Police Respond in Force to Threat of Violence at East Whittier Middle School

Over 25 Whittier Police Officers responded to East Whittier Middle School today (October 31st) in response to a threat of violence against its students. At 1:00pm, an unknown caller phoned the Whittier Daily News with disturbing information. According to the reporter who took the call, a “male adult in his 30’s,” began telling him that three “skinheads” he saw at a party the evening prior, were claiming they would proceed to East Whittier Middle School to “shoot it up.” The caller claimed the three “skinheads” were brandishing AK-47 assault rifles and claiming the attack would be carried out towards the end of the school day. The caller, who was reluctant to give any further information, then ended the call.

Immediately after the call ended, the reporter contacted the Whittier Police Department and within minutes, officers began to arrive at the school. As time progressed, additional officers, including the Whittier Police Department’s Tactical Entry Team, arrived in force as a precautionary measure. With an absence of any threat, the decision was made to dismiss the students as usual at 1:30pm; this occurred without incident. A short while thereafter, the remaining faculty members left the campus and the premises were closed without incident.

Speaking to faculty and East Whittier City School District officials, officers learned there have been no previous threats of violence against the school or its students by way of phone or facsimile. Furthermore, there have been no acts of violence involving students, nor is the student body comprised of anyone teachers would classify as “skinheads.”

Nevertheless, the Whittier Police Department and East Whittier City School District, takes any such threat of violence with the utmost seriousness. Furthermore, investigators will be exploring all means of investigation to uncover who may have made such a threat. Lastly, as a precautionary measure, Whittier Police Officers will be posted at the school for the duration of the week.

Whitttier police seize 42 pounds of marijuana

WHITTIER - Police found nearly $34,000 worth of marijuana last night in the trunks of two cars with Mexico license plates in the parking lot a Whittier hotel. Three suspects were arrested for the transportation and selling of marijuana, said Sgt. Dominic Iraldo, and both cars were impounded. Mexican nationals Ebiel Manzanillo, 35, Jose Torres, 25, and Elias Valdez, 40, are being held in Whittier jail, Corrections Officer Pauline Nava said. Around 8:05 p.m. Thursday, an officer saw a group of suspicious people outside of the Good Night Inn, at 10317 Whittier Blvd. "While talking to them, he saw a small brick of marijuana in plain view," Iraldo said. The officer then looked into the two vehicles, and found two large containers with nearly 42 pounds of marijuana. "This has been the largest amount found by a patrol officer in a few years," Iraldo said. Though it is hard to determine the street value of the marijuana, Iraldo estimated that an ounce costs about $50, and a pound goes for about $800. Narcotics officers are still investigating. Article courtesy of The Whittier Daily News Staff Writers Jennifer McClain and Melissa Pamer

Teen Arrested for Vandalism

On October 6th at 8:30 p.m., a juvenile was crossing the street against the traffic sign at the intersection of Greenleaf Ave. and Mar Vista St., when he was stopped by the Whittier Police bicycle team for the violation. As the officers were discussing with the juvenile the reasons for the stop, the teenager dropped a spray can into a storm drain. As a result, the juvenile was arrested for possession of spray paint and transported to jail.

As the officers spoke to the juvenile at the police station, the juvenile admitted to a total of 19 different graffiti vandalisms throughout the area just prior to being stopped by the police. Detectives found a total of 41 additional businesses and city property locations that the suspect had vandalized.

The 17 year-old male juvenile, a Whittier resident, was booked for felony vandalism at the Whittier Police Department jail. The total estimated damage caused by the suspect is over $5,000. The exact number of charges in this case is yet to be determined.

If anyone has information regarding vandalism please contact the Whittier Police Department at (562) 945-8250.