Sierra
Madre
Thursday, FEBRUARY 2, - FEBRUARY 8, 2012
Identity Theft Crackdown by IRS The Internal Revenue Service and the Justice Department today announced the results of a massive national sweep cracking down on suspected identity theft perpetrators as part of a stepped-up effort against refund fraud and identity theft. Working with the Justice Department’s Tax Division and local U.S. Attorneys’ offices, the nationwide effort targeted 105 people in 23 states. The coast-to-coast effort took place over the last week and included indictments, arrests and the execution of search warrants involving the potential theft of thousands of identities and taxpayer refunds. In all, 939 criminal charges are included in the 69 indictments and informations related to identity theft. “This unprecedented effort against identity theft
Please see page 11
Weekly
Please see page 10
Volume XVII, No. V
John Muir Teacher Manuel Rustin Receives $25,000 Milken Educator Award
Lowell Milken looks on proudly as Manual Rustin tells the overflowing auditorium at Muir why he loves teaching. -Photos by Terry Miller
A John Muir High School teacher, Manuel Rustin, recieved an unrestricted $25,000 Milken Educator Award at a surprise schoolwide assembly Tuesday morning. Presented by Milken Family Foundation Chairman and Co-Founder Lowell Milken, California
Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson and Pasadena Unified School District Superintendent Jon R. Gundry, the prestigious award recognizes the exceptional work of this educator as a model for the state and nation. This event is part of the Milken
Family Foundation’s 25th Annual National Notifications tour honoring up to 40 outstanding educators as 2011-12 Milken Educator Award recipients. Rustin, a 2003 UCLA graduate with a B.A. in His-
Please see page 5
12 Year-Old Clifton School Student Critical but Stable After Hit and Run
An Emotional Farewell to Arcadia Firefighter “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.” Wonderful husband, father, son and friend, Andy Michael Troncale lost his valiant battle with cancer on January 23, 2012 at the age of 52. Funeral services were held Monday, January 30, 2012, at 10:00 am at Holy Angels Catholic Church. Interment followed at Rose Hills Memorial Park in Whittier Born to parents Steve and Evelyn Troncale and
sierramadreweekly.com
Community News, Arts & Opinions Since 1996
23 Year Old Duarte Driver Who Fled Scene Pleads Guilty By Terry Miller and Susan Motander
Arcadia Firefighters fold the American Flag carefully which draped the coffin of Andy Michael Troncale. -Photo by Jaime Nicholson
Bernice (Left) gets a hug from her sister during the Monrovia Parade. -Photo Courtesy of the De La Torre Family
Lt. Michael Lee, Commander of the Monrovia Police Department Detective Bureau, said Tuesday, that a charge of felony hit and run driving (a violation of 20001 of the Vehicle Code) was filed against Emma TapiaGonzales. In addition, the suspect was charged with violations of 12500 VC (driving without a license) and
Check out Beacon Media’s
New Food & Dining Section on page 11
Brought to you by Howie’s Ranch Market & Alexander’s Prime Meats and Catering
16028(c) VC (no proof of insurance). According to Lee, Tapia-Gonzales was initially being held in lieu of bond. Her bail had been $100,000, but then reduced to $50,000 by the court at least that was the case until Tuesday at 5:30PM when she was released by Judge Terry Smer-
Please see page 19