September 2009 Archives

COVINA -- A car crashed into a vacant laundry business Wednesday, though no injuries were reported, police said.
The crash occurred just after 5 p.m. in the 1400 block of N. Citrus Avenue, Covina police Sgt. Trevor Gaumer said.
The female driver in her 30s was uninjured, and her 11-year-old daughter, who was a passenger in the Nissan Maxima, was treated at the scene for a minor cut to her hand, Los Angeles County Fire Department Capt. Tom Jones said.
The cause of the crash remained under investigation, Gaumer said, however there did not initially appear to be any criminal behavior involved.
No arrests or citations were made, he said.

COVINA -- A taxi driver died Tuesday after being found unconscious in his cab, authorities said.
The dead man identified Wednesday as 63-year-old Gholamreza Mohammadkani of Covina, Los Angeles County Department of Coroner Lt. Larry Dietz said.
An autopsy determined he died from natural causes, Dietz said.
According to Covina police Sgt. Trevor Gaumer, someone called officials to report seeing the man "unresponsive" in his taxi shortly before 6:20 a.m. in the parking lot of 7-Eleven, 1085 N. Citrus Ave.
Authorities performed first-aid on the man, but he was pronounced dead, the sergeant said.

GLENDORA -- A former Glendora police officer accused of stealing money and drugs while on duty entered a not guilty plea in court Wednesday, court officials said.
Timothy Radogna, 33, was charged in May with grand theft, possession of drugs for sales and possession of drugs with a firearm.
He was fired from the Glendora Police Department in December of 2008 after he became the target of an integrity investigation three months earlier, officials said. He was arrested in May.
In the investigation, Radogna allegedly stole about $1,000 and a small amount of methamphetamine from a car he was asked to book into evidence.
Radogna was a 3-year veteran of the Glendora police, who had also served on the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department and Covina Police Department.
Court officials said Radogna is due back in Los Angeles Superior Court Oct. 29 for a hearing.

From the Associated Press:

WASHINGTON -- The House has passed a bill sought by California lawmakers that would create a national registry of convicted arsonists.
The House passed a similar bill two years ago, but the effort stalled in the Senate. A recent
deadly fire in the Angeles National Forest in Southern California led to a renewed push for an arsonists' registry.
Currently, California, Illinois and Montana maintain a database of convicted arsonists.
Investigators say a nationwide registry would help them better keep track of repeat offenders.
The registry would be available only to law enforcement and would contain information such as the arsonist's photo, address and place of employment.
Similar legislation is pending in the Senate.

This unusual tale comes courtesy of the Associated Press:

PASADENA, Texas -- Authorities say a Houston-area woman who was burned up at her former common-law husband fried their pet goldfish and ate some of them.
Pasadena police say it's a civil matter and no charges will be filed. The seven goldfish were purchased together by the couple during happier times.
Police spokesman Vance Mitchell says the man reported on Saturday that the woman took the goldfish from his apartment.
Mitchell says the two argued earlier about some jewelry the man had given her but took back.
She wanted the jewelry returned.
Officers who were dispatched to the woman's home arrived to find four fried goldfish on a plate. The woman said she already ate the other three.

ROSEMEAD - Attackers shot a man with a shotgun and hit him in the head with a baseball bat late Tuesday, authorities said.
Deputies responded to reports of "shots fired" about 11:35 p.m. in an alley near Garvey and Del Mar avenues, Los Angeles County sheriff's Lt. Mark Glatt said.
They found a Latino man in his 20s who had been shot at least once in the leg with a shotgun, the lieutenant said. The wounded man also told deputies he had been struck in the head with a baseball bat.
He was taken to the hospital where he was expected to survive, he said.
The victim did not appear to be fully cooperating with investigators, Glatt said, and a motive in the attack was unknown.
The only information available about the suspects was that they were seen driving in a black SUV, he added.

A 25-year-old Pomona man died Tuesday after he was shot several times in the 600 block of Illinois Street.

It's the 12th homicide in Pomona this year. That leaves the city with twice as many slayings as any other city in the San Gabriel Valley and Whittier areas. Pasadena is a distant second with 6 killings.

That makes 70 homicides in the region this year. Seventy percent of them are by gunshot.

See the numbers on our homicide map.

The Associated Press moved these photos within the past few hours:

This from the Burbank Leader:

From reporter Alfred Lee:

In a taped interview, a friend of two cousins charged in the January 2008 murder of 16-year-old Sammantha Salas told detectives the cousins wanted "to send a message" to avenge the death of their uncle, who had been recently killed by Latino gang members.

On the recording, which was played in court Tuesday, Douglas Ross first identifies himself by name. He then goes on to tell detectives that Nickelis Blackwell, 22, and Rayshawn Blackwell, 26, had gathered with friends and relatives at the Blackwell's Sherman Avenue home in Monrovia on the night of Jan. 26, 2008, following the funeral of the Blackwells' uncle.

Authorities believe the uncle, 64-year-old Sanders Rollins, was shot to death on his porch by a Latino gang member 13 days before.

"What was on everybody's mind was revenge," Ross said on the tape played for the judge at a preliminary hearing for the Blackwell cousins in Alhambra Court.

He also described to investigators how he saw the Blackwells carry a duffel bag stuffed with an Uzi and other firearms into a green Camry and drive off on the night Salas was shot in unincorporated Monrovia.

However, Ross claimed in court Tuesday that "only parts" of the tape were actually his voice. He denied incriminating the Blackwells, saying he had known the cousins "practically my whole life."

When the cousins returned home at about 12:30 a.m. that night, Nickelis said, "I killed her," and looked "distraught," while Rayshawn consoled him, Ross allegedly said on the tape.

Geoffrey Pope, Rayshawn Blackwell's attorney, declined to comment on the case. Testimony in the hearing is scheduled to continue today.cq Upon its conclusion, Judge Laura Priver cqwill rule whether prosecutors presented sufficient evidence to hold the Blackwells for trial.

Authorities have said Salas was not involved in gangs.

But 18-year-old Jenifer Mandi, who was shot along with Salas that night, testified that a third friend they were walking with at the time of the shooting, Abraham Ramos, was affiliated with a local gang, Monrovia Nuevo Varrio.

"He just hangs around with them," Mandi testified. Mandi, Salas, Ramos and a few other friends had been drinking beer in an apartment complex on the 2500 block of Peck Road the night of the shooting, when the three decided to walk to a neighborhood store. Mandi and Ramos had also been smoking marijuana, she said.

As soon as the group walked out the front gates of the apartment complex, Ramos looked back and began running. Mandi and Salas froze, she testified. "We were just standing there, thinking, 'What do we do?'" Mandi testified. Then, "I heard people say, 'Stop running!'" she said.

Mandi turned around to see two men in hooded sweat shirts standing about 25 feet away with their guns pointed. The men were dressed head to toe in black and were wearing black bandanas that covered their faces, she testified.

"We couldn't even taken a step and they started shooting," she said.

Mandi testified she felt "a really big burn" from a bullet that hit her in her right hip, went "across my stomach" and ended up in her left thigh. She recovered at a hospital after being unconscious for 11 days.

She remembered seeing Salas fall a few feet from her.

"She was laying right next to me," she said. "When I first looked at her, I didn't see any (blood)."

Mandi testified that the eyes of her shooter that night looked similar to those of Rayshawn Blackwell.

"I just remember the eyes," she said. "They just looked so angry."

The two men accused of gunning down Sammantha Salas in an unincorporated portion of Monrovia will appear in court this afternoon where evidence will be presented in the case.

PASADENA - The bail amount for a Monrovia man charged with torturing and murdering his girlfriend will remain at $2 million, a superior court judge determined Tuesday.

This from late night cop reporter Ruby Gonzales:

COVINA -- Police sought the public's help Sunday in finding a missing 82-year-old man who suffers from dementia and requires medication for medical problems.
Pedro Cortez was last seen walking the the area of Hollenbeck Avenue and Rowland Street about 11 a.m. after walking away from his home in the 400 block of West Idahome Street, Covina police Sgt. John Zumwalt said.

Shortly before 3 p.m., family members became concerned and called the police.
He is described as 5 feet, 1 inch tall, and about 160 pounds, police said. He has white hair and brown eyes.
Cortez was last seen wearing a white shirt, beige pants and white shoes.
Officials used an automatic phone-dialing system with a recorded message to notify about 18,000 Covina residents of the missing person, Zumwalt said.
"If you should see someone matching this description, stay with the person and please call the Covina Police Department at 626-384-5808," he said.

PHOTO courtesy of the Covina Police Department

From the Associated Press

ZURICH -- Director Roman Polanski was arrested by Swiss police for possible extradition to the United States for having sex in 1977 with a 13-year-old girl, authorities said Sunday.

Polanski was flying in to receive an honorary award at the Zurich Film Festival when he was apprehended Saturday at the airport, the Swiss Justice Ministry said in a statement. It said U.S. authorities have sought the arrest of the 76-year-old around the world since 2005.

"There was a valid arrest request and we knew when he was coming," ministry spokesman Guido Balmer told The Associated Press. "That's why he was taken into custody."

Balmer said the U.S. would now be given time to make a formal extradition request.

Polanski fled the U.S. in 1978, a year after pleading guilty to unlawful sexual intercourse with the underage girl.

The director of such classic films as "Chinatown" and "Rosemary's Baby" has asked a U.S. appeals court in California to overturn a judges' refusal to throw out his case. He claims misconduct by the now-deceased judge who had arranged a plea bargain and then reneged on it.

The Swiss statement said Polanski was officially in "provisional detention for extradition," but added that he would not be transferred to U.S. authorities until all proceedings are completed. Polanski can contest his detention and any extradition decision in the Swiss courts, it said.

Polanski has faced a U.S. arrest request since 1978 and has lived for the past three decades in France, where his career has continued to flourish. He received a directing Oscar in absentia for the 2002 movie "The Pianist." He was not extradited from France because his crime reportedly was not covered under the U.S.'s treaties with the country.

In France, Culture Minister Frederic Mitterrand said he was "dumbfounded" by Polanski's arrest, adding that he "strongly regrets that a new ordeal is being inflicted on someone who has already experienced so many of them."

Mitterrand's ministry said Sunday in a statement that he is in contact with French President Nicolas Sarkozy, "who is following the case with great attention and shares the minister's hope that the situation can be quickly resolved."

A native of France who was taken to Poland by his parents, Polanski escaped Krakow's Jewish ghetto as a child and lived off the charity of strangers. His mother died at the Auschwitz Nazi death camp.

He worked his way into filmmaking in Poland, gaining an Oscar nomination for best foreign-language film in 1964 for his "Knife in the Water." Offered entry to Hollywood, he directed the classic "Rosemary's Baby" in 1968.

But his life was shattered again in 1969 when his wife, actress Sharon Tate, and four other people were gruesomely murdered by followers of Charles Manson. She was eight months pregnant.

He went on to make another American classic, "Chinatown," released in 1974.

In 1977, he was accused of raping the teenager while photographing her during a modeling session. The girl said Polanski plied her with champagne and part of a Quaalude pill at Jack Nicholson's house while the actor was away. She said that, despite her protests, he performed oral sex, intercourse and sodomy on her.

Polanski was allowed to plead guilty to one of six charges, unlawful sexual intercourse, and was sent to prison for 42 days of evaluation.

Lawyers agreed that would be his full sentence, but the judge tried to renege on the plea bargain. Aware the judge would sentence him to more prison time and require his voluntary deportation, Polanski fled to France.

The victim, Samantha Geimer, who long ago identified herself publicly, has joined in Polanski's bid for dismissal, saying she wants the case to be over. She sued Polanski and reached an undisclosed settlement.

Festival organizers said Polanski's detention had caused "shock and dismay," but that they would go ahead with Sunday's planned retrospective of the director's work.

The Swiss Directors Association sharply criticized authorities for what it deemed "not only a grotesque farce of justice, but also an immense cultural scandal."

AZUSA -- Two teenage boys were stabbed and two men were injured during a large brawl between two groups of partygoers Saturday, police said.
Police responded to reports of a large fight shortly after 10 p.m. in the 500 block of N. Barbara Avenue, Azusa police Sgt. Andy Sutcliffe said in a written statement.
"As officers arrived they saw roughly 15 subjects fighting in the middle of the street," the statement said.
The brawlers scattered when police arrived, and officers found two teenagers who had been stabbed in the torso, Sgt. John Madaloni said.
Two injured men were also found at the scene, officials said. One had a cut to his head from being struck with an object, and another complained of pain from being struck repeatedly.
All four injured people were hospitalized and expected to survive, Sutcliffe said.
The fight was apparently between two groups of people attending two house parties that were "more or less across the street from each other," Madaloni said.
A knife was recovered from the scene, he added, however no arrests had been made Sunday. The victims did not appear to be cooperating with investigators.
It was not clear what the groups were fighting over, and no further details were available Sunday.
Police are seeking witnesses to the fight, and anyone with information is asked to call the Azusa Police Department.

INDUSTRY -- Deputies responded to a report that a woman was briefly kidnapped, driven just over a mile away and released.
The incident was reported about 4 p.m., Los Angeles County sheriff's Lt. Pete Cacheiro said.
A white woman in her 30s called police to report she was forcefully abducted from the parking lot of the City Lights Cocktail Lounge, 1257 S. Hacienda Blvd., the lieutenant said.
The woman said two Latino men in a full-size Chevrolet pickup truck beckoned her to their vehicle and asked her for directions, Cacheiro said.
As she spoke to the men, they seized her by the hair and forced her into the car, he said.
The woman reported that she was driven to a nearby Chevron gas station on 7th Avenue near the 60 Freeway and released, Cacheiro said. The men apparently made no demands for money or property, and the woman was not injured.
No further details were available.

ALHAMBRA -- A car struck a husband and wife as they crossed the street Friday, sending both to the hospital with serious injuries, police said.
The man and woman, who were estimated to be in their 20s, were listed in "guarded but stable condition" at a hospital Saturday, Alhambra police traffic investigator Cpl. J. Mallette said.
The crash was reported about 7:30 p.m. on Valley Boulevard at Eighth Street, Alhambra police Lt. Dan Rodriguez said in a written statement.
The husband and wife had just left a grocery store and were crossing Valley Boulevard in a crosswalk when they were struck by a westbound sedan, officials said.
There are stop signs on Eighth Street at the intersection, but not on Valley Boulevard, Mallette said.
The driver, a man in his 20s, remained at the scene and no arrests were made, he added.
Mallette said the cause of the crash remained under investigation Saturday.

GLENDORA -- A man was hospitalized with major injuries Saturday after spending an unknown amount of time trapped in his wrecked car, officials said.
A passer-by called the California Highway Patrol about 7 a.m. to report seeing a car that had driven off the connector road between the northbound 57 Freeway and the eastbound 210 Freeway, CHP Sgt. John Escobedo said.
The crash is believed to have occurred in the early-morning hours, though it was not clear Saturday exactly what time, he said.
The car, a Nissan Maxima, hit a tree after leaving the road, Escobedo said.
"Use of a seat belt definitely assisted in him surviving this collision, Escobedo said. The vehicle sustained major damage."
The injured man was described as a Rancho Cucamonga resident in his 30s, the sergeant added.
The cause of the crash remained under investigation.

INDUSTRY -- A West Covina teen died early Saturday after crashing his SUV into a parked big rig on the 605 Freeway, authorities said.
Christopher Kar Leung Ng, 18, was pronounced dead following the crash, California Highway Patrol officials said in a written statement.
The crash was reported about 3:15 a.m. on the northbound 605 Freeway at the 60 Freeway.
"This impact was so severe, the Mercedes lodged underneath the trailer and Mr. Ng was extracted from the vehicle over an hour later," the statement said.
Ng was driving his Mercedes-Benz SUV north on the freeway at high speed when he allowed the SUV to drift toward the right shoulder, according to the CHP statement.
The SUV struck the rear of a big rig that had pulled over onto the shoulder, officials said, which was being driven by a 55-year-old Washington man. The truck driver was not hurt.
Ng was not wearing a seat belt, officials said.

SAN DIMAS -- An armed robber fled with an undisclosed amount of money after robbing a check cashing business Friday, officials said.
The crime occurred about 1 p.m. at a business in the 800 block of West Arrow Highway, Lt. J. Cummins of the sheriff's San Dimas Station said.
The robber was only described as a white man, he said.
He entered the store, brandished a handgun and demanded cash, the Cummins said.
The robber was last seen fleeing the area on foot, he added.

NORWALK -- Two men were shot and wounded Friday in an apparently gang-related attack, authorities said.
The shooting occurred about 12:40 p.m. in front of Ty's Liquor Store, 16024 Pioneer Blvd., Los Angeles County sheriff's Sgt. Robert Renteria said.
Wounded in the attack was a 39-year-old man investigators believe was the intended target of the shooting, as well as a 19-year-old man who was believed to be a bystander, the sergeant said.
The victims were standing near the store when two Latino men witnesses said looked like gang members approached in a gold foreign compact car, Renteria said.
After a brief exchange of words, the shooters opened fire from inside their car, he said.
The older man was shot in the back, Renteria said, and the younger man was shot in the neck. Both men were expected to survive.

From the Associated Press:

MONROVIA -- A self-proclaimed preacher who was on the "America's Sexiest Bachelor" pageant will be arraigned next week for allegedly torturing and murdering an ex-porn actress.
Brian Lee Randone was charged last week with beating and suffocating Felicia Lee at their Monrovia home. He faces 25 years to life in prison if convicted.
The 45-year-old Randone remained jailed Friday on $2 million bail. Los Angeles County district attorney's spokeswoman Jane Robison did not know whether he had an attorney.
Prosecutors say Randone killed his 31-year-old girlfriend on Sept. 11. No motive has been released.
Lee had bits parts in several movies, including "Rush Hour 2" and made several adult movies under the name Felicia Tang.
Randone appeared on the pageant nine years ago on Fox.

LANCASTER -- Fire officials Friday announced the birth of fallen firefighter Arnaldo Quinones' baby girl, Sophia Grace Quinones.
Quinones, 34, of the Los Angeles County Fire Department died Aug. 30 along with fellow firefighter Capt. Tedmund Hall, 47, when the truck they were driving went off a mountain road while battling the Station Fire.
Quinones' widow, Lori Quinones, gave birth to Sophia Tuesday at Antelope Valley Hospital in Lancaster, Los Angeles County Fire Department officials said in a written statement.
She weighed in at 8 pounds, 2 ounces and was 21 inches long, officials said. Both mother and baby are doing very well.
"At Fire Station 82 in La Canada Flintridge, where Arnie Quinones once worked, there has been an influx of gifts sent in from online baby showers," the statement said.

Today -- I took the details from Facebook

From Linda Deutch, Associated Press:

No this is not a crime story. Just wanted to point out a nice article in the LA Times this morning about Timothy Rutt's altadenablog.

LA PUENTE -- Officials jailed a man Wednesday on suspicion of taking part in an armed robbery, authorities said.
Allen Parra, 24, of La Puente was being held in lieu of $100,000 bail, Los Angeles County sheriff's Lt. Hiroshi Yokoyama said.
Three other men believed to be involved in the robbery remained at large, he said.
A deputy was flagged down about 10:15 p.m. near Nelson and Orange avenues by a 26-year-old La Puente man who told them that four young men had just used a knife to rob him of his cell phone and wallet, the lieutenant said.
The deputy spotted several men running in the area and was able to capture one of them, Yokoyama said, who was later identified as Parra.
The suspects who were not caught were described as Latino men in their early- to mid-20s, Yokoyama said. They were between 5 feet 10 inches and 6 feet 2 inches tall and between 110 and 180 pound, and all wore black clothes.
According to sheriff's booking records, Parra is due in El Monte Superior Court for arraignment Friday.

LOS ANGELES -- Hundreds of family members and friends of homicide victims are expected to gather Friday in Los Angeles to remember and honor loved ones lost to murder.
The gathering is for the third annual "National Day of Remembrance For Murder Victims," organizers said.
The event will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. behind the Kenneth Hahn Hall of Administration, 500 W. Temple Street.
Speakers will include California Attorney General General Jerry Brown, Los Angeles County Sheriff Lee Baca and others.
In Los Angeles, the event is being hosted by the organization Justice For Murdered Children, and will be attended by a host of organizations benefitting family members of homicide victims.

From the Associated Press:

There are words to describe guys like this, most are not fit for print:

From reporter Joseph Serna at the Daily Pilot:

In what firefighters described as a once-in-a-lifetime call, officials with the Costa Mesa Fire Department's Urban Search and Rescue squad were summoned early Tuesday morning to Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian in Newport Beach to save another man's penis from perishing.

The man, whom authorities declined to identify, other than saying that he was in his 50s, had apparently put his penis through the hole of a steel, ring-shaped dumbbell weight fastener, two or three days earlier.

The device got stuck, and he couldn't remove it. The penis had blackened and swollen to five times its normal size, authorities said. In order to remove the ring, firefighters had to use a saw to cut through it.

There's no margin in cop killing.

Just ask members of the Avenues gang, affiliates of the Mexican Mafia, who got rolled Tuesday up by the LAPD, the FBI and an alphabet soup of local, county and federal law enforcement agencies.

It stemmed from the Aug. 2, 2008 killing of Los Angeles County Sheriff's Deputy Juan Escalante. A guard in the county jail, Escalante was gunned down in front of his parents' home in the Cypress Park neighborhood just northeast of downtown.

Cops have charged three affiliates of the gang with the killing, and are seeking a fourth. The arrests didn't keep the LAPD and the feds from using every weapon at their disposal to crack the Avenues' hierarchy, many of who happen to be incarcerated.

The list of crimes detailed in the 222-page federal indictment includes murder, robbery, witness intimidation, money laundering, weapons possession and dealing drugs like crack and speed.

| Link: Copy of Avenues Indictment

It could put some of these guys away for life in federal prisons away from the corrupting influence of county jail and state prison.

If the indictment is any indication, members of the gang don't fear police. They don't fear the prisons and certainly don't fear Joe Citizen.

Among their mottos is "Avenidas don't get chased by police, we chase them."

Another motto, "Avenidas don't just hurt people, we kill them."

As for those named in the indictment, several have had federal cases before, including Alex "Pee Wee" Aguirre, who was a defendant in a large scale case against the Mexican Mafia brought by the feds in 1995.

Some of the acts mentioned in the federal indictment unsealed Tuesday were chronicled as far back as 1999.

Much of the new case appears to have been made with wiretaps. Men and women were captured on tape discussing things as mundane as where they should live or as sinister as creating lists of who should be killed.

A lot of it was done by tapping the cell phone of Richie Aguirre who was doing time in Kern Valley State Prison, but was able to smuggle in a phone nonetheless.

As such, gangsters aren't the only ones to have to answer for what appears in the indictment.

Gun control advocates should explain how exactly gun control works. Gang members seem to have an endless supply of what are essentilly illegal semi-automatic assault weapons at their disposal.

State and local law enforcement officials have to do some serious soul searching as well.

Sheriff Lee Baca for one should explain how it is that drug smuggling is occurring in the county jails.

State prison officials should explain how the Mexican Mafia is allowed to hold executive level discussions while incarcerated. They might also want to explain how drugs and cell phones get past the screws and into the joint.

These are the same prison guards that nearly bankrupt this state with their outrageous pay, benefits and retirement plans. These are the same prison guards who look the other way when racial tensions flare and prison riots break out.

How much do you want to bet none of this Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger or whatever political apointee heads up the state prison system?

Guys like defendant Richie Aguirre know the real score when it comes to state prison guards. During one wiretapped conversation he advises a young woman to stay out of the profession.

"Aguirre told an unidentified female that she should not become a prison guard because they become corrupt and are used to smuggle narcotics into the prison for the inmates."

EAST VALINDA -- Deputies responded to reports of gunshots Wednesday near Sunshine Park, but found no evidence of a shooting, authorities said.
The incident occurred about 8:20 p.m. on Deepmead Avenue near Altario Street, Los Angeles County sheriff's Lt. Hiroshi Yokoyama said.
Two residents reported hearing five to six gunshots in the area, Sgt. Sonja Bracken said, however investigating deputies could find no victims and nothing that appeared to have been struck by gunfire.

WHITTIER -- Police arrested a man Wednesday on suspicion of robbing a bank, authorities said.
Joe Ornelas, 29, of Norwalk was booked on suspicion of robbery, Whittier police officials said in a written statement.
Two other people described as "associates" of Ornelas were also being detained and questioned late Wednesday, Whittier police Cpl. Chris Silva said.
Police responded to reports of a robbery about 5:15 p.m. at Chase bank, 15625 E. Whittier Blvd., Silva said.
Ornelas demanded money from a bank teller and received about $2,000 before fleeing in a gold-colored Chevrolet Tahoe, police said. No weapon was seen.
Witnesses were able to give police a good description of the Tahoe, officials said, and an officer located the SUV driving on Slauson Avenue near Painter Avenue.
After police pulled the car over, Ornelas surrendered without further incident, Silva said. The allegedly stolen money was recovered from him.
Information on Ornelas' bail amount and initial court appearance was not available late Wednesday.

SAN GABRIEL -- A robber shot a man in the face with what police believe was an "airsoft" gun and stole his wallet Wednesday, authorities said.
The crime occurred about 2 p.m. in the 1700 block of Strathmore Avenue, San Gabriel police Lt. Dan Russo said.
The victim, an Asian man in his 30s, was approached by robber armed with an "airsoft"-style gun, the lieutenant said, which is a replica gun shooting 6mm plastic BB's.
They typically shoot their plastic projectiles at several hundred feet per second.
The man appeared to suffer a small laceration and a welt to his face, Russo said. He was taken to an area hospital for examination.
The robber was described as a white man in hiss 20s, of thin build, with short hair, Russo said.
No car was seen in connection with the robbery, he added.

First, the news:

The District Attorney's office Wednesday filed five more charges against suspected serial killer John Floyd Thomas, 72. The filing makes Thomas eligible for the death penalty. Here's a link to the news story. The DA's press Release is on the jump

Call this a round-up of sorts...

Despite the mostly good news, there remain problems in some areas patrolled by the Sheriff's Department. Most notably in the communities serviced by the Industry Station, violent crime is on the rise.

Moving on... Women have been targeted by robbers in Azusa and Baldwin Park.

From the Associated Press:

This from the U.S. Department of Justice: 

       A former Huntington Park Police Officer who for a time worked on federal drug trafficking investigations was sentenced today to 15 years in federal prison for stealing cocaine, methamphetamine and marijuana from narcotics dealers and then selling the drugs for personal profit.

        Sergeant Alvaro Murillo, 45, of West Covina, who was called El Padrino (The Godfather) by his co-conspirators, was sentenced late this morning by United States District Judge Stephen V. Wilson.

        The sentencing follows a trial in May in which a federal court jury found Murillo guilty of two drug conspiracies, one count of extortion and one count of submitting a false tax return. The evidence at trial showed that Murillo orchestrated six thefts, which yielded him nearly 700 pounds of marijuana, four pounds of methamphetamine and well over 10 pounds of cocaine. Murillo attempted a seventh theft of 30 kilograms of cocaine - "the big one," as he called it - but that was not successful because the target was an undercover federal agent who was posing as a drug dealer. Sentencing papers filed by the government argued that Murillo was involved in additional drug thefts not discussed at his trial.

        From late 2002 through the fall of 2006, Murillo worked with informants - who sometimes called themselves the "black tactic group" - to identify drug dealers from whom they could steal narcotics. Once a target was identified, Murillo checked law enforcement databases to obtain information about the dealer and to make sure there were no legitimate investigations into the target. After planning the thefts, the informants would trick the drug dealer into turning over narcotics or otherwise cause the drug dealer to leave without payment, often with Murillo in the area to act as backup. Once they had secured the narcotics, Murillo and the people involved in the thefts made arrangements to store and then to sell the stolen drugs. Testimony at trial showed that Murillo typically demanded to receive the sale of drug proceeds in cash, and the jury heard evidence that he received training on money laundering tactics used by narcotics traffickers.

WEST VALINDA -- A toddler was on life-support at a children's hospital Sunday after falling into a swimming pool, authorities said.
Officials responded to a report of a baby unconscious and not breathing after falling into a backyard swimming pool about 8:20 p.m. Saturday in the 1000 block of Sandsprings Drive, Los Angeles County sheriff's Lt. Hiroshi Yokoyama said.
Deputies blocked intersections as the boy, who is about to turn 3-years-old, was rushed to Queen of the Valley Hospital, Yokoyama said.
Later, he was transferred to a children's hospital in Long Beach, where he remained on life-support Sunday, he said.
"The child was able to manipulate the gate to the pool area, and unfortunately, he fell in," the lieutenant said.
The toddler's family members discovered him floating in the water and called 9-1-1, Yokoyama said.
The incident did not appear to involve any criminal activity, he added.
"It appears to be an accident," he said. "A very tragic accident."

*UPDATED

NORWALK -- A sheriff's deputy shot and killed a man who allegedly tried to pull a gun on him early Sunday, authorities said.
Sheriff's officials described the dead man Sunday only as a Latino man.
The incident occurred shortly before 9 a.m. in the 11600 block of Imperial Highway, near Studebaker Road, Los Angeles County sheriff's Deputy Luis Castro said.
A single deputy was patrolling in the area when came across a suspicious man in a rear parking lot, Deputy Ed Hernandez said in a written statement.
The man was "belligerent" and "uncooperative" with the deputy, and the deputy and the man got into a fight, Hernandez said.
"The male broke away and attempted to draw a loaded handgun from his waist area," the statement said. "The deputy, fearing he was about to be shot, fired his duty weapon at the suspect, striking him in the upper torso."
The wounded man was taken to an area hospital where he died from his injuries, Hernandez said.
The deputy, a 13-year veteran of the Sheriff's Department, was not injured, Hernandez said.
A loaded handgun was recovered at the scene, he added.

PICO RIVERA -- A man died at the hospital after he was shot early Sunday in a residential neighborhood, authorities said.
The shooting occurred about 2:10 a.m. in the 6700 block of Bollenbacher Drive, Los Angeles County sheriff's Deputy Luis Castro said.
The victim was initially described only a Latino man, he added.
No further details were available.

*UPDATED

WEST COVINA -- A 20-year-old Rialto woman died Sunday in after being struck by a pickup truck on the 10 Freeway in West Covina, California Highway Patrol officials said.
Maritza Plascentia died at the scene of the crash, Los Angeles County Department of Coroner Investigator Katalin Van Meter said.
The crash occurred about 3:40 a.m. in the westbound lanes of the freeway, just east of Vincent Avenue, CHP Sgt. Jesse Holguin said in a written statement.
The woman was a passenger in a 1999 Toyota Camry that had come to a stop along the right shoulder of the freeway, the sergeant said.
The driver of a 2001 Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck, a 20-year-old San Bernardino man, tried to come to a stop behind the Toyota when the crash occurred, Holguin said.
The driver of the Chevrolet turned into the emergency shoulder area and realized he was travelling to fast," the statement said. "(He) steered to the right to avoid a collision, but struck the female passenger as she exited the Toyota."
The woman died from her injuries, officials said.
Any witnesses to this crash are asked to call the Baldwin Park office of the CHP at (626) 338-1164.

*UPDATED

AZUSA -- A Covina man died and a woman was taken to a trauma center Sunday after a solo-car crash on the 210 Freeway, authorities said.
Juan Gonzalez, 26, died at the scene of the crash, Los Angeles County Department of Coroner Investigator Katalin Van Meter said.
The woman was believed to be in stable condition when firefighters took her to Los Angeles County-USC Medical Center for treatment, fire officials said.
The crash was reported just after 11 a.m. on the eastbound freeway at Citrus Avenue, California Highway Patrol Sgt. Jesse Holguin said.
The cause remained under investigation Sunday, however it initially appeared that excessive speed may have played a role in the crash, CHP Sgt. Steve Licon said.
Officials also received reports, but were not immediately able to confirm them, that the Ford Mustang may have been racing prior to the crash, he added.
The Mustang was driving in the carpool lane when, for unknown reasons, it suddenly swerved toward the right shoulder, Licon said.
Gonzalez was not wearing a seat belt and was thrown from the car, Licon said, which then rolled over on top of him.
The onramp from southbound Citrus Avenue to the eastbound 210 Freeway was closed during the investigation.

MONTEREY PARK -- Police nabbed a robbery suspect Saturday after he allegedly snatched a necklace from a woman, officials said.
The incident occurred about 7 p.m. at Garvey and Nicholson avenues, Monterey Park police Lt. Carrie Mazelin said.
The suspect was initially described only as a Latino man in his 20s who was believed to be transient, she said. His name was not available late Saturday as he had not yet completed the booking process.
Police said he grabbed a necklace from a woman before officers spotted him in the area and found him with the woman's necklace in his pocket, Mazelin said.
The woman was not hurt, she added.

COMPTON -- A getaway driver who was involved in the killing of an off-duty Los Angeles County police captain during a robbery five years ago has been sentenced to 50
years to life in prison.
Orvis Camillo Anthony, 24, of Gardena, pleaded guilty Friday to first-degree murder in
Compton Superior Court.
Prosecutors say Anthony and 26-year-old Miguel Magallon tried to rob Capt. Michael Sparkes near Compton as he biked to work in 2004. Sparkes, 53, was shot nine times with an AK-47 by Magallon, whose DNA was found on the assault weapon.
Magallon was convicted of attempted robbery and murder. He will be sentenced next month.

ANGELES NATIONAL FOREST -- Prompted by concerns over predictions of hotter and drier weather over the next few days, fire officials ordered extra resources Saturday to defend Mt. Wilson from the flames of the Station Fire.
The incident commanders ordered four heavy-duty helicopters and a special truck equipped with fire-retardant to douse the north slope of the mountain, Station Fire Information Officer Stan Bercovitz said.
Mt. Wilson is home to several major communications sites, including television broadcast towers, as well as an observatory.
Bercovitz said the fire was not making any runs toward the mountain Saturday, and the decision was made out of "an abundance of caution."
With relative humidity levels dropping, temperatures rising and winds increasing, "They want to not leave anything to chance," he said. "They want to really soak that area."
The Station Fire remained 93 percent contained Saturday and has scorched 160,557 acres, according to the U.S. Forest Service. Officials expect full containment Tuesday.
More than 100 homes have been destroyed or damaged in the blaze, along with 48 commercial properties, 116 outbuildings and 146 vehicles, Station Fire Information Officer Carol Underhill said.
Fire officials have said they hope to have the blaze under control before the Santa Ana winds begin to blow late this month or early next.
More than 700 firefighters remain assigned to the Station Fire.
The cause has been determined to be arson.
Because two firefighters were killed battling the blaze, the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department is investigating the arson as a double-homicide.

ABOVE: Photo of "Tactical Water Tender" truck working near Mt. Wilson courtesy of the U.S. Forest Service

Officials charged two men Friday with two takeover-style robberies at video game stores in West Covina and Baldwin Park.
Gregory Todd, 22, and Thomas Stringer, 23, were each charged with six counts of robbery and six counts of kidnapping, along with a gang enhancement, according to the felony complaint. A charge was filed for each individual person considered a victim of each individual crime.
The robberies the men are charged with took place Wednesday afternoon at a West Covina Gamestop store, 2360 S. Azusa Ave., and a Baldwin Park Gamestop store, 14460 Merced Ave, Unit 120, authorities said.
In the West Covina crime, three or four men armed with several handguns barged into the store about 6 p.m., West Covina police Sgt. Steve Wheeless said.
"It was a takeover," he said. Though the employees were not tied up, but, "They were moved from the sales portion of the store to a back room," the sergeant said.
The suspects then allegedly helped themselves to cash, video games and electronic equipment from the store, he said.
A citizen helped lead police to an abandoned suspect vehicle near the robbery scene, authorities said.
"It was some time later that a citizen called regarding a suspicious vehicle," he said.
The abandoned vehicle fit the description of the car used in the West Covina robbery and was found nearby, officials added.
Four people were detained in the area and arrested, Wheeless said. Todd and Stringer were ultimately identified as suspects in the robberies, while the other two were released.
A similar robbery was reported about four hours earlier at the other Gamestop location in Baldwin Park, Baldwin Park and West Covina police said.
In that crime, the same two men suspected in the West Covina robbery were identified as suspects in a similar takeover-style robber at the Baldwin Park Gamestop location, Baldwin Park police Sgt. Kevin Gauthier said.
At least one other unidentified robber was believed to be involved in the Baldwin Park crime, as well as two other people who were seen in the getaway vehicle, Gauthier said.
Authorities allege Todd and Stringer are members of the "Swans" street gang, which is affiliated with the Los Angeles gang, the "Bloods".
According to sheriff's booking records, Todd and Stringer were being held in lieu of $100,000 each.
They were scheduled to enter pleas at an arraignment in West Covina Superior Court Friday, however the hearing was delayed until Sept. 28, court officials said.

POMONA -- Police jailed three men Thursday following a broad-daylight takeover-style robbery of a Postal Annex store, authorities said.
Jon Hagen, 29, Jonah Arnold, 18, and Marco Afolayan, 18, were booked on suspicion of armed robbery, Pomona police Officer Steve Prentice said in a written statement.
Police responded to a report about 1 p.m. that three men used a shotgun rob a Postal Annex, 3262 N. Garey Ave., according to the statement.
"Store employees and customers were held at gunpoint by the suspects, and an undisclosed amount of cash was taken along with other property," Prentice said.
Officers found the fleeing suspects' Dodge Durango within blocks of the business, he said.
The suspects then led police on a high-speed chase on the 210 Freeway, Prentice said, during which they threw a shotgun from the SUV.
The pursuit ended in a residential neighborhood in Rialto, where the alleged robbers abandoned their car and ran, the officer said.
One was captured immediately, he added, while the other two were found hiding in the area with the help of a helicopter and police dogs.
According to sheriff's booking records, Hagen, Arnold and Afolayan were being held in lieu of $100,000 bail each and are due for arraignment in Pomona Superior Court Monday.

CBS' 48 Hours put together a complete profile of Felicia Tang and Brian Randone on its crime blog. Much of it cites reporting done by Thomas Himes over the past few days. 

SAN GABRIEL -- Police jailed two suspected burglars Thursday after catching them in the act, authorities said.
Johnny Muk, 20, of Long Beach and Chanta Chhuon, 24, of Long Beach were booked on suspicion of residential burglary, San Gabriel police Sgt. Brian Kott said.
Officials responded to a call about 10:25 a.m. from a woman living in the 800 block of East Hermosa Drive who reported there were burglars in her house, the sergeant said.
Upon their arrival, officers spotted two men matching the description running from the area and entering nearby Goody's Restaurant, 865 E. Las Tunas Drive, Kott said.
The men were found in the bathroom of the restaurant, apparently trying to hide clothing and burglary tools used in the alleged crime, he said.
They were arrested without further incident, Kott added.
Both suspects are admitted gang members, he said.
According to sheriff's booking records, Muk is being held without bail, while Chhuon was being held in lieu of $55,000 bail. Both are due in Alhambra Superior Court Monday for arraignment.

California Highway Patrol officials across the state set their sights on seat belt violators Thursday.
The day was set aside as the CHP's annual "Vehicle Occupant Restraint Day," when additional officers are fielded to make sure everyone inside vehicles is using their safety belts or child safety seats properly, CHP Officer Edmund Zorrilla said.
CHP Sgt. Carl Gafford said officials hope their efforts will translate into saved lives out on the roadways.
"I've been to so many accident scenes with serious injuries or death, where if they had been wearing a seat belt, they probably would have walked away with minor or no injuries," Gafford said.
Locally, officers from CHP's Baldwin Park Office had written 41 seat belt tickets for adults, and two for improperly restrained children as of 5 p.m., Zorrilla said.
The patrol area of the office extends from the San Bernardino county line to El Monte.
CHP Capt. Marc Shaw added he directed his officers to especially focus their efforts on children without proper restraints.
All kids under 6 years old or 60 pounds are legally required to be restrained in a child safety seat in the back seat of the vehicle.
Three extra patrol cars were drivingin the CHP Baldwin Park Office's area Thursday with the sole mission of finding seat belt violators, Zorrilla said. Other officers on-duty also kept on the lookout for violations.
Despite the heightened enforcement campaign, officials said they take seat belt use seriously year-round.
"It's really something that's at the top of our priority list every day," Shaw said.
In about two hours on patrol Thursday, Zorilla issued seven tickets for failing to wear a seat belt or wearing one improperly.
Julian Sanchez, 21, of La Puente received a ticket for not wearing his seat.
He said his seat belt recently broke, and he usually uses the safety device. And while he didn't enjoy getting a ticket, he said he understands the reasoning behind it.
"It's for your own good," he said, adding that he'd rather get a ticket than be badly injured in a crash.
Several drivers said they didn't realize having their seat belt on, but worn improperly, was a violation.
San Gabriel resident Larry Holt, 57, fell into that category.
"This is ridiculous," he said, as Zorrilla issued him a ticket for wearing his seat belt tucked underneath his left arm.
He added while officials should mandate seat belt use for children, it's not the government's place to dictate such policies to adults.
Ticket recipient Noel Maciascq, 27, of Hacienda Heights said he had conflicting opinions about seat belt laws.
"It's kind of a waste of time," he said, "But at the same time, it does save lives, and it is the law."
Shaw said seat belt usage is on the rise, and California rates are far better than the national average.
In 2008, 95.7 percent of Californians complied with seat belt laws, compared with 94.6 percent in 2007, Shaw said. The national average for seat belt law compliance in 2008 was 83.3 percent.
A seat belt violation costs about $132 per adult, and about $435 per child, according to CHP statistics.
More than 30 percent of all people killed in traffic crashes throughout the state in 2007 and 2008 were not wearing seat belts, CHP officials said.
"I'm glad we do this," Zorrilla said of the seat belt campaign. "They may not like the ticket, but hopefully, we have saved a life and they'll never do it again."

An allegedly fleeing motorcyclist crashed into a deputy's patrol car Thursday, injuring both suspect and deputy, authorities said.
The incident began shortly after 8 a.m. when a deputy spotted the motorcyclist popping wheelies and cutting in and out of traffic at high speed on Sunflower Avenue near Cypress Street in an unincorporated county area near Covina, Los Angeles County sheriff's Sgt. Jeffrey Riley said.
The motorcyclist did not pull over, and a minute-long chase led to Covina Boulevard in front of Lone Hill Middle School in San Dimas, the sergeant said.
A second deputy was waiting on Covina Boulevard, preparing to join the pursuit, when the motorcyclist crashed into his patrol car, Riley said.
The rider appeared to have been looking over his shoulder when he crashed, he added.
"It was one heck of a collision," Riley said. "The motorcycle disintegrated."
The motorcyclist, who was initially described only as a Latino man in his 20s, suffered a broken femur and was expected to undergo surgery Thursday, Riley said.
The deputy suffered a back strain but was expected to be OK, he added.

NORWALK -- A gunman opened fire on a group of men but struck no one Wednesday in an apparently gang-related attack, authorities said.
The shooting occurred about 6:45 p.m. at an apartment building in the 12600 block of Paddison Avenue, Los Angeles County sheriff's Lt. John Gannon said in a written statement.
A shooter, described only as a black man, was dropped of near the building by a group of other black men in an older-model, darker-colored American sedan, the lieutenant said.
The attacker was walking inside the complex when he was confronted by four residents who told him he didn't belong there, Gannon said.
"The suspect responded by walking away while firing behind him in the direction of the four residents standing outside," the statement said.
The bullets narrowly missed the men, striking a nearby cinder block wall, officials said.
The shooter ran back to the sedan, which was last seen driving onto the 5 Freeway, Gannon said.
Several men matching the description were detained by deputies nearby, he said, however witnesses could not identify them as suspects.
Gannon added that residents in the neighborhood appeared reluctant to cooperate with sheriff's investigators.

ROWLAND HEIGHTS -- Sheriff's officials asked the public's help Wednesday in finding a 77-year-old Rowland Heights woman who went missing Tuesday.
Fung Kwai Yew was last seen about 5 p.m. walking near her apartment in the 18000 block of Colima Road, Los Angeles County sheriff's officials said in a written statement.
She suffers from short-term memory loss and takes medication for high blood-pressure, officials added.
Yew is described as 4 feet, 10 inches tall and about 90 pounds. She has grey hair and brown eyes.
She speaks Cantonese and was last seen wearing a brown sweater, a brown shirt, black pants and black shoes.
Family members have grown concerned about her, authorities said, and anyone with information is asked to call the Sheriff's Homicide Bureau, Missing Person's Detail.

PHOTO of Fung Kwai Yew courtesy of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.

ANGELES NATIONAL FOREST -- Authorities Wednesday sought to charge a 13-year-old boy with starting the Morris Fire last month, which scorched more than 2,000 acres of forest north of Azusa.
Investigators from the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Arson/Explosives Detail filed a petition seeking a charge against the young suspect, Detective Tim Wainscott said. The teen's city of residency was not available.
"What we filed this morning was recklessly causing a fire," the detective said.
The prosecutor will have the discretion to look at the facts of the case and decide whether an arson charge is appropriate, he added. Both crimes are felonies.
The court was closed Wednesday and no formal charges were filed, Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office spokeswoman Jane Robison said. That will likely take place Thursday.
The suspect was not in custody, officials added.
The teenage suspect is not suspected of being responsible for the 3-week-old Station Fire, which officials said has scorched more than 160,000 acres in the Angeles National Forest and was 91 percent contained Wednesday.
Though the fires ignited one day apart and both have been ruled to be arson, Wainscott said there is no connection.
"This is absolutely not connected to the Station Fire in any way, shape or form," he said.
The Morris Fire started near the Morris Dam on Aug. 25 and grew to 2,168 acres before firefighters achieved full containment of the blaze on Sept. 3. At it's height, more than 1,600 firefighters battled the Morris Fire.
Wainscott said the teenage suspect was spotted in the area around the time the fire started, which was about 2:30 p.m.
Investigators interviewed him the day the fire first ignited, Wainscott said, and had considered him a "person of interest" in the fire ever since.
The detective declined to discuss how specifically authorities believe the fire started, deferring all questions to the District Attorney's office.
The prosecutor handling the case could not be reached for comment Wednesday, and Robison said no further information was available.

Turns out the victim of a homicide in Monrovia last weekend was none other than porno actress Felicia Tang.

LUCASVILLE, Ohio -- Gov. Ted Strickland ordered a weeklong reprieve for a condemned inmate on Tuesday after the Ohio execution team had problems finding usable veins for the lethal injection process.

Executioners were unable for more than two hours to find veins that would accept fluid from an IV without collapsing for 53-year-old Romell Broom, who was sentenced to die for the rape and slaying of a 14-year-old Tryna Middleton in 1984.

No Ohio governor has issued a similar last-minute reprieve since the state resumed executions in 1999.

The team began working on Broom, in a holding cell 17 steps from the execution chamber, at about 2 p.m., four hours after his execution was originally scheduled. That initial delay was due to a final federal appeals request.

Also from the Wall Street Journal: 

Authorities said they are trying to connect Phillip Garrido, accused of abducting then 11-year-old Jaycee Dugard in 1991, to two other nearby child kidnappings in the late 1980s.
The police department in Hayward, Calif., said Tuesday that Mr. Garrido is "one of the strongest" of about 13,000 leads in their search for Michaela Garecht, a 9-year-old who was abducted from the Hayward area in 1988. The police department in Dublin, Calif., said Tuesday it is also investigating whether Mr. Garrido is connected with the 1989 disappearance of Dublin resident Ilene Misheloff, then 13, from near her middle school. Both cities are situated within an hour's drive of Antioch, Calif., where Mr. Garrido and his wife Nancy lived.
Both agencies said they acquired search warrants and on Tuesday were scouring Mr. Garrido's property in Antioch, where Ms. Dugard was allegedly held in the backyard for 18 years. Ms. Dugard resurfaced last month and has since been reunited with her family.

BALDWIN PARK -- Three carjackers forced a man from his car at gunpoint Sunday, authorities said.
The crime was reported about 4:40 p.m. in the 3300 block of Athol Street, Baldwin Park police Sgt. Richard Villines said.
The victim was in his black 2001 Honda Civic when he was approached by three carjackers described as Latino men between 18 and 20 years old, the sergeant said.
One of the carjackers brandished a handgun, and the three suspects stole the man's car, he said. They were last seen driving on Francisquito Avenue.

PASADENA -- A fire damaged a house and displaced two families Saturday, officials said.
The blaze was reported about 9:20 p.m. at 1438 N. Garfield Avenue, Pasadena Fire Department spokeswoman Lisa Derderian said.
The fire caused about $100,000 worth of damage to the house and its contents, officials said.
Two families - amounting to seven children and four adults -- were displaced by the blaze, authorities said. The Red Cross placed on of the families at a nearby motel, while the other family chose to stay with relatives.
The cause of the fire remained under investigation, officials said, and firefighters requested city officials inspect the home.

MONROVIA -- A Monrovia man is behind bars on suspicion of killing his girlfriend in the apartment they shared, authorities said Sunday.
Brian Lee Randone, 45, was booked on suspicion of murder late Friday, Sgt. Brian Schoonmaker of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Homicide Bureau said.
The name of the the dead woman was not released Sunday pending notification of family members, coroner's officials said.
Sheriff's officials described her as an Asian woman in her 30s.
Few details were available about the alleged slaying, which was reported about 12:10 p.m. Friday in an apartment in the 500 block of West Duarte Road, Los Angeles County sheriff's Deputy Aura Sierra said.
While officials believe the death to be a homicide, they had not determined Sunday how the woman died.
"There's trauma to the body that indicates homicide," Schoonmaker said. He declined to giver further details.
The Los Angeles County Department of Coroner will conduct an autopsy to figure out exactly what the cause of death was, he said.
Deputies responded to the apartment after Randone called 9-1-1 to report his girlfriend was unconscious, Schoonmaker said.
He was still at the scene when officials arrived and cooperated with investigators, he added.
The investigation led authorities to believe Randone killed his girlfriend.
"There was some kind of domestic (dispute)," Schoonmaker said. "We don't know what sparked it."
The sergeant added he was not aware of any history of domestic violence between the couple.
Neighbors did not report anything strange Friday, Schoonmaker said.
"Nobody heard anything," he said.
Remnants of yellow police tape were the only apparent evidence of the alleged slaying at the apartment Sunday.
According to sheriff's booking records, Randone is being held in lieu of $1 million bail and is due in Pasadena Superior Court Tuesday for arraignment.

DOWNEY -- A Pico Rivera woman died Sunday after she was struck by a hit-and-run driver on the freeway, authorities said.
Yesenia Gonzalez, 31, of Pico Rivera was killed in the collision, which occurred about 1:35 a.m. on the eastbound 105 Freeway, west of Bellflower Boulevard, California Highway Patrol Officer Justin Vaughan said in a written statement.
"For unknown reasons... Gonzalez walked into traffic lanes and was struck by an unknown vehicle," the statement said.
The vehicle that struck her fled the scene, officials said.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Santa Fe Springs Office of the CHP at (562) 868-0503.

ALHAMBRA -- Police jailed a Covina man Saturday after he allegedly pistol-whipped his step-father, officials said.
Brian Herrera, 32, was booked on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon and making terrorist threats, Alhambra police officials said.
Herrera and his step-father were arguing about 8 a.m. in the 400 block of North Vega Avenue when Herrera struck his step-father in the head with a handgun, Alhambra police Lt. Jennifer Wiese said in a written statement.
Herrera was arrested at his home in Covina, she added, where police allegedly found two handguns in his possession.
The step-father was treated for his injuries at the scene by paramedics, police said.
The incident likely stemmed from an ongoing family dispute, which police responded to the night before, authorities said.
Herrera was being held in lieu of $500,000 bail, officials said. No information on his initial court date was available.

POMONA -- A recently retired longtime veteran of the Azusa Police Department was killed Saturday by a wrong-way hit-and-run driver, authorities said.
Randall "Randy" Phillips, 55, died at the scene of the crash, which occurred about 6:30 a.m. westbound 60 Freeway transition road to the northbound 71 Freeway, Azusa police Sgt. John Madaloni said in a written statement.
"He is survived by his wife and daughter and will be missed by all here at the Azusa Police Department," the statement said.
The initial California Highway Patrol investigation indicated Phillips was riding his motorcycle on the transition road when he was struck head-on by a wrong-way driver who then fled the scene, Madaloni said.
"The suspect was able to flee the scene in his damaged vehicle, which he abandoned on a nearby surface street," according to the Azusa police statement.
Phillips retired as a corporal in the Azusa Police Department on his 50th birthday in 2004, after spending 29 years with the agency, Madaloni said.
He spent most of his career with the department working as a field supervisor in the patrol division, colleagues said, however he also worked in community relations as a police explorer supervisor.
No information regarding services for Phillips was available Saturday.

GLENDORA -- Searchers found the body of a missing Glendora teenager Saturday in a remote hiking area near his home, dead from an apparently self-inflicted gunshot wound, authorities said.
Vincent Antonio Giovanazzi, 17, was found about 8 a.m. in the foothills of Glendora off of Colby Trail, north of Loraine Avenue, Glendora police Lt. Tim Staab said.
He disappeared August 27 after telling family members he was going to the library, the lieutenant said. A review of library surveillance cameras show he never arrived.
His uncle, Bill Cooper, described the senior at Glendora High School as "genuinely a nice, good, caring kid."
"We spent a lot of time hiking together and stuff," he said. "I'm going to miss him for the rest of my life."
About 300 family members, friends and community members set out Saturday mourning to scour the wooded areas near Giovanazzi's home, Staab said.
"It was only because of those 300 volunteers that we were able to find Vincent this morning," he said.
Staab added that family members were grateful for the outpouring of community support.
The body was found under a tree in a remote area about half a mile up Colby Trail, and about one mile from his home, authorities and family members said. Giovanazzi would often hike in the area.
Because of the remote area where the body was located, Staab said it appeared he did not want to be found.
A cousin of Giovanazzi first made the discovery, officials said.
The Los Angeles County Department of Coroner will conduct a full investigation to determine the cause of death, Staab said, however a handgun was found near the body and the death initially appeared to be a suicide.
"He appears to have died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head," Staab said.
The gun belonged to a family member, he added.
Staab said the condition of the body indicated it likely had been there about two weeks -- the amount of time that Giovanazzi has been missing.
Since his disappearance, family members have asked the public's help finding Giovanazzi and even offered a $10,000 reward for information.
"The family is very distraught," the lieutenant said. "My heart goes out to them."
Cooper said he was searching with Lt. Staab when the body was found.
"(Staab) got a phone call and turned real serious," Cooper said. "He said, 'Get your wife and come with me.'"
Cooper said Giovanazzi showed no signs of being suicidal before his disappearance.
"I talked to him the week before," he said. "I kind of noticed he was down, but nothing to this scale."
A memorial of flowers and photographs marked the entrance to Colby Trail Saturday afternoon.
Area residents, such as 25-year-old Valerie Mendoza, stopped by to pay her respects.
Though she said she did not know Giovanazzi personally, she said the incident had affected the whole neighborhood.
"It just makes you so sad," she said. "People all around the city were talking about it. Everyone was holding out that they'd find him, that they'd find him alive."

ABOVE: Courtesy photo of Vincent Giovanazzi

MONTEBELLO -- Two teenagers robbed a delivery man of cash and a pizza Friday, police said.
The robbery was reported shortly before 1 p.m. in the 1200 block of South Greenwood Avenue, Montebello police Lt. Brad Keller said.
About $80 in cash and a pizza was taken in the crime, he said.
The robbers appeared to be in their late teens, the lieutenant added. No weapon was seen during the robbery.
The pizza delivery man returned to work and reported the incident about an hour later, he said.
No further details were available.

MONROVIA -- A woman found dead in a Monrovia home Friday apparently died as the result of domestic violence, and officials were questioning a "person of interest," authorities said.
The woman had not been positively identified Friday, Los Angeles County Department of Coroner Lt. David Smith said.
The body, initially described only as that of an Asian woman, was found about 12:10 p.m. in the 500 block of West Duarte Road, sheriff's Deputy Aura Sierra said in a written statement.
"Detectives believe that the death of the woman stems from a domestic violence incident," the statement said.
Officials said they were investigating a "person of interest," but provided no further details Friday.

ROSEMEAD -- Three high school students were robbed at knifepoint Friday afternoon, authorities said.
The crime was reported about 3:40 p.m. on Valley Boulevard at Rio Hondo Avenue, Los Angeles County sheriff's Lt. Mark Glatt said.
Three Rosemead High School students were approached by three male Asian robbers in a light colored Scion xB, the lieutenant said.
The robbers got out of the car and used a knife to demand money and property from the teenage victims, Glatt said.
They managed to steal only a yellow-colored necklace that was not made of gold, he added.
No further details were available.

WEST COVINA -- A woman was struck by a car and badly injured Thursday while attending a "Back-To-School Night" event at a West Covina elementary school, police said.
The crash occurred about 6:15 p.m. in front of Workman Avenue Elementary School, 1942 E. Workman Avenue.
The woman, a 44-year-old Altadena resident, was crossing Workman Avenue near Phillips Avenue in a crosswalk when she was struck, West Covina police Cpl. Rudy Lopez said.
She was unconscious when rescuers arrived, Lopez said, and was flown by helicopter to Los Angeles County-USC Medical Center. Her condition late Thursday was unknown.
The injured woman was believed to have children attending the school, Lopez said.
The man driving the Honda that struck remained at the scene and cooperated with investigators, Lopez said. No arrests were made late Thursday.
The driver indicated the sun may have been in his eyes at the time of the crash, Lopez added.
Traffic on Workman Avenue was shut down between Azusa Avenue and Armel Drive during the investigation.
School officials could not be reached for comment late Thursday.

SOUTH EL MONTE -- A fire damaged a South El Monte upholstery manufacturing business Thursday, authorities said.
The blaze was reported about 6:20 p.m. at the business at 9904 Hayward Way, Los Angeles County Fire Department Inspector Fred Stowers said.
About 60 firefighters extinguished the fire in just under an hour, he said.
The fire in the 200-foot by 150-foot commercial building mainly centered in the warehouse portion of the structure, Stowers said.
No injuries were reported, he added. The business was closed for the day when the fire broke out.
The cause remained under investigation, Stowers said.
A dollar-value estimate of the damage to the building and its contents was not available late Thursday, he said, though it did not appear to be a total loss.

AeroMexico 737 hijacked, according to CNN. The plane headed from Cancun to Mexico City apparently has 104 persons on board. The hijackers say they want to speak to Mexican president Felipe Calderon or they will blow up the plane with explosives they've smuggled on board...

This from the Los Angeles County Fire Department: 

Ted Hall was a man of humility and strength, known now as a hero to his community, but always a hero to his family.  He has been described as "a true family man."  His love for his wife, and best friend, Kathy was evident to anyone who has had the pleasure of spending time with them.  He held special joy in being a father to his sons Randall and Steven; sharing motorcycle racing with Randall and countless ice hockey games with Steven.   

Far too often the Baldwin Park police department and city council complain about coverage of their city so here's some good news about a department hero: 

BALDWIN PARK - Baldwin Park police Capt. Michael Taylor sat down at a restaurant last month for a grilled chicken lunch, but ended up saving a toddler's life, officials and restaurant employees said.

Taylor said he had just gotten up to pay for his meal about 1 p.m. on Aug. 27 at the El Llano restaurant, 13720 Ramona Blvd., when he noticed a 1-year-old girl choking.

The girl's family members desperately patted her on the back to try to free the obstruction - a tortilla chip - with no success.

"She was choking to death," Taylor said. "She was turning blue."

Restaurant waitress Julie Jimenez said Taylor immediately sprung into action and performed the Heimlich Maneuver.

"I was so scared," she said. "I was happy he saved the life of the little girl."

After performing the Heimlich Maneuver, the girl appeared to be doing just fine, Taylor said.

LOS ANGELES - A federal lawsuit accuses Pomona police of intimidating residents who complained about police checkpoints in Latino neighborhoods.

The plaintiffs include more than 50 people who attended an August 2008 community meeting to discuss the checkpoints, which some residents say targeted Latinos.

Plaintiffs say police officers in plainclothes came to the meeting at a local religious center and threatened and intimidated participants. The lawsuit filed last week in Los Angeles accuses the officers of interfering with their rights to free speech, assembly and religion.

Mark Gluba, assistant to the city manager in Pomona, said Tuesday officials are studying the allegations.

Police have said the checkpoints were set up to look for drunk drivers and traffic safety violations.

From the Associated Press:

LOS ANGELES -- A white supremacist who killed a postal worker and wounded five people at a Los Angeles area Jewish community center in a 1999 shooting spree says he has renounced his racist views.
In a letter to a Los Angeles Daily News reporter, Buford O. Furrow Jr. says he regrets the pain he has caused.
Furrow, who is serving a life sentence, describes himself as a "'model' inmate who has shunned criminal activity."
He says he has thrown away his neo-Nazi literature and now believes "a life based on hate is no life at all."
Ten years ago Furrow wounded three little children, a teenager and an adult at a Granada Hills community center. He later killed letter carrier Joseph S. Ileto.

ANGELES NATIONAL FOREST -- The U.S. Forest Service announced 51 percent containment of the 11-day-old Station Fire Sunday.
The wildfire has grown to 157,220 acres, or 242 square miles, U.S. Forest Service officials said in a written update.
The fire did not make significant movement toward the foothill cities of the San Gabriel Valley and Crescenta Valley overnight, officials said.
"The northern, western and Foothill fire lines southeast to Altadena continued to hold without incident," according to the Forest Service statement.
The primary focus of the firefight remains on the Chilao area of the forest.
The fire crossed jumped over a bulldozer line in that area Saturday and made it's way into the dense Pleasant View Ridge wilderness area, Incident Commander Mike Dietrich said.
Firefighters are now concerned about the Juniper Hills community north of the Pleasant View Ridge wilderness.
No evacuations have been ordered, however extra law enforcement and fire personnel have been sent to the area as a precaution, officials said.
Residents of Juniper Hills, especially those with animals, have been advised to ready themselves in case evacuation orders become necessary.
Overnight, U.S. Forest Service officials reported good progress in the Chilao area.
"Fire crews saved 23 recreational cabins near Three Points, east of Chilao early this morning," the Forest Service statement said.
Additionally, "Fire crews successfully contained a 5-acre spot fire north of Sulphur Springs Campground."
Good containment remains in the Mt. Wilson area, officials added.
Firefighters have built about 55 miles of containment line around the fire, authorities said, with about 45 miles of line left to build.
Officials reported no new discoveries of damaged or destroyed building Saturday or overnight.
The estimated containment date for the Station Fire is Sept. 15.
Dietrich said it was important to get the fire under control before the Santa Ana winds of late fall start to blow.

At the Station Fire Incident Command Post at the Hansen Dam Recreation Area Saturday, volunteer Los Angeles County Fire Department photographer Troy Case and others sold t-shirts commemorating the two firefighters killed battling the station fire, as well as the fire camp that was destroyed in the blaze.

All proceeds from the shirts, which are selling for $20 a piece, will benefit the families of fallen firefighters Tedmund Hall and Arnaldo Quinones, who died Aug. 30 when their truck went over the side of a cliff during the firefight.

In addition to at the command post, the shirts are also available at an unofficial web site for the Los Angeles County Fire Department, www.lacountyfire.com, Case said.

Hall and Quinones were assigned to Fire Camp 16, which was destroyed in the blaze.

Case designed the shirts, which feature the patch design of Camp 16.

On Saturday alone, Case and others selling the shirts had raised several thousand dollars for the Hall and Quinones families.

PHOTO: Troy Case displays one of the shirts he designed to raise money for the families of two fallen firefighters in front of a memorial to the men at the Station Fire Incident Command Post in Lakeview Terrace Satuday, Sept. 5. 2009.

PASADENA -- Two teenage boys used a handgun to carry out a home invasion robbery Friday, police said.
The crime occurred about 6:30 a.m. at a house in the 1100 block of Romney Drive, Pasadena police Lt. Chris Russ said.
A 47-year-old man and a 45-year-old woman were home but were not injured, the lieutenant said.
"They were in bed when they awoke to suspects inside their home," Russ said.
One of the robbers pointed a gun at the man, as the crooks proceeded to help themselves to a laptop computer, a Rolex watch, a small amount of cash and other items, he said.
They also stole a key to car parked in the driveway, but were apparently unable to start it after they jammed the key in the ignition, Russ added.
"As the suspects were leaving, the male victim came outside and confronted them," he said.
The armed robber fired one shot at another parked car belonging to the man, Russ said, before fleeing on foot toward Church Street.
Police searched with a helicopter and a bloodhound but were unable to find the robbers, he said.
One of the robbers was described as a Latino boy of 15 or 16 years old, about 5 feet 6 inches tall and between 140 and 150 pounds. He had short black hair, wore all black clothing with black tennis shoes and carried a small silver handgun.
The other robber was also 15 or 16 and was either black with a light complexion or Latino with a dark complexion. He had short black hair, a white t-shirt, light blue jeans and tennis shoes.

ANGELES NATIONAL FOREST -- Firefighters achieved 49 percent containment Saturday of the 10-day-old Station Fire burning in the Angeles National Forest north of La Cañada Flintridge, authorities said.
The wildfire, which has been determined to have been started by arson, has scorched 154,655 acres as of Saturday morning, according to U.S. Forest Service Officials.
The fire edge has remained in place about three miles north of foothill communities of the San Gabriel Valley for several days.
In a written statement issued , U.S. Forest Service officials said firefighters made solid progress in defending those communities from the flames.
"Control line has now been completed from Mt. Wilson to and along the Rincon Truck Trail," the statement said. "If necessary, this line will be used to stop the fire spread into the communities of Monrovia, Sierra Madre and Duarte."
The fire in that area was of low intensity and moving very slowly Saturday, officials added.
U.S. Forest Service Incident Commander Mike Dietrich has said the prognosis for those communities is "looking very good," he added that he can make no guarantees, and the danger has not passed.
Dietrich and the other commanders managing the wildfire held a meeting Friday in Azusa to update residents of Azusa, Duarte and Bradbury on the situation, and inform them that orderly plans were in place in case evacuations become necessary.
Firefighters prepared Saturday to carry out a controlled burn on the north slope of Mt. Wilson in order to reduce the amount of fuel available for the wildfire, according to the U.S. Forest Service.
The most intense fire Saturday was burning in the San Gabriel Wilderness, deep within the Angeles National Forest, authorities added.
U.S. Forest Service officials said the entire western flank of the massive blaze has now been contained.
An intentional burn carried out in the Bear Mountain and Chilao areas of the forest significantly reduced the threat to that area, authorities added.
The Station Fire has destroyed or damaged 89 homes, three commercial properties, 104 outbuildings and two communications sites, Los Angeles County Fire Department officials said.
Two firefighters have been killed battling the fire, making the fire not only an arson, but a double-homicide, sheriff's officials said.
Nine other people have been injured, including three civilians who failed to heed evacuation warnings and were badly burned.

***UPDATE: The Governor has upped the ante by offering a $100,000 reward for the arsonist responsible for the Station Fire.

Los Angeles County Supervisor Michael Antonovich announced Friday he plans to offer a $50,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the arsonist responsible for the Station Fire, officials said.
After the fire was determined to be caused by arson Thursday, detectives from the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Homicide Bureau opened up a homicide investigation into the deaths of two Los Angeles County firefighters who died battling the blaze.
The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors will vote on the motion to offer the reward Tuesday at the next scheduled meeting, Antonovich spokesman Tony Bell said in a written statement.
Capt. Tedmund Hall, 47, and Firefighter Specialist Arnaldo Quinones, 34, died Sunday when there vehicle went over the side of a cliff while fighting the Station Fire near Mt. Gleason.
A memorial service for Hall and Quinones is scheduled for Sept. 12 at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, Los Angeles County Fire Department officials said.
Donations for the family's of the fallen firefighters are being accepted through the the F&A Federal Credit "Memorial Fund," at P.O. Box 30831, Los Angeles, Calif., 90030-9972, authorities said.
Donations for Hall's family can be sent to account No. 617171. Donations for Quinones' family can be sent to account No. 617172. Donations for both families can be deposited into account No. 617170.
Anyone with information about the arsonist responsible for the Station Fire is asked to call the Sheriff's Homicide Bureau at (323) 890-5500.

 

PHOTOS: Above: Capt. Tedmund Hall, 47. Below: Firefighter specialist Arnaldo Quinones, 34. (courtesy)

EL MONTE -- Police jailed a Baldwin Park Thursday on suspicion of felony vandalism after he allegedly scrawled graffiti in a park bathroom, police said.
Daniel Parra, 18, was arrested about 5 p.m. at Zamora Park, 3820 Penn Mar Avenue, El Monte police said in a written statement.
Officials said he caused about $500 in damage to the bathroom at the park.
According to sheriff's booking records, Parra was being held in lieu of $20,000 bail. No information was available regarding his initial court date.

AZUSA -- A 13-year-old Azusa boy was arrested Wednesday on suspicion of drawing graffiti on a park bench, officials said.
He was jailed about 4 p.m. after he was allegedly spotted writing on a bench at Slauson Park, 501 W. Fifth Street, with a marker, Azusa police Sgt. Mike Gurbada said.
The teen was released to his parents with a court date after both he and they were cited, Gurbada said.

Officials determined Thursday that the 140,000-acre Station Fire was intentionally set by an arsonist.

Investigators said today the Station Fire, the largest fire ever in Los Angeles County history, has been ruled arson.
At an evening briefing, officials said they made the determination after a forensic examination of the origin of the fire.
Los Angeles County Sheriff's department homicide bureau has initiated a homicide investigation, officials said.

Homicide was called because two firefighters died in the blaze.

ANGELES NATIONAL FOREST - Officials Thursday announced 100 percent containment of the 2,168-acre Morris Fire, burning in the forest north of Azusa and Glendora.
Full containment was reached about 6 a.m., incident spokesman Doug Nakama said.
"Right now, it's smouldering areas," he said. "There's still a few items of unburned material, but the perimeter is solid."
Six fire engines and three hand crews, totaling 213 personnel, are patrolling the smouldering remnants of the Morris Fire, he said.
"We'll keep an eye on it for a few days until we can call it controlled," he added.
Incident spokesman Jim Wilkins said the fire would not be declared "controlled" until "you would feel comfortable walking around on it in your socks."
The fire caused six injuries to firefighters, which included a wrist injury, a knee injury, a case of heat exhaustion and three bee stings, Nakama said. No structures were damaged or destroyed.
The fire displaced the 58 residents of Camp Williams off of East Fork Road for five days, authorities said.
Much of the work remaining at the Morris Fire scene Thursday involved mitigating the environmental damage done by the firefighting effort.
The cause of the fire, which ignited Aug. 25 near the Morris reservoir, remained under investigation Thursday.
Authorities have said it appeared to be human-caused, though they don't know whether it was accidental or arson.
Most of the 1,600 firefighters who were assigned to the Morris Fire at its height are now available to assist with other wildfires, Nakama said.
"A lot of them, we shipped out to the Station Fire," he said.
The temporary fire camp at the Santa Fe Dam Recreation Area has been kept in place to give firefighters battling the Station Fire another base of operations, Nakama said.
Nakama said firefighters handled the Morris Fire skillfully and professionally.
"They were very aggressive," he said. "They did a great job putting the fire out."

PHOTO: The Station Fire, as seen from the command post of the Morris Fire at the Santa Fe Dam Recreation Area in Irwindale on Sunday, Aug. 30, 2009.

From the Associated Press:

THOUSAND OAKS -- A health care reform demonstration landed one man in the emergency room after part of his pinky finger was bitten off during a heated argument in Ventura.
Sheriff's Capt. Frank O'Hanlon says about 100 people demonstrating in favor of health care reforms rallied Wednesday night at a Thousand Oaks street corner when one protester walked across the street to confront about 25 counter-demonstrators.
O'Hanlon says the man got into a fight and bit off half the left pinky of 65-year-old William
Rice.
Rice tells The Associated Press he was not part of the counter-demonstration and merely stopped by the event to see what was happening.
A hospital spokeswoman says doctors could not reattach the finger and he was sent home the same night.
O'Hanlon says the attacker fled but authorities have a good description.

The Sierra Madre Fire Department and City Officials are closely monitoring the Station Fire. At this time, there is no imminent danger to Sierra Madre residents.  

The City of Sierra Madre has begun preparations in case the Station Fire enters Sierra Madre. At this time the Station Fire continues to be a slow moving fire and if the fire continues moving to Sierra Madre, officials do not expect it to enter the City for at least five days. This prediction is contingent on if the current weather conditions continue.  

Today, fire officials began pre-treating the northern border of Sierra Madre by sending handcrews to work behind the northern-most properties in Sierra Madre creating a small fire break. This fire break is expected to extend from Altadena to Azusa.  

Residents north of Carter Avenue traveling east to Mira Monte Avenue and across Alegria Avenue to Grandview Avenue are ask to begin their emergency preparations in case the City has to evacuate residents. Residents are reminded to be "Ready for 7" with 7 days worth of food, clothing, medicine, pet food and supplies should they have to leave their homes. If the City evacuates residents, an evacuation center will be set up at the Community Recreation Center at 611 E. Sierra Madre Blvd. Crated pets will be allowed.  

As the fire continues to burn closer to Sierra Madre, wild animals will be leaving the forest and entering the City. Public Safety Officials warn residents to be cautious and leave them alone and to please not feed the wild animals. Residents may want to take caution and keep small children and pets indoors.  

In compliance with an order from the US Forest Service and the LA County Sheriff Department, the City is closing until further notice Bailey Canyon, Mt. Wilson Trail and the road up to Chantry Flats. 

Listed in reverse order from Leander Syndor at #50 all the way to a pretty obvious #1

View Station Fire perimeters, evacuation areas and points of interest in a larger map

From Martin Quiroz at Azusa City Hall:

From the Associated Press

ANGELES NATIONAL FOREST -- Firefighters made more progress Wednesday against a giant wildfire that has ravaged a national forest north of Los Angeles as investigators searched for more information about how the fire started.

Officials are still trying to figure out what set off the blaze in the Angeles National Forest that had burned nearly 219 square miles, or 140,150 acres, by early Wednesday. Deputy incident commander Carlton Joseph said Wednesday that the fire was human-caused, but it's not known specifically how it was started or whether it was accidental or arson.

Smoke plumes billow miles into the summer sky.

The noontime air Monday feels hot, dusty and dry.

On a patch of ground surrounding the somewhat remote Hansen Dam in Lake View Terrace, as many as 5,000 firefighters, police officers and a host of support staff have gathered to plan their attack on the 105,000-acre Station Fire.

Although they lost two colleagues in the battle Sunday, there is no time for firefighters to mourn the deaths of Arnaldo "Arnie" Quinones nor Tedmund "Ted" Hall.

The two died battling the blaze near Mt. Gleason. Officials believe Hall's truck flipped over on a narrow fire road as he and Quinones attempted to flee a wall of flame that ultimately overran them.

In a crisp one-page memo, Shelly Cook, an analyst with the National Forest Service, provided details of the Station Fire's hellish actions Sunday afternoon.

"Fire behavior was extreme, with rapid rates of spread and stupendous flame lengths," Cook wrote.

The briefing goes on to describe the fire that spewed burning embers a mile ahead of its path; spread at 3 mph in most directions; had flame lengths of 30 to 150 feet; and continued to chew up brush dry enough to have a 90 percent probability of ignition.

The briefing ends with a quote from writer Louis L'amour: "Victory is not won in miles, but in inches. Win a little now, hold your ground, and later win a little more."

A retired Los Angeles County battalion commander speaking to KFI radio's Bill Handel on Monday afternoon summed up the feelings of firefighters coping with the loss of their colleagues, while still battling the blaze.

"It's going to be tough," he said. "The guys are going to be down. This is a dangerous, unpredictable fire. These two guys paid the big price."

There are times when the life of a fireman seems like a life of ease. There are endless card games. Many lose count of hours they've spent perusing the Internet, or lifting weights, or just kicking back in a chair behind the station with a tasty stogie.

But, there are also those times at 3 a.m. when an elderly woman is suffering a stroke or seizure, those calls at midday when a baby falls into a swimming pool and those Friday nights mopping up after a traffic accident has claimed the life of a teenager.

Sometimes the elderly woman is the same age as their mom, the baby just like their own newborn, or the teen like the daughter they've just sent packing off to college.

Then there are those long summer nights out in the middle of a hot, dusty wasteland spent protecting the homes of people who can't fight off 80-foot flames with a garden hose.

Looking out over the Hansen Dam parking lot at the pup tents, the neatly parked fire engines, the trucks hauling food and supplies, it dawned on me that the scene looked like something from those Matthew Brady Civil War photographs of exhausted, battle-worn soldiers back from the front lines.

Then I realized that Hall and Quinones were modern soldiers who gave their lives to protect all of us.