August 2010 Archives

EL MONTE -- A 14-month-old girl died Sunday after she was struck by a car being driven by her aunt in an El Monte driveway, authorities said.
The name of the girl was not released Sunday, coroner's officials said.
The incident was reported about 10:20 a.m. in the driveway of the home where the family lived in the 12100 block of McGirk Avenue, El Monte police Lt. Ken Alva said.
The girl was in her front yard with her 2-year-old brother and mother, police said in a written statement.
"The victim's aunt, (a) 28-year-old unlicensed driver, was backing northbound out of the driveway as the victim crawled toward the driveway," the statement said.
The driver failed to see the girl and struck her, causing major injuries, the lieutenant said.
Rescuers rushed the injured toddler to the Methodist Hospital in Arcadia where she died at 11:23 a.m., police said.
"The child was just out of the mother's line of sight when the incident occurred," according to the statement.
The cause of the crash remained under investigation, and no arrests were made Sunday.
Though the aunt did not have a driver's license, he said, that did not appear to play a role in the accident. Additionally, the accident occurred on a private driveway, not a public street.
"At this point, it does not appear as though any crimes were committed," Alva said. "However, at the conclusion of the investigation, the report will be reviewed by the District Attorney's Office."

From City News Service:

LINCOLN HEIGHTS -- A 15-year-old boy was shot to death in Lincoln Heights, even though he gave up his bicycle to a thief, and an 11-year-old girl was wounded by a stray bullet, police said Sunday.
Miguel Machuca and another male, also on a bicycle, were confronted by two other males around 7:30 p.m. Saturday near North Broadway and North Mission Road, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.
Machuca surrendered the bicycle but was shot anyway, said LAPD Officer Sara Faden.
He was struck in his upper torso and died at a hospital.
An 11-year-old girl who happened to be in the area was struck in the back by a stray bullet, Faden said. She was in stable condition.
Anyone with information on the killer was asked to contact the LAPD at (323) 342-8957.

This tragic story comes courtesy of City News Service:

DOWNEY -- Whoever gunned down a Bellflower man in front of his wife and children in an apparent case of road rage in Downey was at large Sunday, police said.
Juan Pacheco, 28, was shot about 6:30 p.m. Friday on the 105 Freeway while he was merging from the Lakewood Boulevard on-ramp, according to Downey police.
"As the victim was transitioning onto the eastbound 105 freeway from Lakewood Boulevard, a verbal altercation occurred between the victim and the occupants" of a blue 2002 or 2003 Honda Accord with chrome wheels and dark-tinted windows, said Downey police Lt. Phil Rego.
As the two vehicles neared Woodruff Avenue, a passenger in the Honda fired a round that hit the Pacheco in the torso, said Rego.
His wife and two sons, ages 3 and 4, were in the van but were unharmed.
Pacheco managed to stop the van on the side of the freeway and got out before he collapsed, Rego said. He later died at a hospital.
Anyone with information about the fatal shooting was asked to call Downey police at (562) 904-2308.

PASADENA -- The Pasadena Police Department welcomed a new helicopter pilot to its Air Operations Section last week, officials said.
Fourteen-year Pasadena Police Department veteran Officer Mark Mendenhall completed his Federal Aviation Administration certification Tuesday to become the department's 25th helicopter pilot, Pasadena Police Chief Phillip Sanchez said in a written statement. The officer is no stranger to flying.
"In addition to his helicopter certification, Officer Mendenhall is one of the few members of this section to also hold a (fixed-wing) pilot's license," Sanchez said.
He has had multiple assignments with the Pasadena Police Department in the past, including the Special Enforcement Section and Counter Terrorism Section, the chief said. He also served as a team leader on the department's SWAT Team.
"His professional and personal accomplishments are exceptional and warrant our congratulations," Sanchez said.

PHOTO of a Pasadena police helicopter courtesy of the Pasadena Police Department.

ALHAMBRA -- Los Angeles County Supervisor Michael Antonovich has announced plans to propose a $20,000 reward Tuesday for information leading to the capture of the hit-and-run driver who fatally struck an elderly, wheelchair-bound Alhambra man late last year.
Shih--Siang Ho died at the scene of the Dec. 1, 2009 crash at the 6th Street underpass at Ramona Road in Alhambra, police and coroner's officials said. The driver of the unknown-type vehicle fled the scene and has not been found.
Alhambra Police said Ho was believed to be heading home from his sister-in-law's house when he was struck about 1:20 p.m.
Antonovich plans to propose a $20,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the hit-and-run driver at Tuesday's Board of Supervisors meeting, according to written statement issued by his office.
Investigators are renewing their request for the public's help in locating the hit-and-run vehicle and its driver, according to the statement. It likely had minor to moderate damage on the front, passenger side as a result of the crash.
Anyone with information is asked to call Alhambra police Officer Brandon Cardella at 626-570-5119.

HACIENDA HEIGHTS -- A 77-year-old Whittier woman died Saturday in a solo-car crash on Colima Road, authorities said.
Lynn Le, also known as Le T. Thi, was pronounced dead at the scene of the 10:37 a.m. crash on Colima at Camino Del Sur, California Highway Patrol officials said in a written statement.
Le was driving a 1997 Honda Accord north on Colima when, for unknown reasons, she drove over a raised concrete divider and into southbound traffic, officials said.
The Honda continued moving north in the southbound lanes of Colima at about 60 mph until it struck cinder block wall at the northeast corner of Colima and Camino Del Sur, according to the statement.
The crash remained under investigation by the Santa Fe Springs office of the California Highway Patrol.

GLENDORA -- A man died Friday after his disabled pickup truck was struck by a car on the 210 Freeway in Glendora, officials said.
Kevin Payne, 50, died at Los Angeles County-USC Medical Center just over half an hour after the 6:53 p.m. crash on the westbound 210 Freeway, just west of the 57 Freeway, coroner's and California Highway Patrol officials said. His driver's license listed him as a Los Angeles resident, though his vehicle registration information indicated he was from Hawthorne.
He was standing along the side of the road near his Mercedes sedan while having his disabled Toyota pickup truck hooked up to a tow truck just prior to the crash, California Highway Patrol officials said in a written statement.
Toby Okleshen, 36, of Las Vegas was driving a 2009 Dodge van westbound on the freeway.
"Okleshen swerved to the right and struck the rear of the Mercedes," the statement said. "The Mercedes travelled westbound and struck (Payne) and threw him into the bed of the red Toyota truck."
Payne was flown by helicopter to Los Angeles County-USC Medical Center where he was pronounced dead, officials said.
The unoccupied Mercedes went off the road and burst into flames, but firefighters quickly extinguished the burning car and nearby brush that had ignited, Los Angeles County Fire Department Battalion Chief Mike Brown said.
Witnesses reported seeing Okleshen's van swerving and driving erratically just before the crash, CHP officials said.
"We ruled out driving under the influence," CHP officer Resa Rombouts said.
"(Okleshen) is diabetic and his blood sugar was very low," she said. "Extremely low blood sugar led to hypoglycemia."
According to a statement from the National Institute of Health, "Hypoglycemia can happen suddenly. It is usually mild and can be treated quickly and easily by eating or drinking a small amount of glucose-rich food. If left untreated, hypoglycemia can get worse and cause confusion, clumsiness, or fainting."
Okleshen suffered minor injuries in the crash but declined to be hospitalized, officials said.
The investigation was ongoing, and investigators continued interviewing witnesses Saturday.

GLENDORA -- A three-vehicle crash on the 210 Freeway left a man critically injured Friday, authorities said.
The crash occurred just before 7 p.m. on the westbound freeway, just west of the 57 Freeway, California Highway Patrol Officer Krystal Carter said.
A man estimated to be in his 30s was driving a white passenger van when the vehicle began to drive erratically and swerve across traffic lanes, officials said.
"It sounded like he sounded some type of medical condition, possibly related to diabetes," Los Angeles County Fire Department Battalion Chief Mike Brown said. The van struck a compact car in traffic, which went off the roadway and caught fire, as well as a pickup truck that was being loaded onto a tow truck along the right side of the road, the chief said.
The driver of the pickup truck, estimated to be in his mid-40s, suffered major injuries including compound fractures to his legs, Brown said. He was flown by helicopter to Los Angeles County-USC Medical Center for treatment.
The driver of the van declined to be hospitalized and was being questioned by CHP officers following the crash, officials said.
The driver of the compact car was unhurt and managed to get free of the car before it became well-involved with flames, Brown said.
All lanes of the 210 Freeway, both eastbound and westbound, were shut down briefly as rescuers landed a helicopter on the freeway to take the critically injured person to the hospital, she said.
The eastbound lanes were re-opened after the helicopter picked up the patient, officials said, but only the carpool and left-hand lanes of westbound traffic were open as the investigation continued late Friday.
The cause of the crash was being investigated by the Baldwin Park office of the CHP.

EL MONTE -- El Monte police are planning sobriety and driver's license checkpoints Sunday and Friday.
The checkpoints will be held at undisclosed times and places within the city, El Monte police Officer Eric Johnston said in a written statement.
The purpose of such checkpoints is, "to identify offenders and get them off the street, as well as educate the public on the dangers of impaired driving," the officer said.
"Traffic volume and weather permitting, all vehicles will be checked," he added.
Funding for these checkpoints is being provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

PASADENA -- Authorities jailed a woman and teenage girl Thursday after they allegedly led officers on a chase in a stolen car.
Tabitha Valdes, 21, and a 15-year-old girl whose name was not released due to her age, were booked on suspicion of auto theft, Pasadena police Lt. Chris Russ said. Their cities of residency were not available.
A third suspect fled from the car and was not found, he added.
The incident began about 5 p.m. when officers spotted a car with three people inside that had been reported stolen at San Gabriel and Del Mar boulevards, the lieutenant said.
The car, allegedly being driven by Valdes, led police on a chase that briefly got onto the 210 Freeway before all three people inside the car ditched the car and ran in the 300 block of North Madison Avenue, Russ said.
A search of the area turned up Valdez and the teenage suspect, he said, though a man also ran from the car and was not located.
He was described as Latino, about 6 feet tall, wearing a dark T-shirt and blue jeans.

PASADENA -- Two men used a knife to rob a another man of his bicycle late Thursday, police said.
The crime occurred about 11:40 p.m. at Colorado Boulevard and Holliston Avenue, Pasadena police Lt. Chris Russ said.
A 47-year-old Pasadena man was riding his bike when he was confronted by two robbers, the lieutenant said.
One robber stepped in front of the bicyclist, brandished a folding knife and demanded his bicycle, Russ said.
The victim complied and the knife-wielding robber rode off on the stolen bicycle, he said. A second robber followed behind on foot.
The armed crook was described as a white man of about 20 years old, about 5 feet 9 inches tall, 150 pounds, wearing a dark shirt and white shorts, police said. The second robber was a Latino man in his 20s, about 5 feet 9 inches tall, 140 pounds, wearing a dark shirt and dark pants.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Pasadena Police Department.

ARCADIA -- A man is believed to have committed suicide early Friday in an Arcadia parking lot.
Hsienmin Kuo, 58, of Temple City was pronounced dead at the scene, Los Angeles County Department of Coroner Chief of Operations Craig Harvey said.
Police received a call about 8 a.m. reporting a "possible suicidal subject" in a business area in the 500 block of Las Tunas Drive, Arcadia police Sgt. Dan Crowther said in a written statement.
As officers were en route, he said, a second call informed them that the person appeared to be dead.
Officials found the body of the man underneath a stairwell in a parking lot, Lt. Colleen Flores said.
"Preliminary investigation revealed the victim died of apparent self-inflicted injuries," Crowther said.
The injuries were initially reported as stab wounds, coroner's officials said.
Coroner's investigators will conduct an autopsy to determine the official cause of death.

ARCADIA -- A rape investigation led police to discover nearly 60 marijuana plants growing inside an Arcadia home, authorities said Friday.
A 24-year-old woman arrived at the Arcadia Police Department about 3 p.m. Wednesday to report she had been raped by an acquaintance at a home in the 1000 block of Alta Vista Avenue, Arcadia police said in a written statement.
"The male suspect accompanied the victim to APD and after interviews were conducted, officers arrested the male," Sgt. Tom Le Veque said.
Marc Romo, 35, of Arcadia, was booked on suspicion of rape and an unrelated warrant, the sergeant added.
"During a search of the incident location, officers discovered an indoor, hydroponic, marijuana grow," Le Veque said. "Officers seized approximately 57 marijuana plants in various stages of growth along with equipment used for the cultivation."
No arrested had been made in connection with the marijuana growing operation Friday, police said. It remained under investigation, and no further information was released.
According to sheriff's booking records, Romo was being held in lieu of $150,000 bail and was due for arraignment Friday in Pasadena Superior Court. An update on his case was not available.

AZUSA -- Police arrested four men early Friday suspected of attacking a woman and robbing her outside an Azusa night club.
Andres Corona, 21, of Azusa, Edward Alcay, 23, of Baldwin Park, James Orozco, 19, of Adelanto and Anthony Sanchez, 18, of Azusa were booked on suspicion of robbery, according to Azusa police and sheriff's booking records.
A 19-year-old woman was walking by herself about 1:30 a.m. near a night club in the 900 block of West Foothill Boulevard, "when she was approached by a lone male, later identified as suspect Andres Corona," Azusa police Sgt. John Madaloni said in a written statement.
Corona allegedly demanded the woman's cell phone and she tried to run away, he said.
"Corona punched her in the side of her face and was able to forcible take her cell phone and purse," according to the police statement.
The suspected robber was then seen running to a waiting getaway car, Madaloni said, which was occupied by three others.
The woman flagged down a police car and reported the crime.
A short time later, police said, Irwindale police officers spotted a possible suspect vehicle in their city and pulled it over.
The victim recognized Corona as her attacker, and three other men in the car -- Alcay, Orozco and Sanchez -- were also booked in connection with the crime, Madaloni said.
"A search of the suspect vehicle netted the victim's purse and cell phone concealed under the front passenger's seat and driver's seat respectively," Madaloni said.
According to sheriff's booking records, the suspects were jailed in lieu of $100,000 each and were due for arraignment Tuesday in West Covina Superior Court.

INDUSTRY -- Deputies jailed a Hacienda Heights man Thursday who allegedly led police on a car chase after breaking into an SUV, authorities said.
Rodolfo Sanchez, 23, of Hacienda Heights was booked on suspicion of auto burglary and felony evading, Los Angeles County sheriff's Sgt. Tom Wilson said.
A witness called police about noon to report seeing men breaking into a Cadillac Escalade SUV in the parking lot of Costco, 17301 East Gale Avenue, and stealing the third-row seat, Wilson said.
When deputies tried to detain the men, they fled in a 2006 Dodge Charger, starting a brief pursuit, the sergeant said.
At one point during the chase, a second suspect got out of the car and fled on foot, Wilson said. He was not found, and a further description was not available.
The chase led deputies down Azusa Avenue to the 60 Freeway, he said. The Charger exited the freeway at Hacienda Boulevard and become stuck in traffic, allowing deputies to take Sanchez into custody.
Wilson said the allegedly stolen third-row seat was recovered from the Charger.
Detectives are now investigating the possibility that Sanchez was involved in other area burglaries, he added.
According to sheriff's booking records, Sanchez was being held without bail and was due for arraignment Monday in West Covina Superior Court.

ARCADIA -- Police arrested a West Covina man Wednesday on suspicion of raping a woman at an Arcadia home, authorities said.
Marc Romo, 35, was booked on suspicion of rape, Arcadia police Sgt. Dean Caputo said.
An investigation began about 3 p.m. Wednesday when a 24-year-old woman arrived at the Arcadia Police Department and reported she had been raped at a home in the 1000 block of South Alta Vista Avenue, Arcadia police Michael Castro said in a written statement.
"Preliminary investigation revealed that the victim was raped by a 35-year-old male whom she knows," Castro said. "The victim and the suspect were alone in the residence when the crime occurred."
According to sheriff's booking records, Romo was being held in lieu of $150,000 bail and was due for arraignment Friday in Pasadena Superior Court.

 

HACIENDA HEIGHTS -- A fire caused an estimated $350,000 worth of damage to a Hacienda Heights home and its contents Wednesday, officials said.
The blaze was first reported about 3:15 p.m. at a two-story house in the 1600 block of Heather Hill Road, Los Angeles County Fire Department Capt. Bob Cormack said.
Two young men who were inside the home self-evacuated before firefighters arrived, the captain said.
The fire ignited near the garage, apparently as the result of a cigarette left on a couch, and extended into the living area of the home, Cormack said.
The fire caused "significant damage" to the front portion of the home, he added, while the rear portion was saved.
Firefighters "knocked down" the blaze in 15 to 20 minutes, Cormack said.
No injuries were reported.
The two young men displaced by the fire found their own temporary lodgings, Cormack said, and the Red Cross was not needed.

From City News Service:

ROWLAND HEIGHTS -- A Rowland Heights osteopathic doctor's license to prescribe controlled substances was suspended today by the federal Drug Enforcement Administration.
DEA special agents and the California Medical Board investigators posed as patients seeking prescriptions for controlled substances during six undercover visits to the office of Hsiu-Ying Lisa Tseng between April 2008 and July 2010, said Timothy J. Landrum, special agent in charge of the DEA's Los Angeles Field Division.
On five of those occasions, Tseng issued prescriptions for Vicodin, Suboxone and Xanax without taking medical histories and either not conducting a medical examinations or just a cursory one. The prescriptions were often made for no legitimate purposes, Landrum said.
A newspaper reported that the prescriptions may be linked to eight overdoses. Tseng reportedly blamed the patients and their families.
"I really believe I did nothing wrong," Tseng told a newspaper. "I was really strict with my patients, and I followed the guidelines. If my patient decides to take a month's supply in a day, then there is nothing I can do about that."
An administrative hearing will be held before a DEA deputy administrator to determine whether Tseng's DEA Certification of Registration should be permanently revoked, Landrum said. "Prescription drug abuse continues to rise at a disturbing rate," Landrum said. "Many obtain these dangerous drugs from doctors prescribing drugs for no medical need. DEA is committed to working together with our state and local counterparts to ensure these few doctors who abuse their authority are not allowed to continue."

NORWALK -- Deputies arrested a man Wednesday on suspicion of shooting at, but missing, two other men, authorities said.
James Walls, 21, of Huntington Beach was booked on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon, Los Angeles County sheriff's Lt. Steve Kenny said.
The incident was reported about 5:15 p.m. in the 14600 block of Paddison Avenue, near Firestone Boulevard, Kenny said.
Walls allegedly fired shots at two men in their early 20s, missed, and fled on foot, the lieutenant said.
Deputies searched the area, found the suspect and recovered a gun, he added.
A motive in the shooting wasn't clear, he said, though it was not believed to be gang related.

HACIENDA HEIGHTS -- A gunman escaped with an undisclosed amount of cash late Tuesday after holding up a Hacienda Heights gas station, authorities said.
The crime took place about 9:35 p.m. at a Shell gas station at 3060 South Hacienda Blvd., Los Angeles County sheriff's Lt. Steven Katz said in a written statement.
A man in his 20s, standing about 5 feet 5 inches tall and weighing about 180 pounds, "entered the location and demanded money at gunpoint," Katz said.
The robber took cash and fled in a waiting vehicle being driven by a second robber, he added.
No further information was released Wednesday.

SANTA FE SPRINGS -- Police are seeking two robbers who stole a laptop computer from a man in Santa Fe Springs early Wednesday.
The crime occurred about 6:15 a.m. at an apartment complex in the 8100 block of Broadway Avenue, Whittier police officials said in a written statement.
The victim was sitting in front of the apartment complex when two men approached, fought with him and wrestled his laptop away, police said.
Police described the robbers as two Latino men with shaved heads wearing white T-shirts and black shorts. One weighed about 150 pounds, and the other was about 5 feet 10 inches tall and about 180 pounds.
They were last spotted fleeing into the apartment complex, according to the statement. Police searched the area but did not find the robbers.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Whittier Police Department.

AZUSA -- Two men died Sunday after a gunbattle in an unincorporated neighborhood near Azusa, authorities said.
The names of the dead men, who sheriff's officials described as 30 and 27 years old, were not released.
The shooting was reported about 6:20 p.m. on Banewell Avenue, just north of Arrow Highway.
The 30-year-old man had just stepped out of his home when he was confronted by the younger man, Lt. David Coleman of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Homicide Bureau said.
"The two were involved in an argument," he said, adding that the younger man "pulled out a handgun and shot" the older man.
Family members of the wounded man were driving him to a hospital when responding police officers and sheriff's deputies stopped the car at Enid Avenue and Arrow Highway, Coleman said.
Paramedics were summoned, and the 30-year-old man was pronounced dead, investigators said.
As officials searched the area, they found the suspected gunman, also suffering from a gunshot wound, in the driver's seat of a Mercury sedan, which was still near the scene of the original shooting. A handgun was recovered from his car.
The younger man was taken to Los Angeles County-USC Medical Center, where he died just after 8 p.m., authorities said.
"We don't know how he was shot," Coleman said.
The older man may have returned fire in self-defense, or another unknown person might have shot the younger man, he said.
A second gun was recovered, but Coleman declined to say exactly where it was found.
A motive in the shooting remained under investigation, he added.
Juan Enriquez, 56, who lives nearby, said he was two blocks away when he heard what sounded like eight or nine gunshots in rapid succession.
When he drove toward the shots to see what had happened, he said he found police and sheriff's deputies swarming the area.
Both Enid and Banewell avenues remained closed Sunday night as homicide detectives continues their investigation.

PHOTO by staff photographer Watchara Phomicinda

Two separate "suspicious" brush fires slowed freeway traffic in San Dimas and Glendora Sunday but caused no injuries and prompted no evacuations, authorities said.
They were about two miles apart and ignited within half an hour of each other.
"Timing is suspicious, and being very close," Los Angeles County Fire Department Battalion Chief Vince Peña said. "That's why it's under investigation."
Firefighters responded to the first fire, which was actually two blazes, about 11:50 a.m. along the 57 Freeway near Arrow Highway in San Dimas, Los Angeles County Fire Department Dispatch Supervisor Clyde Taylor said.
"They had two acres on the west side of the freeway and a quarter-acre on the east side of the freeway," she said.
Peña said the smaller fire on the east side of the freeway "might have just been spotting from the initial fire (on the west side of the freeway), but still, it's kind of suspicious."
No obvious cause was found Sunday, he added, though it remained under investigation.
About 75 firefighters doused the blaze from both ground and air, Taylor said, and extinguished it within 30 minutes.
The Arrow Highway onramps to the southbound 57 Freeway were closed due to the fire Sunday afternoon, along with the Arrow Highway offramp of the northbound 57 Freeway, but all lanes and ramps were re-opened before 2 p.m., according to California Highway Patrol logs.
Just minutes after firefighters extinguished the brush fire in San Dimas, Taylor said, another was reported about 12:20 p.m. in Glendora along the 210 Freeway at Grand Avenue.
The second blaze, which burned on the south side of the freeway, was extinguished just before 1 p.m., she added.
The fire burned within 50 or 75 yards of homes in the 1200 block of Concord Lane, though no evacuations were necessary, Glendora police Lt. Joe Ward said.
There was a clearance of brush between the homes and the fire, he said, however nervous residents kept a close eye on the fire from their yards, and police advised them to be vigilant.
The investigation was ongoing, but there was "no obvious accidental cause that I know of at this time," Ward said.
The close proximity and timeframe of the brush fires also caused investigators to take a close look, he added.
"That, in itself, is suspicious," Ward said.
The two right lanes of the eastbound 210 Freeway were shut down Sunday afternoon as firefighters continued "mopping up" the fire, officials said.

TEMPLE CITY -- Sheriff's officials and worried family members asked the public's help Saturday in finding a missing 73-year-old Temple City man who suffers from dementia.
Fidel Medina Hernandez was last seen walking in the area of Kauffman Avenue and Las Tunas Drive about 5:30 p.m. Friday, sheriff's officials said in a written statement.
Hernandez is described as Filipino, about 5 feet 2 inches tall and about 120 pounds, officials said. He has black hair and black eyes.
He was last seen wearing a beige T-shirt, blue jeans and white slippers.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Sheriff's Homicide Bureau, Missing Person's Detail at (323) 890-5500.

PHOTO of Fidel Hernandez comes courtesy of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.

ARCADIA -- Police arrested a man Saturday morning suspected of beating his brother to death in the Arcadia apartment they both lived in, authorities said.
Michael Kelly, 44, was booked on suspicion of killing his 47-year-old brother Brian Kelly, whose body was found about 5:20 p.m. Wednesday inside their apartment in the 800 block of Fairview Avenue, Arcadia police Lt. Paul Foley said in a written statement.
Police had been seeking Michael Kelly as a suspect in the killing when family members tipped investigators off as to his whereabouts, Foley said.
"Family members of the wanted suspect Michael Thomas Kelly contacted the Arcadia Police Department and advised that Michael Kelly was at a local hospital," the lieutenant said.
Officers found Michael Kelly being treated for a minor medical issue at Huntington Hospital in Pasadena and arrested him on suspicion of murder just after midnight Saturday, Detective Steve Turner said.
A family member arrived at the apartment and discovered Brian Kelly unconscious and called police, the detective said.
Police responded and found the body of Brian Kelly, who had apparently bludgeoned to death, Arcadia police Lt. Larry Goodman said.
The investigation led officers to suspect Michael Kelly in the killing and issue an arrest warrant for him, however he was not found until early Saturday.
A woman who identified herself as the Kellys' mother did not wish to comment Saturday.
Nearby neighbors said they were not home when the incident occurred or declined to comment.
A motive in the alleged killing was not clear Saturday, Turner said.
It's believed that Michael Kelly attacked his brother with a "blunt instrument of some sort," Turner said, though investigators had not determined exactly what the suspected murder weapon was.
Turner said he suspected the killing took place the same day the body was discovered, however an exact timeframe wasn't known.
Los Angeles County Department of Coroner Lt. David Smith said Brian Kelly died of "cranial cerebral trauma."
"He was struck multiple times in the head," he said.
According to sheriff's booking records, Michael Kelly was being held in lieu of $1 million bail and was due for arraignment Tuesday in Pasadena Superior Court.
Wednesday's slaying was the first homicide reported in the City of Arcadia in more than two years, Sgt. Dan Crowther said, though killings have been recorded in nearby unincorporated county areas.

PHOTO of Michael Kelly courtesy of the Arcadia Police Department

COVINA -- An anonymous good Samaritan turned in a cash-filled wallet she found to Covina police Friday, authorities said.
The woman, who did not leave her name, came into the lobby of the Covina Police Department, 444 N. Citrus Avenue, about 5:20 p.m., Covina police Sgt. Trevor Gaumer said.
She told officers she found the wallet in West Covina, he said.
Police discovered more than $600 in the wallet, along with a driver's license, the sergeant said.
Officers visited the address listed on the driver's license but found the wallet's owner no longer lived there, Gaumer said.
Police continued seeking the wallet's owner late Friday.

As seen here in Ruby Gonzales' article in the Whittier Daily News, Whittier police have released startling footage of a failed robbery at a Santa Fe Springs medical marijuana dispensary on Aug. 10. The video shows a good view of the robbers, as well as the security guard struggling with the armed intruders.

SANTA FE SPRINGS -- A man posed as a customer before robbing a Santa Fe Springs restaurant at gunpoint late Thursday, police said.
The crime took place about 8:10 p.m. at Thai Star Cuisine, 13128 Telegraph Road, Whittier police officials said in a written statement.
The robber first gave a waitress a note saying that he wanted to place an order, but then pulled a handgun and demanded money.
The gunman ordered an employee to empty the cash from a register into a bag, officials said.
Police said the robber ordered the employee to the ground before fleeing.
He was described as a white man, about 200 pounds, with blue eyes, police said. He wore a black polo shirt, khaki pants and a gray hat.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Whittier Police Department.

ARCAIDA -- Police asked the public's help Friday in finding a man suspected of beating his brother to death inside an Arcadia apartment.
Police officers responded to a report of an unconscious person about 5:20 p.m. Wednesday in the 800 block of Fairview Avenue when they found the body of Brian Kelly, 47, Arcadia police Lt. Larry Goodman said in a written statement.
"Preliminary investigation revealed the victim had been bludgeoned," Goodman said.
"Evidence collected during the course of the investigation implicated the victim's younger brother, Michael (Kelly), as a possible suspect," the lieutenant said. "Michael left the scene prior to the arrival of police and has not been apprehended."
A felony warrant has been issued for the arrest of Michael Kelly, 44, he said.
If spotted, police advise the public not to approach Michael Kelly, but to call 9-1-1 immediately.

PHOTO of Michael Kelly comes courtesy of the Arcadia Police Department.

COVINA -- Police jailed a self-proclaimed member of a tagging crew early Thursday on suspicion of scrawling graffiti on top of a business, authorities said.
Christopher Mason, 19, of Covina was booked on suspicion of felony vandalism, Covina police Sgt. Trevor Gaumer said.
An employee called police just before midnight Wednesday to report hearing footsteps on the roof of a business in the 200 block of East Badillo Street, Gaumer said.
Officers spotted the suspect, later identified as Mason, but he fled into a nearby neighborhood.
He was arrested during a search of the area and admitted to writing graffiti on top of the business, Gaumer said. "He was proud of his work."
According to sheriff's booking records, Mason was being held in lieu of $10,000 bail and was due for arraignment Monday in West Covina Superior Court.

COVINA -- Two men walked away unharmed from a fiery car crash in Covina late Wednesday, police said.
The crash occurred about 9 p.m. at Cypress Street and Cummings Road, Covina police Sgt. Trevor Gaumer said.
A sedan containing two men was eastbound on Cypress when the driver lost control and struck a telephone pole, the sergeant said.
The pole was sheared off and the car burst into flames, he said, however both the driver and passenger escaped from the car without injury.
The crash knock live power lines into the street and damaged nearby transformers, Gaumer said. Southern California Edison crews worked through the night to fix the damage.

EL MONTE -- Two sheriff's deputies helped rescue a woman Thursday as she threatened to jump from the Lower Azusa Street Bridge in El Monte.
The incident began about 6:45 a.m. as deputies from the sheriff's Temple Station were in El Monte for an investigation.
Deputies David Lopez and Steve Suarez spotted an elderly woman standing on the bridge in the 10800 block of Lower Azusa Road, Los Angeles County sheriff's officials said in a written statement.
"As they watched her, she climbed over the safety fence and stood on the approximately 4-inch outer ledge of the bridge," the statement said. "When the deputies approached the woman, she turned away and extended both arms as if she was going to dive off the bridge and began to yell incoherently."
Lopez and Suarez convinced the woman to put one leg back over the safety railing before both deputies rushed forward and grabbed the woman, pulling her back to safety, officials said. She was taken into protective custody by the El Monte Police Department.

PASADENA -- A Pasadena man is awaiting trial after being tracked down in Mexico on suspicion of holding an underage girl captive in a motel room and attempting to molest her, police said Thursday.
Robert James Ruiz, 46, appeared in court Monday in Pasadena Superior Court, however is arraignment was postponed until Aug. 26, Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office spokeswoman Sandi Gibbons said.
"On July 29, 2010, Ruiz, an ex-convict, held an underage female against her will in a motel room and attempted to molest her," Pasadena police said in a written statement.
The girl, a teenager, was ultimately released by her alleged captor, police said.
"When Ruiz learned that he was wanted by police, he called the handling detective and declared that he had no intention of going back to prison and that he had left the area," the police statement said.
"Investigators tracked Ruiz to Mexico where he was ultimately arrested (Aug. 12) without incident," according to the statement.
Pasadena police, the U.S. Marshals and the Mexican government all worked together to arrest Ruiz, police added.
He was booked on suspicion of attempted lewd acts with a minor, false imprisonment, child abuse and indecent exposure toward a minor, officials said. He was being held in lieu of $1.2 million bail.

ROSEMEAD -- Arraignment has been postponed for a 14-year-old girl accused of stabbing her grandparents to death along with her 21-year-old boyfriend, authorities said.
Sophia Cristo of Rosemead, who is being charged as an adult with two counts of murder, is due to appear Sept. 2 in Los Angeles County Superior Court to be arraigned, Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office spokeswoman Sandi Gibbons said.
Also charged in the case is 21-year-old Rodolfo Lopez, a resident of the San Gabriel Valley.
Cristo appeared in Los Angeles Superior Court Monday but did not enter a plea, Gibbons said.
Cristo and Lopez are accused of fatally stabbing Cristo's grandparents, 71-year-old Jack Bezner and 64-year-old Susan Bezner, Aug. 9 as they laid in their bed in their home in the 4200 block of Arica Avenue in Rosemead, investigators said.-
The granddaughter and her boyfriend were arrested two days after the slaying after they were found driving the Bezners' SUV in El Paso County, Texas.
Officials are working to have Lopez extradited back to California, which may take weeks.
In addition to two counts of murder, Cristo and Lopez are both accused of the special allegations of multiple murder, using a knife in the crime and causing great bodily injury, District Attorney's officials said in a written statement.
Both Jack and Susan Bezner died of "multiple sharp force injuries," Los Angeles County Department of Coroner's Chief of Operations Craig Harvey said.
Because of her age, Gibbons said, Cristo is not eligible for the death penalty. The maximum penalty she could face, if convicted as charged, is life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Prosecutors have not yet decided whether they will seek the death penalty against Lopez, officials added.

A man is behind bars on suspicion of being under the influence of methamphetamine and marijuana when he caused a Riverside County crash that killed a Monrovia school teacher, authorities said Thursday.
Jeremy Cook, 33, of Moreno Valley was booked Wednesday on suspicion of gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated in connection with the May 8 crash just outside of Hemet in Riverside County that killed 44-year-old Maggie Clark, Riverside County District Attorney's spokesman John Hall said.
Clark was a kindergarten teacher at Mayflower Elementary School in Monrovia.
Cook turned himself in to investigators in Murrieta after a warrant was issued for his arrest Aug. 4, Hall said.
Cook as arrested immediately following the crash, but released after prosecutors declined to file charges.
Clark and another teacher were driving to an education conference when Cook's truck allegedly crossed a center divider, veered into oncoming traffic and struck their car.
Clark was fatally injured, while the other teacher in the car with her suffered a broken leg.
Co-workers said Clark was a dedicated, well-respected and well-liked teacher who started teaching at Mayflower in 1988.
According to court records, Cook was previously convicted twice of misdemeanor driving under the influence in Idaho in 1999 and 2004.
Cook was being held in lieu of $1 million bail and was due for arraignment Friday in the Southwest Justice Center of the Riverside Superior Court.

ANGELES NATIONAL FOREST -- A man attacked and injured a forest ranger Wednesday in a "bizarre" assault at a ranger station in the Angeles National Forest north of Azusa, authorities said.
The ranger, who was estimated to be in his 30s, was struck and in the face and knocked unconscious with an unknown object shortly before 4 p.m. at the East Fork Ranger Station, in the forest north of Azusa, sheriff's and fire officials said.
He was flown to an area trauma center was he was listed in stable condition and awaiting X-rays, Los Angeles County sheriff's Capt. Michael Parker said.
"We do not know the reason for this bizarre and seemingly unprovoked attack," he said.
The attacker showed up at the ranger station about 3:40 p.m. and asked to use the telephone, Parker said.
"When the (ranger) opened the door, he was struck in the face by the suspect with an unknown object, rendering him unconscious," Parker said.
The ranger was not armed, official added.
When the ranger awoke, he called 9-1-1, Parker said.
He was in and out of consciousness prior to be hospitalized, Los Angeles County Fire Department Capt. David Middleton said.
Robbery did not appear to be a motive in the attack, Parker said.
"We have not identified anything that was taken," he said.
The attacker was described only as a Latino man driving a green Mitzubishi Eclipse, Parker said.
Forest rangers, sheriff's deputies and officers from the Azusa and Glendora police department searched the area for the assailant with no luck, officials said.
The Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office's Crimes Against Peace Officer's Unit is also investigating the incident.

ARCADIA -- Police asked the public's help Wednesday identifying a man who robbed a Bank of America Branch in Arcadia, authorities said.
The crime took place jut after 4:10 p.m. Tuesday at the branch at 180 N. Santa Anita Avenue, Arcadia police Sgt. Mike Castro said.
"Preliminary investigation revealed the (robber) entered the bank and presented a demand note for money while threatening to have a gun," Arcadia police Sgt. Tom Le Veque said in a written statement.
After receiving cash, the robber fled in an unknown direction, he added.
Police described the robber as an Asian man between 20 and 30 years old, about 5 feet 6 inches tall and 140 pounds. He has brown eyes, a thin mustache and goatee and acne on his cheeks.
He was last seen wearing a black baseball cap, black-frame glasses, shorts and a black T-shirt.
"This suspect should be considered armed and dangerous," Le Veque said. Anyone with information is asked to call Arcadia police at 626-574-5150.

*Surveillance photo courtesy of the FBI.

From the Associated Press:

LONG BEACH -- A fugitive caregiver from Temple City charged with stealing $4 million from an ailing elderly woman to fund a lavish lifestyle has surrendered after two years on the lam.
A $2.5 million arrest warrant was issued in 2008 for Li Ching Liu, who was charged with abuse and robbery of a 74-year-old stroke victim. Liu, who also uses the name Susan Liu, was hired in 2002 to care for the woman, who amassed a fortune through real estate investments.
Liu, 54, surrendered Tuesday in Long Beach Superior Court with her attorney, Joseph Camarata. She pleaded not guilty and was jailed. Bail was set at $2.5 million pending an Aug. 24 hearing.
Liu, who disappeared after her adult son and her boyfriend were arrested two years ago, withheld food from the victim to make her comply while Liu drained the woman's bank accounts, police Detective Stacey Holdredge said. Liu set up more than 60 accounts at half a dozen banks and laundered more than $4 million with the help of 58-year-old boyfriend Abolfath Okhovat of Thousand Oaks and her 29-year-old son, Yun Shih of Temple City, the detective said.
Besides lavish Las Vegas gambling trips and jewelry purchases, Holdredge says the money was used to buy a Porsche sport utility vehicle and a Temple City house for Liu and her boyfriend. The money was also used to pay for Yun Shih's tuition at the University of Southern California and a BMW.
Both men are in prison after being convicted last year of financial elder abuse.

EAST VALINDA -- Deputies arrested two people and sought a third in connection with an elementary school burglary in East Valinda Sunday, authorities said.
Anne Marie Blanco, 40, and David Mejia, 40, both of Ontario, were booked on suspicion of burglary, Los Angeles County sheriff's Sgt. Raymond Enriquez said.
School police officers noticed a white pickup truck leaving Rorimer Elementary School, 18750 Rorimer Street, about 5:40 p.m. and pulled it over, the sergeant said.
The truck, which was being driven by Blanco, had four computers, five monitors, two keyboards and a digital camera in the back, Enriquez said.
Deputies then determined that the equipment had been taken from the office at the school after someone broke in through a rear door, he said.
Mejia was found walking in the area and arrested, Enriquez said.
A third suspect, described as a Latino man between 40 and 45 years old, was believed to be involved but was not located, he said.

Authorities are investigating two similar gas station robberies that occurred early Saturday in Hacienda Heights and Diamond Bar, sheriff's officials said.
The robbers were described similarly in both crimes, which occurred within an hour of each other, however officials said it was too early to tell if they were related.
The first of the robberies was reported about 1 a.m. at an ampm store at 1401 S. Hacienda Boulevard in Hacienda Heights, Los Angeles County sheriff's Sgt. Raymond Enriquez said.
A robber described as a black man of about 6 feet 1 inch tall and wearing a black jacket entered the store and announced his intention to rob it, the sergeant said.
He threatened to have a gun, though none was seen, Enriquez added.
An employee sprayed the robber with pepper spray, he said, but the robber still managed to grab a cash drawer from a register.
He fled to a getaway car with a waiting male driver, who also threatened the clerk, Enriquez said. The car then fled westbound.
No description of the car or the driver was available.
Just under an hour later, another robbery was reported at a Chevron Station at 21324 Pathfinder Road in Diamond Bar, sheriff's Lt. Mike Browne said.
Two robbers described as black men of about 6 feet tall wearing dark clothing entered the store about 1:45 a.m. and demanded cash, the lieutenant said. At least one of them was armed with a handgun.
After stealing an undisclosed amount of cash, the robbers were last seen fleeing on foot, he added.

AZUSA - Police arrested a gang member Sunday in Azusa who is wanted on suspicion of crimes including assault with a deadly weapon and torture in Colton, authorities said.
Dennis Ayon, 30, of Azusa was being held in lieu of $150,000 bail, Azusa police Sgt. Jerry Arnold said in a written statement.
Officers were walking through an apartment complex in the 300 block of North Cerritos Avenue about 12:50 p.m. when they spotted Ayon, Arnold said.
"They knew Ayon was wanted for an assault with a deadly weapon that occurred in the City of Colton," he said. "He was arrested without incident."
The sergeant described Ayon as a "documented gang member from Azusa with a lengthy criminal history."
The alleged assault was against the mother of Ayon's child and did not involve a firearm, Azusa police said.
Officials issued a warrant for Ayon's arrest following a July 21 incident in the 1000 block of S. Santo Antonio Drive in Colton, Colton police Sgt. Kyle Kershner said.
The alleged charges include assault with a deadly weapon, torture, spousal abuse and residential burglary, he said.
Further details regarding the Colton incident were not available Sunday.
According to sheriff's booking records, Ayon was due for arraignment Monday in West Covina Superior Court.

SOUTH LOS ANGELES -- A 75-year-old Rosemead man died early Sunday after crashing his minivan on an offramp of the 110 Freeway, authorities said.
The man's name was not released Sunday pending notification of his family, coroner's officials said.
The crash was reported just before 6 a.m. on the Slauson Avenue offramp of the southbound 110 Freeway in South Los Angeles, California Highway Patrol Officer Dane Norem said in a written statement.
CHP officials responded to reports of a crash and found a 1993 Nissan Quest lying on its side in on the Slauson Avenue onramp, the officer said.
The driver, who had been thrown from the vehicle, was pronounced dead at the scene, he said.
The investigation was ongoing, but it initially appeared that the Nissan was taking the Slauson Avenue offramp from the southbound 110 Freeway when it veered to the left and struck a wall, Norem said.
The minivan rolled over several times before coming to a rest on the onramp, he said.
The cause of the crash remained under investigation.

LONG BEACH -- A Temple City woman accused of stealing millions of dollars from a 74-year-old Long Beach woman who had a stroke and hired her as a caretaker remained at large Saturday, as Long Beach police asked the public for help in catching her.
Li Ching Liu, 54, of Temple City, who also goes by the name Susan Liu, allegedly "withdrew large amounts of cash" from the victim's bank accounts and even arranged the sale of a Westminster strip mall the victim once owned and relied upon for monthly income, according to the Long Beach Police Department.
The victim had amassed a personal fortune from investments in commercial real estate, until she had a stroke in February January 2002, police said.
She hired Liu to help her with daily activities, but the caretaker isolated the woman from her family, friends and business contacts and then allegedly started draining her bank accounts.
Authorities said she laundered some $4 million dollars and purchased jewelry, a Porsche SUV and a home in Temple City.
Liu's husband and son were convicted of financial elder abuse last year, but authorities have never been able to find Liu, police said.
Investigators believe Liu may be hiding in the Los Angeles area, where she may be enrolled in a nursing school or providing care to other seniors.
Liu is Chinese, 5 feet 4 inches and about 150 pounds. Police believe she has a gambling habit and frequents several casinos including Pechanga, Harrah's, the Bicycle Club and Pala.<NO1><NO>

WEST COVINA -- A man died late Saturday in a solo-car crash in West Covina, authorities said.
Erick Alberto Perez, 22, died at the scene of the crash, Los Angeles County Department of Coroner Investigator Jim Blacklock said. His city of residency was not clear.
The crash was reported about 9:38 p.m. on Amar Road near Shadow Oak Drive, West Covina police Lt. Marty Sevilla said in a written statement.
Perez was eastbound on Amar in his Honda sedan, passing traffic, just prior to the crash, the lieutenant said.
"He made an unsafe lane change, cutting off another motorist," Sevilla said. "He then hit the center median, spun out of control and struck a light pole in the center median."
There were no passengers in the Honda, he added.
The investigation into the crash continued Saturday, he said.

From staff and wire reports:

POMONA -- A 19-year-old man was gunned down in front of a Pomona house just after midnight Saturday, and police arrested three people on suspicion of shooting him.
Ramiro Chavez, 18, of Pomona died in the shooting, Los Angeles County Department of Coroner Investigator Jim Blacklock said. The shooting was listed as possibly gang-related.
The shooting death in front of 577 Weber St. was reported to police about 12:45 a.m., said Pomona police Sgt. M. Perez in a written statement.
Police received several calls regarding shots fired in the area of Laurel Avenue and Weber. An arriving officer found Perez lying in front of the house, and paramedics pronounced him dead at the scene, Perez said.
Witnesses told police that a blue Chevrolet Astro Van was seen in the area during the shooting. Officers saw the van going eastbound on Holt Avenue and stopped it.
Witnesses identified the van and the people in the vehicle as the suspects involved in the shooting, the sergeant said.
Jose Alfredo Rojas-Martinez, Miguel Ayala and a teenager were booked on suspicion of murder. All three are Pomona residents.

SOUTH EL MONTE -- A woman died and three men were wounded in a shooting at what investigators described as a rave party in an industrial area of South El Monte, authorities said.
Clara Myung Hee Chun, 26, of San Gabriel died at the scene of the 2:45 a.m. shooting in an industrial area in the 2300 block of Chico Avenue, Los Angeles County Department of Coroner Investigator Jim Blacklock said.
Three Asian men between the ages of 18 and 30 were wounded in the shooting, Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Spokeswoman Steve Whitmore said. One of the men was hospitalized in critical condition, while the other two were in stable condition.
Deputies from the sheriff's Temple Station responded to reports of "shots fired" when they found the four gunshot victims, Whitmore said.
"Detectives believe they were at a rave-type party," Whitmore said. More than 30 people were believed to be in attendance.
"One or more fights broke out," he said. "Shots were fired by two men."
Chun's family members could not be reached for comment Saturday.
No arrests had been made Saturday afternoon, and a description of the shooters was not available, officials said.
Whitmore said investigators were following leads.
Detectives were also interviewing those who were at the party Saturday, he added.
Sheriff's and city officials said they were looking into how the party was organized and whether it was legal.
The city will take action if it's determined anything was done illegally, South El Monte Mayor Louie Aguiñaga said.
"There was no permit," he said, adding that he suspected the party in an industrial area was out of compliance with city codes.
"We don't allow any of this kind of stuff," he said.
Aguiñaga said city officials were trying to get in contact with the property owner.
He added that South El Monte has never before experienced problems with raves, and he was not aware of any others that had taken place in the city.
"We don't condone any of these raves," Aguiñaga said. "It's too dangerous for kids."
While the South El Monte municipal code addresses loud parties that disturb the peace and discusses requirements for event permits, nothing in the code appeared to directly address parties held in industrial areas, sheriff's officials said.
Yellow crime scene tape cordoned off the area Saturday afternoon, and Chico Avenue was closed between Rush and Fern streets during the investigation.

PASADENA -- A masked gunman robbed a Citibank branch in Pasadena Friday, police said.
The robbery was reported about 10:45 a.m. at the Citibank branch on California Boulevard, just west of Pasadena Avenue, Pasadena police Lt. Tom Delgado said.
The robber was described as a white man in his 30s, about 5 feet 8 inches tall, of medium build, with a dust mask covering his face and a Raiders baseball cap, police said.
"He entered the location and, announced that it was a robbery," Delgado said.
He demanded cash from one teller, placed it in a cloth bag and was last seen fleeing the area west on foot through the parking lot, the lieutenant said.
No injuries were reported, he added.

*Surveillance photo courtesy of the FBI.

From wire reports:

SANTA ANA -- A U.S. District judge in Santa Ana set bail at $250,000 Thursday for a 47-year-old Rowland Heights man accused of arranging sham marriages and $100,000 bail for his 53-year-old former wife, who is accused of running a Monterey Park brothel.
Huagui "Candy" Lotto of Rowland Heights and her ex-husband, Phillip Fu, appeared this afternoon before U.S. District Judge Marc Goldman who set bail. Although the two are divorced, they continue to live together, their attorneys said.
Officials said investigators have found marriage documents, green cards, contracts for fees, divorce papers, and multiple passports of female Chinese nationals in Fu's possession, and he is accused of using them to bring people into the United States.
Fu's attorney, Glen S. Fleetwood, said his client helps underprivileged Chinese students travel to the United States for an education.
Fu and Lotto will be kept in home confinement and they have to prove their income is coming from legitimate sources before they can post bail, Goldman said.
Co-defendant Yibin Zhang, 45, of Monterey Park, had his bail hearing continued until Friday. Zhang is accused of acting as an enforcer, part-time manager of the brothel and allegedly drove the prostitutes to meet with clients, according to a criminal complaint that charges Lotto and Zhang with conspiracy to import and harbor aliens for prostitution.
Fu is charged with conspiracy to commit marriage fraud.

COVINA -- Covina police teamed up with county and city officials Thursday to conclude a six-week operation aimed at getting homeless to leave encampments set up in wash areas and seal off the areas to prevent future camps.
Police were joined by Los Angeles County mental health and public works officials, as well as Covina public works officials, as they finished up the process Thursday in a portion of the Dalton Wash near Arrow Highway and Azusa Avenue, Covina police Sgt. David Povero said.
For the past six weeks, officials have been contacting transients camping in the wash area, telling them they can't camp in the wash and offering them county services to help them find housing, the sergeant said.
Some took officials up on the offer, while others declined, he said.
About half a dozen transients were contacted during recent weeks, Povero added.
When officials arrived Thursday, they found two people -- a man and woman -- in the wash, he said. They refused county services and left the area after police talked with them.
A hazardous waste contractor then removed two trucks full of debris from the wash, including food, bedding, clothing and stuffed animals, police said. Extension cords had been run through the wash to provide the transients with electricity.
In the past, officials have strengthened the chain link fences blocking access to the wash with rebar, Povero said, but transients always managed to breach it.
A contractor Thursday erected a cinder block wall to cover two of the most popular access points into the wash, he said.

Authorities arrested a 21-year-old man Thursday in Texas on suspicion of stabbing a Rosemead couple to death in their bed.
The double-murder suspect's 14-year-old girlfriend, and granddaughter to the slain couple, was also being held on suspicion of stealing a car and a credit card from the dead couple, authorities said.
Rodolfo Lopez is suspected of the murders of Jack Bezner, 71, and his wife Susan, 64, who were found fatally stabbed Monday, still lying in their bed in their home in the 4200 block of Arica Avenue, Lt. Michael Rosson of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Homicide Bureau said.
Lopez is from the San Gabriel Valley, he said, though his specific city of residency was not available Thursday.
A Nissan Murano equipped with a LoJack tracking system the suspects allegedly stole from the Bezners led to their apprehension Wednesday, according to the lieutenant and El Paso Sheriff's Department booking records.
"They found the car in El Paso, Texas," Rosson said.
"Investigators alerted (Texas law enforcement officials) that the vehicle was equipped with LoJack," he said.
After tracking down the car through it's LoJack signal, Texas authorities found Lopez and the teenage girl driving in it, Rosson said.
"They were taken into custody without incident," he added.
Though the teen girl was believed to have been present at the time of the killings, Rosson said, officials had not yet determined if she participated in the stabbings.
After Lopez and his young girlfriend were jailed in El Paso on suspicion of auto theft, Rosson said, two Los Angeles County Sheriff's Homicide Bureau detectives were sent to interview them regarding the Rosemead case.
Investigators announced the arrests after speaking with Lopez and the teenage girl.
A motive in the slaying was unclear, however investigators said it appeared the teen girl previously lived with the couple, but was kicked out of the house in the days leading up to the killings.
Family members of the Bezners could not be reached for comment.
The bodies were discovered by a family member about 8 p.m. Monday, still covered with a blanket and suffering from multiple stab wounds, Rosson said. They were pronounced dead at the scene.
There were no signs anyone had "forced entry" into the home, he added.
The stabbing were believed to have taken place just hours prior to the discovery of the bodies, he added.
The cause and time of death will be determined by the Los Angeles County Department of Coroner, Rosson said.
An autopsy on the Bezner's was expected to be completed Friday, coroner's Chief of Operations Craig Harvey said.
The juvenile grand theft suspect is expected to be returned to Los Angeles County within a few days, Rosson said.
Lopez will go through the extradition process, he added, and it may be weeks before he's brought back to Los Angeles County.
According to court records, Lopez has no criminal history in Los Angeles County.
"We are saddened at the tragic loss of these two community members. Yet we know that the residents of the Rosemead area can rest a little easier tonight knowing that the suspects are in custody."

*PHOTO of Rodolfo Lopez comes courtesy of the El Paso Sheriff's Department.

Authorities questioned the 14-year-old granddaughter of a Rosemead couple found stabbed to death in their home and her boyfriend Thursday after they were arrested in Texas with a car that belonged to the slain couple, officials said.
Jack and Susan Bezner, ages 71 and 64, were found fatally stabbed about 8 p.m. Monday inside their house in the 4200 block of Arica Avenue. No information about a suspect or motive was initially released, however detectives said that the couple's car was "unaccounted for" following the grisly discovery.
"They found the car in El Paso, Texas," the lieutenant said.
Officials in Texas spotted the Bezners' Nissan Murano Wednesday morning and arrested the Bezners' granddaughter, along with her 21-year-old boyfriend, on suspicion of auto theft, accoring to Lt. Michael Rosson of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Homicide Bureau and El Paso County sheriff's booking records. The boyfriend was booked in El Paso County under the name Rudolfo Lopez, however investigators had not confirmed if he gave authorities his correct name.
He added that two Los Angeles County Sheriff's Homicide detectives were sent to interview the auto theft suspects Thursday in regard to the double-slaying.
According to sheriff's booking records, Lopez was being held in lieu of just under $16,000 bail on suspicion of auto theft.
No further details were immediately available.
Family members of Jack and Susan Bezner could not be reached for comment.
Neighbors continued anxiously waiting Thursday for for information about what happened to the Bezner's, as they pondered why anyone would kill what they described as a nice, friendly couple who mostly kept to themselves.

SANTA FE SPRINGS -- Two men stole a security guards gun and fired shots late Tuesday in a failed robbery at a Santa Fe Springs medical marijuana dispensary, authorities said.
The incident took place about 10:45 p.m. at a medical marijuana dispensary in the 9800 block of Alburtis Avenue, Whittier police officials said in a written statement.
"Two male suspects posed as customers and when admitted inside the dispensary, robbed the uniformed security guard of his pistol," according to the police statement. "Both suspects fought the security guard while inside the location."
Once in the business, the robbers, which police described only as two black men, were locked inside, Whittier police Officer Mike Dekowski said.
One of the would-be robbers fired a shot into a metal security door in an unsuccessful attempt to get it to open, police said.
"Both suspects threatened the security guard and forced him to unlock the steel security door," according to the police statement.
The robbers fled with only the security guard's .45-caliber pistol, Dekowski said. No cash or marijuana was stolen.
The failed robbers fired several shots into the floor and security door of the dispensary as they left, Dekowski said.
"Amazingly, no one was injured as a result of the suspects actions," according to the police statement.

ROSEMEAD -- Investigators searched Wednesday for a car that belonged to a Rosemead couple found stabbed to death and want to question whomever is driving it, officials said.
"We have not been able to account for (their) vehicle. That's what we're interested in," said Lt. Michael Rosson of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Homicide Bureau.
He said investigators weren't sure when the car was taken from the Arica Avenue home of Jack Bezner, 71, and his wife Susan, 64, whose bodies were found at about 8 p.m. Monday.
Rosson declined to release a description of the vehicle and declined to comment on whether robbery was a motive for the slayings.
"The investigators are working some lines of clues, but I can't comment on those right now," he said. "At this point in time, it's still too early to speculate. It wouldn't be fair to speculate."
It was clear, however, that investigators are keen on finding the vehicle and whomever took it, which could shed some light into what happened to the couple. The Bezners had lived in their beige-and-brick home in the 4200 block of Arica since at least 1970 and had close ties to the city.
Jack Bezner worked for 36 years as a caretaker at Savannah Memorial Park in Rosemead. Susan Bezner was the daughter of Stuart Maude, one of Rosemead's first mayors and a 12-year council member.
Coroner's and sheriff's officials have ruled out the possibility of murder-suicide and are investigating both deaths as homicides.
Neighbors said the Bezners had three sons, including one who lived with them in the Arica home. They said the couple's 13-year-old granddaughter also lived there.
A phone number listed for the Bezners' home was disconnected.
Gary Rios, who lives directly across from the couple's residence, said Tuesday he often would see them walking their dog in the morning. "They were always together," he said.
He and other Arica residents described the couple as quiet, well-liked and devoted to their children.
Ringo Suo, the Bezners' next-door neighbor, said he heard nothing unusual Monday night and only became of aware something was wrong after seeing patrol cars on the block.

PASADENA -- A man is believed to have committed suicide Sunday by jumping from the Colorado Street Bridge in Pasadena, police said.
A citizen called police to report seeing the man jump from the bridge about 7:30 p.m., Pasadena police Lt. Pete Hettema said.
Officials found the body of a man in the Arroyo Seco, just west of the wash, the lieutenant said. He appeared to be in his 40s.
Coroner's officials were summoned to investigate, he added.

According to the Associated Press, a 14-year-old accidentally sparked a 43-acre brush fire Sunday while smoking marijuana:

SANTA CLARITA -- One of two 14-year-old boys arrested on suspicion of arson was allegedly smoking marijuana when he accidentally started a brush fire today near Saugus that scorched 43 acres and prompted evacuations, a sheriff's sergeant said.
The fire was reported around 2 p.m. near Copper Hill Drive and Haskell Canyon Road, said Supervisor Michael Pittman of the Los Angeles County Fire Department.
By 5 p.m., the fire had spread to about 43 acres and was 50 percent contained, Pittman said.
Initial reports indicated structures were threatened, and later, 31 homes were ordered evacuated, said Parker.
The evacuations were later canceled, and no structures were damaged, although the flames licked at some backyards.
The two juvenile arson suspects were arrested in the 21100 block of Altena Drive, near where the fire is believed to have started, said Capt. Mike Parker of the Sheriff's Headquarters Bureau.
One was taken into custody on suspicion of arson and the other was arrested and then released.
Sheriff's deputies believe the fire began when one of the boys was smoking marijuana in a pipe and dropped the 8-inch barbecue iron he was using to light the pot in the dry brush, Parker said.
They apparently tried to put out the fire, but ran away when it began to spread, he said.

WHITTIER -- A 35-year-old Whittier man died following a motorcycle crash on Colima Road late Saturday, authorities said.
The man's name was not released Sunday pending notification of his family, coroner's officials said.
The crash occurred about 11:30 p.m. on Colima Road, just south of Mar Vista Street, Whittier police Lt. Bill Webster said.
The rider was northbound on a Harley-Davidson motorcycle when he lost control and crashed into the rear of a Land Rover SUV, the lieutenant said. No one in the SUV was hurt.
The injured motorcyclist was taken to Whittier Community Hospital, where he died from his injuries, police added.
"Initial witness statement are that the motorcyclist was travelling at a high rate of speed," Webster said.
The fatal motorcycle collision came one day after Whittier police carried out a city-wide enforcement campaign for motorcycle safety.
Whittier police put extra officers on patrol Friday, specifically targeting areas where motorcycles frequent.
According to a written statement from police, officers were, "Cracking down on traffic violations made by motorcyclists as well as other vehicle drivers that can lead to motorcycle collisions, injuries and fatalities."
In launching the campaign, police noted that motorcycle fatalities in California have increased by 175 percent over the past decade.

ROSEMEAD -- A man died early Sunday after he was shot while driving in Rosemead and crashed his car, which burst into flames, authorities said.
The dead man was initially described only as a Latino man of about 30 years old pending notification of his family members, Los Angeles County Department of Coroner Investigator Courtney Morrow said.
A second man was wounded in the incident, which was reported shortly before 3 a.m. on Garvey, just West of Walnut Grove Avenue, Los Angeles County sheriff's officials said.
"We responded to a traffic collision and a shots fired called," Lt. Kerry Carter said.
Deputies found a Honda Accord engulfed in flames and an injured man sitting in the driver's seat, he said.
"Deputies pulled him out of the vehicle to try to render aid and discovered he was suffering from a gunshot wound," Carter said.
He was pronounced dead at the scene, Morrow said. Coroner's investigators will determine this week whether the man died as a result of the gunshot wound or the fiery crash.
Officials spotted a second man running away from the burning car, Carter said.
"Deputies detained him and determined he had a gunshot wound also," he said.
The wounded man was hospitalized in unknown condition, officials said.
Some media reports indicated the crash resulted from a car-to-car gun battle, however sheriff's officials could not confirm that Sunday.
No information about a shooter was available.

PASADENA -- A 75-year-old woman and a 52-year-old woman were wounded late Saturday when someone opened fire on their Pasadena house, police said.
The shooting took place just before 10 p.m. in the 100 block of East Claremont Street, just east of Raymond Avenue, Pasadena police Lt. Chris Russ said.
The 75-year-old woman was shot in the arm and had been treated and released from the hospital Sunday, Russ said. The 52-year-old victim underwent surgery for a gunshot wound to her abdomen and was expected to survive.
Investigators believe someone at the home other than the women may have been involved in some sort of "conflict" prior to the shooting, Russ said. No further details were available regarding a motive.
After shots were fired into the home from outside, witnesses reported seeing three dark colored vehicles with black men inside, Russ said, though it was unclear if those vehicles were involved.
The investigation is ongoing.
"Detectives are pursuing some leads at this time," Russ said.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Pasadena Police Department.

ALHAMBRA -- A 21-year-old man was hospitalized in critical condition Saturday after crashing an allegedly stolen car into a tree after being chased by police, authorities said.
The incident began just before midnight Friday as officers were responding to a report of a car theft at Marengo Avenue and Main Street, Alhambra police Sgt. Gary Le Guard said in a written statement.
Police spotted the car and pursued it briefly before officers lost sight of it, the sergeant said.
As police were searching the area, they received word that a car had crashed into a tree on Meridian Avenue, just south of Hellman Avenue, Le Guard said.
They found the same vehicle they had been chasing had struck the tree, police said, critically injuring the 21-year-old driver.
Officials did not release his name Saturday.
The man was expected to be arrested on suspicion of auto theft, police said, though he had not been booked Saturday afternoon.

PASADENA -- Police jailed a man early Saturday on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon and burglary early Saturday after a two-hour standoff, authorities said.
Christopher Ojeda, 27, of Pasadena was being held in lieu of $50,000 bail at the Pasadena Police Department jail, according to sheriff's booking records.
The incident began about 1:30 a.m. when a man called police from the 700 block of East Villa Street to report his intoxicated neighbor, Ojeda, had broken into his house, threatened him with a gun and cut him with a knife, Pasadena police Lt. Pete Hettema said.
When police arrived, Ojeda had returned to his house and refused orders to come out for about two hours, the lieutenant said.
After police made numerous announcements via bullhorn and drove an armored vehicle up to Ojeda's front door, he ultimately surrendered to police, Hettema said.
The injured neighbor suffered only a minor cut and was not hospitalized, he added.
Ojeda was expected to be arraigned Tuesday in Pasadena Superior Court.

SANTA FE SPRINGS -- Police arrested two men late Friday who fought with an officer at the Santa Fe Springs Swap Meet, authorities said.
Larry Manriquez, 23, of Norwalk was booked on suspicion of interfering with a peace officer and possession of a loaded handgun, Whittier police Sgt. Terry McAllister said. Erik Ferrel, 20, of El Monte was suspected of felony obstruction with justice, interfering with peace officer and assault on a peace officer.
The incident began about 10 p.m. at the Swap Meet, 13963 Alondra Boulevard, the sergeant said.
Whittier police, who were hired by the event for security, handled a fight in the snack bar area, McAllister said.
As an officer was responding to the altercation when he saw a man -- later identified as Manriquez -- hiding something in his pocket.
The officer chased down the man, who began fighting with the officer, he said. During the struggle, a loaded handgun allegedly fell out of Manriquez's pocket.
The officer struck Manriquez with a baton, knocking him to the grown.
While the officer was still taking Manriquez into custody, Ferrel approached from behind and punched the officer in the head, McAllister said.
The officer then struck Ferrel in the head with a baton, knocking him to the ground.
Additional police officers and sheriff's deputies then arrived to help take the two men into custody, police said.
At least one more man fought with police during the incident but ran off and could not be found, the sergeant said.
According to sheriff's booking records, Manriquez was being held in lieu of $20,000 bail, while Ferrel was being held without bail. No information was available Saturday regarding their initial court dates.

BASSETT -- A man kicked the window out of a sheriff's patrol car and fled from deputies Friday as two of his affiliates were arrested on suspicion of attempted carjacking and drug possession, authorities said.
Marcos Ayala, 25, was booked on suspicion of attempted carjacking and Carlos Rivera, 23, was booked on suspicion of possession of methamphetamine, Los Angeles County sheriff's Sgt. Vic Sotelo said. Their cities of residency were not known.
The incident began about 5 p.m. when deputies approached three men standing near a car in a parking lot at Valley and San Angelo boulevards, Sotelo said. Deputies suspected the men may have been involved in a narcotics transaction.
Ayala ran from deputies and was arrested as he tried to carjack a vehicle nearby, the lieutenant said.
Another suspect, who was being detained without handcuffs in the back of a patrol car, kicked out a rear passenger window and ran away, Sotelo said. Deputies searched the area, but the man was not found.
Rivera was grabbed by deputies as he also tried to flee from the back of the patrol car, Sotelo said. Sheriff's officials said was found to be in possession of a small amount of methamphetamine.

ARCADIA -- An Arcadia woman who sought the public's help after her car, along with irreplaceable family photos, was stolen got her vehicle and her pictures back Friday, authorities and the woman said.
Mikki Porretta had her car stolen from her garage in the 1000 block of Fairview Avenue about 6 p.m. Wednesday, Arcadia police said.
More than the loss of her 2008 Cadillac CTS, Porretta said she was upset over the loss of three cherished family photos that were in the trunk after she had just taken them to be re-framed.
After asking for the public's assistance, Porretta said a good Samaritan found her car and called police.
"A woman who had read the Star-News was walking by and spotted my car," she said. "I was so glad to get it back."
Arcadia police Lt. Paul Foley said his department received a phone call about 10 a.m. Friday from someone who reported seeing a possibly stolen vehicle at Sunset Boulevard and Valley Drive, only blocks away from where it had been stolen.
"There was nothing missing except the spare tire," he said.

NORWALK -- Three attackers wounded a man Friday in a drive-by shooting in in a residential neighborhood in Norwalk, authorities said.
The shooting was reported about 11 a.m. in the 1400 block of Marrilla Avenue, Los Angeles County sheriff's Lt. Steve Kenny said.
A man was shot in the foot by three assailants as they passed by in a black, full-size car, the lieutenant said. The wound was not believed to be life-threatening.
The attackers were described only as three Latino men in their early 20s, Kenny said.
He added that the shooting appeared to be gang related and is being handled by sheriff's gang investigators.

From City News Service:

FULLERTON -- A La Habra gang member pleaded guilty Friday to stabbing a Sonora High School student on the La Habra campus and was sentenced to 12 years in prison.
Richard Robert Rodriguez, 18, pleaded guilty to attempted murder with sentencing enhancements for criminal street gang activity and inflicting great bodily injury, according to court records. A charge of street terrorism was dismissed.
Prosecutors said Rodriguez, who was not a student at Sonora High, walked on campus Sept. 8, and when he spotted the victim he yelled out his gang name, followed him down a flight of stairs and then pushed and stabbed the boy twice on the right side of the head and left shoulder.
He dropped the knife and ran away, according to prosecutors.

BALDWIN PARK -- School police arrested two boys, ages 12 and 16, Thursday on suspicion of burglarizing a Elwin Elementary School in Baldwin Park, authorities said.
Officers from the Baldwin Park School Police Department responded to a silent burglary alarm at the campus, 13010 Waco Street, just before 8 p.m. when they spotted the two suspects exiting a classroom while carrying several objects, school police officials said in a written statement.
The boys dropped the items they were carrying and ran when confronted by police, officials said. One ultimately stopped running and surrendered, while the other had to be chased down.
The 16-year-old boy was a Baldwin Park resident, and the 12-year-old boy was from El Monte, police said. The relationship between the boys was not clear.
"It was later determined that the suspects entered a locked classroom on the school through a window, where they stole several items from inside the classroom." according to the police statement.
All of the allegedly stolen property, including a stereo, emergency flashlights and other school supplies, was recovered at the scene, police added.
The boys were booked on suspicion of burglary and resisting or obstructing a police officer and released to their parents with citations.

WEST COVINA - Police jailed a man late Thursday after he allegedly assaulted his 75-year-old mother before police subdued him with a bean bag gun.
Jeffrey Stevens, 47, was being held in lieu of $50,000 bail Friday in the jail ward of Los Angeles County-USC Medical Center, according to sheriff's booking records.
The incident began about 7:30 p.m. in the 1200 block of West Carlton Avenue, West Covina police Lt. Ron Mitchell said.
The mother and son began to argue when the mother told her son she wanted him to move out, the lieutenant said.
During the argument, the suspect allegedly fondled his mother's breast, he said.
The altercation escalated when the mother started uprooting her son's pot plants.
"She started taking his marijuana plants out of the planter," Mitchell said. "He pushed her, (and she) struck her head into a pole."
The woman was not hospitalized, he added.
After a standoff of less than an hour, Mitchell said, police shot the man with a bean bag gun and arrested him.
He was booked on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon, elder abuse, battery, resisting arrest, cultivation of marijuana and threatening officers, police said.
According to sheriff's booking records, Stevens was due in West Covina Superior Court Monday for arraignment.

ARCADIA -- A woman was found fatally shot inside a home Thursday in an unincorporated county area near Arcadia, authorities said.
The name of the woman was not released Thursday pending positive identification and notification of her family members, Los Angeles County Department of Coroner Investigator Jerry McKibben said. Sheriff's officials initially described her only as a 60-year-old white woman.
Deputies responded to reports of a shooting about 1 p.m. at a home in the 2900 block of Foss Avenue, Los Angeles County sheriff's Sgt. Diane Hecht said in a written statement.
"They discovered a woman, inside a bedroom, suffering from an apparent gunshot wound," Hecht said. Paramedics pronounced her dead at the scene.
"A man was detained at the scene and subsequently transported to Temple Station for further investigation," Hecht said.
He had not been booked on suspicion of a crime late Thursday, station officials said.
Sheriff's officials released no further information.

ARCADIA -- An Arcadia woman said she lost not only her Cadillac sedan, but also irreplaceable family photos, when is her car was stolen from her garage Wednesday afternoon.
The theft occurred about 6 p.m. in the 1000 block of Fairview Avenue, Arcadia police Detective Michael Hale said.
Mikki Porretta she had just had three cherished family photos re-framed and had made a quick stop at her apartment to feed her car.
She said she heard her car's engine start and rushed outside to find a man driving off in her 2008 Cadillac CTS.
"I chased the car as he was driving out," Porretta said. "I tried to get in the car, which I shouldn't have done. Then he accelerated away down the driveway."
The stolen car was last spotted northbound on Sunset Boulevard, Hale said.
Police searched the area but were unable to find the car thief, described as a Latino or Middle Eastern man between 20 and 25 years old, of thin build, with black hair, wearing a yellow and brown plaid-colored shirt, Hale said.
While Porretta said she's not happy about having the car stolen, it's the irreplaceable photos that she's most upset over.
"What I'm really worried about is that it's of no value to (the thief)," Porretta said. "He'll just throw them out and add insult to injury."
The photos included four generations of Porretta's family, including her mother who passed away in 2004, she said.
She hopes that somehow, she still may get the photos back, either through someone finding them discarded or the thief returning them anonymously.
Porretta added she was also concerned about the brazenness of the daylight theft.
The encounter with the car thief was a frightening experience, she said.
"While it was happening there was no fear," she said. "I was shaking like a leaf after."
Porretta and police said her car has a license plate reading, "MIKKI P."
Anyone with information is asked to call the Arcadia Police Department.

A federal grand jury has indicted 15 people -- including one fugitive -- accused of being part of an ecstasy distribution ring responsible for trafficking more than $10 million worth of drugs, authorities said Thursday.
Thirteen people were arrested last month at the end of a wiretapping and surveillance operation carried out by a multi-agency task force including the Drug Enforcement Administration. The alleged ecstasy ring is suspected of distributing more than 1 million pills.
Tuan Vu, 24, of Alhambra remains at large and is being sought by authorities, United States Attorney's Office spokesman Thom Mrozek said in a written statement.
Another suspect, 22-year-old David Kong of Los Angeles, has agreed to turn himself in Monday, Mrozek said.
Those listed in Wednesday's federal indictment included four El Monte residents, two Monterey Park residents, a Rosemead resident, a Temple City resident and a La Mirada resident.
Tony Barerra Jr., 37 was arrested July 22 at his West Covina home, where authorities allegedly found about 600,000 ecstasy pills, valued at more than $6 million.
During the course of the investigation, which began early this year, authorities seized drugs from warehouses in Industry and Arcadia, according to an affidavit. Guns, cash and drugs were also seized during the investigation.

*PHOTO of Tuan Vu courtesy of the U.S. Attorney's Office

NORWALK -- A fire Wednesday caused about $500,000 worth of damage to a Norwalk auto repair shop and several cars parked inside, authorities said.
The blaze was reported about 2 p.m. at American Automotive Services Center, 14359 Pioneer Blvd., Los Angeles County Fire Department Dispatch Supervisor Michael Pittman said.
Though the building and about five cars inside were damaged, no injuries were reported, Capt. Sterling Callahan said.
The fire erupted suddenly as mechanics were working on a motorcycle carburetor while simultaneously charging its battery, the captain said.
The battery charger ignited the fumes of the gas they were draining from the carburetor," he said.
The fire quickly spread from the motorcycle to a trash can, and then to the building itself.
"The owner said he was amazed at how quickly it accelerated and burned through the building," Callahan said.
Employees used up two fire extinguishers trying to put out the fire with no success before firefighters arrived, he added.
Firefighters extinguished the fire in about 40 minutes, Callahan said.
A firefighter was struck by a falling power line while battling the blaze, he said, but he was not injured.
One car in the auto shop appeared repairable, Callahan added. "There were four that were just completely gone."
The fire caused an estimated $300,000 worth of damage to the building, he said, and about $200,000 worth of damage to its contents.

This statement comes from the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office:

LOS ANGELES - A former Los Angeles County Sheriff's deputy and a male co-conspirator were sentenced today(Tuesday) to four and two years in prison respectively for attempting to smuggle drugs into a county jail facility guarded by the deputy.

Peter Paul Felix, 26, had been a sheriff's deputy about two years until he resigned shortly after Oct. 13, 2008. On that date he was caught attempting to smuggle 161.5 grams of heroin, 24.4 grams of methamphetamine and 51.5 grams of marijuana into the North County Correctional Facility where he worked as a guard.

Felix, who pleaded no contest on June 10 to possession for sale of a controlled substance, was sentenced by Judge James Bianco to four years in state prison, said Deputy District Attorney Paul Nunez, with the Justice System Integrity Division.

Terance Anthony Warner, 28, an inmate at the time at North County jail who arranged the drug pickup, pleaded no contest today to the same charge. He was sentenced to two years in state prison, Nunez said.

A third co-conspirator, Monique Ciara Garcia, 22, who delivered the drugs to Felix, pleaded no contest to the same count and was sentenced June 23 to two years in state prison.

All remaining counts were dismissed.

This comes from reporter Monica Rodriguez at the Inland Valley Daily Bulletin:

POMONA - After weeks of uncertainty, the City Council has decided to leave the responsibility of policing the city to its Police Department.
Council members voted unanimously Monday night to follow the recommendation of city administrators and not place a measure on the Nov. 2 ballot asking voters whether they wanted to contract for law enforcement services with the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.
Council members also directed city staff to cease further research on contracting with the Sheriff's Department.
The vote came after a number of residents spoke in favor of maintaining the Police Department.
But before the council began to hear residents' comments, Councilwoman Paula Lantz made the motion the council eventually approved, drawing cheers and applause from the audience, which spilled outside the City Council Chambers.
Supporting Lantz's motion was Councilman Tim Saunders.
"Without question or a doubt I want to keep our Police Department," Saunders said, prompting Mayor Elliott Rothman to ask if he was supporting Lantz's motion.
"It certainly was a second," Saunders said.
After taking comments from more than a dozen speakers, council members voted in support of Lantz's motion. That prompted another burst of cheers from the audience.
Following the decision, Pomona Police Officers' Association President Rob Baker said it's now time to rebuild relationships with council members.
"We already have such a fantastic relationship with the community. We absolutely have to work together to survive," Baker said.

FULL STORY

An Azusa man was allegedly so infuriated by receiving a ticket and having his car towed that he vented his frustration onto a wall in the form of graffiti immediately following the traffic stop... in front of police.  I imagine he was even less happy after he was arrested on suspicion of vandalism:

AZUSA -- Police arrested a 28-year-old Azusa man Saturday after he allegedly sprayed graffiti on a wall in front of police officers who had just ticketed him and impounded his car, authorities said.
Abel Balderas was booked on suspicion of vandalism and released after posting $10,000 bail, according to sheriff's booking records.
Officers had just finished writing a ticket and impounding Balderas' car shortly after 8 a.m. in the 600 block of East Foothill Boulevard when something caught their attention, Azusa police Sgt. Sam Fleming said in a written statement.
"They observed (Balderas) using a spray can to graffiti a wall half a block away from the traffic stop location," he said.
Balderas ran from police, Fleming said, but he was quickly found and arrested in the 600 block of East Alosta Avenue.

From City News Service:

POMONA -- A young man suspected of shooting another in Pomona was at large Sunday, but his girlfriend, who allegedly helped him escape, was under arrest, police said.
Michael James Thorton, 21, is accused of shooting a 28-year-old man about 1 p.m. Friday at 2838 Melbourne St., said Sgt. Jaime Gutierrez of the Pomona Police Department.
Thorton allegedly fled with his girlfriend, Christina Carline Love, 23, in a silver 2005 Toyota Corolla, license plate number 5MVS927, he said.
Love was later arrested when she returned to the shooting scene to pick up her belongings.

From the Associated Press:

A Monterey Park man who stabbed his doctor repeatedly during a routine medical exam, leaving the cardiologist paralyzed, has been sentenced to 15 years to life in prison.
Mike Du Trieu was also sentenced Friday to five additional years for permanently paralyzing physician Mohamed Latif. The Pasadena Superior Court judge called the 74-year-old Trieu a "continuing threat to the victim and society."
Trieu was arrested in 2006 after he attacked Latif, then 60, with a pocket knife at his Glendale office. The physician sustained wounds to his neck, hands, back and chest.
Prosecutors said Trieu claimed Latif killed his mother in 1994, and Trieu attacked him in retaliation.
"There was no evidence, however, that the doctor ever treated the defendant's mother," District Attorney's officials said in a written statement.