Fired YMCA Volunteer Arrested

An 18-year-old La Crescenta man was arrrested on suspicion of illegal possession of medication, burglary and petty theft, according to sheriff's officials.

Dylan Wyatt Chavez was arrested after a witness, identified in the police report as a employee, flagged down a deputy driving along Foothill Boulevard past the YMCA about 2:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 6, sheriff's deputies reported.

The witnesses observed the suspect exit a building at the YMCA and then walk around the parking lot looking into vehicles, according to the report. The witness reportedly recognized Chavez as a volunteer at the YMCA. According to the police report, the witness believed that Chavez had been fired as a volunteer that day.

Kim Beattie, Director of Development at the YMCA of the Foothills, confirmed that Chavez is no longer a volunteer at the YMCA but had been working as “a court appointed volunteer.”

Beattie told Patch that the YMCA has a “relationship with the county” so that someone “who needs volunteer service hours” can complete those hours through work at the YMCA.   

Beattie also noted that all volunteers are vetted before they begin working and anyone “spending time” at the YMCA in such a capacity undergoes a fingerprint Live Scan as part of a background check. The arrest did not occur on YMCA property.

The witness found Chavez’s behavior suspicious and walked to Foothill Boulevard to further observe Chavez, according to the report.

Chavez allegedly opened the front passenger door of a 2003 Acura parked on Foothill Boulevard that did not belong to him using keys he is suspected of having taken from inside the YMCA. When Chavez noticed the witness watching him, he allegedly closed the car’s door and “took off” on foot westbound on Foothill Boulevard and out of view.

Using the witness’ description, deputies identified and detained Chavez at Foothill Boulevard and La Cañada Plaza Drive, noting that the suspect appeared out of breath and was "sweating profusely.” During a pat-down search, deputies identified a prescription pill bottle in the suspect’s front pants pocket.

When questioned about the bottle and what kind of medication it held, Chavez allegedly replied that it was his medicine and “lots.”

As Chavez was unable to identify the medication or provide proof of a prescription for the unmarked bottle, deputies removed it from his possession, according to the report.

Based on the variety of medications in the bottle, deputies called Poison Control to identify the pills, sheriff's deputies said. Chavez is suspected of illegally possessing Xanax, Methadone, Suboxone and Buprenorphine.

In addition to the suspected drug charges, Chavez was also booked on suspicion of petty theft of the keys and suspicion of burglary for entering the vehicle.

The owner of the Acura was contacted by deputies and reported that he could not identify if anything had been taken from his car.