Monrovia Police Report: 8 Catalytic Converter Thefts in One Week and What Owners Can Learn
Property managers can use police crime reports to plan security by looking for repeat patterns by type, block and time of day, then matching each pattern to one specific fix. Monrovia's police report for October 29 to November 4, 2026 is a good example: it logged eight catalytic converter thefts, several vehicle break-ins and a trespass arrest, and each of those points to a different, practical step owners can take.
Key takeaways
Monrovia police logged 503 calls for service, 72 investigations and 24 arrests in one week, according to the department's Neighborhood Watch Report published by Monrovia Now on November 5, 2026.
Eight catalytic converter thefts made up the largest single pattern in that week's report, including one theft in progress on Monrovista Avenue.
Vehicle break-ins happened in store parking areas in daylight, not only overnight.
A weekly crime log is most useful when you track it for several weeks and look for repeats near your property.
Turn each pattern into one action: lighting, parking rules, patrol timing, trespass paperwork or camera placement.
What did Monrovia police report for October 29 to November 4, 2026?
Monrovia's weekly Neighborhood Watch Report, republished by Monrovia Now on November 5, 2026, listed 503 calls for service, 72 investigations, 10 traffic collisions and 24 arrests. The most common property crime that week was catalytic converter theft, with eight reported thefts from vehicles across several residential and commercial blocks.
Other entries that matter to property owners included:
A vehicle window smashed in the 700 block of West Huntington Drive while the owner was inside a store, and a backpack taken from an unlocked car on the same block.
A shattered vehicle window and stolen property in the 900 block of South Fifth Avenue.
A residential burglary in the 200 block of North Magnolia Avenue and property stolen from a garage in the 100 block of West Pomona Avenue.
Juveniles reported spray-painting a wall in the 300 block of South Myrtle Avenue.
A man arrested for trespassing in the 700 block of West Chestnut Avenue after officers learned he had already been trespassed from that location.
A catalytic converter theft in progress in the 400 block of Monrovista Avenue. A suspect vehicle sped away, a short pursuit was ended, and the vehicle was later recovered.
Most of these cases were listed as continuing investigations. We are not adding any detail beyond what the report states.
How can property managers use police crime reports to plan security?
Property managers can use police crime reports by reading them every week, noting incidents within a few blocks of each site, and sorting them by type and time of day. After three or four weeks, repeat patterns appear. Each repeat pattern should lead to one specific change, such as better lighting, a parking rule or a different patrol time.
A single week is a snapshot, not a trend. The value comes from consistency. Many cities in the San Gabriel Valley publish weekly logs or share them through local news sites, and Monrovia's report is one of the more detailed ones.
How do you turn a weekly crime log into a security plan?
You turn a crime log into a plan by following the same steps every week: collect, map, compare, act and review. The goal is not to react to every entry. The goal is to spot what keeps happening near your property and fix the weak point that pattern exploits.
Collect. Save each weekly report in one folder or spreadsheet.
Map. Mark incidents within a few blocks of each property you manage.
Compare. Note the type of crime, the time and whether it hit homes, cars, garages or businesses.
Act. Pick one fix per pattern and assign an owner and a date.
Review. After a month, check whether incidents near your site went down, stayed flat or moved.
Share the summary with your security provider so patrol checks focus on the right areas at the right hours. Our guide to what a security patrol report should include explains how to get matching data back from your guards.
Why do catalytic converter thefts matter to property owners?
Catalytic converter thefts matter to property owners because they happen where cars sit still: apartment carports, office lots, dealership rows and street parking next to your buildings. Repeated thefts frustrate residents and tenants, create insurance claims and signal that a lot is easy to work in without being noticed.
California passed two laws in 2022, SB 1087 and AB 1740, that tightened who can sell used catalytic converters to recyclers and what records recyclers must keep. Those laws target the resale market. On your own property, prevention still comes down to visibility, lighting and making a lot feel watched.
Which security steps match the patterns in this report?
The right security step depends on the pattern. Converter thefts call for lighting and visible patrol in parking areas. Daytime car break-ins call for signage and attentive staff. Trespass and graffiti call for clear paperwork and fast cleanup. Use the table below as a starting point for matching each pattern to a practical response.
| Pattern in the report | Where it happened | Practical response | |---|---|---| | Catalytic converter theft | Residential and commercial streets | Bright, even lot lighting; cameras aimed at parking rows; randomized patrol checks | | Car break-ins in store lots | West Huntington Drive area | Signage reminding drivers to lock up and hide bags; staff who watch the lot | | Garage and home theft | Residential blocks | Locked side gates and garages; motion lighting; resident reminders | | Graffiti | Commercial wall on Myrtle Avenue | Quick removal; lighting; patrol checks at the hours tags appear | | Repeat trespass | West Chestnut Avenue | Written trespass authorization on file with police; consistent enforcement |
For more parking-specific steps, see our parking lot security checklist.
What should property owners and managers do?
Property owners and managers in Monrovia should start reading the weekly police report, mark incidents near each site, and fix the weak point the most common pattern exploits. For most sites this month, that means parking area lighting, locked gates and patrol checks timed to when thefts are being reported.
Practical next steps:
Walk your parking areas after dark and note any dark rows or broken fixtures.
Ask tenants and residents to report suspicious activity to police right away.
Keep a trespass authorization letter on file if your property allows police to act on your behalf.
Ask your security provider for patrol checks focused on parking areas and back lots. Overnight patrols are available in many areas; contact us to confirm for your address.
Review results monthly and adjust.
SGV Patrol provides vehicle patrol and standing guard coverage for apartments, offices and retail centers. See our page on security services in Monrovia for local coverage.
Frequently asked questions
Where can I find Monrovia's weekly police report?
Monrovia Now republishes the Monrovia Police Department's weekly Neighborhood Watch Report, and the City of Monrovia posts weekly reports on its police department web pages.
How many catalytic converter thefts did Monrovia report that week?
The report for October 29 to November 4, 2026 listed eight catalytic converter thefts, including one theft in progress on Monrovista Avenue.
Can a security guard stop a catalytic converter theft?
A guard's main value is deterrence and fast reporting. Guards observe, call police and document what they see. They should follow post orders and California law rather than chase suspects.
Do I need a guard or just better lighting?
Start with lighting, locked gates and cameras. If thefts continue, add patrol checks or a standing guard at the hours the pattern shows.
How often should I review crime reports for my property?
Weekly is ideal. Review trends monthly with your security provider and adjust patrol timing.
About the author
Samantha Stephens leads SGV Patrol, a security company serving the San Gabriel Valley since 2012. SGV Patrol is Licensed, BSIS PPO #17353. You can verify our license on the California DCA license search.
Protect your Monrovia parking areas
Seeing thefts or break-ins near your property? Call SGV Patrol at (626) 727-1592 for a security assessment of your parking areas and patrol needs. Calls are answered 24/7.
Sources: Monrovia Police Department Neighborhood Watch Report, October 29 to November 4, 2026, as published by Monrovia Now on November 5, 2026; California SB 1087 and AB 1740 (2022).
Cover photo: "MonroviaCalifornia-SanGabrielMtnView1" by formulanone, via Wikimedia Commons, licensed CC BY-SA 2.0.
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