By Mary O’KEEFE

A surveillance video is making the social media rounds of a man stealing a bench in front of Montrose Pet Hospital. Without hesitation he picked up the bench, then apparently placed it in his truck. Comments on social media reflect feelings of anger, but mostly disappointment that someone would do this in Montrose.

The video shows a white pick-up truck driving eastbound in the 2400 block of Honolulu Avenue in Montrose. Apparently the same truck then reappears, headlights facing north, in the driveway between the Montrose Pet Hospital and Wells Fargo bank, blocking the sidewalk. A man appears to have exited the truck, walked to the bench in front of the hospital, picked it up and walked toward the truck. The video ends.

The bench has been in front of Montrose Pet Hospital since they opened over three years ago; no one has touched it. The staff put the surveillance video on Facebook asking if anyone recognized the man or the truck or had any information concerning the incident.

“I realize this is just a bench, but it was a ‘local’ bench stolen from a local small business,” said Montrose resident Cindi Anderson. “This guy was so nonchalant and bold, like he was saying, ‘Take that, folks.’ I [want] to get the message out to be careful who you mess around with because we’ll do what it takes to hunt you down!”

The vehicle is white, possibly 1999 to 2003 Chevy S10 pick-up. Anyone with information can contact the Montrose Pet Hospital,
(818) 249-2273, or respond on the Montrose Pet Hospital Facebook page.

About a month ago, the Vietnam Memorial at the corner of Honolulu Avenue and Ocean View Boulevard was vandalized. There was graffiti along the pole and it had been dented at its base. Anyone with information on that vandalism can contact the Glendale Police Substation in Montrose at (818) 249-8173.

  Mary Okeefe