July 2011 Archives

POMONA -- A judge Friday ruled there was sufficient evidence to order a Rosemead man to stand trial on suspicion of stabbing his mother to death nine years ago and burying her body in the backyard of their El Monte home.
John Huynh, 27, is accused of murdering his mother, 48-year-old Hong Phuong, between June and July of 2002 at the condominium they shared at the time in the 9400 block of Cortada Street. He was 18 at the time of the alleged slaying.
According to testimony at Huynh's preliminary hearing in Pomona Superior Court, Huynh kept his mother's body on her bed for three days before hiring a day laborer to dig a hole in the backyard he would use as a grave.
The killing remained a secret for nearly nine years until Huynh showed up at the Alhambra Police Department on May 20, confessed to the killing and led detectives to his mother's body, investigators testified.
"He told me that he killed his mother ... approximately nine years ago," Alhambra police Detective Corey Fukumoto said, recalling meeting with Huynh after he voluntarily showed up at the Alhambra police station.
"He said he stabbed her several times in the neck with a kitchen knife and slit her wrists," Fukumoto said.
Huynh looked worried as he was led into court. He remained silent throughout the proceeding.
Forensic Anthropologist Elizabeth Miller testified about the state of Phuong's skeletal remains when they were unearthed earlier this year.
"I found evidence of cut marks on vertebrae, both lower arms and the chin," she said.
Detective James Charles of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Homicide Bureau gave insight into the alleged motive.
"He said she had been nagging him, and he was just basically tired of her nagging," Charles said under questioning from Deputy District Attorney Cynthia Valenzuela.
Huynh admitted retrieving a knife from the kitchen, then bringing it upstairs where he fatally attacked his mother, the detective testified.
He then laid his mother on a bed, where he kept her body for three days, Charles said, periodically checking her pulse to make sure she was dead.
He then enlisted an unwitting accomplice in the alleged murder plot, officials said.
"He had gone down to Home Depot and hired a day laborer to dig the hole for him," Charles said.
The body was wrapped in a blanket and trash bags before being placed in the grave.
Charles testified that Huynh admitted cleaning blood from the carpet and burned the portion of the mattress stained with his mother's blood. He told friends and family members his mother had returned to Vietnam.
After his sudden confession earlier this year, Huynh agreed to go with detectives to his former home and pointed out to them where he buried the body, investigators said.
Huynh's defense attorney, Rayford Fountaincq, said his client was responding well to treatments for mental illness in jail and was in a clear state of mind to proceed with the trial.
However, he questioned detectives about Huynh's state of mind at the time of his confession.
Fountain asked Fukumoto if Huynh appeared to be intoxicated when he came to the Alhambra police station to confess.
"He appeared slightly mentally ill," the detective responded. "He was very emotional. He was crying, talking in a very low tone, then he'd suddenly start screaming."
Charles testified that when he interviewed Huynh later in the day, he was crying and upset, but not shouting.
After listening to the evidence, Pomona Superior Court Judge Mike Camacho found there was sufficient evidence presented to order a murder trial for Huynh and set an arraignment date of Aug. 12. He's being held in lieu of $1 million bail.
If convicted as charged, Huynh could face life in prison with the possibility of parole.

LA PUENTE -- Two La Puente gang members received 25-year prison sentences this week for shooting at a good Samaritan who spotted them scrawling graffiti and tried to call 9-1-1, authorities announced Saturday.
Raul Montes De Oca, 26, and Edmond Gail, 22, pleaded guilty Monday in Pomona Superior Court to attempted murder and illegally firing a gun, along with the special allegation that the crimes were done for the benefit of a criminal street gang, according to Los Angeles County sheriff's officials and booking records. They are both known "East Side Puente" gang members.
A man was driving about 8:30 p.m. on Nov. 14 of last year at Azusa Avenue and Main Street when he spotted two gang members -- later identified as Montes De Oca and Gail -- spray-painting graffiti on the wall of a strip mall, sheriff's officials said in a written statement.
The good Samaritan pulled over in order to call 9-1-1 on his cell phone, but Montes De Oca and Gail spotted him, jumped in their car and drove toward him before he completed the call, Sgt. Luis Trejo said.
The two vehicles met at the mouth of the strip malls parking lot.
"The gang members, peering at the good Samaritan like wolves to a sheep, waived him past them," he said.
The man stopped at a stop sign nearby and again began to call 9-1-1 when he saw in his rear view mirror one of the gang members pointing a gun at him, officials said. A shot was fired, and the good Samaritan's rear windshield shattered.
The assailants then got back in their car and drove past the victim, Trejo said, again opening fire from their moving vehicle before fleeing the area. The victim was not shot, but his arm was "riddled with glass fragments" from his shattering car windows.
Deputies spotted Montes De Oca and Gail driving erratically in the area, recognized them as possible suspects in the shooting and arrested them, authorities said. Montes De Oca was detained in the vehicle, while Gail ran from the car and was found hiding nearby.
Gail eventually admitted to Gang Investigator Glen Eads that he threw the .38-caliber revolver used in the shooting in a bush as he fled from deputies and led them to the area where it was later recovered, officials said.
Investigators found that during the shooting, a bullet had gone through the window of a nearby home and lodged in a wall, Trejo said. No one inside the home was hurt.
According to booking records, both Montes De Oca and Gail were sent to serve their sentences at the North County Correctional Facility in Castaic.

PHOTOS of Raul Montes De Oca (top) and Edmond Gail (bottom) courtesy of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.

DUARTE -- Sheriff's officials and family members continued their search Saturday for a 66-year-old Duarte woman suffering from cancer and moderate dementia who went missing earlier this week.
Patricia Nelson was last seen at her home on Huntington Drive in Duarte about 6:15 a.m. Tuesday, Los Angeles County sheriff's officials said in a written statement.
She may have left her home to take a bus to a doctor's appointment in Pasadena, officials said.
Nelson is described as a black woman, about 5 feet 2 inches tall, 123 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes. She was possibly wearing a sweater and a hat when she went missing.
Anyone with information is asked to call detectives Harris or Abraham at the Sheriff's Homicide Bureau, Missing Person's Detail at 323-890-5500.

PHOTO of Patricia Nelson courtesy of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.

EL MONTE -- Police arrested a Norco man Thursday on suspicion of trying to carjack, rob and assault an El Monte woman in a bizarre incident as she sat in a parked car in front of her home, authorities said.
Cesar Alex Sanchez, 38, was booked on suspicion of attempted carjacking, attempted robbery and attempted assault with a deadly weapon, El Monte police Cpl. Aram Choe said.
A woman in her 40s, whose name was not released, was sitting in the parked car when Sanchez reached through her open window and put his hands on her neck, the corporal said.
The woman asked the man what he was doing, and the man, in turn, asked the woman why she was alone, Choe said.
She managed to break free from the man, got out of her car, police said. Sanchez started her car, but did not move it, then turned it off again.
The woman confronted the man and asked him not to steal her car, Choe said. Sanchez exited the car and handed the woman her keys back.
The woman then ran toward her house, he said, and Sanchez gave chase and grabbed onto her purse.
When the woman screamed, her husband came out to help and chased the attacker away.
Police found him in the area about an hour later and used a Taser to subdue him and take him into custody, Choe said.
According to sheriff's booking records, Sanchez was being held in lieu of $100,000 bail pending arraignment.

EL MONTE -- Unidentified burglars broke into a high school and stole two computers early Friday, police said.
Officers responded to a burglary alarm just before 2 a.m. at Mountain View High School, 2900 Parkway Drive, El Monte police Lt. Dan Burlingham said.
They found a brick had been thrown through a window at the school, and two computer towers had been stolen, the liueutenant said.
Evidence left behind indicated the burglars fled east through the riverbed with the computers, he added.
Anyone with information is asked to call the El Monte Police Department.

PASADENA -- Four people escaped injury and police arrested three suspects following a shooting Thursday afternoon, authorities said.
Three Pasadena teens, ages 19, 17 and 14, were arrested on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon in connection with the noon shooting at Garfield Avenue and Park Street, Pasadena police Lt. Chris Russ said.
The name of the adult suspect was not released due to an ongoing investigation, he added.
The circumstances and motive in the shooting remained unclear, Russ said. The suspects allegedly opened fire with a handgun on two 19-year-old boys, a 17-year-old boy and a 20-year-old woman.
No one was struck by the gunfire, and investigation led officers to find and arrest the suspects as they were walking nearby in the 600 block of North Los Robles Avenue, the lieutenant said. Witnesses identified them as the attackers.
Further investigation Friday turned up the gun believed to have been used in the shooting hidden inside a car parked in the area, Russ said.

WALNUT -- Four years after the unsolved shooting death of a retired police sergeant and school teacher outside his Walnut handyman business, detectives and family members are renewing their calls to bring his killer to justice.
Ruben Whittington, 61, of Diamond Bar, had just left his Mr. Handyman business in the 300 block of South Lemon Avenue on July 29, 2007, when he was fatally shot, sheriff's investigators said.
No motive has been established in the killing, and nothing was believed to have been stolen from Whittington.
"It's just so hard to understand what the person wanted enough to kill him," said his wife, Marsha Kramer. "I will never understand. The worst part of the anger and the frustration is it literally got them nothing."
Whittington had noticed a flat tire on his SUV and was waiting for a tow truck when he was shot, authorities said.
"Our best guess is he couldn't get the lug nut off for some reason, he called AAA," Kramer said. "As he was waiting for the tow, he was killed."
Between five and 10 minutes passed between the time Whittington called AAA and the time the driver arrived and found him dead.
Investigators have been left with no witnesses and no solid leads to follow, Detective Kevin Lowe of the Los Angeles County sheriff's Homicide Bureau said.
"It's a frustrating case for us," Lowe said, adding that detectives continue to pursue the killer.
The leading theory in the shooting is that Whittington was surprised by someone who tried to rob him, the detective said. But he added he could also not rule out the possibility of some type of personal dispute "that we didn't know about."
Having been retired from the LAPD for 13 years at the time of the killing, Lowe said it was unlikely the shooting had anything to do with his previous career as a Los Angeles police officer.
Whittington resisted his attacker, Lowe said.
"There were defensive wounds," he said. "There was a struggle, I believe over the gun. It was a struggle for his life. He put up a good fight."
Whittington was ultimately shot in the torso and died at the scene.
Though his status as a retired police sergeant allowed Whittington to carry a concealed handgun, he didn't arm himself, Kramer said.
"We really talked about that," she said. "His thought was, honestly, it's pretty easy to disarm an older person."
It did not appear that the killer intentionally flattened Whittington's tire prior to the killing, Lowe said. A nail was found in the tire of Whittington's SUV that appeared to have been there for some time.
Whittington, a Vietnam veteran, was born and raised in the Philadelphia area before coming to California to join the LAPD in 1974, his wife said.
"He loved being a cop, and it suited him so well because he was a community service kind of guy," she said.
After his retirement from police work, he spent 10 years teaching law enforcement at high schools through the La Puente Valley Regional Occupational Program.
"As it turned out, he loved it," Kramer said. "Besides liking the kids and wanting to talk to them, he tried to get them to do really productive things in their lives. He recruited many officers into the LAPD."
In 2005, he started his handyman business.
She described her husband as an "extremely sociable" man who quickly made friends with everyone he met.
Whittington is survived by son, Joseph, 29, and daughter, Emily, 27.
Kramer said she was thankful for the detectives and community since her husband's slaying.
"They've been really gracious to us," she said.
Kramer and Lowe both said they hope someone has information regarding this killing and implored anyone who may have information to call sheriff's homicide investigators at 323-890-5500.
With all leads in the case drying up, Lowe said, "we'll take any help we can get."

PHOTO of Ruben Whittington courtesy of family members

Police and sheriff's stations throughout the county, the nation and the world are preparing to host the public at the 28th annual "National Night Out" events Tuesday.
More than 40 law enforcement stations in Los Angeles County will participate, Los Angeles County sheriff's officials said in a written statement. Worldwide, 34 million people are expected to take part.
Activities vary from event to event, but all include information regarding public safety and community awareness. They include:

South Whittier: Officials from the sheriff's Norwalk Station are planning a community march and rally, followed by a barbecue. The march will begin at 5 p.m. at the Community Resource Center, 10750 Laurel Ave., and wind 1.2 miles to Adventure Park, 10130 Gunn Ave. The barbecue will include live dancers, music, presentations, a raffle and more.

*Pico Rivera: A community barbecue and party will be held starting at 6 p.m. at the sheriff's Pico Rivera Station, 6631 Passons Boulevard. There will be free food, a jumper for the kids, giveaways and more. Former Dallas Cowboys player and two-time Superbowl champion James Washington is expected as a guest speaker.

*Pasadena: Police will host games, food and neighborhood watch updates at their event, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Victory Park, 2575 Paloma Street.

*Altadena: The Altadena Posse and Mountain Search & Rescue Team are scheduled to have displays, and there will be music, food, games and emergency preparedness information at the event from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Farnsworth Park, 568 East Mount Curve Avenue

*La Crescenta: The sheriff's Crescenta Valley Station is planning neighborhood events from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Ralph's Fresh Air Market, 2675 Foothill Blvd. in La Crescenta, and Vons, 635 Foothill Blvd. in La Canada Flintridge, and there will be a Neighborhood Watch barbecue in the 2700 block of Franklin Street in La Crescenta. There will be information, search and rescue team displays, activities, games, a visit from "McGruff the Crime Fighting Dog," and more.

*Duarte: An event for residents of unincorporated areas near Monrovia, Arcadia and Duarte will have their National Night Out at Pamela Park, 2236 Goodall Ave. in Duarte from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. There will be live music, a children's jumper and cake and soda for families.

*Rosemead: Rosemead resident are invited to join in from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Zapopan Park, 8301 Garvey Ave. There will be live music, food and games.

*Temple City: Music, food and entertainment from HOT 92.3 FM awaits residents from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Temple City Park, 9701 Las Tunas Drive.

*Covina -- The Man-e Moreno Foundation is hosting a gathering with a jumper for children, face painting, hot dogs, snow cones, giveaways and more from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the 100 block of South Kendall Way in Covina. Dignitaries including State Sen. Ed Hernandez, D-West Covina, are expected to attend.

*Baldwin Park: Police join radio station HOT 92.3 FM with a peace walk, barbecue, carnival style games, displays and a party. March begins at 5:30 p.m. at Baldwin Park City Hall, and the celebration begins at 6:30 p.m. at Target, 3100 Baldwin Park Blvd.

*Valinda: Sheriff's officials, County Supervisor Gloria Molina and Rimgrove Park will have a community parade, a free concert, games, booths, arts and crafts, giveaways and more. Free hot dogs and hamburgers will be served at the event, to take place from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Rimgrove Park, 747 N. Rimgrove Drive.

*Rowland Heights: Sheriff's deputies are planning an event in conjunction with the city's "Concerts in the Park." It will begin at 6 p.m. at Schabarum Regional Park, 17250 Colima Road, and will feature food, music, bicycle/motorcycle units and the Walnut Sheriff's Station Mobile Command Post.

While the vast majority of events are taking place Tuesday, others are being held on other days.

Aug 3:
*Diamond Bar: Sheriff's deputies are planning to host an event in conjunction with the city's "Concert in the Park" at 6 p.m. at Sycamore Park, 22930 Golden Springs Drive. This event will feature food, music, bicycle/motorcycle units and the Walnut Sheriff's Station Mobile Command Post.

Aug. 4:
*La Mirada: City officials are planning to host their National Night out event in conjunction with their "Concert in the Park." It will take place from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at La Mirada Park, 1301 Adelfa Drive, and will include food, music, games, children's activities, public safety demonstrations and more.

The events are sponsored nationally by Target stores.

PICO RIVERA -- A man was shot to death early Thursday in a residential neighborhood, authorities said.
Sgt. Don Walls of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Homicide Bureau said he appeared to be a Latino man in his late 20s, though his identity was not immediately known.
The shooting was reported about 3:45 a.m. on Amistad Avenue, just east of Woodford Street, the sergeant said.
Investigators were left with few clues at the scene, and no witnesses reported seeing what happened.
"Residents heard a (single) shot," Walls said. They looked outside to find the victim collapsed at the corner of Amistad and Woodford.
A motive in the slaying was not clear, Walls said, however investigators were looking into the possibility of it being gang-related.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Sheriff's Homicide Bureau at 323-890-5500.

LOS ANGELES -- A jury convicted an 87-year-old man Wednesday of murdering his wife with a hatchet and attacking her son at the couple's home in an unincorporated county area near Pasadena, officials said.
"The jury of six women and six men deliberated about a day and a half before finding James Che Ming Lu guilty of the July 26, 2009, murder of his 55-year-old wife, Michelle, and the attempted murder of her 32-year-old son, Ji Ma Zeng," Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office spokeswoman Jane Robison said.
Jurors also found true the special allegation that Lu personally used a deadly weapon -- a hatchet -- in the crimes, officials said.
The attack took place at the couple's home in the 100 block of South Rosemead Boulevard.
"Lu repeatedly struck his wife of nine years in the head with an ax as she lay in bed," Robison said. "Lu then walked down the hall and tried to use the ax on her son, but the younger man managed to fend off the attack.
Lu carried out the brutal killing because "(He) was angry because he believed he spent too much money on his wife and that she spent too much time away from home working," Robison said.
This was Lu's second murder trial. A jury failed to reach a verdict in a previous trial.
When he returns to Los Angeles Superior Court for sentencing on Sept. 7, Lu faces the possibility of life in prison.

LOS ANGELES -- A hearing in the case of a teenage girl and her 22-year-old boyfriend charged with stabbing the girl's grandparents to death in their Rosemead home was continued Wednesday, authorities said.
Sophia Janalisa Cristo and Rodolfo Lopez are accused of murdering Jack Bezner, 71, and his wife, Susan, 64, on Aug. 9, 2010.
They were scheduled for their second arraignment Wednesday in Los Angeles Superior Court, however the hearing was postponed until Sept. 7, court officials said.
At an arraignment, the charges are read and the defendants asked to enter a plea. Defendants generally get two arraignments -- one shortly after arrest and another as the case moves toward trial.
The Bezners were found stabbed to death in their bed in the 4200 block of Arica Avenue.
A motive in the crime has not been released.
Cristo, then-14, and Lopez, then-21, were found and arrested in Texas, where the Bezners SUV was recovered.
In addition to the killings, they've both been accused of the special allegations of multiple murder and personally using a knife in the crime.
Cristo is not eligible for the death penalty because of her age. Prosecutors have not yet decided whether to seek the death penalty for Lopez.

DUARTE -- Sheriff's officials and concerned family members asked the public's help Wednesday in finding a missing Duarte woman.
Patricia Nelson, 66, lives on Huntington Drive in Duarte, suffers from moderate dementia and is being treated for cancer, Los Angeles County sheriff's officials said in a written statement.
She was last seen at her home about 6:15 a.m. Tuesday.
"She possibly left her residence to take a bus to a doctor's appointment in Pasadena," the statement said. "Her family is very concerned and is also asking for the public's assistance."
Nelson is 5 feet 2 inches tall, about 123 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes, officials said. She may be wearing a hat and a sweater.
Anyone with information is asked to call the detectives Harris or Abraham at the Sheriff's Homicide Bureau, Missing Persons Detail, at 323-890-5500.

PHOTO of Patricia Nelson courtesy of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.

PASADENA -- Police, with the help of a vigilant resident, jailed three burglary suspects Tuesday and recovered stolen property including jewelry and a rare guitar stolen from a Pasadena home earlier in the day, officials said.
Simon Soultanian, 34, of Pasadena, Byron Mendez, 23, of San Gabriel and Luis Martinez, 36, of Covina were booked on suspicion of residential burglary, Pasadena police Lt. Rodney Wallace said.
Neighbors noticed a man going door to door shortly before 5 p.m. Tuesday in the 400 block of Oneida Drive, asking residents if they had a room to rent out, the lieutenant said.
"One of the neighbors observed him go down the driveway of another resident's house, toward the rear, and called police," Wallace said.
After providing police with a description of the suspicious man and the vehicle he drove off in, including a partial license plate number, police dispatchers were able to identify where the car was registered. Officers spotted in driving in the area of Washington Boulevard and Hill Avenue and pulled it over.
Wallace said officers found property, including jewelry and a "rare guitar" inside the car that had been reported stolen from the home on Oneida Drive. Soultanian, Mendez and Martinez, who were inside the car, were then arrested.
According to sheriff's booking records, Soultanian and Mendez were being held in lieu of $50,000 bail pending arraignment, while Martinez was being held without bail.
"This was definitely another success because of observant citizens," Wallace said.

ANGELES NATIONAL FOREST -- Officials and friends resuscitated and rescued a man from the San Gabriel River after he jumped or fell in and landed on a rock, authorities said Tuesday.
Officials received a call just after 5 p.m. Monday that a 46-year-old man, who had been drinking alcohol with friends near East Fork Road, "had either fallen or dove into the rushing water of the San Gabriel River," Los Angeles County sheriff's Capt. Mike Parker said in a written statement. "He struck a rock and was unresponsive and laying face down in the water."
"Witnesses moved him a short distance, but were hampered in their efforts due to it being a very treacherous area of the river and that it was difficult to move the man as he weighed well over 300 pounds," Parker said.
The friends began performing CPR and called 9-1-1.
U.S. Forest Service officials and a sheriff's rescue helicopter happened to be in the area and arrived to help within minutes, Parker said.
Sheriff's paramedics were lowered from the helicopter and were able to resuscitate the victim, hoist him up into the aircraft and take him to a hospital, officials said. He was listed in stable condition Tuesday.

LA CANADA FLINTRIDGE -- California Highway Patrol officials will field extra officers on Angeles Crest Highway Saturday in an effort to combat motorcycle-related deaths and injuries, authorities said.
"This scenic drive attracts all types of motorists, including a special appeal to motorcycle enthusiasts of all calibers," CHP officials said in a written statement. "Unfortunately, the Angeles Crest Highway has become known for its disproportionately high rate of motorcycle collisions resulting in fatal injuries."
The CHP recorded 10 motorcyclist deaths and 195 injuries on the highway between 2007 and 2009.
The extra enforcement campaign is being funded by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety.

ALHAMBRA -- A 74-year-old man died Monday following a solo-car crash, police said.
The man's name was not available Tuesday pending positive identification and notification of family members, coroner's officials said. Police described him as a Los Angeles resident.
He was driving in the 2200 block of Fremont Avenue when, for reasons that remained under investigation, his car crashed into a wrought iron gate at a church, Alhambra police Sgt. Esther Rodriguez said.
"When officers arrived, they discovered a 74-year-old male behind the wheel who had suffered head trauma but was breathing," the sergeant said.
Rescuers pulled the man from his damaged compact car and rushed him to a hospital where he died a short time later, officials said.
Anyone with information on the crash is asked to call the Alhambra Police Department.

MONTEBELLO -- Police, sheriff's and coroner's officials are investigating after a body was found near the Whittier Narrows Recreation Area, officials said.
The body was spotted and reported to police just before 10 a.m. Monday in some brush near Lincoln Avenue and San Gabriel Boulevard, Montebello police Lt. Rich Meadows said.
The body, initially described only as male, was "severely decomposed," Los Angeles County Department of Coroner Assistant Chief of Operations Ed Winter said.
It was not immediately clear how old the dead person was, how he may have died or how long the body had been there, officials said.
Montebello police, Los Angeles County sheriff's and coroner's officials are investigating, Meadows said.

NORWALK -- Deputies sought a teenage girl who stabbed another teenage girl and a woman who tried to intervene outside a house party late Friday.
The stabbing was reported about 11:35 p.m. in the 13000 block of Graystone Avenue, Los Angeles County sheriff's Lt. Dana Chemnitzer said.
The teenage victim became involved in an argument with the assailant during a house party and the two began to fight in front of the home, the lieutenant said.
"The suspect ended up producing a 6-inch kitchen knife with wooden handle," he said. "She stabbed the juvenile in the torso and left arm."
When a woman in her 20s tried to stop the attack, she herself was stabbed in the thigh, officials said.
Both young women were hospitalized with wounded not believed to be life-threatening, Chemnitzer said.
The attacker fled the area on foot and was not immediately found, he said.
She was described as a Latino girl of about 17 years old, 5 feet 3 inches tall, 140 pounds, with black shoulder length hair. She was wearing blue jeans.
Anyone with information is asked to call the sheriff's Norwalk Station.

LA VERNE -- Police and sheriff's officials arrested a Redlands man Saturday after he led them on a brief pursuit in a stolen car, authorities said.
Daniel Meininger, 31, was booked on suspicion of auto theft, evading police and reckless driving, La Verne police Sgt. Carlton Williams said.
An officer tried to pull Meininger over for a traffic violation about 10:45 a.m. in the 1900 block of Arrow Highway, Williams said.
Meininger refused to pull over and led officials on a chase into San Dimas, the sergeant said, ultimately crashing into a retaining wall in the 900 block of S. Walnut Avenue and continuing to flee on foot.
Officers and deputies set up a search perimeter, he said. Meininger made his way back into La Verne and was spotted in a flood control channel near the 1400 block of Arrow Highway.
Meininger surrendered without a struggle, Williams said.
It was determined that the car Meininger was driving had been reported stolen in Fontana.

BALDWIN PARK - A multi-agency task force arrested 11 people Friday during an operation targeted at fighting gang activity.
Thirty-two personnel from the Baldwin Park, San Gabriel, Irwindale and Baldwin Park School police departments took part in the gang enforcement detail, along with officials from the California Highway Patrol, California Department of Corrections and the Los Angeles County Probation Department, authorities said.
"The purpose of this deployment was to reduce gang activity by identifying gang members, gaining intelligence in regards to gang activity, reducing gang-related crime and maintaining high visibility in the city," Baldwin Park police Lt. David Reynoso said in a written statement.
The task force also assisted regular patrol officers with with regular patrols, officials said. One parole compliance check and two probation compliance checks were also carried out by the task force Friday.
Those arrested were:
Jesus Reyes, 24, of West Covina, on suspicion of drug possession; Linda Milleman, 20, of Covina, on suspicion of being under the influence of drugs, Alberto Hernandez, 22, of Baldwin Park, on suspicion of driving under the influence; Jose Ramos, 19, of Baldwin Park on suspicion of possessing drug paraphernalia; Miguel Ruiz, 29, of Baldwin Park on suspicion of DUI; and Christopher Kukta, 31, of La Verne on suspicion of drug possession, police said.
Michael Arce, 43, of Baldwin Park; Mario Hernandez, 41, of Baldwin Park; Ulises Gutierrez, 18, of Baldwin Park, Daniel Covarrubias, 21, of Baldwin Park; and Christian Pompa, 23, of La Puente were jailed during the operation due to outstanding arrest warrants, Reynoso said.

SOUTH EL MONTE -- A man forced his way into a woman's home late Friday, punched her in the face and stole a ring from her, authorities said.
The home-invasion was reported about 10:40 p.m. in the 1200 block of Lerma Road, Los Angeles County sheriff's Sgt. Stacy Morgan said.
The victim, described by authorities as a 50-year-old woman, answered at her door to find a black man, about 6 feet tall, 200 pounds and wearing a black jacket, the sergeant said.
"When the victim answered, he forced his way in and struck her in the face with his fist," Morgan said.
He then stole a ring from the woman, she added. The extent of the woman's injuries wasn't clear.
The robber fled, Morgan said, and a deputies searched the area but were unable to find him.

PICO RIVERA -- Coroner's officials Saturday released the name of a 19-year-old Pico Rivera man found buried in a backyard earlier this week, and determined he was shot to death.
Joseph Rubalcaba was found buried in a shallow grave behind a home in the 8500 block of Pico Vista Road about 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Los Angeles County Department of Coroner's Lt. Larry Dietz said.
Following an autopsy Saturday, coroner's investigators concluded that Rubalcaba died from a gunshot wound to the head, officials said.
Even before investigators excavated the remains from the ground or officially identified the victim, family members gathered near the scene said they believed they knew his identity. They could not be reached for comment Saturday.
According to the sheriff's department, a loved one and acquaintances of a man went to the home on Pico Vista Road, where they knew the man to frequent, after he had gone missing for several days.
They went to the backyard of the home, where they discovered human remains buried in a shallow grave and called authorities, officials said.
Coroner's officials removed the body from the ground Thursday afternoon. It was initially estimated that the body had been buried within the previous week.
Handling detectives could not be reached for comment.
No suspects in the slaying have been arrested or identified, sheriff's officials said, and no possible motive was available.

PICO RIVERA -- Los Angeles County sheriff's investigators have blocked coroner's officials from releasing information regarding the discovery of a body buried in a Pico Rivera backyard earlier this week.
The identity, and any other information regarding the male body found about 6:30 p.m. Wednesday in the 8500 block of Pico Vista Road, was not available Friday due to a "security hold" placed on the case by the sheriff's department, Los Angeles County Department of Coroner's Assistant Chief of Operations Ed Winter said.
According to sheriff's Capt. Michael Parker, a loved one and acquaintances went to the home looking for a person who had been missing for several days.
They found a human remains buried in a shallow grave and called authorities, he said.
People at the scene Thursday who identified themselves as family members of the 19-year-old missing man said they strongly believed the body was his, though sheriff's and coroner's officials had not officially identified the remains.
It was unclear Friday whether the security hold prevented family members of the person found buried in the backyard from receiving official notification of his death.
Under a security hold, "We can't give any information to anybody," Winter said, including family members of the decedent.
Sheriff's investigators, however, may notify the family members if they choose, Winter added.
The handling detective could not be reached for comment Friday.

PICO RIVERA -- Sheriff's investigators and coroner's officials recovered a body Thursday that was found buried in a shallow grave in the backyard of a Pico Vista Road home, authorities said.
The body was initially described only as male, Los Angeles County Department of Coroner's Assistant Chief of Operations Ed Winter said. His age, identity and cause of death all remained under investigation.
Deputies were called to the scene in the 8500 block of Pico Vista Road about 6:30 p.m. Wednesday after someone reported finding the body, Los Angeles County sheriff's Capt. Michael Parker said.
"A loved one and acquaintances were looking for a person who hadn't been seen for a few days," Parker said. "When they got to the residence, where they knew the missing person frequents, they found human remains in the backyard and called sheriff's deputies."
Winter said that contrary to previous news reports, the body was not dismembered.
"The body is intact," he said.
He said investigators estimated the body had been in the backyard for not more than a week, Winter said. It was fully clothed and buried in a shallow grave.
"I'm not going to make any other comments on the condition of the body, other than it's not dismembered," Winter said.
"The Los Angeles County Coroner's Special Operations Response Team arrived and excavated the site (Thursday) and recovered an intact human body," Parker said.
Detectives have interviewed several people, including those who found the body, Parker added. No suspects had been arrested or identified as of press time.
A group of distraught people gathered near the scene identified themselves as family members of the missing person, but declined to comment further.
A cadaver dog was brought to the scene to search for any possible additional remains, but none was found.
Longtime resident Betty Lounsberry, 74, said the neighborhood is usually very quiet.
"I've lived here some 50-odd years and it's the quietest neighborhood you'd ever want to live in. I can't believe it. It's beyond my comprehension."
Deputy Lillian Peck said anyone with information about the incident should contact the sheriff's Homicide Bureau at 323-890-5500.
Anonymous callers can phone Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477 or text the letters TIPLA to CRIMES (274637) or visit lacrimestoppers.org.

GLENDORA -- A student found his motorcycle stolen from the Citrus College parking lot while he attended classes early Wednesday, police said.
The student arrived at the school, 1000 W. Foothill Blvd, shortly before 8 a.m. and returned to the parking lot about 10 a.m., Glendora police Lt. Joe Ward said.
His blue, 2010 Kawasaki Ninja motorcycle was missing, the lieutenant said. The motorcycle had a U.S. Marines sticker on the windshield.

MONROVIA -- Police advised residents to expect the sounds of gunfire Wednesday as a production crew makes a film.
A movie crew was scheduled to be working in the parking lot of the closed Super A Foods at Duarte Road and 6th Avenue between 9:30 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monrovia police said in a written statement.
"The production company will be firing blanks to simulate gunfire for the movie sporadically throughout (Wednesday) and maybe heard if you work or reside in the surrounding area," according to the statement.
Anyone with questions or concerns can call the Monrovia Police Department at 626-256-8000.

WHITTIER -- A funeral has been scheduled for a 2-month-old Montebello boy who was fatally struck by a car that jumped up onto the sidewalk in Los Angeles last week.
A service for Marcello Vasquez has been scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Friday at Rose Hills Memorial Park and Mortuary in Whittier, grandmother Marilyn Pagan-Ruiz said. The service will be inside the Memorial Chapel of Rose Hills, inside Gate 1, and burial will follow.
The infant was in a stroller being pushed by his 28-year-old mother, Natasha Vasquez, about 9:15 p.m. July 14 near Spring and Fourth streets when a driver mistook the gas for the brake while parking and struck them, Los Angeles police officials said.
The badly injured baby was taken to a hospital where he died a short time later, officials said. The mother suffered minor injuries.
The driver was initially suspected of a crime, police added.
In order to help the family with the costs, such as funeral expensed, a fund has been established online.
Donations can me made by visiting http://funds.gofundme.com/BabyMarcello.

EL MONTE -- Police plan to screen drivers for sobriety and licenses at a checkpoint later this month, authorities said.
The checkpoint will be held at an undisclosed time and place within El Monte on July 30, El Monte police Detective Eric Johnston said in a written statement.
"Traffic volume and weather permitting, all vehicles may be checked," the statement said.
Funding for the checkpoint is being provided by the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

HACIENDA HEIGHTS -- Officials jailed a La Puente man early Wednesday on suspicion of drunken driving after he crashed his car into a bar, authorities said.
Raziel Gomez, 31, was being held in lieu of $5,000 bail in connection with the 12:05 a.m. non-injury crash at the Sunset Room Restaurant and Cocktail Lounge, 2029 S. Hacienda Blvd., according to California Highway Patrol officials and sheriff's booking records.
"He was driving a 1994 Lincoln Mark IV in the parking lot," CHP Officer Joe Zizi said. "The vehicle collided with the perimeter wall of the Sunset Room."
There were no passengers in the car, and no injuries were reported in connection with the crash, the officer said.
The car sustained "moderate" damage in the crash, while a 30-foot by 6-foot section of the business was damaged, Zizi added.
Investigating officers determined Gomez was under the influence of alcohol and arrested him, Zizi said.
Gomez was due for arraignment Thursday in El Monte Superior Court.

SANTA FE SPRINGS -- A La Mirada man was beaten unconscious and carjacked early Wednesday after exiting the 5 Freeway, authorities said.
The carjacking was reported just before 4 a.m., when the victim arrived at Presbyterian Intercommunity Hospital for treatment, Whittier police Lt. Randy Inman said.
The victim exited the freeway and pulled up behind a stopped vehicle, the lieutenant said.
"The driver of that vehicle got out and struck the victim in the head with an unknown object, rendering him unconscious," Inman said.
He woke up a short time later in some nearby bushes, and his car was missing, police said. He suffered a cut to his head and a possibly broken nose.
No description of the carjacker or carjackers was available.

PASADENA -- Two men and a woman beat up and robbed a man late Tuesday on Elmira Street, authorities said.
The victim, a 45-year-old Pasadena man, was walking in the 800 block of Elmira Street about 11 p.m. when he was approached by two black men and a black woman, all in their early 20s, Pasadena police Lt. Tom Delgado said. A further suspect description was not available.
The robbers punched and kicked the man before stealing his cell phone and a pack of cigarettes, Delgado said.
The man's injuries appeared to be minor, he added.

PASADENA -- A 26-year-old Pasadena man was expected to survive Wednesday after he was shot several times in the torso, police said.
Few details were available about the attempted murder, which took place about 10:30 p.m. Tuesday in the 200 block of Douglas Street, Pasadena police Lt. Tom Delgado said.
Witnesses reported hearing gunshots, then the sound of a car speeding away, he said. The victim was then found lying wounded in the street.
No description of the attacker or motive in the shooting was clear, police said. The investigation was ongoing.

MONTEREY PARK -- Authorities released the name Tuesday of a young woman who was found dead after attending a house party.
Jessica Moreno, 20, of Monterey Park, was pronounced dead after she was found unresponsive about 10:30 a.m. Sunday at a home in the 2300 block of Isabel Avenue, Los Angeles County Department of Coroner Assistant Chief of Operations Ed Winter said.
Moreno was a guest at a party held at the home Saturday night, where she had been drinking with friends, police and coroner's officials said.
Her cause of death remained under investigation by coroner's officials, however foul play was not initially suspected.

PASADENA -- A would-be robber apparently got cold feet Tuesday during an attempted bank heist, police said.
The incident was reported about 2 p.m. at Wells Fargo, 82 S. Lake Ave., Pasadena police Lt. Pete Hettema said.
The failed robber was initially described only as a Latino man in his 30s with dark hair, the lieutenant said. Police were trying to gather a more complete description.
He entered the bank and presented a teller with a note demanding money, police said.
He then apparently became nervous and ran from the bank empty-handed, Hettema said.

LA HABRA -- A La Habra man accused of swindling an elderly couple out of nearly $5 million is being sought as a fugitive after skipping a hearing, authorities said.
John Arthur Walthall, 55, failed to show up for a hearing in his case on June 27, FBI spokeswoman Laura Eimiller said in a written statement.
FBI agents arrested him on suspicion of multiple counts of wire fraud in 2009 in connection with the alleged scam, officials said.
"The victims, both of whom were in their late 80s, gave Walthall more than $4.7 million dollars to invest in technology aimed at finding gold in abandoned mines," Eimiller said.
"Walthall allegedly told the elderly couple that he had invested more than $3 million of his own money in more than a decade worth of research in the gold extraction process," she added.
The vast majority of the money did not go into investments for the couple, however, authorities allege.
Instead, he's accused of using the money for his own investments and expenses. According to the FBI, Walthall used the victims' money to buy gold, pay alimony and child support payments for four children, pay rent and other expenses and buy luxury items.
In addition, Walthall allegedly used the couple's money to buy two SUVs and a heavy-duty pickup truck, make a $10,000 payment to a film school and purchase a hyperbaric oxygen chamber worth about $60,000, Eimiller said.
When arrested, FBI agents found $500,000 worth of gold coins under the bed of his La Habra home.
Walthall is scheduled for trial Sept. 13.
He was ordered to appear in court June 27th for a hearing after investigators determined he was exaggerating a medical condition to delay his trial, officials said. When he didn't show up for the hearing, the FBI labeled him a fugitive.
Anyone with information is asked to call the FBI at 888-226-8443.

ARCADIA -- Tuesday marked the 84th anniversary of the murder of Arcadia police Officer Albert E. Matthies -- the only department officer ever slain in the line of duty.
The 27-year-old officer, a World War I veteran who also served as the city's assistant fire chief, had been on the force for six years when he was fatally shot as he approached a car with three men in it, parked near Foothill Boulevard and Northview Avenue just before midnight on July 18, 1927.
"Officer Matthies was unaware that the men were preparing to conduct a robbery at a business nearby," Arcadia police Sgt. Tom Le Veque said in a written statement. "The rear seat passenger was Frank Miller. Miller pulled out a .45-caliber handgun and shot at Matthies, striking him in the neck."
The officer died of his wound at 12:07 a.m. the following morning.
To honor his memory, about two dozen Arcadia police officers stood in an honor guard for the fallen officer Monday through early Tuesday.
"Officers from our department from about noon until seven (minutes) after midnight manned the post," Sgt. Brett Bourgeous said.
The officers took turns standing solemnly in pairs in 30-minute shifts.
Matthies' one surviving daughter, 89-year-old Zora Kristufek, attended the ceremony. She was 6 years old when her father was gunned down.
The ceremony was organized by the Arcadia Police Officers' Association, said Officer John Jurman, the APA president.
"Every officer that was there was there on his or her own free time," Jurman said.
Officials including Arcadia Mayor Gary Kovacic and newly selected Arcadia Police Chief Bob Guthrie paid their respects.
Passing members of the public also offered words of support for the department and officer Matthies as well, officials said.
The three 18-year-old suspects escaped after the shooting, but were arrested within days in Los Angeles, officials said.
"The three suspects were later convicted of the murder of Officer Matthies and sentenced to prison," Le Veque said. "The shooter died in prison. The two accomplices were later paroled and died shortly after release."
Monday and Tuesday's event was the first honor guard officers have held for Matthies in recent history, but Jurman said it won't be the last.
"This was the inaugural event, as we're going to do this annually for as long as we can," he said.
A permanent plaque memorial at Foothill Boulevard and Northview Avenue also commemorates the officer's sacrifice.
"What strikes me is he was only 27 years old when this happened," Jurman said. "And a survivor of World War I."
A small plaque currently marks Matthies grave site at Live Oak Memorial Park in Monrovia, officials said.
With the permission of the family, Jurman said, the APOA is in the process of procuring a larger, standing headstone as a tribute to Matthies.
"We need to honor this man and keep his memory alive," he said.

LOS ANGELES -- The trial for a man charged with vehicular manslaughter in connection with the fatal hit-and-run of an elderly Montebello woman has been delayed.
The trial for David Loera, 38, was scheduled to begin Tuesday in Los Angeles Superior Court, but was continued to July 27, court officials said.
He's accused of fatally striking Norma Lambo, 84, of Montebello and her dog, Barney, at Jefferson Avenue and Alfred Court in Montebello on Oct. 5, 2009.
After Lambo was struck by a pickup truck, officials said, witnesses told police a passenger got out of the vehicle and freed Lambo's walker from the front of the truck before getting back in. The truck then fled the scene.
Police arrested Loera after detectives found his truck, which was believed to be involved in the crash, being repaired at a local auto body shop.
Lambo was a longtime Montebello resident who took an active role in the community.
She co-founded the city's "Ashiya Sister Cities" organization and served as its president several times.
Loera is free on bail pending trial.

From the Associated Press:

PASADENA -- Trial is winding down for a trucker charged with the deaths of a father and daughter killed by his runaway big rig in La Canada Flintridge.
The Los Angeles County district attorney's office says closing arguments are scheduled to begin Tuesday afternoon in Pasadena Superior Court in the murder and vehicular manslaughter trial of Marcos Costa.
Costa was hauling cars over the San Gabriel Mountains on April 1, 2009, when his brakes failed on the steep Angeles Crest Highway above La Canada Flintridge. The double-decker rig hit a car, killing Angel Posca and his daughter Angelina, of Palmdale, collided with four other vehicles and smashed into a bookstore and a nail salon, injuring three others.
Costa has maintained his innocence.

WEST COVINA -- Two men were arrested on suspicion of robbery, carjacking, evading police and assault with a deadly weapon early Sunday following a brief pursuit, authorities said.
Maurice Berry, 40, of Long Beach and Ronald Scott, 25, of Gardena were being held without bail, according to Los Angeles County sheriff's booking records.
Police received a report of a robbery about 3:30 a.m. at a 7-Eleven store in the 1300 block of South Azusa Avenue, West Covina police Lt. Richard Bell said.
The robbers entered the store with a handgun, demanded cash and fled, he said.
Officers did not immediately find the suspects, police said, however a second robbery with similar suspect descriptions was reported about 6:30 a.m. at a gas station at La Puente Road and Nogales Street, officials said.
Officials spotted a car that matched the description driving on Amar Road, Bell said, and a pursuit began.
The car continued for several  blocks before crashing at slow speed into a house on Veronica Avenue, police said. The driver tried to back up the vehicle, striking a police car but not injuring any officers.
Scott ran into the house and was immediately arrested, police said.  The home was believed to be owned by an acuaintance of the suspects.
Berry fled into the surrounding neighborhood, and was found and bitten by a police dog about an hour later, Bell said.
The car the men were riding had had been reported carjacked from Long Beach the night before, police added.
According to booking records, Berry and Scott were both do for arraignment Tuesday in West Covina Superior Court.

ALTADENA -- A hiker was flown out of Eaton Canyon by helicopter Sunday after suffering an ankle injury, authorities said.
The hiker, a 22-year-old man, was hiking about 5 p.m. between the first and second waterfalls of Eaton Canyon, just north of Altadena, when he suffered an injury to his ankle, Pasadena Fire Department spokeswoman Lisa Derderian said.
"I'm not sure of the extent of the injury," she said, but the hiker was unable to get himself out of the canyon. "He called for help on his cell phone."
Rescuers from the Pasadena Fire Department, Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department and Los Angeles County Fire Department found the hiker in about 45 minutes, then made arrangements to have him flown to an area hospital, Derderian said.
As the summer continues and more people decide to head to Eaton Canyon for recreation, Derderian urged outdoors enthusiasts to be prepared. A cell phone and plenty of water are items that should be carried.
Hikers should be especially careful on the tough terrain near the waterfalls, she added. "That's where we see most of our injuries."

WEST COVINA -- Police arrested two parolees in a stolen car Sunday at the Westfield West Covina shopping mall, officials said.
A Baldwin Park police officer spotted a vehicle that had been reported stolen driving on the south end of town about 6:15 p.m., Baldwin Park police Sgt. Kevin Gauthier said.
The officer called for backup and followed the car as it got onto the 10 Freeway, then exited at Vincent Avenue in West Covina, the sergeant said.
Officers pulled over the car near the Bob's Big Boy restaurant in the Westfield West Covina shopping mall and arrested them without a struggle, Gauthier said.
The suspects' names were not available late Sunday pending booking, police said.

WEST COVINA -- Three men used a handgun to rob a Baldwin Park man and his friends who responded to a Craigslist  post advertising a computer for sale late Friday, authorities said.
The robbery was reported about 10:15 p.m. in the parking lot of the Brunswick West Covina Lanes bowling alley, 675 S. Glendora Ave., West Covina police officials said.
The victim, 20, brought four friends along to meet a seller in order to buy a Mac computer, Lt. Marty Sevilla said in a written statement.
The buyers met a the supposed seller in the parking lot and was handed the computer, Sevilla said.
The victim agreed to buy it and handed the teen his money, he said.
The teen asked to check the computer one more time before the transaction was complete, at which time two additional robbers emerged from the street armed with a silver handgun, Sevilla said.
"The victim grabbed the computer back and threw it into his car where his friends were seated," the lieutenant said. (One of the robbers) pointed the gun at the occupants, demanding the computer back."
All three robbers then ran off with both the computer and the money, police said. They were last seen running west on Service Avenue.
Police described the robbers as a Latino teen of 15 to 17 years old, a black teen of 16 to 18 years old and a black or Latino man of about 20 years old.

BALDWIN PARK -- A Baldwin Park police officer and a suspect suffered serious injuries early Saturday after an intoxicated man fleeing officers in a stolen car crashed head-on into a police cruiser, authorities said.
The officer suffered a badly broken femur, a broken foot and a broken hand in the crash, Sgt. Chris Hofford said. The suspect suffered head injuries.
David Perez, 32, of Baldwin Park, was being pursued by police just before 1 a.m. after being spotted in Baldwin Park driving a Honda Accord that had been reported stolen out of Monterey Park, the sergeant said.
"(Perez) crossed over the double-yellow line and hit our officer head-on," Hofford said.
The crash threw Perez from his vehicle, Hofford said.
Both the officer and Perez were hospitalized in stable condition, officials said.
The officer, described by police as a 36-year-old, 2-year veteran of the department, was driving on Merced Avenue near Frazier Street in his black and white Dodge Charger police car to join fellow officers already in the pursuit when the crash took place.
Perez was southbound on Merced Avenue, just past Frazier Street where the avenue makes a bend and becomes eastbound, Hofford said. The officer was heading west on Merced Avenue, approaching Frazier Street.
The crash is being investigated by the Baldwin Park office of the California Highway Patrol, however all inquiries were being directed to the Baldwin Park Police Department, CHP Sgt. Gil Peirsol said.
Perez was expected to be booked on charges including felony evading of police, evading causing injury, felony driving under the influence, possession of narcotics and auto theft, Hofford said.

NORWALK -- Three men forced their way into an ill 85-year-old woman's home early Friday and stole $25,000 she was planning to use to pay for her funeral, authorities said.
The woman awoke about 2:15 a.m. to a loud banging on her back door, Los Angeles County sheriff's Sgt. Steve Mills said.
Once she realized someone was trying to break in, she grabbed her purse, which contained $25,000 along with other miscellaneous items, and headed for her front door, the sergeant said.
"She had the money in there, in part, to pay for her anticipated funeral," Mills said.
The woman said in television interviews that she suffered from cancer.
The intruders forced their way into the home and confronted the woman near her front door, officials said.
She accidentally dropped her purse, which the three burglars quickly scooped up off the floor before fleeing to a gray or green vehicle described as a Chevrolet Malibu or Impala, Mills said.
Officials described the burglars as three young black men wearing hooded sweat shirts.
Mills said investigators were looking into whether the burglars may have been aware the woman had a large amount of cash with her.
"We're investigating all avenues," he said.

WEST COVINA -- A passenger in a car police had pulled over in West Covina took over the vehicle and fled from police once the driver was detained, police said.
Roberto Fidel Jimenez, 28, of Los Angeles was driving a car about 11:30 p.m. when an officer pulled it over near Azusa Avenue and Autumn Drive, West Covina police Lt. Alan Henley said.
Officers first got Jimenez out of the car before turning their attention to his two passengers, the lieutenant said.
"(A) passenger slid over to the driver's seat and took off in the car," Henley said.
Police gave chase, and the car blew through several red lights before the occupants abandoned it near Zacatecas Park in Azusa, West Covina and Azusa police officials said.
Officials searched the area, police said, but the two outstanding suspects could not be found.
After officers found several full and empty spray-paint cans in the car, Jimenez was arrested on suspicion of possessing of graffiti tools, Henley said.
According to sheriff's booking records, he was released from jail after posting $500 bail.

PASADENA -- A homeless man attacked a Burger King employee with a metal bar Thursday after being told to stop loitering in the parking lot, police said.
Rickie O'Neal Thompson, 53, was booked on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon, Pasadena police Lt. Chris Russ said.
An employee at the restaurant, 1700 E. Colorado Blvd., asked Thompson to leave and stop loitering and sleeping in the parking lot, Russ said.
Thompson grabbed a 2-foot-long metal jack handle and swung it at the employee, who deflected the blow with his hand and was struck on the index finger, police said.
Officers then found O'Neal in another nearby parking lot and arrested him, Russ said.
According to sheriff's booking records, he was being held in lieu of $30,000 bail. Information on his initial court appearance was not available.

PASADENA -- Police arrested a Pasadena man Thursday after officers spotted marijuana plants growing in his back yard, authorities said.
Jerry Lee Lewis, 52, was booked on suspicion of cultivation of marijuana, Pasadena police Lt. Chris Russ said.
Officers were near his home in the 1000 block of Summit Avenue and noticed marijuana plants growing in his back yard, he said.
They inquired with the homeowner, Lewis, who admitted to illegally growing the 18 plants, the lieutenant said.
According to sheriff's booking records, Lewis was released from jail after posting $10,000 bail.

BALDWIN PARK -- The Baldwin Park Police Department will hold a sobriety and driver's license checkpoint Saturday, officials said.
The checkpoint will be held at an undisclosed time and place within the city, Officer Ted Espanto said in a written statement.
Funding for the checkpoint is being provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

WHITTIER -- Police plan to screen drivers for sobriety and licenses tonight at a checkpoint, authorities said.
The checkpoint will take place from 7 p.m. Friday to 3 a.m. Saturday in the area of Lambert Road and Washington Boulevard, Whittier police officials said in a written statement.
In addition to looking for those driving under the influence, officers will also be on the lookout for drivers without valid licenses.
"Any motorist found driving without a valid license may have their vehicle impounded for 30 days and be issued a citation," the statement said.
Funding for the checkpoint is being provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Anyone who spots a drunken driver is asked to report it by calling 9-1-1.

PASADENA -- A task force of law enforcement agencies rounded up four Pasadena gang members suspected in a series of street robberies over the past two months during an early-morning raid.
Thomas Hampton, 23, Andree Alleyene, 27, Levelle Metoyer, 28, and Rashad McCoy, 23, were arrested in connection at least a half-dozen street robberies in Pasadena over the past two months, Pasadena police Sgt. David Reavis said. All are believed to me Pasadena gang members.
The robberies took place throughout the city over the past two months, the sergeant said. In some cases, a gun was brandished.
As part of an ongoing investigation, officials from the Pasadena, Burbank and Monterey Park police departments, along with U.S. Marshals, the FBI, the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department and the parole officials searched locations in Pasadena, Altadena, Duarte and Alhambra, police said.
In addition to the robbery suspects, three other people were arrested for other crimes as authorities carried out the search warrants, Reavis said.
The investigation continues, and police continued seeking additional robbery suspects.
Anyone with information is asked to call Pasadena police Detective Jeremy Watties at 626-744-7097.

ALHAMBRA -- A jury is being chosen for the second trial of an elderly man accused of murdering his wife with a hatchet in their home in an unincorporated county area near Pasadena.
James Che Min Lu, 87, is charged with the July 26, 2009 killing of his wife Michelle Lu, 55, in the 100 block of Rosemead Boulevard.
He called 9-1-1 after the slaying to report it, authorities said, and also attacked the couple's then-32-year-old son with the hatchet as well.
He is additionally charged with the attempted murder of the son, Ji Ma Zeng.
This is Lu's second murder trial. A jury was unable to reach a verdict during his first trial in December of last year, court officials said.
If convicted as charged, the elderly defendant faces the possibility of life in prison.

ALHAMBRA -- The murder trial was postponed Wednesday for a San Gabriel man accused of killing his ex-girlfriend.
Trial for Isaac Campbell, 36, was scheduled to begin Wednesday in Alhambra Superior Court, however it was continued until Sept. 7, court officials said.
He is charged with the murder of Liya "Jessie" Lu, 31, of San Gabriel, who went missing in August of 2007.
A month later, her body was discovered in a trash can Campbell had left at a friend's home in Arcadia, officials said. Authorities then arrested Campbell in Minnesota.

WHITTIER -- A Whittier woman was not kidnapped and robbed, as she first reported, but rather was the victim of a scam, officials said Wednesday.
A 61-year-old woman initially told police she was walking in the 13100 block of Lambert road about 4 p.m. Tuesday when she was tricked into getting into a van with to women, Whittier police Lt. Mike Przybyl said.
The woman claimed her captors then drove her to bank branches in Whittier and Commerce, where they forced her to withdraw around $30,000, officials said.
Upon further investigation, detectives determined that the woman had not been kidnapped and robbed, but instead had fallen victim to a lottery scam.
The women told the victim they had a winning lottery ticket, but they could not claim it because they were not legal residents, Lt. Bryan Ellis said.
The woman withdrew her money from the bank to pay the women for the ticket before realizing she'd been conned, he added. Apparently, the woman concocted the tail of kidnapping and robbery out of embarrassment and panic.
The suspects were described as Latinas. One is 5 feet tall, while the other stood 5-feet-8-inches tall and weighs about 140 pounds.

Statement from Whittier Police Department:

"After a thorough interview with the victim this (Wednesday) afternoon, it became apparent to the detectives she fabricated the story to cover up the embarrassing loss of $30,000 in a lottery scam.  The victim admitted to making up the story to recover her money.  The money is still outstanding and the investigation is continuing into the possible lottery scam."

LA PUENTE -- One man was hospitalized and another jailed Wednesday after an ongoing dispute between neighbors escalated into a stabbing, authorities said.
Daniel Rodriguez, 28, of La Puente was booked on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon in connection with the 12:45 p.m. incident at an apartment complex in the 14500 block of Amar Road, Los Angeles County sheriff's Sgt. Raymond Enriquez said.
Rodriguez had been involved in an ongoing dispute with a 26-year-old neighbor, police said.
The neighbor approached Rodriguez and punches him, at which time Rodriguez retrieved a knife and stabbed his neighbor three times, Enriquez said. The wounded man was stabbed in the lower back, hip and buttocks, and had a small cut on his elbow.
The injured man was hospitalized for treatment of wounds not believed to be life-threatening.

LOS ANGELES -- The California Supreme Court Wednesday declined to review the case of a then-16-year-old girl who helped her boyfriend slaughter four members of her adopted family in their Pico Rivera home in 2000.
The court denied a petition to review the case of Monica Diaz, convicted of murdering Richard Flores, 42, Richard Flores Jr., 17, Sylvia Flores, 13, and Matthew Flores, 10.
They were fatally stabbed inside their home on Marjorie Street in Pico Rivera. Sylvia Flores, mother to the young victims and wife to Richard Flores, survived the attack.
She is serving 100 years to life in prison in connection with the slayings. Her then-17-year-old boyfriend, Michael Naranjo, was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for his part in the killings.
Diaz was initially sentenced to life in prison without possibility of parole as well, but her sentenced was reduced to four 25-year to life sentences in 2009 after an appellate court in 2005 threw out her conviction for the attempted murder of Sylvia Flores.

LA MIRADA -- Sheriff's deputies, both human and canine, arrested a La Habra man Tuesday on suspicion of auto theft and a string of five car burglaries in Fullerton, authorities said.
Ryan Nichols, 29, was being held in lieu of $50,000 at the Orange County Central Men's Jail, according to booking records.
Using an anti-theft vehicle tracking device, a Los Angeles County sheriff's deputy found a 2007 Chevy Silverado reported stolen from Fullerton about 8:20 a.m., parked in the 14000 block of Aranza Drive in La Mirada, Fullerton police and Los Angeles County sheriff's officials said.
"The sheriffs set up and watched the vehicle," Fullerton police Sgt. Andrew Goodrich said.
When Nichols got into the SUV and began to drive away, deputies tried to stop him, but he he accelerated away instead, officials said.
The SUV traveled a short distance before Nichols opened the door and jumped out of the still-rolling vehicle, Los Angeles County sheriff's Sgt. Glenn Emery said.
Deputies set up a search perimeter, and with the help of a sheriff's K-9, found the suspect hiding in a back yard in the 1500 block of Orsa Drive, Emery said.
After being treated at a hospital for dog bites, he was turned over to Fullerton police for booking.
"During the course of our follow-up investigation, we tied him to five additional auto burglaries in (Fullerton)," Goodrich said.
According to booking records, Nichols was due to be arraigned Thursday in the Central Men's Jail Court.

PHOTO of Ryan Nichols courtesy of the Fullerton Police Department

WHITTIER -- One of two deputies targeted in an assault rifle attack in 2000 said he's glad to put the event behind him with the guilty plea and sentencing of the gunman.
Deputy David Timberlake was one of two deputies attacked by Emigdio Preciado Jr. on Sept. 25, 2000, during a traffic stop in an unincorporated county area near Whittier.
While Timberlake was not wounded in the shooting, his partner, Deputy Michael Schaap, suffered a gunshot wound to the head and suffered brain damage. He went through a lengthy recovery before returning to work less than two years later, and will likely suffer with effects of the injury for the rest of his life.
Preciado, a Mexican national, fled to Mexico after the shooting where he remained a fugitive until his capture in 2009.
"We're happy it's over," Timberlake said. "We've been dealing with this for 11 years, so we're happy that we've got some, I hate to say closure, but it's probably the best word for it."
Schaap could not be reached for comment.
Preciado surprised officials and the victims when he asked for a plea deal the night before a hearing in the case was to begin.
Initially charged with two counts of attempted murder of peace officers, Mayhem and other charges, Preciado agreed to plead guilty to two counts of assault with a deadly weapon on peace officers, along with the special allegation of using a firearm during a felony, court officials said. He immediately received a 25-year prison sentence.
If tried and convicted of the more serious charges, Preciado could have faced the possibility of life in prison.
The plea deal, however, brings the case to a swift conclusion, without further legal proceedings or the possibility that a jury would fail to convict him.
"We discussed it with our investigators and our families. We weighed it all out. under the circumstances, we agreed it was the best," Timberlake said.
While he added that it would be nice to see the man who attacked him and his partner locked away for the rest of his life, he's glad to see the case finally end, and Preciado in the custody of the state prison system.
"Although it is a little bit bittersweet, it is ultimately gratifying," Timberlake said. "He's going to prison. He's going to be a senior citizen when he gets out, and we can live with that."

LA MIRADA -- Sheriff's deputies, both human and canine, captured a car theft suspect who fled from them following a search of a neighborhood early Tuesday.
A  Los Angeles County sheriff's deputy spotted a car that had been reported stolen out of Fullerton driving in La Mirada, Sgt. Glenn Emery said.
The driver, a 29-year-old man whose name was not available, drove a short distance before jumping from the still-rolling vehicle and fleeing on foot, Emery said.
Deputies, with the help of a sheriff's K-9, found the suspect hiding in a back yard in the 1500 block of Orsa Drive, the sergeant said.
After being treated at a hospital for dog bites, he was turned over to Fullerton police for booking.

WHITTIER -- An occupied house and a car were struck by bullets in a drive-by shooting late Tuesday, though no one was injured, authorities said.
The shooting was reported about 10:30 p.m. in the 13000 block of Racimo Drive, in an unincorporated county area just south of Whittier, Los Angeles County sheriff's Sgt. Glenn Emery said.
A car passed by and someone inside opened fire, striking a house and car, he said. No one in the home was hurt.
A description of the shooter or vehicle was not available.
The investigation was being handled by sheriff's gang investigators, Emery said.

WEST COVINA -- A wild police chase ended with a crash in West Covina Monday, authorities said.
Jose Francisco De La Torre, 33, of La Puente was booked on suspicion of felony evasion of police in connection with the chase, California Highway Patrol officials said.
A CHP officer tried to pull him over for defective tail lights, talking on a cell phone and speeding in his Ford Explorer shortly after 9 p.m. on the westbound 10 Freeway near Milliken Avenue in Ontario, CHP officials said in a written statement.
De La Torre led the officer, and others who joined the pursuit, on chase down the 10 Freeway before exiting at Sunset Avenue and circling through surface streets, officials said.
"De La Torre failed to stop for several red traffic lights and stop signs during the pursuit, as well as driving on the wrong side of the road," according to the CHP statement.
When the Ford headed northbound on Azusa Avenue and appeared to be going back to the Freeway, a CHP officer employed a P.I.T. maneuver, causing the Ford to spin out and overturn, officials said.
De La Torre was uninjured and was taken to the sheriff's Industry Station for booking.

NORWALK -- A former fugitive who opened fire on two sheriff's deputies with an AK-47 and badly wounding one of them more than a decade ago in unincorporated Whittier pleaded guilty to the attack on the deputies Tuesday, officials said.
Norwalk Superior Judge Peter Espinoza sentenced Emigdio Preciado Jr. to 25 years in prison as part of a plea agreement, Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office spokesman Matt Krasnowski said.
During what was scheduled to be a preliminary hearing leading up to a trial, Preciado pleaded guilty to two counts of assault with a deadly weapon on peace officers, as well as the special allegation of using a firearm in a felony, Krasnowski said.
"I think, for most of us, we're just very happy that it's finally come to a conclusion," said Lt. Jeff Scroggin of the sheriff's Norwalk Station, where the involved deputies were assigned at the time of the shooting.
"It's been a long time, almost 11 years," said, adding that deputies involved -- Michael Schaap and David Timberlake -- were consulted by the district attorney's office before the plea deal was offered.
The plea will make a lengthy trial unnecessary.
"To have this day go very quickly, in the long term, I think is good," Scroggin said. "Hopefully, this puts a bad day behind us for once and for all."
Schaap and Timberlake could not be reached for comment Tuesday.
Deputies Schaap and Timberlake pulled over a van containing Preciado and three other men at Gunn Avenue and Mulberry Drive in the early morning hours of Sept. 25, 2000.
Preciado then emerged from the van with an AK-47 assault rifle and unleashed a barrage of about 30 bullets at the deputies.
Schaap was struck in the head by a bullet and suffered brain damage. Timberlake was not hurt.
Preciado fled to Mexico after the shooting, where he remained a fugitive until he was arrested in 2009 by the FBI and Mexican police, then extradited back to the U.S. to face charges last year.
A video surfaced showing Preciado dancing at a party only months after the near-fatal attack, and he was added to the FBI's Ten Most Wanted list of fugitives in 2007.
"It's an example of how when law enforcement agencies work together, they can bring people to justice," Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department spokesman Steve Whitmore said. "A violent criminal has been taken off the streets."
The three other men inside the van at the time of the shooting have since been sentenced for their roles in the crime.
Omar Jimenez is serving a 15-year prison sentence for attempted murder, Carlos Gutierrez received 19 years in prison for attempted murder and Jose Guardado is serving 19 years in prison for conspiracy.
Preciado is required to serve at least 85 percent of his 25-year sentence, or more than 21 years.

GLENDORA -- Police Monday sought a man who approached a 14-year-old girl along Arrow Highway and told her to get in his truck, officials said.
The incident took place about 1:50 p.m. in the 700 block of East Arrow Highway, Glendora police Sgt. Matt Williams said.
The girl was walking when a man, initially described only as Latino and in his 30s, pulled up beside her in a white pickup truck and told her to get in, the sergeant said.
She refused and reported the incident to police, he said. The suspect was not found.

PASADENA -- Police arrested two men and a woman late Monday after a resident reported seeing them breaking into a car.
Ramiro Chavez, 28, of San Gabriel, Ashlynn Tattersall, 20, of Pasadena and Gabriel Abraham, 22, of Pasadena were booked on suspicion of auto burglary, Pasadena police Lt. Rodney Wallace said.
A resident of the 400 block of South Madison Avenue called police about 11 p.m. to report seeing a man break into a car parked on the street before getting into a white minivan and leaving, the lieutenant said.
The witness provided police with a good description of the minivan, and officers found it in the 700 block of South Los Robles Avenue.
Officers then arrested Chavez, Tattersall and Abraham, who were inside.
 who were inside the van, were arrested.

PASADENA -- Three men robbed a 65-year-old man early Monday as he walked along Lake Avenue, authorities said.
The man was walking on Lake Avenue near Santa Barbara Street about 4 a.m. when he noticed a dark-colored sedan drive past him and turn onto Santa Barbara Street, Pasadena police Lt. Rodney Wallace said.
When the pedestrian reached the intersection, three black men wearing dark clothing confronted him, the lieutenant said. One of the men pulled a handgun and demanded money.
When the victim told the robbers he had no money, one of them reached into his pocket and helped himself the the victim's wallet before all three fled, Wallace said.

WEST COVINA -- Investigators have released a sketch of a man believed to be responsible for sexual assaults in West Covina spanning more than a decade.
Between April of 2000 and March of 2011, six teenage girls and young women were attacked while walking or jogging alone, West Covina police said in a written statement.
"Investigators have reason to believe the (six) sexual assaults were committed by the same man," the statement said.
- A 29-year-old woman was attacked in March as she jogged near Missouri Street.
- A 17-year-old girl was attacked while walking to school along Shadow Oak Drive in January of 2009.
- An 18-year-old woman was attacked on Shadow Oak Drive in October of 2001.
- A 17-year-old woman was assaulted while walking to school along Shadow Oak Drive in September of 2001.
- A 16-year-old girl was assaulted while walking in the 15000 block of Moccasin Street in October of 2000.
- A 14-year-old girl was kidnapped and assaulted while walking in the 1200 block of South Glendora Avenuein April of 2000.
After determining that all six assaults have likely been carried out by the same man, police re-issued an artist's sketch of the suspect first created for the Glendora Avenue abduction case.
"That was drawn several years ago, so there may be some aging, but the suspect still matches the description physically today," Cpl. Rudy Lopez said.
Police described the attacker as Latino, Spanish-speaking, between 30 and 40 years old, 5 feet 7 inches to 5 feet 8 inches tall and about 160 pounds.
All six incidents are all linked by similar suspect descriptions and tactics, Lopez said.
In the majority of cases, the attacker snuck up on the victims and they didn't see him until he grabbed them, he said.
"He hasn't changed his style in which he's approaching victims," Lopez said.
While a car hasn't been seen during the more recent cases, investigators suspect he has access to one.
In 2000, victims reported the attacker drove a four-door, brown or red, older-model sedan, though police don't know if he's still driving the same vehicle.
Lopez said it was unclear why the attacker appeared to have taken an 8-year hiatus between 2001 and 2009.
"There's a lot of possibilities. He may have left the area," Lopez said. "He may have been arrested."
Officials said it's possible there are additional victims who have yet to report the attacks and urged them to come forward.
Lopez said police want to catch the serial molester before he strikes again, or even escalates his crimes.
Anyone with information is asked to call the West Covina Police Department at 626-939-8556, or the anonymous tip line at 626-939-8688.

LA HABRA -- Authorities Tuesday released the name of a 20-year-old La Habra man killed in a motorcycle crash on Euclid Avenue.
Bryan Hodges died at the scene of Monday's 5:22 p.m. crash on Euclid Avenue at Country Hills Drive, just south of Imperial Highway, according to Orange County coroner's officials.
The initial investigation indicated Hodges and another motorcyclist were southbound on Euclid Avenue as a passenger car being driven by a licensed teenager was making a left turn from northbound Euclid Avenue onto Country Hills Drive, La Habra police Sgt. Dean Capelletti said.
"One of (the motorcyclists) was able to avoid the vehicle, the other one was not," he said.
The motorcycle and car collided, fatally injuring Hodges, officials said.
The cause of the crash remained under investigation, Capelletti said, however nothing criminal was initially suspected.

WHITTIER -- Police arrested a man on suspicion of drunken driving early Tuesday after he crashed into a mail collection box and two street signs in Uptown Whittier, officials said.
Officers responded to reports of a traffic accident about 3 a.m. at Painter Avenue and Beverly Boulevard, Whittier police Lt. Randy Inman said.
A car had struck two city street signs and a postal collection box, the lieutenant said, and the driver was leaving the scene on foot when officers arrived.
After detaining the driver, a Whittier man estimated to be in his early 30s whose name was not available, officers determined he was under the influence and arrested him, Inman said.

SOUTH EL MONTE -- The Major Crime Bureau of the sheriff's department has taken over the investigation into a takeover robbery of more than $1 million at a business late Thursday.
The robbery took place about 7:30 p.m. at Commonwealth International Inc., 12356 Barringer St., sheriff's Sgt. Harry Drucker said in a written statement.
Three robbers forced their way through the ceiling of the business -- a company that stores cash to be distributed to ATMs throughout the region -- and slid down a rope, Lt. Kent Wegener of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Major Crimes Bureau said.
"They came on these victims in kind of a blitz fashion, so that they never got a good look at them," Wegener said.
The robbers immediately blindfolded the employees, all men, and helped themselves to cash, primarily from the business' vault, officials said.
"They stole an undetermined amount of money which is probably in excess of $1 million," Wegener said. Because of the high dollar-value of the theft, the Sheriff's Major Crimes Bureau was assigned to handle the investigation.
Someone managed to call the sheriff's Temple Station about 8:43 from inside the business to report being tied up and robbed, Sgt. Steve Ruiz said.
Investigators described the robbers only as men, and because the victims were blindfolded, it was not clear if they had any weapons.
Once the theft was complete, the robbers left the bound employees tied up inside the business, officials said. None were injured.
Forensic experts were called to the scene to search for pieces of evidence such as fingerprints and DNA, Wegener said.
Detectives were also in the process of re-interviewing witnesses and examining nearby surveillance cameras to see if they may yield any clues.
-- Staff Writer Ruby Gonzales contributed to this story

BASSETT -- A man brandished a gun in front of sheriff's deputies late Thursday, and a fellow deputy became involved in a car crash while rushing to assist, authorities said.
The incident began about 10:30 p.m. when deputies approached a man near a liquor store in the 1300 block of Valley Boulevard, Los Angeles County sheriff's Sgt. James Beamon said.
The man pulled a gun from his waistband and started running, the sergeant said. The deputies gave chase and called for backup.
A deputy responding to the call with emergency lights and sirens on became involved in a crash with another car at Nelson and Sunset avenues, Beamon said.
Neither the deputy nor the civilian were hurt, he said. Further details of the crash remained under investigation.
Officials continued their hunt for the armed man with the help of a helicopter, Beamon said, however he was not found. A description of the man was not available Friday.

DIAMOND BAR -- Officials filed charges Tuesday including possession of an assault weapon, animal cruelty, drug possession and child endangerment against a Hacienda Heights man and his wife, authorities said Thursday. an investigation into alleged extortion
Sheriff's gang investigators first began looking into Sheng Hui "Sunny" Chen, 37, and his wife Yulan Hu, 31, due to allegations of gang intimidation, Los Angeles County sheriff's officials said in a written statement.
Sheriff's gang investigators received a tip in April that Chen was involved in exporting Chinese immigrants by representing himself as a high-ranking member of the "United Bamboo" gang, the statement said.
"Unfortunately, we were not able to locate any victims who would cooperate with us on the extortion," Sgt. Steve Kim of the sheriff's Asian Gang Task Force. "They're too scared."
The probe did, however, yield evidence of the other crimes, Kim said.
Residents of a home Chen was suspected of occupying for several months found an illegal AK-47 assault rifle in the home allegedly left behind by Chen, authorities said.
Deputies from the sheriff's Asian Gang Team carried out a search warrant on Chen's home on Del Prado Drive in Hacienda Heights and arrested the couple on June 22.
Methamphetamine was found in the home's bathroom, in easy reach of Chen's young children (ages 8 and 9), Kim said.
Deputies also found 15 large dogs being held in unacceptable conditions, he added.
"Some of the dogs were kept in the garage without proper ventilation during extremely hot weather," Kim said. "They were kept in crates that were much too small for their size."
The other 10 or so dogs of various breeds were kept in a backyard kennel, officials said.
"However, the kennel did not have a cover to shield the dogs from sunlight and it was too small to house all the dogs. Several of the dogs were obviously malnourished," the sheriff's statement said.
Chen also owns owns a pet shop -- Teddy Bear Life House -- in the 1400 block of Nogales Avenue in Rowland Heights, officials said.
Chen was charged Tuesday with possession of an assault weapon, felony impersonation for falsely identifying himself to officers, felony animal cruelty, felony possession of methamphetamine and two misdemeanor counts of child endangerment, Kim said.
His wife Hu was charged with misdemeanor counts of possession of methamphetamine, animal cruelty and child endangerment.
Chen is due in Pomona Superior Court for arraignment July 14, Los Angeles County District Attorney's spokeswoman Jane Robison said. Hu's initial court date was not available.
The children were taken into protective custody and released to relatives, officials said.
Los Angeles County Department of Animal Care and Control officials seized the dogs and are conducting an investigation, which will include looking into his pet shop, Kim said.
No one at the pet store answered the telephone Thursday.
Additionally, authorities said, investigators believe Chen had plans to open an illegal nightclub in the Rowland Heights area.
"(He) was soliciting young Asian women to work in his illegal nightclub he was preparing to open somewhere in the Rowland Heights area," Kim said.
Chen's possible gang ties remained under investigation.
According to sheriff's booking records, Chen and Hu were released from jail the day after their June 22 arrest after posting $50,000 and $30,000 bail, respectively.
Officials said both are Chinese nationals who came to the U.S. on tourist visas.
Though officials were unable to bring extortion-related charges against Chen, Kim said the investigation continues, and he encourages any potential extortion victims to report it to the sheriff's department.
"If anybody wants to come forward and tell us they've been victimized by this man, we'd love to talk to them," he said.

MONTEBELLO -- The Los Angeles County Distinct Attorney's Office has declined to file criminal charges in connection with a brawl between off-duty deputies at a Christmas in Montebello last year.
The Dec. 10, 2010, fight at the Quiet Canon in Montebello has already prompted the sheriff's to start termination proceedings against six deputies who were involved.
A total of eight deputies were being investigated for criminal charges.
Two deputies came forward four days after the brawl and alleged they had been attacked by the eight deputies.
Another female deputy later claimed she had been punched in the face by a fellow deputy after confronting them about the incident.
According to documents filed by the District Attorney's office, both the victims and witnesses of the alleged assault -- all deputies -- were inconsistent in their statements and would be unreliable witnesses at trial.
"Based on the evidence presented, we cannot prove beyond a reasonable doubt that any of the deputies in the aforementioned incident committed any unjustifiable criminal act," the D.A.'s declination read. "Therefore, prosecution in this matter is declined and this office will take no further action."
The documents point out that one of the deputies making the allegation changed his story several times during the investigation, and that the other had no visible injuries by the time he came forward, and no witnesses backed up his claim.
Officials also found inconsistencies in the claim of the female deputy who claimed she was punched, according to court documents. While she claimed she was punched by one deputy, other deputies claimed she told them she had been struck by other officers.
In the D.A's decision not to file a case, it was also noted that Montebello police did not immediately investigate when summoned to the fight.
"They were told by several off-duty LASD deputies, including (one who would later be investigated in connection with the brawl), that the situation was under control and their help was not needed," according to the filing. "They left the area without questioning anyone in depth."

PASADENA -- Police arrested two men on suspicion of auto burglary Wednesday after they were found loitering in a neighborhood where break-ins have been a problem with burglary tools, officials said.
Jorge Marin, 33, and Aurelio Bravo, 36, both of Pasadena, were jailed on suspicion of auto burglary, Pasadena police Lt. Chris Russ said.
Officers assigned to Pasadena's West Service Area -- where auto break-ins have been a problem recently --  noticed Marin and Bravo loitering in the 300 block of S. Euclid Avenue about 2:30 a.m., the lieutenant said.
They tried to avoid the officers, but when contacted, burglary tools such as wire cutters and a screwdriver were found in their possession, Russ said.