July 2009 Archives

An affidavit filed in federal court and attached here details gun deals, drug deals and talk of contract murder and kidnapping. All apparently connected to "La Familia," a Mexican drug cartel. Here's all the details cartel gun runner - affidavit.pdf 

PICO RIVERA - Pico Rivera gang members may have targeted the Mongols Motorcycle Club when they shot and killed three people and wounded seven others at a pizza parlor in June.

Officials acknowledged Thursday that a dispute exists between gangsters affiliated with the Mexican Mafia and the Mongols.

"There is an ongoing feud between the Pico Rivera street gangs and the Mongols," said sheriff's homicide Sgt. Martin Rodriguez.

Members and associates of the outlaw motorcycle gang attended a fundraiser hosted by Old School Riders at Falcone's Pizza on June 27, Rodriguez said. The fundraiser came to an abrupt end when two men entered the parking lot and began shooting. As many as 50 people were in attendance.

"There's people involved in the investigation who had some reported ties to the Mongols motorcycle gangs," Rodriguez said. "But the vast majority of people there had no association."

Earlier this week, three men with Pico Rivera gang ties were arrested in connection with the slayings. When the District Attorney's Office declined to file charges, two were released. The third man remains in custody on unrelated charges, district attorney's spokeswoman Jane Robison said.

BALDWIN PARK - Fullerton police arrested Baldwin Park School Board member Sergio Corona on suspicion of assaulting a woman at an Orange County gas station, authorities said Wednesday.

Corona, 35, and a 38-year-old Baldwin Park woman were reported fighting in the parking lot of a Mobil gas station on July 11, said Lt. Craig Brower with the Fullerton Police Department.

Corona was arrested and cited on suspicion of assault and battery, Brower said. The unidentified woman was neither cited nor arrested.

Corona did not return calls seeking comment Wednesday.

It was the second time Corona has been arrested since May 2008, when Baldwin Park officers shot him with a Taser after he allegedly broke the windows of a home on Sandstone Street in Baldwin Park.

School board member Jack White said he was not aware of Corona's most recent arrest, but was concerned about how it would reflect on the district considering Corona's past.

"I really thought he'd learned his lesson," White said. "I'm really disappointed if this is the case."

A shooting Wednesday afternoon at Sunshine Park in Valinda caused Los Angeles County Supervisor Gloria Molina's office to issue a statement assuring residents that the county is doing everything it can to combat violence in the Valinda corridor.

EAST VALINDA - Deputies are looking for suspects who opened fire at three teens in a drive-by shooting Wednesday afternoon at a crowded park.

No one was injured in the shooting, which occurred about 3 p.m. at Sunshine Park, 515 S. Deepmead Ave.

Sheriff's Lt. Hiroshi Yokoyama said three teens were walking in the area of the park when a black Nissan, possibly an Altima, drove by.

"The front passenger started shooting at them," he said.

The teens, ages 16 to 17, fled. Yokoyama said the vehicle carried two to three men, and the shooter used a handgun.

Authorities said the park was full at the time, and the shooting prompted several people to call 9-1-1.

As a result of the incident, Los Angeles County Supervisor Gloria Molina said park programs have been canceled until further notice.

"We have worked very hard to create a safe, beautiful and user-friendly park," Molina said in a statement.

"I am outraged at today's act of violence at our park - a place our community considers a haven and where our children and families gather."

View Sunshine Park in a larger map

Here's the Temple City grand jury transcripts Part 1 (5.1 MB) and

From the Boston Herald:

A longtime sports writer for the Union Leader newspaper has been suspended after being arrested earlier today for pimping out a prostitute at a Marriott hotel in Andover.
Kevin Provencher, 50, of Manchester, N.H., was scheduled to be arraigned this afternoon in Lawrence District Court on two counts of deriving support from a prostitute. 

He was picked up in New Hampshire earlier today.

The Union Leader issued a statement: 'Mr. Provencher has been a valued employee for many years. He is innocent until proven guilty. However, given the nature and seriousness of the charges, he is suspended until further notice."

Only in Detroit would a bank robber have the last name Fortune. This one's for the 211 Guy:

DETROIT -- A Detroit man who said he started robbing banks to pay for his mother's plumbing was sentenced Tuesday to two years in prison, a lenient term from a judge who said the defendant had been an "outstanding citizen" before his crime spree.

Prosecutors wanted U.S. District Judge Bernard Friedman to stick with federal sentencing guidelines, which would have given Jimmie Lee Fortune five years to six years in prison for stealing nearly $14,000 from five Michigan banks. Fortune, 29, had pleaded guilty in March, with prosecutors agreeing not to charge him with three more robberies.

Fortune had told investigators that he robbed the first bank in April 2008 to fix his mother's plumbing and get his driver's license reinstated. After that, he just kept going.

"I was so stressed and depressed," he told U.S. District Judge Bernard Friedman on Tuesday. "I found it difficult to separate life from fiction."

He entered banks demanding money and yelling threats such as, "Large bills or I'll start shooting," according to the FBI. Fortune was not armed during the robberies.

Fish wrap for the afternoon:

Susan Estrich writes about the case as a parent's worst nightmare at NewsMax this a.m. The interesting connection here is perhaps Estrich's link to Michael Dukakis and the whole uproar over Willie Horton back in 1988:

You just have to see the picture of her: a girl on the verge, finding her style, raising her voice, about to embark on a life she could barely yet imagine. This summer she was supposed to volunteer helping homeless drug addicts on Skid Row. Instead, according to police, she was killed by one.

Her mother is a lawyer and law professor, her father a journalist. She was driving a Volvo.

Forgive me for identifying: When my daughter was her age, barely two years ago, she got an advance for her first novel, "Hancock Park," about a girl like Lily. Many of the girls at her school drove expensive, not to mention dangerous (in my book), cars. I smiled because the other used Volvo belonged to a girl whose mother is also a sensible lawyer, which is what I like to think I am. Like Lily's mother.

A man abducted Lily across the street from her mother's office in what was once the Bullocks Wilshire, which Southwestern Law School converted into classrooms, offices, and an impressive library.

Lily called both of her parents to ask how she could withdraw money from an ATM with her credit card so she could buy shoes.

Her parents said she sounded rushed, not scared.

She was dead in her car before her parents got home from work.

The guy they picked up, with her car key and cell phone, was arrested because he was clearly a junkie who'd done something wrong. While being held on unrelated charges, 50-year-old parolee Charlie Samuel was tied to Lily's murder two days later by fingerprints at the scene.

Some people (many of them formerly liberal) are screaming that he's a repeat offender and parole violator who should've been locked up ...

On the jump, what the DA said late Tuesday about the case against Charles Samuel, the parolee accused of abducting 17-year-old Lily Burk then killing her late last week:

This from reporter Tracy Garcia:

LOS ANGELES -- The Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office declined to file charges against three Whittier-area men in connection with a fatal shooting at a Pico Rivera pizza parlor, asking sheriff's investigators instead to go back and do more work on the case.

As such, two of the three suspects -- Rudy Ruiz, 30, of unincorporated Whittier, and Christopher Johnson, 18, of Montebello -- have been released, according to sheriff's Capt. Mike Rothans of the Pico Rivera station.

The third suspect, John Perez, 43, of Pico Rivera, remains in custody on a prior arrest, Rothans said.

The trio had been booked Friday on suspicion of murder in the June 27 shooting at Falcone's Pizza, where a fundraiser was being hosted in the parking lot by the Old School Riders motorcycle club.

This advisory just in from the District Attorney's Office in Los Angeles:

Prosecutors are evaluating evidence now against Charles Samuel, suspect in the murder of 17-year-old Lily Burk. Samuel is due to appear in Los Angeles Superior Court Department 30, fifth floor, Criminal Justice Center, after 1:30 p.m. today. The District Attorney's Media Relations Division will keep you updated on further developments.

In another case of interest, James Che Ming Lu, 85, was charged a few minutes ago with murdering his wife. Lu is scheduled to appear for arraignment after 1:30 p.m. in Alhambra Superior Court, Department 5, 150 W. Commonwealth Ave., Alhambra. The case number is GA077455. He is charged with one count of murder and one of attempted murder.

Celeste Fremon over at Witness LA, takes apart local coverage of the Lily Burk homicide, and breaks down the criminal history of suspect Charlie Samuel, a 50-year-old transient charged in the slaying.

This from LA NOW:

Law enforcement officials served search warrants this morning at the Las Vegas home and medical office of Dr. Conrad Murray, the target of a manslaughter investigation into Michael Jackson's death.
Michael Flanagan, assistant special agent in charge of the Las Vegas office of the Drug Enforcement Administration, confirmed that both searches began about 9 a.m. Authorities said they were looking for documents, which typically include computer searches, but provided few other details. The search warrants are sealed, Flanagan said.
Local TV stations showed footage of officials going into the Red Rock Country Club area of Las Vegas, where Murray owns a home. It was unclear whether the physician was there. At his medical office, Global Cardiovascular Associates, a couple of people were present, but declined to say if the office was open for patients.
The Las Vegas searches come less than a week after the DEA, Houston police narcotics officers and Los Angeles police detectives searched Murray's clinic and a storage unit. In those searches, they seized e-mails, storage unit receipts, a copy of Murray's biography and Rolodex cards, according to the inventory of items filed with the Harris County District Court

If politics disgusts you, read no further. 

WHITTIER -- A young man is expected to survive after he was stabbed in the torso and face during a fight at a party early Sunday, authorities said.
The incident occurred about 1:30 a.m. at a pool party at a house on Deveron Drive, near Ben Alder Avenue, Whittier police Sgt. Terry McAllister said.
The attacker was described as a Latino, between 17 and 23 years old, about 5 feet 4 inches tall and about 120 pounds, the sergeant said.
He apparently became angry when he believed another young man at the party was staring at his girlfriend and punched him, McAllister said.
As friends of the man who was punched came to his aid, the attacker struck one of the friends in the head with a beer bottle, he said.
As the partygoers tried to force the violent guest out of the home, he stabbed a third young man, 20, in the face and torso about four times before fleeing with his pregnant girlfriend. The weapon may have been a broken beer bottle.
The suspect was not in custody Friday, but McAllister said he believed an arrest was imminent.

PASADENA -- A man allegedly stabbed his wife to death with a hatchet early Sunday, then called authorities to report it, officials said.
James Lu, 85, was booked on suspicion of murder, said Lt. Dan Rosenberg of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Homicide Bureau, which is investigating the case.
Los Angeles County coroner's officials identified the dead woman as 55-year-old Michelle Lu.
The incident was reported about 1:30 a.m. in the 100 block of Rosemead Boulevard, in an unincorporated county area near Pasadena.
"(James Lu) called the (sheriff's) Temple Station indicating he had injured his wife," Rosenberg said. "They responded and found her deceased inside their home."
James Lu surrendered himself to deputies, and the hatchet was recovered, Rosenberg said.
A specific motive in the slaying was not clear Sunday, but authorities said it was a domestic issue.
Rosenberg added that detectives do not believe James Lu was acting out of dementia or confusion, and he did not appear to have a history of violence.
"We think he knew what he was doing," he said. "It's a pretty sad situation for everyone."
News reports indicated the couple's son may have been home when the slaying occurred, and may have grabbed the hatchet from his father. Rosenberg said he could not confirm those details.
No one appeared to be home Sunday afternoon at the Lu residence -- a single-story home that sits behind a psychic reader business.
Claudia Loera, 12, who lives nearby translated for family members, who remembered James Lu as a kind person.
Loera said her parents knew James Lu for about 30 years, and were shocked to learn of the killing, and the alleged confessed.
"Everyone's surprised ... Everybody he used to pass, he used to say 'Hi,'" she said.
According to court records, James Lu was being held without bail and is due for arraignment in Humbler Superior Court on Tuesday.

AZUSA -- Police sought a woman Sunday suspected of stabbing her boyfriend several times in the back during an argument, authorities said.
The incident occurred just before midnight Friday in the 1100 block of Arrow Highway, Azusa police Lt. Steve Hunt said.
The woman's name was not released pending further investigation, and she had not been arrested Sunday, Azusa police Sgt. Sam Fleming said. She is 30 years old.
The woman was drinking with her boyfriend and his cousin at an apartment complex when the couple began arguing and the woman allegedly stabbed her boyfriend several times in the lower back, Hunt said.
The wounded man, a 23-year-old Baldwin Park resident, was hospitalized in stable condition, officials added.
The woman fled the scene before police arrived, Hunt added.

BALDWIN PARK -- A man was shot to death inside his car early Sunday in a residential neighborhood, authorities said.
Officials initially described the dead man only as a Latino in his 20s believed to be from Baldwin Park. His name was withheld pending notification of family members, coroner officials said.
The shooting was reported about 6 a.m. as a car crash in the 3700 block of Foster Avenue, just south of Ramona Boulevard, Los Angeles County sheriff's Deputy Derrick Thompson said in a written statement.
Officials received reports of "an individual that was believed to be involved in a traffic accident deceased inside a car," said Lt. Dan Rosenberg of the Sheriff's Homicide Bureau said, which is investigating the case. "Responding Baldwin Park police officers found he had been shot."
Detectives believe the man crashed his car after being shot multiple times in the back.
Suspect information and a motive in the shooting was not known, Rosenberg said.
Several residents on Foster Avenue said Sunday afternoon they heard a loud crash in the morning, but no gun shots.
"I was sleeping and I just heard a big impact," said Jun Catap. "As soon as I heard that, I opened the door and saw the car crashed into the (telephone) pole."
Crews from Southern California Edison worked through Sunday evening to repair the damaged pole.
Jesus Costilla, who also lives on Foster Avenue, said he watched police pick up about five bullet casings from nearby the victim's car.
"It's just kind of weird though," Costilla said, "because no one heard any gun shots."

COVINA -- A jury convicted two men Friday for fatally shooting a Covina man last year, authorities said.
Jeremy Michael Vindiola, 24, of West Covina and Wilson Omar Alfaro, 27, of Fontana were found guilty in the June 17, 2008 shooting death of 23-year-old Edward Galvan, Covina police Sgt. Trevor Gaumer said in a written statement.
"The jury deliberated for approximately three hours and found both Vindiola and Alfaro guilty of first-degree murder," the statement said.
The men allegedly shot and killed Galvan as he gathered with several other people in front of an apartment building in the 100 block of North Vecino Drive.
Authorities believed both the suspects and victim had gang ties, though family members of Galvan denied he was involved with gangs.
Vindiola was captured eleven days after the shooting as he got into a parked car in Covina, Gaumer said.
A multi-agency task force arrested Alfaro at an auto dealership in Montclair a few weeks later, he added.
A third suspect, a 19-year-old West Covina man, was initially arrested in connection with the slaying but later released after officials declined to file charges against him, authorities said.
Both Vindiola and Alfaro face the possibility of life in prison when they're sentenced in August, officials said.

POMONA - A local man died at the scene of a shooting just before midnight Friday, police said.
Emilio Moncayo, 34, was fatally wounded in the shooting, which was reported at 11:59 p.m. in the 500 block of East McKinley Avenue, Pomona police said in a written statement.
Officers responding to calls reporting a possible shooting and found Moncayo apparently shot to death.
No further details were released Saturday.

PICO RIVERA -- Authorities arrested three men Friday on suspicion of carrying out a shooting at a pizza parlor last month that left three men dead and 7 people wounded.
Rudy Ruiz, 30, of the Whittier area surrendered following a brief chase on the 605 Freeway, Capt. Michael Rothans of the sheriff's Pico Rivera Station said.
Christopher Johnson, 18, of Montebello was arrested without incident shortly after at his home, the captain said.
The third suspect in the slaying, 43-year-old John Perez of Pico Rivera, was already in custody on other charges stemming from a June 30 car-chase in an allegedly stolen car, during which police said he threw a gun out the window.
Despite the arrests, Rothans said the investigation into the June 27 shooting at Falcone's Pizza, 9247 Slauson Ave., continues.
"There's still some other people of interest that we're looking at," he said. "There are other people who could have been involved. The investigation is by no means complete."
Perez, Johnson and Ruiz were booked on suspicion of murder, Rothans said. They will be formally charged Monday with crimes that will likely include three counts of murder, as well as additional counts of attempted murder and assault with a deadly weapon.
The captain said officials had been watching Johnson and Ruiz as "people of interest," but declined to say how long.
Rothans also declined to discuss the results of ballistics tests on the handgun allegedly thrown by John Perez just before his arrest, or what role each suspect was believed to have played in the shooting.
The triple-fatal shooting took place as a group of motorcycle enthusiasts calling themselves the "Old School Riders," were having a fund-raising event.
Homicide detectives investigating the case said the group had no gang ties or known problems with the law.
The shooting killed cousins Garret Dandini, 25, and Tony Dandini, 39, both of Whittier, as well as Carlos Carrera, 39, of La Habra, coroner's officials said.
Garret Dandini was a Naval recruiter and served three tours of duty in Iraq.
"Obviously it was a very, very tragic incident," Rothans said. "I'm very happy that the diligent efforts of the homicide detectives and the detectives working this case we were able to get these arrests as soon as they did."

If you are on facebook, Crime Scene wants to be your friend. Here's our new fan page. See you there.

Lately, there's been a hefty dose of folks taking filet knives to local government and exposing some of the dirty inner workings. Here's a sampling of some of the bad and the ugly:

PASADENA -- A man used a knife to rob a check cashing business Friday, police said.
The crime was reported about 6:50 p.m. at a business in the 100 block of West California Boulevard, Pasadena police Lt. Tracey Ibarra said.
The robber was described as a Latino man in his 20s, standing 6 feet 2 inches tall and weighing about 200 pounds, she said.
After asking employees to cash a check for him, the robber walked around the counter and pulled a knife, she said.
The knife-wielding man ordered one employee to the ground and kept another one near him as he stole an undisclosed amount of cash from the register, Ibarra said.
He was last seen fleeing on foot.

SAN DIMAS -- A shooting that left two men critically wounded earlier this week began as a dispute between young women, authorities said Friday.
The shooting occurred about 1:30 a.m. Monday at the corner of Darwood Avenue and Tudor Street. It appeared to have stemmed from a confrontation between two young women who went to a house party and the young woman who lived at the home, Los Angeles County sheriff's Lt. Michael Rodriguez said.
The lieutenant said a teenage girl and a woman were accompanied by 21-year-old Daniel Lorenz of La Verne while Brian Weston, 18, of San Dimas waited in a nearby sedan.
"They had issues with (a resident) and they were going to confront her," Rodriguez said. "Other people got involved."
Specific details about the dispute were not available Friday.
Lorenz, Weston and the teenage girl were all jailed within hours of the shooting, Rodriguez said.
The girl was not named because she is a minor.
The fourth suspect -- described only as a woman -- remained at large.
The two young men wounded in the attack were in stable condition Friday, authorities said. One was shot in the chest; the other was wounded in the back and arm.
Rodriguez said deputies did not believe the shooting was premeditated.
At one point prior to the shooting witnesses reported that one of the female suspects showed a knife, Rodriguez said.
The girl who lived at the home asked those involved in the argument to leave, officials said.
About 50 young people were at the pool party.
"The girl that lived there (didn't) want any issues or problems," Rodriguez said.
The young men were shot outside a few doors down from the house, he said.
All four suspects fled in a car with Weston at the wheel, Rodriguez said.
Weston and Lorenz were arrested at or near their homes, he said. A gun believed to have been used in the shooting was located, though Rodriguez on Friday declined to say where it was found.
A criminal complaint filed against Lorenz and Weston charges each with two counts of attempted murder and two counts of assault with a deadly weapon.
Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office spokeswoman Jane Robison said Weston and Lorenz both entered not guilty pleas Wednesday and are due back in Pomona Superior Court for arraignment Aug. 4.
Lorenz is also accused of the special allegations of firing the shots and of causing great bodily injury. Weston was accused of the special allegation that there was a gun involved in his crime.
According to court records, Lorenz was being held in lieu of $2,050,000 bail and Weston was being held in lieu of $1 million bail.

From the Associated Press:

RENO -- Federal prosecutors in Reno have filed criminal charges in an alleged bribery scheme involving gifts and payments in exchange for preferential treatment of Joe Francis ehile the "Girls Gone Wild" founder was in the Washoe County jail for nearly a year.
A grand jury indictment does not name Francis. But a federal law enforcement official speaking on the condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to make it public confirmed for The Associated Press on Friday that the case involves Francis.
One of those indicted is Aaron Weinstein, a California man who was the executive producer of some of Francis' soft porn videos. He's charged with three counts of bribing two sheriff's officials and a jail worker in 2007 with more than $12,000 and gifts including Oakland Raiders tickets.

AZUSA -- Attackers beat and robbed man Wednesday after he met a woman at a local motel through a Craigslist advertisement, police said.
The incident occurred about 3 a.m. at a motel in the 400 block of East Arrow Highway, Azusa police said in a written statement.
Officials suspected the woman may have been involved in the robbery, however it was too early in the investigation to know for sure, Azusa police Lt. Paul Dennis said.
"It's possible that this was a set up, although we can't confirm it," he said.
The man, estimated to be in his 50s, met a woman who identified herself as Kathy on Craigslist, and the two agreed to meet in a motel room, police said.
They woman and man drank together and began getting intimate when the woman excused herself to go to a nearby store, Dennis said.
"A few moments later, there's a knock at the door," he said.
When the man answered, two robbers beat him up, took his wallet containing cash and fled, the lieutenant said. He refused hospitalization.
Dennis added that the woman did not return to the motel room. Police could not confirm why the man and women had agreed to meet at the motel.
Authorities described the robbers as a white man in his late 20s with blonde hair and blue eyes and a white man in his early 50s with grey hair.

The state correctional officers union is considering a strike as its members face the threat of more pay cuts stemming from the state budget crisis.

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, as part of budget negotiations with lawmakers, recently proposed another 5 percent paycut to state employees. If lawmakers don't approve the pay cut, Schwarzenegger said he would impose another furlough day to the three per month already approved for state workers.

The additional day off would equate to another 5 percent pay cut, on top of 15 percent already cut, according to state employees.

"Right now, the organization is contemplating a strike vote among our members, but we have not moved forward with that at this point, but that was a decision of our convention last week," said California Correctional Police Officers Association spokesman Lance Corcoran.

Attorneys for Richard Rodriguez want El Monte PD to know that their client looks pretty good dressed up in a suit and tie. Here's their Photoshopped version of how he will appear at trial:

For a city that's got no money and is laying off cops left and right, an officer's kick to a prone suspect's head may end up being pretty costly. *Here's a copy of the claim:

Lunchtime Wednesday.

Cars crowd the parking lot of 7-Eleven at the corner of Pacific and Puente avenues in Baldwin Park. Outside it's hot. Probably 95 and getting hotter.

Inside, El Monte resident Tony Garcia buys a hot dog and smothers it with relish, mustard and onions.

About 21 other Oscar Meyer meat products rotate slowly on the grill, beckoning the hungry.

Far away in New Jersey, The Cancer Project, a Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit vegan group has been making news with its class action lawsuit demanding hot dogs come with warning labels:

"Warning: Consuming Hot Dogs and Other Processed Meats Increases the Risk of Cancer."

The lawyers want $2,700 for each of their clients to cover damages and attorney fees. That's some serious lunch money.

"We believe that the consumers should be informed. The plaintiffs feel burned," notes Jeanne Stuart McVey, a spokeswoman for the group. "They thought hot dogs were safe. They learned they were wrong."

The defendants in the suit include wieners, dogs and two types of frankfurters.

Brats, kielbasa, andouille, Italian sweets, Slim Jims and foot-long Dodger dogs are apparently unnamed co-conspirators and don't figure in the case.

Neither does liverwurst, pastrami, bologna or bacon.

Good thing they didn't find a way to include chicken Top Ramen either, because in my house that list would cover the four basic food groups.

McVey said the case rests on science. Specifically she said the suit cites from 58 studies that link processed meats, like hot dogs, to cancer.

But those studies probably didn't take into account anyone who bought hot dogs during the past four weeks at the Baldwin Park 7-Eleven.

Just ask Mohan Kamthasamy, who has sold 2,020 "Big Bites" since June 24. Those sales far outweigh the 1,096 purchases of nacho chips, chicken and steak taquitos, pizzas and cheeseburger rolls during the same time frame.

And there's a good reason for it, that goes well beyond the "A" rating bestowed on Kamthasamy's store by the county Health Department.

"Everybody wants fast food," Kamthasamy said. "We've never had a problem with people getting sick.

"And, everyone likes hot dogs. School kids, professional people, gardeners, they want to get something to take. And, it's cheap too. You cannot beat the price."

Kamthasamy sells a Big Bite, a bag of chips and a pop for $2.99.

Garcia estimates he buys three hot dogs a week from 7-Eleven. And, that estimate doesn't include the number of times he takes a young relative to the convenience store for a dog after school.

"He loves it," Garcia said.

Having eaten my share of Oscar Meyer hot dogs from 7-Elevens around the country, often washed down with a beer and a cigarette, I can say with confidence that warning labels are a waste of time.

Cheers.

From the Huffington Post via KTRK:

HOUSTON -- Federal authorities are searching the Houston clinic of Michael Jackson's doctor.
KTRK-TV reported that officials with the Drug Enforcement Administration were at Dr. Conrad Murray's clinic in north Houston. Video showed two Houston police officers guarding the front door.
Murray was Michael Jackson's personal physician, and was with Jackson when he died. Murray, who is based in Las Vegas and is licensed in California, Nevada and Texas, has been interviewed by police but he has not been considered a suspect in the singer's death.

This from the Los Angeles Times:

Federal authorities announced indictments Monday against the reputed leaders of Mexico's Gulf cartel and its paramilitary force, the Zetas, accusing them of trafficking tons of cocaine and marijuana from South America through the Texas-Mexico border.

Three of the men are identified as the "triumvirate" that manages the far-flung enterprise, dividing its territories among themselves. Another reputed leader, Miguel Angel Treviño Morales, allegedly controls the Mexican border city of Nuevo Laredo, where the cartel is believed to funnel large amounts of drugs through the busy truck crossing into Laredo, Texas.

According to LA Weekly via LAist:

By LA Weekly's count of every murder within Los Angeles city limits, we are at 168 as of yesterday when a taxi driver stabbed earlier this month died of his wounds. Compare that to last yearJuly 18th, there were 208 compared to the 162 this year as of that date. That's a 22.1% decline in murders so far. Add to that, the murder rate has declined over the last few years. The LAPD's consent decree ended last week, which in theory should let officers be more productive in some aspects, but some oppose the lifting of the decree. The ACLU contends that there are still problems within the department in regards to racial bias.

As for the SGV. There were several shootings over the weekend, none fatal. But Pasadena's homicide rate seems to be well above last year's.

PASADENA - A 17-year-old girl remained in critical condition Sunday after being shot in the head at a party, authorities said.
The shooting occurred about 10:30 p.m. Saturday at a large house party in the 500 block of Westgate Street, Pasadena police Lt. Tom Delgado said.
Few details were available about the shooting Sunday, the lieutenant said. A description of the shooter or a motive in the attack was not known.
"At this point, it's really mind-boggling to understand why someone would want to shoot a 17 year old female at this party," Delgado said. "It's very puzzling."
Authorities estimated more than 100 people were at the party when shots rang out.
The shooting occurred outdoors, Delgado said, however the victim, a Los Angeles resident, collapsed at the door of the home as she tried to get inside.
The wounded woman was not believed to have gang ties, he added.
Police had not responded to any calls at the party prior to the shooting, Delgado said.
Detectives continued gathering clues and interviewing witnesses Sunday.

AZUSA -- A 24-year-old Glendora woman died early Sunday when her car flipped several times on the 210 Freeway, authorities said.
Lindsay Nava died at the scene of the crash, Los Angeles County Department of Coroner Investigator Katalin Van Meter said.
The incident occurred about 2:15 a.m. as Nava was driving a 2009 Toyota Corolla east on the freeway, just west of Vernon Avenue, California Highway Patrol officials said in a written statement.
"For undetermined reasons, (Nava) lost control of the Toyota and veered off the roadway, causing the vehicle to overturn several times," the statement said.
Paramedics pronounced her dead at the scene about half an hour after the crash, authorities said.
The cause of the crash was being investigated by the Baldwin Park office of the CHP.

PASADENA -- A 17-year-old girl remained in critical condition Sunday after being shot in the head at a party, authorities said.
The shooting occurred about 10:30 p.m. Saturday at a large house party in the 500 block of Westgate Street, Pasadena police Lt. Tom Delgado said.
Few details were available about the shooting Sunday, the lieutenant said. A description of the shooter or a motive in the attack was not known.
"At this point, it's really mind-boggling to understand why someone would want to shoot a 17 year old female at this party," Delgado said. "It's very puzzling."
Authorities estimated more than 100 people were at the party when shots rang out.
The shooting occurred outdoors, Delgado said, however the victim, a Los Angeles resident, collapsed at the door of the home as she tried to get inside.
The wounded woman was not believed to have gang ties, he added.
Police had not responded to any calls at the party prior to the shooting, Delgado said.
Detectives continued gathering clues and interviewing witnesses Sunday.
The shooting was the second violent attack reported in Pasadena in three days.
A Latino man was fatally stabbed about 11:30 p.m. Thursday in the 700 block of North Fair Oaks Avenue, less than a mile away from Saturday's shooting.
His name was not available Sunday pending notification of his family members, coroner's officials said.
Little was known about the stabbing, except that the victim was apparently stabbed in a parking lot behind a Chinese restaurant before collapsing on the sidewalk, Pasadena police Lt. John Dewar said.
The shooting and stabbing did not appear to be related, Delgado said.
Authorities were not able to find any witnesses to the stabbing, though other people were believed to be in the parking lot at the time.
Anyone with information on either attack is asked to call the Pasadena Police Department.

Officials announced Saturday that capture of a fugitive from the FBI's Top Ten Most Wanted list who is suspected of attacking two sheriff's deputies with an assault rifle in Whittier nearly nine years ago.
Emigdio Preciado Jr., 39, was arrested late Friday in Mexico and is identity was confirmed by by Mexican Federal Police and FBI agents stationed south of the border, FBI spokeswoman Laura Eimiller said in a written statement.
Eimiller declined to discuss further details of the arrest, saying it was still very early in the process.
"We'll have more of a clear picture on Monday," she said.
Preciado has been sought by law enforcement since Sept. 5. 2000, when he allegedly opened fire on two sheriff's deputies with an AK-47 during a routine traffic stop on Gunn Avenue, north of Mulberry Drive in Whittier.
"Preciado fired 21 rounds from an assault rifle, striking one of the deputies in the head," according to a statement issued by the FBI.
Deputy Michael Schaap suffered brain damage in the attack. He continues to work with the sheriff's department, though he's had to re-learn to walk and talk.
The other deputy involved in the shooting, David Timberlake, escaped injury.
Video surfaced in 2000 of the fugitive dancing at a party in Tepuzhuacan, Mexico.

*PHOTO of Emidio Preciado courtesy of the FBI.

From the Associated Press:

LANCASTER -- Officials say an inmate from the San Gabriel Valley has died at a hospital after being found unconscious in his cell at the state prison in Lancaster.
Prison spokesman George Allen says 48-year-old Greg Alan Thomas was found unconscious under his bunk sometime Thursday.
Thomas was taken to Antelope Valley Hospital and died Friday morning.
He was a resident of Covina and La Puente prior to his incarceration.
Allen says Thomas was convicted in 1999 of first degree burglary and had been serving a 25-year sentence. The cause of death is under investigation.

From the Associated Press:

LOS ANGELES -- Authorities say a 5-year-old girl has been stabbed to death by her mother, who then slit her own wrists and died.
Los Angeles police Officer Rosario Herrera says the girl and her 30-year-old mother were discovered Saturday morning at a home in the Garvanza neighborhood.
Herrera say the girl had been stabbed multiple times and the mother's wrists sustained cuts that were apparently self-inflicted. No further details are immediately available.
Both the mother and daughter were pronounced dead at the scene. Their names are withheld pending notification of family.

GLENDORA -- Police asked the public's help Saturday in finding a developmentally disabled man who wandered off from his residential care facility.
Richard Cruz, 59, walked away from the El Dorado Oaks Residential Care Facility, 1771 S. Grand Avenue, about 4 p.m. Wednesday, Glendora police said in a written statement.
In addition to being developmentally disabled, Cruz suffers from high blood pressure, officials said.
"The Glendora Police Department is concerned that he is lost and may experience a medical emergency without proper treatment," the statement said.
Family members told police that once in the past, Cruz disappeared and rode a bus to Downtown Los Angeles, where he was found a month later.
He is described as a Latino man, about 5 feet 7 inches tall and weighing about 180 pounds. He has short sandy blond hair and brown eyes.
Cruz was last seen wearing a black polo shirt and black pants, officials said. He often wears suspenders.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Glendora Police Department.

*PHOTO of Richard Cruz, 59, courtesy of the Glendora Police Department.

WHITTIER -- Officials jailed a Baldwin Park woman on suspicion of vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated early Saturday following a crash that killed a 26-year-old Fontana woman, authorities said.
Criselda Valderrama, 20, was arrested in connection with the crash.
Coroner's officials withheld the name of the dead woman pending notification of her family.
The incident occurred about 2:25 a.m. on the northbound 605 Freeway near Washington Boulevard, in an unincorporated county area near Whittier, California Highway Patrol officials said in a written statement.
The woman who was killed and two other 26-year-old Fontana women were inside a stalled Honda Civic after they crashed into a shoulder guardrail, officials said.
"(Valderrama) failed to notice the Honda stopped in the traffic lane and collided into the rear of the Honda," the statement said.
The fatal victim was initially driving the Civic, but switched seats with a rear passenger following the first crash, authorities said. The other women in the Honda suffered minor and moderate injuries.
Valderrama, who drove a 1991 Toyota Previa, was hospitalized with moderate injuries, CHP officials said.
According to court records, Valderrama is being held in lieu of $25,000 bail. No information on her initial court date was available Saturday.
Valderrama's MySpace.com Web page indicates she is a student at Cal State Long Beach and a graduate of Bishop Amat High School in La Puente. It also lists her as working at the Cal State Long Beach campus book store and Disabled Student Services Center, as well as a home health care company based in West Covina.
Her postings on Twitter.com talk about studying for upcoming exams.
A Twitter message sent Friday morning read, "I was driving in the carpool lane by myself and just as i exited i saw that the car a mile behind was highway patrol, close call!"
According to CHP logs, lanes of the freeway were blocked for more than three hours following the crash.

LA HABRA -- A 2-year-old child from Nadya Suleman's home in La Habra was hospitalized Friday after a poison scare.
The incident occurred about 4:30 p.m. in the 2000 block of Madonna Lane, Los Angeles County Fire Department Dispatch Supervisor Michael Pitman said.
Media reports indicated the child was one of Suleman's 14 children, though fire officials could not confirm it late Friday.
Paramedics responded to a report that a child had ingested some sort of poison, Pitman said.
Officials determined the child had only ingested saline solution, but hospitalized the toddler as a precaution, he added.

Don't know the details, but we're hearing that paramedics have been dispatched to Octomom Nadya Suleman's house in La Habra. Will fill in details as they come in...

Walter Cronkite.

Rod Leveque, the online editor here at SGVN, has created a fan page on Facebook for Crime Scene. Here's the link:

PASADENA - A man was stabbed to death Thursday night, police officials said.

The stabbing occurred about 11:30 p.m.in the 700 block of North Fair Oaks Avenue, said Pasadena Lt. Keith Jones.

"All we know is that someone was stabbed multiple times, and transported to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead," Jones said.

Here's our updated SGV stats for 2009. Pasadena's five homicides are now the most in the San Gabriel Valley.

Location	City	Victim name	Age	Method	Date	Description
1350 Mentone Ave Pasadena, CA	Pasadena	Barnes, Leroy	38	Officer involved Shooting	Feb 19, 2009	Pasadena police fatally shot 38-year-old Leroy Barnes during a traffic stop on Feb. 19.
100 South Virginia Avenue, Pasadena, CA	Pasadena	Elinor Hill Manson	74	strangulation	Apr 2, 2009	Police say Elinor Manson, 74, was strangled by her 78-year-old ex-husband, William Manson, at the woman's home in the 100 block of South Virgina Avenue in Pasadena. Police say William Manson then tried to kill himself with an overdose of insulin.
100 South Hill Avenue, Pasadena, CA	Pasadena	James Hall	41	stabbing	Apr 20, 2009	Story"> James Hall, 41, was stabbed to death near Pasadena City College. Patrick Mason, 42, and Steven Sumner, 45, both of Pasadena, were arrested in connection with the stabbing. Story
162 N. Sierra Madre Blvd, Pasadena, CA	Pasadena	David Crosby	39	Gunshot	May 29, 2009	Story"> A man walked into the crowded Atlantis restaurant on May 29, 2009 and fatally shot 39-year-old David Crosby, of Lancaster. Story
700 N Fair Oaks Ave, Pasadena, CA	Pasadena	John Doe		Stabbing	Jul 16, 2009	A man was stabbed to death on July 16 around 11:30 p.m.in the 700 block of North Fair Oaks Avenue.

This comes from the Associated Press: 

From Celeste Fremon at Witness LA:

Alex Sanchez had a second bail hearing on Wednesday afternoon. He did not get bail. Nor was he denied it.

Alex, if you'll remember, is the former MS-13 gang member turned highly honored gang intervention leader and head of the well-regarded nonprofit, Homies Unidos. A month ago, Sanchez was named in a federal racketeering indictment and accused of plotting the murder of a rival gang member. The case alleges Sanchez was leading a double life: while a good guy by day, by night he was the premier shot caller--AKA leader--of a particularly violent clique of MS-13.

At the last bail hearing held on June 30, 110 people wrote letters of support--including city leaders and a wide array of clergy. Friends and colleagues put up $1.2 million in surities against any bail. To sweeten the deal, Tom Hayden put up his house toward the hoped for bond. Sanchez was denied bail anyway.

Sanchez's attorney appealed the bail decision, and Wednesday's hearing was the result. But rather than settle the matter, U.S. District Judge Manuel L. Real decided to continue the bail issue until August 17, nearly a month from now.

On the surface this might sound like just another case of justice delayed. But, there is a lot more to this story.

In case you are interested, here's a copy of the Alex Sanchez indictment. And, a piece written by Tom Hayden for The Nation.

WHITTIER -- A local wanted parolee captured Wednesday kicked out a window of a police car and ran before being recaptured, authorities said.
Shayne Romero, 22, was booked on suspicion of parole and weapons violations, Whittier police officials said.
The incident occurred about 1 p.m. as police were searching for Romero in the 15400 block of Fernview Street, police said in a written statement.
Romero tried to drive away from the area, but police stopped his car and arrested him, officials said.
A search of Romero's home turned up several weapons, police added.
When an officer approached the police car with Romero handcuffed inside, Romero kicked out the rear window of the car and ran.
He was recaptured after a brief foot chase, officials added.
According to court records, Romero was being held without bail. No information on his initial court date was available Thursday.

MONROVIA -- A car-to-car shooting was reported Thursday, however no one initially appeared to have been wounded in the attack, authorities said.
The incident was reported just before 4:30 p.m. at California and Shrode avenues in an unincorporated county area near Monrovia, Los Angeles County sheriff's Sgt. Debra Herman said.
Police responded to reports that two Latino men in one car had opened fire on another car, the sergeant said, however both vehicles were gone when deputies arrived and no one came forward as a victim. A check of area hospital found no gunshot wound victims.
Officers found bits of broken glass and a spent bullet casing at the shooting scene, she added.
A motive was unknown, and no further details were available.

 

MONROVIA -- Police jailed a woman Thursday after she pulled a gun on a store employee who confronted her as she tried to steal alcohol, authorities said.
The woman's name was not released late Thursday pending further investigation and booking, Monrovia police Lt. Nels Ortlund said. She was described as a possibly transient woman in her 40s.
After her arrest, police recovered a loaded handgun and the apparently stolen alcohol, the lieutenant said.
The incident occurred about 3 p.m. at Trader Joe's, 604 W. Huntington Drive, Ortlund said.
An employee confronted the woman outside the store because he believed she had stolen alcohol, he said.
The woman pulled a handgun and pointed it at the employee before fleeing in car, Ortlund said.
Officers found the car in the area and arrested the woman without a struggle, he added.
She was booked on suspicion of robbery and carrying a concealed, loaded firearm, Ortlund said. Police will also seek sentence enhancements because the woman had prior felony convictions for theft.

PASADENA - A judge sentenced a Monrovia man to 17 years in prison for molesting teenage girls he met on the Internet.
Gregory Scott Serrano, 34, received the sentence from Pasadena Superior Court Judge Janice Croft July 9 after pleading guilty May 28 to 20 felony counts of child molestation involving three girls ages 14 to 17, Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office Spokeswoman Jane Robison said.
While the sentencing concludes Serrano's trial in the Los Angeles County judicial system, he still faces 23 felony federal charges, including using the Internet to entice minors, producing and possessing child pornography and trying to destroy evidence, U.S. Attorney's officials said.
Monrovia Chief of Police Roger Johnson said he was pleased with the outcome of the case.
"We're always very happy here when a dangerous individual like Serrano is put away for a very long time," he said.

Read the full story

ROWLAND HEIGHTS -- Coroner's officials asked for the public's help Wednesday in identifying a transient who died shortly after he was found unconscious on a Rowland Heights street last month.
The man, currently listed as John Doe 100, was found about 11:25 p.m. June 21 in front of 1025 S. Nogales Street, Los Angeles County Department of Coroner's Chief of Operations Craig Harvey said.
The cause of death was not available Wednesday pending further examination, coroner's Lt. Jerry McKibben said, however the death was initially believed to be natural.
The man was taken to Pomona Valley Hospital where he died just over an hour later, Harvey said.
The body is described as that of a Latino man estimated to be in his mid-50s, standing about 5 feet 3 inches tall and weighing about 130 pounds, officials said. There were no scars or tattoos.
He had brown hair, brown eyes and had a mustache and beard. He was wearing several bracelets and bands, as well as a women's watch.
Other transients in the area knew by the names "Ciriaco" and "Tio."
Anyone with information is asked to call coroner's Investigator Daniel Machian at (323) 343-0754.

PASADENA -- A judge sentenced a Monrovia man who molested teenage girls after meeting them through the Internet to 17 years in state prison last week, authorities said.
Gregory Scott Serrano, 34, received the sentence from Pasadena Superior Court Judge Janice Croft Thursday after pleading guilty May 28 to 20 felony counts of child molestation involving three girls ranging in age from 14 to 17, Los Angeles County District Attorney's officials said.
Serrano was arrested in March of last year after a 15-year-old girl reported to her parents that Serrano had molested her, authorities said.
While the sentencing concludes Serrano's trial in the Los Angeles County judicial system, he still faces 23 federal charges including using the Internet to entice minors, producing and possessing child pornography and destroying evidence, United Stated Attorney Joey Blanch said. The federal case involves 10 victims.
Serrano faces the possibility of life in prison if convicted on the federal charges, officials said.

This from a Department of Justice press release:

Attorney General Holder will hold a press conference at the DEA's Los Angeles field office to announce Recovery Act funds for the administration's Southwest border strategy.  The Attorney General will be joined by Timothy J. Landrum, DEA Special Agent in Charge of the Los Angeles Field Office; Ralph W. Partridge, DEA Special Agent in Charge of the San Diego Field Office; and local law enforcement officials.

Holder needs to be asked about federal efforts to infiltrate gangs working the neighborhoods of suburban Los Angeles. We'll monitor the press conference and address Holder with some local questions that require federal answers.

From Sandi Gibbons at the Los Angeles County DAs office:

LOS ANGELES - A Bakersfield man convicted of stabbing and wounding an Asian man last year during what a jury determined was a hate crime attack was sent to prison today for 22 years.

Aaron Mark Duggan, 28, was sentenced by Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Charlaine Olmedo on the basis of a guilty verdict returned by a jury on June 1. Besides finding that it was a hate crime, the jury also determined the victim suffered great bodily injury and that the defendant personally used a knife.

The attack occurred on April 22, 2008, on the track of a junior high school in San Dimas. The victim, Yoo Sun, then 22, was stabbed in the back and ear. A companion who was walking with Sun was attacked, but although bruised, suffered no stab wounds.

Duggan was arrested shortly after the attack and held on a probation violation stemming from an assault conviction in San Luis Obispo County in September 2004. He was charged with the San Dimas attack on March 13, 2008, He has remained in custody on $1.12 million bond.

The defendant was charged with attempted murder. After a trial, the jury found him guilty of the lesser charge of attempted voluntary manslaughter.

The case was prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney George Castello of the Hate Crimes Section.

Forty-three and counting.

Here's the story as we know it. 

Ontiveros, a mechanic, was visiting his grandmother's home in West Valinda to do a brake job on his aunt's car, according to his wife, Monique Ontiveros .

His 9-year-old son was with him while his other four children, aged 4 to 11, were at home with their mother in Baldwin Park.

"He was a loving father, and would do anything for them. His daily routine was go to work, come home, be with kids, and on the weekend we would do the car club," Monique Ontiveros said.

Two men, described as Hispanic, drove by in a dark colored pick-up truck and fired multiple rounds at Ontiveros.

They yelled a gang insult and drove away, Wilson said.

The shooters are believed to be members of the Puente Trece gang, Wilson said.

From the IVDB:

ROSEMEAD -- Two masked men used a handgun to rob a beauty salon and several female patrons Sunday, officials said.
The robbery occurred about 1:30 p.m. at the Del Mar Beauty Salon, 3030 Del Mar Avenue, Los Angeles County sheriff's Sgt. Jeff Walker said.
The robbers were described as Latino men in their 20s, wearing black jeans, grey long-sleeve shirts and bandanas over their faces, officials said.
After stealing money from the cash register as well as money and a cell phone from several women at the salon, the robbers fled in a black Ford Taurus, Walker said.

SOUTH EL MONTE -- An experimental airplane pilot walked away unharmed Sunday after making an emergency landing in a wash area in an unincorporated county area near South El Monte, authorities said.
The incident occurred about 10:40 a.m. in the wash near Rush Street and Loma Avenue, Los Angeles County sheriff's Sgt. Jeff Walker said.
It was not immediately clear what caused the small, single-person aircraft to fall from the sky, he said.
The plane sustained minor damage in the emergency landing, but the pilot, a man in his early 50s, was unharmed, the sergeant said.
The pilot managed to avoid obstacles in the wash, such as a large boulder and high tension wires, Walker said.
"He's lucky he put it down where he did."

EAST VALINDA -- An apparently gang-related running gunbattle was reported near Sunshine Park Sunday, however officials were unable to find anyone wounded from the shooting.
The incident occurred just before 4 p.m. at Altario Street and Deepmead Avenue, Los Angeles County sheriff's Sgt. Sonja Bracken said.
The shoot-out appeared to be between a group of four young men and another young man who was by himself, she said.
Authorities initially believed the incident was between members of the Hurley Street gang of East Valinda and the Duke gang of the West Covina area.
Deputies discovered bullet fragments in the street, but no gunshot wound victims were reported at area hospitals, Bracken said.
The shooting involved at least two guns, she said, however witnesses provided conflicting details about exactly how many guns were involved.

NORWALK -- Homicide detectives continue their investigation into the death of a young man who was fatally wounded in a car-to-car shooting Saturday.
The dead man's name was not released Sunday pending notification of his family, Los Angeles County Department of Coroner's Investigator Katalin Van Meter said.
Sgt. Bill Marsh of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Homicide Bureau described the man as a Long beach-area resident in his 20s with ties to Norwalk.
The shooting occurred about 2 a.m. at Bloomfield and Rosecrans avenues, Los Angeles County sheriff's Deputy Byron Ward said.
The victim was the only person in his Toyota sedan and was westbound on Rosecrans Avenue when an imported sedan described as a Honda Civic, Toyota Camry or similar vehicle, approached, Marsh said.
"The vehicle came up rapidly and approached on the driver's side," he said.
One of three suspects, who were described only as male and Latino, then fired several shots into the victim's car, Marsh said. A motive was not known.
Investigators received conflicting reports about the color of the suspects' car, he added.
After being shot, the wounded man crashed his car into a cement pillar, the sergeant said.
He was taken to an area hospital where he died a short time later.

WHITTIER -- Authorities released the name Sunday of a 3-year-old boy who was killed when a heavy gate fell on him in the front yard of his home, authorities said.
Justin Martinez was pronounced dead at an area hospital shortly after the incident, Los Angeles County Department of Coroner Investigator Katalin Van Meter said.
The boy was playing in a gated-in front yard with another young child about 5 p.m. Friday in the 11700 block of Fidel Avenue, Los Angeles County sheriff's Lt. John Gannon said. The children's mother was inside the home showering.
Officials believe the boy began pulling on the gate when it fell on top of him, the lieutenant said, pinning him until rescuers arrived.
The boy was flown by helicopter to an area hospital where he died a short time later.
A safety mechanism was missing from the gate, Gannon said.
Homicide detectives investigated the scene and determined the incident was a an accident, he said, and there were no signs of foul play.
Coroner's officials had not determined a cause of death Sunday.

PASADENA - A local man suffered serious wounds but was expected to survive after a shooting early Sunday, police said.
Few details were known about the shooting Sunday, which occurred about 2:30 a.m. in a residential neighborhood in the 1000 block of North Summit Avenue, Pasadena police Lt. Keith Jones said.
The wounded 42-year-old man was walking down the street when he was shot in the chest and leg, the lieutenant said.
He added that the wounded man told police he did not see his attacker.
"He said shots rang out and he was hit twice," Jones said.
A motive in the attack was not known.

POMONA -- A man was flown to the hospital in critical condition of being struck by a car Saturday, authorities said.
The incident occurred about 11:35 p.m. on Towne Avenue at Mission Boulevard, Pomona police Cpl. Bert Sanchez said.
The pedestrian, who had not been identified early Sunday, was estimated to be in his mid-30s, the corporal said.
He was apparently crossing Towne Avenue when he was struck by a car being driven by a 24-year-old Pomona woman, he said.
The cause and circumstances of the crash remained under investigation, officials said. No citations or arrests were made at the scene.

From the Associated Press:

LOS ANGELES -- An Amber Alert for three states, including California, was issued today for a Las Vegas woman suspected of abducting her four children, according to police and the California Highway Patrol.
  Claire Tourand, 34, failed to show up for a custody meeting with social service officials in Las Vegas, and an arrest warrant was issued earlier today, a Reno, Nev., police officer said.
  A family court judge also issued an order for the return of the children, saying there's an immediate risk of harm to them.
The Amber Alert is in effect in Nevada, California and Arizona, and authorities believe she may be headed to Mexico in a white 1998 Mercury Sable, license plate 369 SDH, said CHP Officer Patrick Kimball.
  The children, Ivan, Jakelyne, Megan and Tyson Mata-Martinez, range in age from 4 to 9, the police officer said.

*PHOTO of Claire Tourand courtesy of the Washoe County Sheriff's Department, Nevada

 

LA PUENTE -- A man used a note demanding cash to rob a bank Saturday, authorities said.
The crime was reported shortly after 11 a.m. at a Chase bank branch at 925 N. Hacienda Blvd., just south of Amar Road, Los Angeles County sheriff's Lt. Steven Katz.
The robber was described as an Asian man in his late 20s or early 30s who wore black clothing, the lieutenant said.
He used a note to demand money from a single teller and was last seen fleeing on foot, he said. No vehicle was seen in connection with the robbery, and no weapon was seen.
The FBI, which investigates bank robberies, was notified of the crime, Katz said.
Officials were going through area surveillance cameras Saturday in hopes they would provide more information about the robber.

WHITTIER -- A 3-year-old boy died at the hospital after a heavy wrought iron fence fell on him, authorities said.
The incident occurred about 5 p.m. at a house in the 11700 block of Fidel Avenue, in an unincorporated county area near Whittier, Los Angeles County sheriff's Lt. John Gannon said. "It appears to be a freak accident," he said.
The toddler and 5-year-old child were playing in the fenced-in front yard while their mother was in the shower, the lieutenant said.
It was not clear Friday what caused the gate to fall, Gannon said. The child was believed to have been pulling on it, but it was not clear if the gate was previously damaged.
The gate was about 5 feet tall and 20 feet wide and "very heavy," Los Angeles County Fire Department Capt. Clint Kaller said.
The young boy was pinned underneath when rescuers arrived, officials said. It took two deputies to pull the gate off him.
He suffered a large cut to the top of his head and was unconscious when he was flown by helicopter to Childrens Hospital Los Angeles, Kaller said.
He died a short time later, Gannon said.
Detectives from the Sheriff's Homicide Bureau were summoned to investigate and determined the incident was a tragic accident with no signs of a crime, he said.
A safety device on the upper rail of the sliding gate was not in place, he added.
"This certainly underscores the importance of keeping an eye on young children," Gannon said.

Coroner's officials have identified two men who died Thursday in a fatal car crash in Walnut and an apparent suicide in Industry:

WALNUT -- For the third time in 15 months, a person died Thursday in a crash on Amar Road in Walnut, authorities said.
Patrick Deon Donelson, 41, of West Covina died at the scene of the crash at Amar Road near Meadow Pass Road shortly after 3 p.m., Los Angeles County Department of Coroner Chief of Operations Craig Harvey said.
He was westbound on Amar Road about half an hour earlier when his car struck a light pole, Los Angeles County sheriff's Sgt. Mario Estrada said. He was the only one inside the car.
The cause of the crash was not available Friday.
In April, 21-year-old Jennifer Marie Garcia died when the car she rode in with three friends struck a tree in the center median on on westbound Amar Road near Braes River Drive.
In April of last year, Wilfred Quizon Sabas, 30, died on westbound Amar Road at Braes River Drive when he lost control of his motorcycle and struck a traffic light pole.

INDUSTRY -- Authorities released the name Friday of a man who apparently committed suicide by jumping from a bridge.
Cardon Lenn Gifford, 54, of West Covina died at the scene after jumping from a bridge near Valley Boulevard and Azusa Avenue shortly after 10 p.m. Thursday, sheriff's and coroner's officials said.
Sheriff's officials described the man as a transient.
Officials responded after someone reported seeing the man standing on top of the bridge.
He jumped jumped head-first and landed on a set of train tracks below, authorities said.

Ron Beilke, Pico Rivera Councilman and local Weinerschnitzel proprietor might have some 'splaining to do to the DA and a possible grand jury looking into allegations he engaged in some shady conduct while on the council over the past few years.

ALTADENA -- A man is expected to recover after he was shot late Thursday, officials said.
The shooting was reported as "shots fired" shortly after 9 p.m. at Lincoln Avenue and Figueroa Drive, Los Angeles County sheriff's Lt. John Roberts said.
The victim was struck once in the buttocks and was taken to an area hospital, he said.
No information about the shooter or the motive was available late Thursday.

INDUSTRY -- A bicyclist was rushed to the hospital Thursday after being struck by a freight train.
The crash was reported about 6:50 p.m. near the 605 Freeway and Valley Boulevard, Los Angeles County Fire Department Supervising Dispatcher Michael Pittman said.
The injured man was 35 years old and believed to be a transient, Los Angeles County sheriff's Lt. Arthur Scott.
He was eastbound along the railroad tracks when he saw the train approaching eastbound and apparently decided to try to beat it across a bridge, Scott said.
His injuries did not appear to be life-threatening, he added.

WALNUT -- A man died Thursday when his car struck a light pole and electrical box on Amar Road, authorities said.
The incident was reported shortly after 2:30 p.m. on westbound Amar Road near Meadow Pass Road, Los Angeles County sheriff's Sgt. Mario Estrada said.
The dead man, initially described only as a 41-year-old, was the only person inside his sedan when the crash occurred, the sergeant said. He was pronounced dead a the scene.
The cause of the crash remained under investigation, Estrada said.

PASADENA -- Police jailed a man on suspicion of lewd acts Thursday for allegedly peeking at a woman in a store bathroom, officials said.
Gregory Grace, 46, of Pasadena was arrested Thursday after a police officer recognized him from surveillance video as a suspect he had arrested earlier this year for a similar allegation, Pasadena police Lt. Tracey Ibarra said.
The incident occurred about 9 p.m. Monday at a store in the 700 block of East Colorado Boulevard, the lieutenant said.
A woman was using a bathroom stall when she noticed a man peering over the top at her, she said. The man left when he was confronted by a store employee.
Pictures of the man were placed around the Pasadena Police Department in hopes an officer would recognize the man, Ibarra said, and one did.
An officer recalled arresting Grace in January for peeking over bathroom stalls at another area business, she said.
Grace, a parolee, was being held without bail, officials said.

WHITTIER -- A tree fell over Thursday, bringing some high voltage wires down with it and sparking several small fires in a residential neighborhood, authorities said.
The incident occurred about 4:40 p.m. in the 8200 of La Sierra Avenue, Whittier police Lt. Wyatt Powell said.
It was not clear what caused the tree to fall, he said, but when it did, it knocked power lines onto nearby yards.
Firefighters made quick work of several small spot fires sparked by the wires in residents' yards, Powell said.
Six homes were evacuated for about an hour and a half until Southern California Edison officials could shut off the power, he said.
The block remained without power Thursday evening, Powell added, as a crew was en route to repair the damaged wires.

Authorities jailed an apologetic man Wednesday who said he carried out a robbery spree spanning the San Gabriel Valley and Inland Empire to pay his son's drug debts.
John Richard Boynton, 39, of Fontana is suspected in at least nine robberies or attempted robberies throughout the region, including a bank robbery in Temple City and a failed robbery at a Diamond Bar bank, officials said.
"He said he was sorry," Detective Gerald Wright of the sheriff's Walnut/Diamond Bar Station said.
Local investigators have linked Boynton to a Wednesday bank robbery at a Bank of the West branch in Temple City, as well as an attempted robbery at a Tomato Bank in Diamond Bar on Monday.
In addition, Boynton is suspected of five robberies in a 24-hour period in Rialto, Highland and Fontana on June 26, a robbery at the Pacific Western Bank in Chino on July 3 and July 7 robbery of a Hilton Hotel gift shop in Ontario, authorities said.
Boynton admitted the robberies and told investigators he was in financial trouble and needed to help his son pay drug debts, officials said.
In the Temple City and Diamond Bar crimes, Boynton carried a gun, demanded money with a note and brought a plastic bag to place the stolen money in, Wright said.
Police arrested Boynton near his Fontana home about 4 p.m. Wednesday after the Chino Department Crime Analysis Unit identified him as a suspect in recent robberies,authorities said.
Members of the Chino police Special Enforcement Team made the arrest without a struggle as he tried to drive away from his house.
Boynton was being held at the San Bernardino County West Valley Detention Center.

*Above: Police say an image from a surveillance camera during the July 8 robbery at the Bank of the West in Temple City depicts serial robbery suspect John Boynton, 39, of Fontana. (Courtesy of the FBI)

BALDWIN PARK -- A Los Angeles County sheriff's deputy suffered moderate injuries Thursday after he was thrown from his motorcycle in a crash on the 10 Freeway, authorities said.
The collision was reported about 11:15 a.m. in the westbound lanes of the freeway near Puente Avenue, California Highway Patrol Officer Jose Nunez said.
Deputy Marc Saunders, 45, of the sheriff's Walnut-Diamond Bar Station suffered moderate injuries in the crash, CHP spokesman Edmund Zorrilla said. No other injuries were reported.
The crash occurred when Debra Bonafede, 57, of Redlands sideswiped the deputy's motorcycle with her 2001 Toyota Avalon, causing him to crash, Zorrilla said.
The deputy was thrown from his motorcycle and suffered abrasions to his hip, elbows and shoulder, Zorrilla said. He was take to the Citrus Valley Health Partners -- Queen of the Valley Campus for treatment.
Immediately following the crash, Ambrocio Veyra, 34, of Pomona was unable to stop in time and rear-ended the rapidly slowing Toyota, Zorrilla said.
Drugs or alcohol did not appear to be a factor in the crash, Zorrilla said, and no citations or arrested were made Thursday afternoon.
The crash, he added, remained under investigation.

At left is Susan Bendigo, also known as Susan Lim. She's a federal fugitive in a 42-defendant case involving shady nurses operating out of Santa Fe Springs. 

POMONA - Three men will likely spend the rest of their lives behind bars for the 2002 slaying of a Baldwin Park teenager whose body was dragged behind a car for miles through Turnbull Canyon.
Pomona Superior Court Judge Michael Camacho on Wednesday sentenced Victor Monge, 33, to 85 years to life in prison, Matthew Garcia, 27, to 80 years to life in prison and Abraham Acuna, 34, to 55 years to life in prison, court officials said.
All men were living in El Monte at the time of the murder.
They were each convicted of first-degree murder June 4 at Pomona Superior Court for the October 2002 murder of 17-year-old Gloria Gaxiola of Baldwin Park.
Prosecutor Stephen Dones called the killing "particularly vicious" and said the men killed Gaxiola to silence her.
"They were afraid of her testifying about a robbery they had committed," Dones said.
Gaxiola, whose was a member of Agape Christian Center in Pico Rivera where her brother was a pastor, had befriended the three men.
Monge and Garcia were sentenced as third-strike offenders, while Acuna was sentenced as a second-striker, Dones said.
Authorities believe Gaxiola was shot on Turnbull Canyon Road in Hacienda Heights before being dragged several miles by the killers' car.
The body was found at Hacienda Boulevard and Colima Road.
"We believe her foot was caught in the seat belt," Dones said.
Dones said coroner's officials were unable to determine exactly what injury killed Gaxiola.
At least one witness called police to report the body being dragged behind the car, he added, however the car was not found.
No arrests were made in the case for five years until 2008, Dones said, when a witness came forward with new information.
The prosecution alleged during the trial that Garcia was the gunman in the attack, he said, however the jury did not find that allegation to be true.
A jury convicted Monge, Garcia and Acuna after deliberating for less than a day.
The men were believed to live in the El Monte area at the time of the killing, officials said. It was not clear where they had been living since 2002.
Steve Burrola, 44, of Whittier said he was relieved to see the case come to and end at last.
Family members of Gaxiola could not be reached for comment Wednesday.
A truck driver, Burrola was driving down Colima Road when he saw Gaxiola's body alongside the road.
He said the image has remained fresh in his mind ever since.
Burrola said he initially thought the young woman had been struck by a car.
"I was deeply saddened when I learned more of the story about her," he said. "It really hit me, knowing she was dragged."
The sentencing of the killers Wednesday brought Burrola a sense of closure, he said.
"I would never forget and wanted the people responsible to be brought back to justice," Burrola said. "I will never forget Gloria Gaxiola."

PICO RIVERA -- Two men wearing hooded sweat shirts, hats and sunglasses robbed a check cashing business Wednesday, officials said.
The crime occurred about 2:35 p.m. at Check 'n Go, 8986 Washington Blvd., Los Angeles County sheriff's Lt. Maria Gutierrez said.
The robbers, described as Latino men in their 20s, pretended to have a gun as they demanded cash from a lone female teller, the lieutenant said. No weapon was seen.
They were last seen running east from the area, she said.

FBI agents honed their skills in identifying and collecting evidence from bodies at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville in May at the annual "Body Farm" field study class. Bodies are buried and left to decompose so that agents can dig them up, study them and gain experience in body recovery.

The following comes from the FBI's Web site:

The bug expert gathered FBI agents around the table to introduce his maggots. He selected a mature one from a watery dish and held it up to his eyepiece, staring through its translucent carapace like a jeweler appraising a precious stone.

"All of these, if you look, have a gut in them," said Dr. Ian Dadour, a forensic entomologist, explaining how pinpointing a maggot's age can tell a lot about what it's eating. "So this means they're still feeding...they haven't used all their food up."

READ MORE

TEMPLE CITY -- A man fled with an unknown amount of cash after robbing a bank Wednesday, authorities said.
The crime was reported about 11:45 a.m. at a Bank of the West branch at 9934 Las Tunas Drive, Los Angeles County sheriff's Sgt. Michael Martinez said.
The robber was described as a heavyset white man in his 30s with dark hair, the sergeant said. He wore a dark shirt.
He demanded cash from a teller before fleeing the bank on foot in an unknown direction, Martinez said.
It was not immediately clear if the robber had a weapon, he added.

LOS ANGELES  -- The former national president of the notorious Mongols
motorcycle gang has pleaded guilty to a racketeering conspiracy charge in a case that
accused other members of murder, drug trafficking and violent attacks.

Prosecutors revealed January's guilty plea by Ruben "Doc" Cavazos in court papers filed on June 29. He could face up to 20 years in prison when he is sentenced in February.

A phone message left with Cavazos' attorney Angel Navarro was not immediately returned Tuesday.

Cavazos and other Mongol leaders directed members to engage in murders, extortion,
robberies and drug trafficking to "promote and further the activities of the Mongols
gang," according to a 177-page indictment.

Among other things, prosecutors claim Cavazos was involved in negotiating with Mexican Mafia leaders over the collection of payments for drug trafficking in areas controlled by that gang and getting Mongol members to commit crimes against people who challenged the gang's authority.

 

Call me old-fashioned, but I don't get the whole Michael Jackson adoration thing.

Perhaps the hundreds of thousands of people heading downtown this morning really want to take part in something that has nothing to do with the still-dead King of Pop.

If they are not going to Staples to remember Jackson, they are there to be part of something bigger than life.

It's not clear.

But why waste an entire day stuck in traffic? Why get pushed around by cops? Why fight sweaty dudes in wife-beaters in what is sure to be a mosh pit outside of Staples Center?

Let's get something straight. Regardless of how much joy Jackson's music may have brought to the masses, he was a sicko.

If there's any proof it probably lies in the multimillion-dollar settlements Jackson reached with purported victims. One of those claimed the singer molested him at age 7 and again at age 10.

That kid's mother was Jackson's maid. Jackson reportedly reached a $2.4 million settlement with the family.

In 1993, Jackson paid $20 million to a 13-year-old who claimed the pop star sexually abused him.

The boy's mother explained later how Jackson begged her to let him sleep with the boy, according to court documents and testimony at trial.

The star and the mom argued about it, but ultimately the boy's mom gave in and allowed her teen to spend nights in Jackson's bed.

After the mom relented, Jackson bought her a Cartier bracelet. Clearly, this was a man who thought he could hurt whomever he wanted and do what he wanted because he had the means to buy his way out of trouble.

The boy may have been molested over a six-month period of time after that.

In 2003, police arrested Jackson and charged him with sex crimes against a 13-year-old boy who had cancer.

At his trial in 2005, prosecutors detailed how Jackson showed porn to young boys on the grounds of his Neverland Ranch. They spelled out how he gave the kids wine, which he called "Jesus Juice."

The state documented how Jackson preyed on the teen cancer survivor and the boy's family - for his own self-gratification.

The victim, a resident of El Monte, told a jury how Jackson groped and fondled him.

A member of the jury that ultimately acquitted Jackson said later he thought Jackson was a child molester. Another said Jackson should stop sleeping with kids.

If Jackson were any other 46-year- old man in that situation, he'd probably still be in prison fending off predators who take no mercy on pedophiles.

Certainly, he'd be listed on the Megan's Law Web site once he got out of the joint.

I guarantee if he was the creepy guy living down the street from any one of us, we'd be repulsed and sickened by his behavior.

If anything, Wacko Jacko's life story should be a cautionary tale about the price of fame and the parents who subject their kids to foul and unspeakable acts.

It's a story about the danger of prescription drug abuse and the doctors who are nothing more than educated street corner pushers.

It's an epic filled with details of bad decision-making by a whole host of people - including those making a pilgrimage Downtown on this summer day.

This was passed on to me this morning from reader Ruben Quezada. He points out it came from a soldier named Issac who is serving in Iraq:

I was just watching the news, and I caught part of a report on Michael Jackson . As we all know, Jackson died the other day. He was an entertainer who performed for decades. He made millions, he spent millions, and he did a lot of things that make him a villain to many people. I understand that his death would affect a lot of people, and I respect those people who mourn his death, but that isn't the point of my rant.

Why is it that when ONE man dies, the whole of America loses their minds with grief. When a man dies whose only contribution to the country was to ENTERTAIN people, the American people find the need to flock to a memorial in Hollywood , and even Congress sees the need to hold a "moment of silence" for his passing?

Am I missing something here? ONE man dies, and all of a sudden he's a freaking martyr because he entertained us for a few decades?

What about all those SOLDIERS who have died to give us freedom? All those Soldiers who, knowing that they would be asked to fight in a war, still raised their hands and swore to defend the Constitution and the United States of America . 

Where is there moment of silence? Where are the people flocking to their graves or memorials and mourning over them because they made the ultimate sacrifice? Why is it when a Soldier dies, there are more people saying "good ridence," and "Thank God for IEDs?"

When did this country become so calloused to the sacrifice of GOOD MEN and WOMEN, that they can arbitrarily blow off their deaths, and instead, throw themselves into mourning for a "Pop Icon?"

I think that if they are going to hold a moment of silence IN CONGRESS for Michael Jackson, they need to hold a moment of silence for every service member killed in Iraq and Afghanistan.
 
They need to PUBLICLY recognize every life that has been lost so that the American people can live their callous little lives in the luxury and freedom that WE, those that are living and those that have gone on, have provided for them.


But, wait, that would take too much time, because there have been so many willing to make that sacrifice. After all, we will never make millions of dollars. We will never star in movies, or write hit songs that the world will listen too. We only shed our blood, sweat and tears so that people can enjoy what they have.

Sorry if I have offended, but I needed to say it. Feel free to pass this along if you want.

Remember these five words the next time you think of someone who is serving in the military; "So that others may live..."

                - Isaac           

NOTE: I'll Update this as Robert sends posts from the scene. He'll be writing a first person story for tomorrow's newspaper: (I've haven't edited these, so the dispatches are as I get them)

This from CNN:

Police in Gaston County, North Carolina, shot and killed a robbery suspect early Monday, and then called in police from South Carolina who have been chasing a serial killer.

There was "evidence in regard to the man that was shot," said Capt. Joe Ramey of the Gaston County Police Department.

Ramey did not give specifics, and said he could not state for certain whether the suspect had a link to the serial killer case.

"We saw evidence they needed to know about," Ramey said.

Gaston County is about 33 miles northeast of Gaffney, South Carolina. Police say a serial killer in the Gaffney area has killed five people since late June.

Police in Cherokee County, which includes Gaffney, had a basic description of the killer and the car he may be driving, which authorities said may be a Ford Explorer from the early 1990s.

PASADENA -- Police jailed a man on suspicion of trying to stab a homeless man who defended himself by striking the man with a piece of wood outside the Rose Bowl Saturday, authorities said.
Gabriel Arroyo, 41, Pasadena was booked on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon, Pasadena police Lt. Tracey Ibarra said.
The incident occurred about 5:30 p.m. as people were gathering just west of the Rose Bowl near Salvia Canyon Road and West Drive in anticipation of the Independence Day fireworks, the lieutenant said.
Arroyo got into an argument with a local transient and pulled a knife, Ibarra said.
When Arroyo tried to stab the homeless man, he defended himself by striking Arroyo in the head with a piece of wood, she said. Arroyo was not seriously injured.
According to court records, Arroyo is being held in lieu of $30,000 bail. His initial court date was not available Sunday.

PASADENA -- Witnesses reported a shooting early Sunday, however police were unable to locate any victims, officials said.
Residents in the 1300 block of El Sereno Avenue called police about 2 a.m. to report hearing shots fired, Pasadena police Lt. Tracey Ibarra said.
The witnesses reported that they heard arguing coming from two cars on the street, she said, and that someone in one of the cars threatened to shoot someone in the other.
The residents went in their home when they heard shots, Ibarra said.
Police found three bullet casings and three bullet holes in a nearby house, she said, but were not able to find the intended target of the attack.

AZUSA -- Sheriff's officials arrested a 16-year-old boy on suspicion of stabbing and wounding three family members Saturday during a house party in an unincorporated county area near Azusa, authorities said.
The stabbing occurred about 11:30 p.m. at a home in the 1800 block of East Armstead Street, Los Angeles County sheriff's Sgt. Kirk Smith said.
The three victims, who were believed to be extended family members of the teen suspect, were taken to a trauma center with wounds that did not appear life-threatening, the sergeant said.
There was apparently an argument prior to the stabbing, he said, however it was not clear what the motive in the alleged attack was.
Due to his age, the suspect's name was not released, Smith said. He is believed to be a resident of Riverside, where he was arrested early Sunday.
No further details were available.

DIAMOND BAR -- Officials responded to a report of a toddler having trouble breathing after slipping underwater in a spa Saturday at the home of Cordozar Calvin Broadus, Jr., better known as rapper, "Snoop Dogg."
The child, a 3-year-old boy, was hospitalized as a precaution but appeared to be doing fine, Los Angeles County Fire Department officials said.
The incident was reported shortly after 10 p.m. in a gated community in the 2300 block of Alamo Heights Drive, sheriff's and fire officials said.
The home is listed in public records as that of the rapper.
The child apparently briefly slipped under water in a spa, and someone became concerned and called for help, fire officials said.
The boy was in his mother's arms, breathing and conscious, when firefighters arrived, authorities added.
Fire officials said Broadus did not appear to be at the home.

BIG BEAR -- Authorities resumed their search Sunday to no avail for an Alhambra man who apparently drowned trying to rescue another man from Big Bear Lake.
The 33-year-old man's name was not released Sunday, San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department spokeswoman Cindy Beavers said.
He jumped off a boat in an effort to help a struggling swimmer about 3 p.m. Friday, but he himself got into trouble in the rough waters, Beavers said.
Another man jumped in the water to try to help, but only he and the first man in the water made it back to the boat, officials said.
The Alhambra man is presumed dead, and five sheriff's divers searched the lake for a body Sunday, Beavers said.
The search continued until about 2:30 p.m. Sunday, she said, when high winds and rough waters made the lake unsafe for divers.
Officials will evaluate the situation early Monday, including the weather and manpower availability, to determine how to proceed, Beavers said.
Divers searched Saturday from sunrise until about 1 p.m., when rough waters and heavy boat traffic prompted officials to call off the search.
Authorities also searched for the man Friday until sunset.
The three men were part of a group that rented a boat together, Beavers said.
The boat was about 300 yards off the shore when the incident occurred, she said. The lake is about 27 feet deep.

AZUSA -- An attacker opened fire on a group of people early Sunday, striking no one but narrowly missing a young child sleeping in a nearby apartment, authorities said.
The apparently gang-related shooting occurred about 2:20 a.m. in front of an apartment building at 6th Street and Glenfinnan Avenue, Azusa police Sgt. Jerry Arnold said in a written statement.
An unknown-type vehicle approached a group of people congregated in front of the building when someone inside opened fire several times, police said.
"One round entered an apartment when it went through the window of a room where a small child was sleeping," the statement said.
A parked car was also struck by several bullets, officials said.
No description of a shooter or the vehicle was available, and no further details were released.

From the Associated Press:

POMONA -- A 1-year-old boy died Friday after authorities say he ran in front of a van and was struck.
Police say the incident occurred shortly after 2 p.m. The van's driver, 50-year-old Larry Shyne, drove the boy to a hospital with one of the child's relatives.
The boy, whose identity wasn't immediately released, suffered major injuries and died at the hospital.
Police Sgt. Michael Olivieri says it appears the boy went into the street from the sidewalk and was hit by the van.
No citations or arrests have been made. The investigation is ongoing.

BIG BEAR - Officials called off the search about 1 p.m. Saturday for an Alhambra man who apparently drowned trying to rescue a troubled swimmer in Big Bear Lake.
Rough waters and heavy boat traffic on the lake made the lake unsafe for divers and interfered with sonar equipment, San Bernardino County sheriff's spokeswoman Cindy Beavers said.
The 33-year-old man, whose identity was not released Saturday, jumped into the lake from a boat shortly after 3 p.m.Friday to try to help another man from the boat who had gotten into trouble while swimming in choppy waters, Beavers said.
A third man from the boat jumped in to try to help, but only the first and third men made it back to the boat, she said.
The Alhambra man went under and has not been seen since, Beavers said.
"He is presumed dead," she said.
Divers searched for the man until about 7 p.m. Friday, then resumed the search in the 27-foot deep lake with eight divers at dawn Saturday until it was called off in the afternoon, officials said.
The search would likely continue at sunset Sunday, Beavers said.
The rented boat was about 300 yards from shore when the incident occurred, she added.
Those on the boat were believed to be a group of friends, she said.
Beavers said the waters of Big Bear Lake can be turbulent at times, especially during the high winds of the afternoon.
"If you're not a strong swimmer, you can get in trouble really fast," she said.

Two unrelated housefired in Montebello and West Covina were reported Thursday evening. The Montebello fire gutted a home and sent a firefighter and a resident to the hospital, while the West Covina blaze caused much less damage and resulted in no injuries. Despite the fact that these fires occurred on July 2, officials did not believe fireworks were to blame in either blaze. Here's the stories:

MONTBELLO -- A fire gutted a home and sent two people, including a firefighter, to the hospital Thursday, authorities said.
The blaze was reported about 6 p.m. at a house in the 1700 block of Colegrove Avenue, Montebello Fire Department Battalion Chief Kevin Collinge said.
A firefighter was hospitalized with minor burns, and an elderly resident of the home was hospitalized for smoke inhalation, he said. Another resident of the home was treated at the scene for an unknown medical condition.
Four adults and two children who lived at the home were displaced, he said. They were home when the fire ignited.
Firefighters found the home "well-involved" with fire when they arrived and extinguished the flames in about 30 minutes, Collinge said.
A dollar-value estimate of the damage was not available late Thursday, however the battalion chief said the 1,800-square-foot home appeared "thoroughly gutted."
A cause of the blaze remained under investigation, he added, however it did not initially appear that fireworks were involved.

WEST COVINA -- A fire caused about $20,000 in damage to a house Thursday, officials said.
The blaze was reported about 6:20 p.m. in the 300 block of North Orange Avenue, West Covina Fire Department Capt. Esteban Rodriguez said.
About 18 firefighters doused the fire in about 15 minutes, he added.
The cause of the fire remained under investigation, he said, but it preliminarily appeared the fire was electrical in nature, the captain said.
The fire was largely confined to the living room portion of the home, he added.
No one was injured in the fire, Rodriguez said, though seven residents, including children, were displaced.
They residents went to stay with family members, he said.

Watch the video:

CANTON, Ohio -- The police chief of a northeast Ohio township has retired after a video became public showing him and a female office kissing and caressing in the front of a police cruiser while a prisoner was in the back seat.

Timothy Escola retired Tuesday night after four years with the Perry Township police department about 50 miles south of Cleveland. Law Director Charles Hall says Escola's retirement closes an internal investigation.

Hall says no charges are being considered against part-time officer Janine England, who was with Escola in the cruiser June 2.

Escola and England drove to the Cincinnati area to pick up a burglary suspect.

The LASD sent along some photos after raids on Mongols in the San Gabriel Valley Friday.

Here's a jacket taken in the raid. Other items taken can be viewed here.

A recent ruling in federal court allowed police agencies to prevent Mongols members from showing off their trademarked colors.

 

No evacuations underway, but this might be the season's first wildfire, from Valley News:

TEMECULA- A wildland fire that began at approximately 2:34 p.m. west of Temecula in the De Luz area of Riverside County is now reported to have encompasses between 75 and 100 acres.

With winds of 10 to 15 miles per hour, officials say the blaze is moving toward Winchester Road.

Rancho California Road has now been closed in both direction at Business Center Drive.

Firefighters on the scene say the fire is burning in steep, dense terrain in heavy fuel (brush-filled) areas.

Fire officials have not indicated any evacuations are underway at this time.

SAN GABRIEL -- Police seized Mongols motorcycle-gang paraphernalia Thursday during a Parole Probation Compliance Check of 40 locations in Rosemead and South San Gabriel, officials said.

The items bearing the Mongols insignia included shirts, jackets, a clock and beanies.

They where found in the home of Mauricio Montano, on the 8100 block of Blewett Street in San Gabriel, according Sgt. Mark Flores of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Temple Station.

Montano is believed to be part of a Pico Rivera chapter of the outlaw Motorcycle gang, officials said. He was taken into custody but not arrested.

"We will write up a report and start an investigation," Flores said. "We will hand it over to the Federal Government."

A federal judge in October barred the Mongols gang from wearing or distributing its logo. The order came one day after a nationwide federal sweep, which landed 61 Southern California Mongols members in jail.

During Thursday's operation, police made six arrests. The charges included marijuana cultivation, possession of methamphetamine, procession of narcotics and narcotic paraphernalia and felons in possession of ammunition.

The operation included about 50 officers from the Detection Unit, Asian Gang Task Force and Special Projects Team.

The action follows a similar raid in Azusa.