Monrovia Store Thefts in October: Retail Security Lessons for Owners
Updated: 3 days ago
Monrovia police logged at least nine store theft and shoplifting reports in the first three weeks of October 2026, most of them along Huntington Drive and South Mountain Avenue. For retail owners and shopping center managers, the takeaway is that a visible, trained security presence and clear store policies can deter many thefts before they start.
Key takeaways
Monrovia Police Neighborhood Watch Reports for October 1 to 21, 2026, published by Monrovia Now, list at least nine store theft or shoplifting reports.
Several suspects were arrested, including a pair found in Fontana on October 20 after leaving a South Mountain Avenue store without paying.
One October 5 arrest started with a report from a store's loss prevention officer.
Visible security officers at entrances deter casual theft, while loss prevention staff focus on catching and documenting theft.
Store owners should set "observe and report" or detention policies in writing and follow California law.
What store thefts did Monrovia police report in October 2026?
Monrovia Now publishes summaries of the Monrovia Police Department's weekly Neighborhood Watch Report. The reports covering October 1 to 7, October 8 to 14 and October 15 to 21, 2026, list at least nine store theft or shoplifting reports, mostly in the 400 to 700 blocks of Huntington Drive and the 1600 block of South Mountain Avenue.
Highlights from those reports:
October 1 and October 3: Employees at a business in the 700 block of E. Huntington reported shoplifting. In both cases, officers found the suspects outside the store and arrested them.
October 5: A loss prevention officer at a business in the 500 block of W. Huntington reported a man concealing merchandise. Officers caught him as he left, recovered the property and arrested him.
October 13: A woman concealed merchandise at a store in the 400 block of W. Huntington and drove off. Officers found her during a traffic stop and arrested her.
October 15: An alarm led officers to a business in the 600 block of W. Huntington, where they found a broken window and missing property.
October 19 and 20: Thefts were reported at stores in the 500 block of W. Huntington and the 1600 block of S. Mountain. On October 20, a man and a woman who took merchandise from a South Mountain store were later located and arrested in Fontana.
The same reports also list catalytic converter thefts and vehicle break-ins, which we covered in our post on Monrovia catalytic converter thefts.
Does a security guard reduce shoplifting?
A uniformed security guard reduces shoplifting mainly by being seen. Most theft depends on not being noticed, so a guard who greets customers, watches entrances and walks the aisles makes it harder to steal quietly. Guards also document incidents, help staff during confrontations and call police, which supports arrests like the ones in Monrovia.
A guard is most effective when the store also has good sightlines, working cameras, lighting at entrances and clear staff training. Security works best as one part of a full plan, not a single fix.
What is the difference between a security guard and loss prevention?
A security guard is a visible deterrent who protects people and property, while a loss prevention officer usually focuses on spotting, documenting and, where store policy allows, stopping theft. Guards are typically in uniform near entrances. Loss prevention staff are often in plain clothes and watch for concealment and other theft behavior.
| | Uniformed security guard | Loss prevention officer | | --- | --- | --- | | Main goal | Deter theft and keep people safe | Detect and document theft | | Appearance | Uniformed and visible | Often plain clothes | | Typical post | Entrances, aisles, parking lot | Sales floor and camera room | | Best for | Deterrence, safety, disturbances | Repeat or organized theft |
Many stores use both. A smaller store or shopping center often starts with a uniformed guard, then adds other measures if theft continues.
Can store security detain a shoplifter in California?
Yes, in limited cases. California Penal Code 490.5 lets a merchant or the merchant's employee or agent detain a person for a reasonable time, in a reasonable manner, when there is probable cause to believe the person is stealing merchandise. Because detentions carry real risk, many stores choose an "observe and report" policy instead.
Whatever the policy, write it down, train every guard and employee on it and make "safety first" the rule. Chasing a suspect into a parking lot puts staff and customers at risk. Our guide on security post orders shows how to put those rules in writing.
What should Monrovia store owners and managers do now?
Monrovia retailers and shopping center managers should review where thefts happen, check that cameras and lighting cover entrances and register areas, train staff on a clear theft policy and consider a uniformed guard during the hours with the most losses. Patterns in police reports, like the cluster along Huntington Drive, help decide where security will matter most.
A simple action plan:
Review your own theft and incident logs for the busiest days and hours.
Place staff or a guard where they can see entrances and high-value displays.
Confirm cameras record clearly and that staff know how to save footage for police.
Put your theft response policy in writing and train every shift on it.
Coordinate with neighboring businesses and the property manager on parking lot patrols.
Our unarmed security guards can work entrances, sales floors and parking lots, and you can see local coverage on our Monrovia security services page.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if my store needs a security guard?
Look at repeated theft, disturbances, staff safety concerns and parking lot problems. If losses or incidents keep coming back, a guard during peak hours is worth pricing.
Should a guard chase a shoplifter?
Usually no. Most stores tell guards and staff not to chase suspects off the property. Safety comes first, and good descriptions and video help police.
Do security guards need special training in California?
Yes. Guards must be registered with BSIS, complete Power to Arrest training and finish additional skills training within their first six months.
Can a shopping center share one guard among several stores?
Yes. Many centers hire security for common areas and parking lots, and individual stores add their own coverage if needed.
Is unarmed security enough for a retail store?
For most stores, yes. Unarmed guards focus on deterrence, customer service and reporting. Armed coverage is a separate decision based on specific risks.
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.
Get a retail security plan for your Monrovia store
Losing merchandise or worried about staff safety? Call SGV Patrol at (626) 727-1592 for a security assessment. Calls are answered 24/7.
Sources: Monrovia Police Department Neighborhood Watch Reports for October 1 to 7, October 8 to 14 and October 15 to 21, 2026, as published by Monrovia Now (Brad Haugaard) on October 8, 15 and 22, 2026.
Cover photo: "Old Town Monrovia" by the City of Monrovia, via Wikimedia Commons, public domain (CC0).
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