Written by AARON CASTREJON | CityWatch Editor

EL MONTE - Firefighters cleared Norwood Library two hours after deeming a suspicious white powder found inside the building as safe.

Firefighters were dispatched to the library at 5:15 p.m. The Los Angeles County Fire Hazardous Materials Team was sent to the library and ultimately determined the substance as not hazardous, said Dispatch Supervisor Michael Pittman of the Los Angeles County Fire Department.

“They determined the substance to be non-hazardous, but they did not identify specifically what it was,” Pittman said.

Firefighters cleared the scene at around 7:15 p.m.

El Monte Police Lt. Pete Rasic deferred questions regarding the investigation to the Los Angeles County Fire Department Hazardous Materials Division and the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Hazmat Detail which handled the call.

Written by AARON CASTREJON | CityWatch Editor

EL MONTE - Los Angeles County firefighters are determining if a suspicious white powder found inside Norwood Library is dangerous or not.

Police were called to Norwood Library, 4550 Peck Rd., around 5:10 p.m. Officers are assisting firefighters at the scene. No one has been injured, according to Lt. Pete Rasic of the El Monte Police Department.

Rasic did not state how the powder was found.

“We’re just working in a support role right now,” Rasic said.

The Los Angeles County Fire Department dispatch center is not answering calls for information.

Written by AARON CASTREJON | CityWatch Editor

EL MONTE - A man stole a computer from an El Monte Church May 5 and Police need your help in locating him.

Written by AARON CASTREJON | CityWatch Editor

EL MONTE - A mother chased away a man who attempted to kidnap two girls after assaulting one of them and exposing himself, police said.
 
The incident occurred June 2 around 8:30 p.m. in the 2600 block of Tyler Avenue. The mother was walking with the girls when the suspect exited his white, late 2000s Ford F-150 extended cab truck, and approached them El Monte Police said.
 
The suspect attempted to grab one of the girls, but she ran away from the suspect. He then grabbed the second girl and touched her groin area and over her clothing while exposing his genitals, El Monte Police said.
 
The suspect picked up the girl he assaulted and began walking away with her to his truck.
 
The victim’s mother chased him down and said she was calling the police. The girl was released and the suspect entered his truck and drove away, El Monte Police said.
 
The suspect is a Hispanic man, 5-foot 7 to 5 feet 8 inches tall, 170 to 180 pounds, has grey and black hair, was unshaven, wore prescription glasses and a green t-shirt and black shorts.
 
Anyone with information on this incident is urged to call the El Monte Police Department at 626-258-8635. Information may also be submitted at [email protected].