By Susan Motander
Just before closing on Monday night, a thief grabbed two expensive hoverboards and ran out the door at the Dollmakers’ Kattywompas on Myrtle Avenue in Old Town Monrovia. According to Pam Fitzpatrick, one of the owners of the popular toy/music store, the man chatted for a few minutes with Cindy Ranger, Fitzpatrick’s sister and another owner who was working in the shop that evening.
After striking up a really friendly conversation with Cindy, talking about his wife and teenage daughters, he abruptly picked up two $500 hoverboards, said “Sorry,” and ran straight out the door with them and down Myrtle Ave.
The suspect is Hispanic, in his 40s, about 5’ 6”, with a heavy build.
Fortunately the store has a security camera and the man’s face was captured on the video.
According to Chief of Police Jim Hunt, this is a grand theft since the value of the items exceeds $950 the threshold established by Proposition 47. He also said the technicians at Monrovia Police are working to clear up the photograph of the suspect.