons of interest" before being arrested on suspicion of the slaying.
According to county booking records, Ramirez was released from custody Thursday afternoon.
Lorenzo was being held without bail due to an immigration hold, police said.
Lorenzo was due to be arraigned Thursday in Pasadena Superior Court.
ARCADIA -- A man robbed a woman of her laptop computer Wednesday as she loaded bags into her car in the parking lot of an Arcadia mall, police said.
The woman was loading shopping bags into the trunk of her car about 9:30 p.m. at the Westfield Santa Anita Mall, 400 S. Baldwin Avenue, when she was approached from behind by a robber, Arcadia police Lt. Tom Leveque said in a written statement.
"The male forcibly grabbed a computer bag from the victim's shoulder, pulling the bag and contents from the victim. The victim yelled for help as the suspect ran off to an awaiting vehicle," the sergeant said.
Witnesses described the car as a tan, mid- to late-1990s model Acura Integra, with tinted rear windows and a partial California license plate number of "6NLG," according to police.
The robber was described only as a Latino man between 20 and 25 years old, wearing a dark hooded sweat shirt.
Anyone with information is asked to call Arcadia police at 626-574-5150, or tips can be left anonymously by calling L.A. Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477.
CONTRIBUTORS
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| Frank Girardot, Metro Editor for the San Gabriel Valley Newspapers, brings you behind the yellow tape with takes on true crime, cold cases and more. This is also your forum to discuss crime, its impact on your neighborhood and how we cover it. Have any questions or tips? You can leave a comment here or e-mail Frank. |
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Brian Day is the crime reporter for the San Gabriel Valley Newspaper group. E-mail Brian. |
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