September 2011 Archives

WEST COVINA -- Police jailed to men Friday on suspicion of growing hundreds of marijuana plants inside a vacant home, authorities said.
Nguyen Chu, 54, of Los Angeles and Phu Quan, 49, of Los Angeles were booked on suspicion of cultivation of marijuana, West Covina police Lt. Tommy Garcia said.
Officers received a call shortly before 11 a.m. reporting two suspicious vehicles in the driveway of a vacant home at 544 N. Foxdale Avenue, the lieutenant said.
Officers stopped on vehicle that was leaving the home and arrested the driver, Garcia said. The second suspect was arrested as he was sitting in a car still parked in the home's driveway.
As police were looking around to make sure no one else was at the vacant home, they noticed about 75 marijuana plants growing in the home's garage, and another 300-400 plants growing within the home itself, officials said.
Officers then stopped and requested a warrant to continue their investigation, Garcia said.

SANTA ANA -- The defense for an accused of killing her infant son by throwing him from the fourth floor of a hospital parking structure argued Friday that she was not mentally competent to stand trial, officials said.
Sonia Hermosillo, 31, of La Habra is charged with murder and child abuse in connection with the Aug. 22 death of her 7-month-old son, Noe Medina Jr., at Children's Hospital of Orange County.
At an arraignment hearing Friday, she did not enter a plea, Los Angeles County District Attorney's spokeswoman Farrah Emami said.
"The defense indicated at the hearing today that they believe she is not mentally fit to assist in her own defense," Emami said.
A mental competency hearing was scheduled Nov. 18 in Santa Ana Superior Court.
Hermosillo was arrested several hours after the incident after police spotted her driving by the scene, officials said.
Noe Medina Jr. suffered from plagiocephaly, known as flat-head syndrome, in addition to congenital muscular torticollis which causes the head to twist to one side.
His mother reportedly suffered from severe post partum depression.
A motive in the killing has not been released.
Her husband, Noe Medina, has reportedly said he believed his wife never accepted their son because of his medical problems.

EL MONTE -- The brother of an NBA basketball player is missing after wandering off from a mental care facility in El Monte Sunday, officials said.
John Jude Young, 36, also known as John Elwood Jude, walked away from Mountain View Care, 2622 Mountain View Road, Sunday morning, El Monte police and family members said. He was not prohibited from leaving the facility.
He is the brother of Nick Young, basketball player for the Washington Wizards.
Family members have grown increasingly worried as time passed and sought the public's assistance in finding John, Nick Young's assistant, Adrian Pascascio said.
El Monte police received word that the man had possibly been found in Irvine Friday, however Pascascio said it turned out not to be John.
He's described as black, 6 feet 2 inches tall and 303 pounds.
Anyone with information is asked to call El Monte police at 626 580-2100.

EL MONTE - An elderly man struck and badly injured by a car while crossing the street died Friday, authorities said.
The man's name was not available Friday pending positive identification and notification of his family, coroner's officials said.
He was hospitalized at Los Angeles County-USC Medical Center in "very critical" condition after being struck by a car about 5:30 a.m. Thursday near Vane Avenue and Cortada Street, El Monte police Lt. Dan Burlingham said. He succumbed to his injuries Friday.
The driver of the vehicle, a 22-year-old woman, remained at the scene, and nothing criminal was initially suspected, officials said.
The cause of the crash was under investigation.

**UPDATE: The victim in this case has admitted to investigators that her allegation of attempted kidnapping and assault was false. See updated story above.**

WHITTIER - Two men attacked, molested and tried to force a 14-year-old girl into a car as she walked near California High School early Friday, authorities said.
The incident took place about 8:30 a.m. on Dicky Street near Mills Avenue, in an unincorporated county area just south of Whittier, Los Angeles County sheriff's Lt. Bill Evans said.
A 14-year-old girl was walking when she was approached by two men in a car, the lieutenant said.
A passenger in the car got out, grabbed the girl, struck her, fondled her and tried to pull her into the car, Evans said. The girl managed to break free and get away.
The teen ran home and told her parents, who then notified the sheriff's department, officials said. The girl was taken to a hospital for examination.
Sheriff's officials described the attacker as a Latino man in his late 20s or early 30s, heavyset, about 5 feet 11 inches tall, bald, with facial hair and wearing blue jeans, a black sweat shirt and black beanie.
The driver of the car, a white and primered-gray  compact, was described only as a Latino man in his late 20s.
Anyone with information is asked to call the sheriff's Norwalk Station at 562-863-8711.

EAST WHITTIER -- A young man and woman struck by a car while crossing Mulberry Drive late Sunday were expected to recover from their injuries, authorities said.
The accident was reported about 8:50 p.m. on Mulberry Drive at Stamy Road, California Highway Patrol Officer Chantee Servio said.
A 24-year-old La Mirada man and a 20-year-old Whittier woman were crossing south across Mulberry Drive in a crosswalk with a green light when the light turned red while they were still in the intersection, the officer said.
The driver of an eastbound Honda Accord, a 31-year-old Whittier man, did not see the pedestrians and struck them as he entered the intersection on a green light, Servio said.
The young man suffered a badly broken leg and cuts to his face and neck, officials said. The young woman suffered scraped and possibly internal injuries.
The driver remained at the scene, and nothing criminal was initially suspected, she said. The cause of the crash remained under investigation.

PASADENA -- Firefighters found the body of a woman Friday after extinguishing a fire in an apartment, authorities said.
The woman's identity was not available early Friday.
Fire officials initially described her as a woman who appeared to be in her late 20s.
911 callers first reported the fire in the 100 block of South Meridith Avenue about 6 a.m., Pasadena police and fire officials said.
"We got a call of smoke showing from an apartment unit," Pasadena Fire Department spokeswoman Lisa Derderian said.
Firefighters arrived to find a fire in a second-floor unit of a seven-unit apartment building, she said.
"When we did a primary search of the main unit that was affected, we discovered a deceased body -- an adult female," Derderian said.
No other injuries were reported in connection with the fire.
The cause of the fire, as well as the cause of the woman's death, remained under investigation.
"At this point, there's nothing suspicious in nature," Derderian said. "But any time there's a fatality, police and fire collaborate with an investigation. We're going to be very methodical in the way we investigate this fire."
About 20 residents from the other units in the apartment complex were evacuated because of the fire, she added.
Officials hoped to have utilities restored to the building and residents back in their homes Friday afternoon, however Red Cross officials were standing by in case they were needed.
Apartments adjacent to the the one scorched by the blaze suffered smoke and water damage, but did not appear to have been burned, officials said.

AZUSA - A 66-year-old woman refused to hand over her wedding ring to an armed robber Thursday.
Azusa police Sgt. Xavier Torres said the woman wasn't injured during the 3:34 p.m. attempted robbery at the Costco parking lot in the 1200 block of west Foothill Boulevard.
The San Gabriel woman just finished shopping and unloaded her shopping cart. As the woman was getting into her vehicle, Torres said a man approached and demanded her ring.
"She told him she would not give it to him. At that point, he brandished a handgun and forcefully told her to give the ring," Torres said.
The woman answered back with a "No" and kicked at the suspect. When the robber stepped back, she got in the vehicle and locked it. She called police as she drove away.
The rejected robber turned around and was last seen walking toward the Costco.
The woman later told an officer the ring was her wedding ring.
The suspect was described as a Latino, 20 to 24, 5 feet 6 inches to 5 feet 7 inches tall and weighs between 160 to 170 pounds. He might have a mustache too. He was wearing a blue baseball cap and a white T-shirt.
Anyone with information on the case is asked to call Detective Robert Landeros at 626-812-3228 or Detective Rocky Wenrick at 626-812-3223.
- From Staff Writer Ruby Gonzales

WHITTIER -- Two suspects were jailed Thursday after trying to stab another man in a hospital lobby, then trying to stab a security guard who intervened, authorities said.
No one was wounded in the incident, as was initially believed, police said.
One of the suspects is a 17-year-old boy, and no information was immediately available on the second suspect, Whittier police Sgt. Bret Anderson said.
The incident was reported just before 2 p.m. at the hospital, 12401 Washington Blvd., Whittier police Sgt. Brent Anderson said.
"Our victim was walking on the sidewalk to the front of the hospital. He was approached by two other males. They exchanged words," Anderson said.
The victim walked away from the two suspects, through the hospital parking lot and into the hospital lobby, the lieutenant said.
"The suspect followed him into the lobby, and one of the suspects attempted to stab him," he said.
When a security guard intervened, the knife-wielding suspect then lunged at him, police said.
The suspects fled on foot and were captured by police a block away from the hospital about an hour later, Anderson said.

COVINA -- Police are investigating the slaying of a man who was found shot to death inside the trunk of a car parked in Covina, authorities said Thursday.
The body was found Tuesday in the trunk of a Toyota Camry that had been parked in the 1000 block of E. Wanamaker Drive, Covina police Sgt. Ray Marquez said.
Neighbors called police to report that the car had been parked there for several days, possibly Sept. 23, the sergeant said.
"No one recognized that vehicle or knew who it belonged to," he said.
Police checked the license plate and found it was listed as being associated with a 26-year-old man who had been reported missing to Ontario police Sept. 23, officials said. Though the car was not registered to the missing man, he was believed to be using it.
Upon taking a closer look, the officers noticed a "very foul odor" coming from the car and opened the trunk, where they found a body, already badly decomposed, Marquez said.
The body had not been identified Thursday, he said, however it appeared to match the basic description of the missing person reported to Ontario police.
Though the man was listed as "John Doe 150" at the Los Angeles County Department of Coroner, an autopsy carried out Thursday determined the victim died from gunshot wounds, coroner's Assistant Chief of Operations Craig Harvey said. The death was ruled a homicide.
A small amount of dried blood was found inside the passenger compartment of the Camry, officials said, however it was not immediately clear if that blood was related to the death.
Police have been trying to contact the person registered as the owner of the car, a Pomona resident, with no success, he added.
Based on witness accounts, Marquez said, "It's pretty safe to say that the vehicle was probably there since some time Friday...consistent with when the missing person was reported."
No suspicious circumstances were reported in the man's disappearance in Ontario, Marquez said. A family member or close friend called police after noticing he had not been seen recently.
Ontario police deferred all comments to the Covina Police Department.
Anyone with information is asked to call Covina police at 626-384-5808.

EL MONTE -- An elderly man was hospitalized in "very critical" condition Thursday after being struck by  a car while crossing the street, police said.
The accident was reported just after 5:30 a.m. near Vane Avenue and Cortada Street, El Monte police Lt. Dan Burlingham said.
The pedestrian, initially described only as an elderly man who was pushing a shopping cart, suffered major head trauma and was taken to Los Angeles County-USC Medical Center where he was listed in "very critical" condition, the lieutenant said.
The crash occurred mid-block, where traffic is not controlled by a crosswalk, signal or sign, police said.
The driver of the vehicle remained at the scene an cooperated with investigators, Burlingham said. Nothing criminal was initially suspected.
The cause of the crash remained under investigation.

Two nonprofit organizations have launched two new services to help citizens make better use of the state Megan's Law sex offender database.
Parents for Megan's Law and the Crime Victims Center have teamed up to offer a tip line to report sex offenders believed to be in violation of of their requirements as well as a National Megan's Law Helpline to provide information and resources and help people access the database, organizers said in a written statement.
"The Sex Offender Registration Tips Program provides the public an opportunity to report registrants who are failing to comply with registration requirements, employment or supervision restrictions or who are in position of trust where they can access children," the statement said.
Tips can be made by calling the Helpline at 888-275-7365, or online at www.parentsformeganslaw.org.
While the program is not designed to report police emergencies, "Agency deputized staff work collaboratively with federal, state and local law enforcement agencies to facilitate the appropriate follow-up action."
Funding for the program is provided by the U.S. Department of Justice.

AZUSA - Police are looking for the man on a skateboard who robbed and attacked a college student walking home.
The woman was robbed about 10 p.m. Tuesday in the 1100 block of North Angeleno Avenue.
Azusa police Sgt. Xavier Torres said the Azusa woman got off the bus and was heading home when she saw the suspect riding a skateboard toward her.
Torres said the man grabbed the woman from behind and threw her to the ground.
"He lay on top and tried to put his hands in her pants. She was able to push him off her," Torres said.
The assailant fled with the woman's computer bag which contained her school books and laptop.
The suspect was described as a Latino, 18 to 20, about 5 feet 7 inches tall, 160 pounds with a medium complexion. He wore a dark-colored baseball cap, a light-colored shirt and dark-colored jeans.
- From Staff Writer Ruby Gonzales

WHITTIER -- A would-be jewelry thief fired a gunshot into the ceiling and fled empty-handed Wednesday night when he couldn't smash a display case.
No one was injured during the 5:39 p.m. attempted robbery at Covenant Diamonds, 6752 Greenleaf Ave., according to police.
Employees told officers a man entered the store, tried to smash a display case and take the jewelry.
But his plan hit a snag when he was unable to break the glass, officials said.
The culprit was gone when officers arrived. It wasn't clear if the man used the gun, a tool or just his hands to break the display case.
The suspect was described as a black man, 25 to 30 and 5 feet 11 inches tall. He wore a black jacket and black baseball cap.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Whittier police Department at 562-567-9200.
- From Staff Writer Ruby Gonzales

MONTEREY PARK - A man was behind bars Thursday after allegedly stabbing his wife during an argument, then holing up in their home for four hours.
Xiong Chao, 49, was booked on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon, Monterey Park police Sgt. John Martindale said.
Police rescued the man's wife and their 3-year-old son, who had locked themselves in a bathroom to hide from the knife-wielding suspect, the sergeant said.
The woman called police about 9:30 p.m. from the 200 block of Sefton Avenue to report she had been stabbed in the leg by her husband, officials said.
"She was arguing with her husband when he went into the kitchen and retrieved two large knives," Martindale said.
After being stabbed, the woman grabbed the couple's 3-year-old son and him and herself in a bathroom, he said.
"Officers arrived and were able to remove baby through the window," Martindale said.
Chao barricaded himself in a bedroom, police said, and a SWAT team was summoned to the scene.
SWAT officers went into the home and rescued the woman, whose injuries were not believed to be life-threatening, Martindale said. In addition to the stab wound to her leg, she had bruises on her head.
After about four hours, SWAT offers went into the bedroom and took Chao into custody. Details of the arrest were not available early Thursday, however no injuries were reported during the arrest.
According to county book records, Chao was being held in lieu of $30,000 bail and was due to appear in Alhambra Superior Court Friday.

SOUTH PASADENA -- Police Wednesday alerted the public of a man who exposed himself to a 17-year-old girl last week.
The incident was reported just before 3:50 p.m. Thursday in the 1500 block of Diamond Avenue, South Pasadena police officials said in a written statement.
"As the victim walked past the suspect's vehicle, the victim looked inside and saw the suspect masturbating," the statement said. "The victim quickly walked away and the suspect drove away."
Police described the suspect as a heavyset Latino man of about 40 years old, with a dark complexion, black hair and brown eyes. He was last seen wearing a white T-shirt.
His car was described as a white, 1995 Honda Civic.
Anyone with information is asked to call the South Pasadena Police Department at 626-403-7200.

From the Associated Press:

MINNESOTA -- Authorities have identified the Golden Valley police officer who fatally shot an Altadena woman on Interstate 394 last week.
Officer Robert Zarrett, who has been with the department since 1998, remains on administrative leave while the fatal shooting is under investigation.
According to initial reports, Zarrett initiated a traffic stop on the interstate about 1 p.m. Thursday. The driver of the Honda Civic, Katherine Marie Gordon, 58, of Altadena, pulled to the left side of the roadway, just west of the Hopkins Crossroad overpass.
Police said Gordon "was in possession of a handgun" and was shot by Zarrett. It's unclear if Gordon fired her weapon or why Zarrett shot her. She died of multiple gunshot wounds, according to the Hennepin County Medical Examiner.
Zarrett has 16 letters of commendation in his file for his work in the community and police department, according to Golden Valley police. As of last week's shooting, there were no open investigation complaints against him.

HUNTINGTON BEACH -- Authorities have identified the body of a woman that was found on Huntington State Beach on Monday morning as a 30-year-old La Habra woman.
The Orange County Register reports that the body is that of Myphuong Tran.
Huntington Beach police Lt. Russell Reinhart says the death appears to be a drowning.
Reinhart says body was fully clothed, appeared to have been in the water less than 24 hours, and there's no indication of anything criminal.

MONTEBELLO -- Los Angeles County sheriff's deputies and Los Angeles police officers are preparing to go toe-to-toe in the boxing ring to help the City of Hope battle cancer.
The 18th annual "Fight for Life: Battle of the Badges" will begin at 5:30 Dec. 2 at the Quiet Cannon, 901 Via San Clemente, City of Hope officials said in a written statement.
The event began in 1994 after some East Los Angeles sheriff's deputies befriended 9-year-old cancer patient Joshua Moreno and decided to become involved in his cause.
Though the young man who inspired the event succumbed to the disease, the annual charity event continues in his memory.
"Whatever the outcome from this event, whether the competitors win or lose, they are all in agreement that the true winner here is City of Hope and the individuals they treat yearly," according to the City of Hope statement.
Tickets are $25 for general admission, $50 for reserves seating and $100 for VIP ringside seating. Tickets can be purchased by calling the Sheriff's Relief Foundation at 562-946-7081, and will also be available at the door.
For more information, contact Nancy Lewis at 213-241-7134.

WHITTIER -- A Whittier man with a fitting name has been sentenced for cultivating marijuana in an industrial building, authorities said.
Police arrested Kevin Stoner, 39, July 12 after he was found growing more than 300 pot plants inside a building in an industrial park at 13420 Lambert Road.
Stoner was due in Downey Superior Court for a hearing Tuesday, at which time he pleaded guilty to charges of cultivating marijuana and possession of marijuana for sales, Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office spokeswoman Shiara Davila-Morales said.
A judge immediately sentenced him to 180 days in jail and three years of formal probation, she said.
Investigators seized about 60 pounds of marijuana from the grow operation, valued at about $180,000, when they searched the building in July, police said at the time.
Stoner was arrested at the facility.
The hydroponic marijuana grow took up five separate rooms inside the building.

AZUSA -- Police arrested two men late Monday on suspicion of using a torch to steal change from a coin-operated car wash, officials said.
Craig Kemppainen, 47, of Upland and Thomas Lawyer, 50, of San Bernardino were booked on suspicion of possession of stolen property, possession of burglary tools and possession of drug paraphernalia, Azusa police Lt. Steve Hunt said.
The alleged theft was reported about 10 p.m. at the Azusa Car Wash, 514 N. Azusa Avenue, police said.
Two males were seen using a torch to cut the locks of coin machines," Hunt said.
Officers found the men and their vehicle nearby, and recovered more than $300 worth of coins, the lieutenant said, as well as other evidence linking them to the crime.
According to county booking records, Kemppainen and Lawyer were being held in lieu of $20,000 bail each and were due for arraignment Wednesday in West Covina Superior Court.

NORWALK -- A man was arrested on suspicion of burglary burglary and other crimes after breaking into a youth counseling facility and stealing computers early Tuesday, authorities said.
John Rodriguez, 44, of Norwalk was being held without bail at the Inmate Reception Center in Los Angeles, according to county booking records.
The Helpline Youth Counseling center, 12440 E. Firestone Blvd., Ste. 1000, had been broken into twice in the past month, Los Angeles County sheriff's Sgt. Brian Doyle.
"A deputy happened to be nearby when the alarm call came out (about 2 a.m.)," the sergeant said. "He dashed over there and caught the guy."
Rodriguez was trying to flee the area in a stolen car when he was stopped, officials added. Several computers and other items believed to be stolen were found in the car.
Rodriguez also had an outstanding warrant for his arrest, Doyle said.
Detectives were looking into whether Rodriguez was involved in the previous burglaries at the counseling center.
According to county booking records, he was due for arraignment Wednesday in Bellflower Superior Court.

LOS ANGELES -- Two executives of an adult entertainment company with offices in Santa Fe Springs and Cerritos have pleaded guilty to charges of falsifying tax returns, authorities announced Tuesday.
Oscar Macias, 36, of Anaheim pleaded guilty Monday in federal court to a county of filing a false individual tax return, U.S. Department of the Treasury Special Agent Linda Lowery said.
His former business associate, 34-year-old Catherine Shihad, pleaded guilty Sept. 20 to a charge of filing a false tax return on behalf of the business she and Macias worked for -- Universal Media Management, officials said.
"During the 2003-2005 tax years, UMM's business consisted of providing live, adult entertainment to adult customers for which the customers made cash payments to UMM," Lowery said.
"Macias received income from UMM that he did not report on his federal income tax returns," she added. The estimated lost tax revenue totaled about $33,000.
In Shihad's case, "Shihad caused the tax preparer to prepare a federal corporate income tax return for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2004 which was false," Lowery said. "UMM's net income was substantially more than the amounts reported on the 2004 tax return. The estimated lost tax revenue totalled about $140,000.
As part of their plea agreements, Macias and Shihad both agreed to file amended returns, correctly reporting previously omitted income, officials said.
Macias and Shihad each face a maximum of three years in federal prison and a fine of $250,000 at sentencing. Macias is scheduled to be sentenced Jan. 9, while Shihad is scheduled to be sentenced Nov. 28.
The investigation was carried out by the IRS - Criminal Investigation, along with the United States Attorney's Office for the Central District of California.

LA MIRADA -- A man accused of fleeing the scene after fatally striking a 72-year-old La Mirada man pleaded not guilty Tuesday in Downey Superior Court.
Geoffrey Rocha, 27, of La Mirada is accused of vehicular manslaughter, hit-and-run and driving without a valid license in connection with the fatal Sept. 20 hit-and-run of Raul Quintanilla on Santa Gertrudes Avenue at Lawnhill Drive, Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office spokeswoman Shiara Davila-Morales said.
He's due back in court for a hearing Oct. 21, Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office spokeswoman Shiara Davila-Morales said.
Rocha's brother, 30-year-old Gregory Rocha, died March 5 crash at the same intersection when the pickup truck he was a passenger in crashed.
Services for Quintanilla, an entrepreneur and chef for the Orange County Sheriff's Department, had not been scheduled Tuesday.

ALHAMBRA -- A Los Angeles man died Friday after his motorcycle collided with a big rig on the 10 Freeway, officials said.
The name of the motorcyclist was not released Saturday pending notification of his family members, coroner's officials said. California Highway Patrol officials initially described him as a 51-year-old Los Angeles man.
The crash occurred about 4:30 p.m. on the Garfield Avenue onramp to the westbound 10 Freeway, CHP officials said in a written statement.
"For unknown reasons, (the motorcyclist) was unable to negotiate a right turn to enter the normal lanes of traffic," the statement said.
The rider then lost control of his 2008 Harley-Davidson Road King, which struck the right, rear portion of a big rig being driven by a 51-year-old Fontana man, according to the CHP.
The rider was then thrown from his motorcycle and was struck by the truck in the right lane of the Freeway, the statement said. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

GLENDORA -- A robber fled with an unknown amount of cash Friday after giving a video game store employee a note demanding cash and claiming he was armed, authorities said.
The crime was reported just after 9 p.m. at GameStop, on Lonehill Avenue at Gladstone Street, Glendora police Lt. Rob Lamborghini said.
In addition to the money, the robber also stole a video game, officials said.
Though the note he passed stated that he had a gun, no weapon was seen, the lieutenant said.
Police described him as a white man in his mid-20s, wearing a baseball cap, a gray hooded sweat shirt and blue jeans. He was last seen fleeing in a silver, boxy-shaped Scion.

From the Associated Press:

GOLDEN VALLEY, MINNESOTA -- A woman shot and killed by police on Interstate 394 was identified late Friday as Katherine Marie Gordon of Altadena.
Golden Valley police officer tried to stop the white Honda Civic that Gordon, 58, was driving near U.S. 169 around 1 p.m. Thursday, authorities said.
Gordon continued driving for half a mile before finally pulling over to the left side of the freeway just past the Hopkins Crossroad overpass. Authorities said Gordon had a handgun, though it is unclear if she fired.
Gordon died of multiple gunshot wounds, according to the Hennepin County Medical Examiner Office. The office called the manner of death a homicide. No further information is currently available.
The Golden Valley officer involved in Thursday's shooting was not injured. The officer was to be placed on administrative leave while the incident is under investigation. The Hennepin County sheriff's office is investigating.

PASADENA -- Prosecutors have filed murder charges Friday against two of the four people arrested this week in connection with the slaying of a Pasadena barbershop owner, while the other two persons are being released, police said.
King E. King, 43, of Pasadena was found dead early Wednesday in a shared parking lot behind his barbershop on the 900 block of East Washington Avenue.
The Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office filed murder charges with special circumstances involving robbery against Devon Westley Moore, 22, of Los Angeles, and Sabrina King, 18, of Compton, Lt. Phlunte Riddle said.
The D.A.'s office rejected filing charges against the other two individuals, Alfred Mayes, 22, of Pasadena and Michelle McGowan, 23, of Pasadena, citing insufficient evidence, she said. Mayes and McGowan are being released and are no longer considered persons of interest, she said.
King was killed during the course of a robbery, police said.
The special allegation of killing for the purpose of robbery potentially makes Moore and Sabrina King eligible for the death penalty, officials said. Prosecutors will decide at a later date whether to pursue the death penalty.
King King died from "multiple stab wounds of the neck," according to Lt. Larry Dietz of the Los Angeles County Department of Coroner.
Moore was identified incorrectly Thursday in a police press release as Devon Wesley.
Moore and Sabrina King were being held without bail.

ROWLAND HEIGHTS -- An elementary school was found burglarized and several computers stolen early Friday, officials said.
The break-in took place in the early-morning hours at Killian Elementary School, 19100 Killian Ave., Los Angeles County sheriff's Lt. John Saleeby said.
Officials discovered a window broken at a building on the campus, and several computers were taken, he said.
Further details were not available.

PASADENA -- A man was robbed at gunpoint Thursday while sitting in his car in front of the Rose Bowl Aquatics Center.
The crime took place about 7:30 p.m. in the parking lot, 360 N. Arroyo Blvd., Pasadena police Lt. Diego Torres said.
A 29-year-old Pasadena man was sitting in his car when he was approached by a Latino man in his early 20s, about 5 feet 5 inches tall, 130 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes, the lieutenant said.
The robber brandished a handgun and demanded property from the victim, Torres said. He stole the victim's wallet and iPod and jumped into the passenger seat of a white or silver, late-model, small imported SUV.

WEST COVINA - Officers are looking for a man clad in blue who beat and carjacked a 63-year-old driver after he left a Veterans of Foreign Wars post Thursday.
West Covina police Lt. Marty Sevilla said the victim, a Temple City resident, ended up with lacerations to his face and a swollen left eye.
He also had difficulty breathing and was taken to Citrus Valley Medical Center, Queen of the Valley campus, but was expected to be okay, police said.
The man had left the VFW, 2328 West Merced Avenue, about 4:30 p.m. and was sitting in his 1991 Toyota Camry when a man walked up to the car and demanded money, Sgt. David Lee said.
The driver told the suspect he didn't have money.
The attacker pulled open the driver's side door, punched the driver in the face and yanked him out of the car, Sevilla said. The suspect continued to punch and also kicked the 63-year-old.
He then drove off with the car.
On Friday morning, "We recovered that car over off of (the 200 block of South) Bandy Avenue," Lee said. It was taken back to the police station for forensic examination.
Police Friday continued their investigation, talking to residents near where the car was found and checking for any potentially useful surveillance camera footage.
The carjacker was described as a Latino, about 30, between 5 feet 7 inches and 5 feet 8 inches tall and weighing between 160 to 180 pounds. He wore sunglasses, a blue shirt, blue pants and a blue hat.
Anyone with information on the case is asked to call West Covina police at 626-939-8500.

EL MONTE -- Police jailed an El Monte woman late Thursday after finding computers and other items in her home that were stolen in a , authorities said.
Guadalupe Cabrera, 18, was booked on suspicion of possession of stolen property, El Monte police Lt. Dan Burlingham said.
The break-in was reported July 14 at Cogswell Elementary School, 11050 Fineview Street, the lieutenant said.
Detectives received information that items belonging to the school may be at a home not far from the school on Cogswell Road, Burlingham said.
Police were able to find a computer belonging to the school at the home, before obtaining a search warrant and finding additional items taken from the campus, he said.
Specific details about what was stolen in the school burglary and what items were recovered were not available Friday.
According to sheriff's booking records, Cabrera was being held in lieu of $20,000 bail pending an initial court appearance.

PASADENA - A bicyclist was killed Thursday night when his bicycle and a car collided.
The 61-year-old man died of his injuries at Huntington Memorial Hospital, said Pasadena Lt. Pete Hettema. He said the bicyclist wasn't wearing a helmet.
The man's name wasn't released because his family hadn't been notified yet.
Hettema said the crash happened at 6:13 p.m. at Colorado Boulevard and Terrace Drive.
The bicyclist was riding eastbound on the sidewalk of Colorado Boulevard. He collided in the crosswalk with an Audi making a left turn from westbound Colorado Boulevard.
Hettema said the driver, a 29-year-old Pasadena man, stayed at the scene.
The driver wasn't injured, police said, and no crime was initially suspected.

From the Associated Press:

LOS ANGELES -- In most shootings in which Los Angeles County sheriff's deputies fired at suspects who appeared to be holding or reaching for a weapon, the suspect turned out to be unarmed, according to a report released Thursday.
The report by the Police Assessment Resource Center analyzed six years of shooting data, including from so-called "state-of-mind" incidents where a deputy opened fire after seeing a suspect clasp an object or reach for his waist area.
In 61 percent of the 53 cases reported, the suspect turned out to be unarmed; in most cases, it turned out the suspect was holding something like a cellphone or sunglasses, the report found.
According to the report, the number of state-of-mind shootings increased from nine in 2009 to 15 in 2010. In 96 percent of similar cases since 2005, the suspect who deputies shot at was black or Latino.
The sheriff's department said the figure was not surprising because deputies patrol areas in south and east Los Angeles County that are home to a plethora of black and Latino gangs.
The report's author, Merrick Bobb, noted that the sheriff's jurisdiction spanned far more than just gang turf but he stressed it would be wrong to infer deputies harbor intentional bias.
Instead, he called into question the effectiveness of deputy training, noting that in almost a third of shootings, deputies had received no relevant training in the past two years.
"Knowing that black and Latino men are more likely to be shot or shot at ... the sheriff's department should be doing a better job to reduce as far as possible mistaken shootings," Bobb said in his report.
Sheriff's spokesman Steve Whitmore said the department had not had time to fully digest the report, but it took issue with some of the report's methodology, including that it only drew on a small amount of data.
Whitmore noted that while state-of-mind shootings have increased slightly, deputies have also dramatically increased the numbers of arrests they make.
Bobb carries out audits of the sheriff's department twice a year under a contract he has held with county officials since 1992.

WHITTIER - A 25-year-old man suffered significant injuries but was expected to survive after he was struck by a car while crossing the street Thursday, authorities said.
The accident was reported about 5:40 p.m. on Mar Vista Street near Valley View Avenue at 5:38 p.m., Whittier police officials said.
According to the initial investigation, "He appeared from between two parked cars," Lt. Carlos Solorza said. "The driver didn't have time to react."
Hamilton said the man sustained a deep cut to his head and possibly a broken leg.
He was flown by helicopter to Los Angeles County--USC Medical Center with injuries that were not believed to be life-threatening.
The driver of the car remained at the scene and cooperated with investigators, Solorza said. Nothing criminal was initially suspected.

WEST COVINA -- The family of a 24-year-old man shot to death by West Covina police in late 2008 has accepted a $1.5 million settlement from the city to dismiss a lawsuit alleging excessive force and reckless intent, their attorney said Thursday.
Omar Garcia of West Covina died Nov. 27, 2008, after being shot 15 times by two police officers in the parking lot behind a Target store.
The West Covina City Council authorized a $1.5 million settlement in the case earlier this month, city officials said. Two-thirds of the money will be paid by the city, while the remaining $500,000 will be covered by insurance.
Officers Stephen Delgadillo and Enrique Macias encountered Garcia in the parking lot of the Target store at 2370 S. Azusa Ave. during a manhunt for a suspect who had been involved in a shooting in the area earlier in the day, Owen said.
<NO1><NO><NO1><NO>"When the actual facts of this incident came to light... we found out that this boy was doing nothing wrong. And, in a case of mistaken identity, was killed by officer Macias, who shot him in the back approximately 10 times," said attorney Greg Owen -- who represents Garcia's mother, Irma Herrera, and sisters Michelle Celeste Garcia and Jazmin Ortega.
The lawyer said it appeared that Garcia was shot after being mistaken for the man involved in the earlier shooting.
"This shooting violated every procedure, all of the training that an officer in West Covina, or any other country receives, but more importantly, it violates the basic moral rule, which is, in America, we respect and cherish human life," Owen said.
The West Covina Police Department has maintained that Garcia was shot by the officers in self-defense after Garcia picked up Delgadillo's baton and tried to strike the officer with it during a scuffle.
Los Angeles County District Attorney's investigators have concluded the shooting was justified.
In the District Attorney's report on the shooting, Deputy District Attorney Christina Buckley wrote, "Under these circumstances, we conclude the officers acted lawfully in self-defense and the defense of others. Therefore, we are closing our file and will take no further action on this matter."
Owen disputes the claim that Garcia, who weighs 150 pounds, attacked an officer with a baton, citing testimony gathered during videotaped depositions of Macias and Delgadillo.
"Officer Macias defended his action by stating to his supervisors, and while under oath in the civil case, that the reason he shot Omar Garcia was because Omar Garcia picked up his partner's baton off of the ground, raised it over his head and was about to crush that police officer's skull," Owen said.
"Officer Delgadillo, under oath, testified that Omar Garcia never picked up his baton, never held it over his head, and never made a motion to strike him with the baton," Owen said.
West Covina Police Chief Frank Wills said Owen's account of events was incorrect.
Garcia was not shot in the back, he said.
"The deceased did have a baton in his possession. Ballistics show both officers were on the ground at the time they were shooting," he said.
"I continue to the support the action of my police officers 100 percent," Wills said.
The District Attorney's report indicates that Delgadillo was trying to speak with an uncooperative Garcia and had pulled his baton in response to perceived strange behavior on Garcia's part, such as refusing to obey orders or make eye contact.
Macias then arrived on scene and the situation quickly escalated, according to the District Attorney's report. Seeing Delgadillo with a drawn baton, and Garcia standing in a "fighting stance," Macias rushed to help and attempted to grab a hold of Garcia.
Garcia then lunged at Macias, the report states, and a fight ensued between Garcia and the two officers.
Garcia punched Delgadillo in the face several times during the struggle, Buckley wrote.
Macias told investigators that he saw Delgadillo and Garcia fighting over the baton when Delgadillo fell backward, leaving Garcia with the weapon, according to the report.
When Garcia raised the baton over his head as if to deliver a blow to Delgadillo, "Fearing for his partner's life, Macias drew his gun and started firing at Garcia," the report states. Macias told officials he saw Delgadillo raise his arm in a defensive motion, as if to block an oncoming blow.
In Delgadillo's account to investigators, according to the report, he looked up after falling backward, "He did not see anything in Garcia's hand," Buckley wrote. "While on the ground, he heard three gunshots."
"(Delgadillo) then saw Garcia on the ground pushing up as he reached for and grabbed the baton which was on the ground," the District Attorney's report states. "He feared Garcia was going to use the baton to beat him 'to death.' In fear for his life, Delgadillo drew his weapon and fired at Garcia."
Differing stories from the officers are not unexpected in stressful situations like officer-involved shootings, officials said.
"The discrepancy between Delgadillo and Macias' recall of the moments leading up to the shooting is not surprising," Buckley wrote. "It is not unusual for people to see the same event yet see or hear it differently. This phenomenon occurs even under calm conditions."
In all, investigators found Macias had fired 11 shots and Delgadillo fired four.
Macias attempted to use a Taser to control Garcia three times, but the device did not work, officials said.
Delgadillo suffered bumps on his head, a bruised right eye and cheek, a cut to his lip, abrasions, a sprained left ankle and an injured left wrist in the incident, officials said. Macias was treated for abrasions on his left elbow.
City Attorney Arnold Alvarez-Glasman said the settlement is not an admission of wrongdoing. The city believes the officers acted justly, and the settlement was offered to avoid the possibility of an even larger judgement being awarded by a jury.
Owen said he was especially concerned about the behavior of Macias, who has already a $1 million judgement against him in an unrelated excessive force case.
"It's currently being appealed," Wills said of the litigation.
Details of the previous excessive force case were not available Thursday.
A portion of the events leading up to the shooting were captured by a nearby surveillance camera, officials said.
Police have thus far refused to release the tape, citing the pending litigation. The shooting itself is not captured on the tape, Wills said. "Not even muzzle flash," he said.
Owen said Garcia's mother has been devastated by the death of her son, who she lived with.
"She spent more time with him than any other human being," Owen said.
A student at California State University Los Angeles, "(Garcia) seemed like a very well-adjusted young man who was attending college and had a very bright future ahead of him," Owen said.
While Garcia's mother is satisfied with the outcome of the litigation, Owen said, "It goes without saying that $10 million, $100 million would not bring back her son and that part of her life."

ROWLAND HEIGHTS -- A fire damaged a Rowland Heights home but caused no injuries early Thursday.
The blaze was first reported about 12:40 a.m. in the 300 block of Hallridge Drive, Los Angeles County Fire Department Inspector Quvondo Johnson said.
Firefighters arrived to find the garage of the home "well-involved" with fire, he said.
Firefighters extinguished the flames in under 20 minutes, officials said.
The cause was suspected to be an electrical appliance in the garage.
A family living at the home was displaced by the damage, Johnson said.
A dollar-value estimate of the damage was not available.

MONTEBELLO -- A gunman corralled employees in an office as he robbed a fast-food restaurant Wednesday, police said.
The crime was reported shortly before 3 a.m. at Jack-in-the-Box, 892 N. Garfield Ave., Montebello police Lt. Rich Meadows said.
The robber was described as a Latino man in his late 20s, about 6 feet 1 inch tall and 200 pounds, clean-shaven, with short brown hair and brown eyes, officials said. He wore a gray sweater, blue pants and carried a semi-automatic handgun.
After ordering employees into an office and stealing an unknown amount of cash, the robber possibly fled in a white, newer-model Toyota Camry, Meadows said.
No injuries were reported.

WHITTIER -- A motorcyclist is expected to survive after colliding head-on with a car on Pickering Avenue late Wednesday, authorities said.
The 58-year-old Whittier man was taken to St. Francis Medical Center in Lynwood with a mild concussion, but his injuries did not appear to be life-threatening, Whittier police Lt. Carlos Solorza said.
The crash took place about 8:45 p.m. in the 7200 block of Pickering Avenue, officials said.
The motorcyclist was southbound on Pickering Avenue when, "for unknown reasons, he drifted into northbound traffic and hit a car head-on," Solorza said. The driver of the car was not hurt.
The cause of the crash remained under investigation. Nothing criminal was initially suspected.

LA MIRADA -- Community members are invited to a neighborhood watch and crime prevention meeting Saturday.
The meeting will be held at 10 a.m. at Garden Hill Elementary School, 14607 Gardenhill Drive, Los Angeles County sheriff's Lt. Patrick Valdez said.
Neighborhood watch programs, local crime trends and crime prevention will be discussed.
For more information, call the sheriff's La Mirada Substation at 562-902-2960.

From the Associated Press:

MEXICO CITY -- Suspected drug traffickers dumped 35 bodies at rush hour beneath a busy overpass in the heart of a major Gulf coast city as gunmen pointed weapons at frightened drivers. Mexican authorities said Wednesday they are examining surveillance video for clues to who committed the crime.
Horrified motorists grabbed cell phones and sent Twitter messages warning others to avoid the area near the biggest shopping mall in Boca del Rio, part of the metropolitan area of Veracruz city.
The gruesome gesture marked a sharp escalation in cartel violence in Veracruz state, which sits on an important route for drugs and Central American migrants heading north.
The Zetas drug cartel has been battling other gangs for control of the state.
Prosecutors said it's too soon to draw conclusions from the surveillance video.
"We're not going to confirm or deny anything," Veracruz state Attorney General Reynaldo Escobar Perez told the Televisa network Wednesday. "We're looking at it in
different ways, we're seeing different numbers, that's why we don't want to get ahead of ourselves."
Escobar said the bodies were left piled in two trucks and on the ground under the overpass near the statue of the Voladores de Papantla, ritual dancers from Veracruz
state. He said some of the victims had their heads covered with black plastic bags and showed signs of torture.
Among the bodies was a local police officer who had gone missing two weeks ago, Escobar told W Radio in Mexico City. He told MVS Radio many of the victims were
strangled, some bled to death and one person had been shot dead.
Escobar did not return phone calls from The Associated Press.
Police have identified 32 of the victims so far and maintain they all had criminal records for acts such as murder, drug dealing, kidnapping and extortion and were
linked to organized crime, said Magda Zayas, spokeswoman for the Veracruz Attorney General's Office.
State Gov. Javier Duarte said on his Twitter account "the killing of 35 people is deplorable, but it's even more deplorable the same victims chose to extort, kidnap and kill."
Duarte said an intelligence database shows the 35 victims had a criminal background.
Motorists posted Twitter warnings said the masked gunmen were in military uniforms and were blocking Manuel Avila Camacho Boulevard.
"They don't seem to be soldiers or police," one tweet read. Another said, "Don't go through that area, there is danger."
Veracruz is currently hosting a conference of Mexico's top state and federal prosecutors and judiciary officials.
Local media said that 12 of the victims were women and that some of the dead men had been among prisoners who escaped from three Veracruz prisons on Monday, but Escobar
denied the escaped convicts were among the dead.
At least 32 inmates got away from the three Veracruz prisons. Police recaptured 14 of them.
Drug violence has claimed more than 35,000 lives across Mexico since 2006, according to government figures. Others put the number at more than 40,000.

LA MIRADA -- A man accused of fatally running down an elderly La Mirada man and fleeing the scene lost his brother in a car crash at the same intersection six months ago, officials said.
Geoffrey Rocha, 27, of La Mirada is expected to be arraigned today in Downey Superior Court on charges of vehicular manslaughter and hit-and-run, Los Angeles County sheriff's officials said.
He was driving a 2003 Chevrolet Malibu that struck and killed 72-year-old Raul Quintanilla of La Mirada as he crossed Santa Gertrudes Avenue and Lawnhill Drive about 4:30 a.m. Tuesday, Deputy Jeff Tibbetts said.
Rocha is accused of then fleeing the scene before abandoning the car a short distance away.
He was jailed hours after the crash when he arrived at the sheriff's Norwalk Station with an attorney to surrender, as deputies were obtaining a warrant for his arrest, investigators said.
Rocha's brother, 30-year-old Gregory Rocha of La Mirada, was a passenger in a pickup truck that crashed at the same intersection on March 5, killing him.
The driver of the truck, 30-year-old Jason Hagan of Whittier, was also killed in the crash. The cause of the crash was determined to be drunken driving.
Raul Quintanilla had lived in La Mirada with his family for more than 40 years, said his son, Ray Quintanilla.
"He was a really great dad," he said. "He's well loved and he'll be missed.
"He was really outgoing. He had a lot of friends," Ray Quintanilla said. "A lot of people in the neighborhood were his friends.
"He liked boating, camping and hiking. He liked fishing and he was a member of the Elks Club," he said.
An avid outdoorsman, Raul Quintanilla also loved to read and to learn.
"He was a book type of person," the son said. "He was open-minded. You could talk to him about anything."
When the tragedy occurred, Raul Quintanilla had been taking morning walks regularly to help him recuperate from another car accident he was in about a year ago, as well as the effects of radiation cancer treatment, Ray Quintanilla said.
"You can't keep a good man down whose been active all his life," he said. "He was taking his walks to get himself back in shape. He was doing good. He was building himself up."
Raul Quintanilla spent the bulk of his career as a successful entrepreneur, starting restaurants with Ray in Inglewood and Buena Park, the son said. About 30 years ago, he joined the Orange County Sheriff's Department as a chef.
"He was a volunteer on many projects with the Orange County Sheriff's Department," Ray Quintanilla said.
Raul Quintanilla is survived by his wife, Elida, sons Ray and Richard, a granddaughter, three brothers and two sisters.
Funeral services had not yet been arranged Wednesday.
According to county booking records, Geoffrey Rocha was being held in lieu of $1 million bail at the sheriff's Norwalk Station.
Any witnesses to the crash are asked to contact Deputy Tibbetts at 562-466-5441.

Updated version of story including arrest of suspect:

LA MIRADA - A 72-year-old La Mirada man died early Tuesday after being struck by a hit-and-run driver while crossing Santa Gertrudes Avenue, officials said.
A 27-year-old La Mirada man suspected of driving the car was later arrested when he showed up at the sheriff's Norwalk Station with his lawyer, according to Lt. Frank Rivera.
Geoffrey Rocha was booked on suspicion of vehicular manslaughter and hit-and-run. He is being held at the station jail in lieu of $1 million bail.
The fatal collision occurred about 4:30 a.m. at Santa Gertrudes Avenue at Lawnhill Drive.
Raul Quintanilla, 72, was crossing west across Santa Gertrudes Avenue in an unmarked crosswalk when he was struck, Deputy Jeff Tibbetts said.
Due to the complexity of the investigation, as well as the severity of the injuries suffered by the victim, Tibbetts referred to the crash as "probably the worst one I've ever seen."
Quintanilla, who was out for a morning stroll, was pronounced dead at the scene.
"(Quintanilla) died as a result of his injuries instantaneously," Tibbetts said. "He took a severe hit."
The speed of the car was not available Tuesday.
"The suspect, after hitting him, slowed down, then continued southbound on Santa Gertrudes," Tibbetts said.
The 2003 Chevrolet Malibu involved in the crash was found parked in a residential neighborhood less than a mile from the crash scene within minutes of the fatal hit-and-run, investigators said. The passenger-side windshield had been smashed.
"There is no question in my mind," that that driver knew they had struck someone, Tibbetts said.
Investigators tracked down the registered owner of the car at his home in an unincorporated county area near Whittier, however it was determined after questioning that he was not driving when Quintanilla was struck, officials said.
Rivera said the suspect got wind that deputies were looking for him and that he was a named suspect on an arrest warrant. Rocha arrived at the station about 3:45 p.m.
He said Rocha will be arraigned today at Downey Superior Court.
Witnesses to the crash or anyone with information was asked to call Deputy Tibbetts at 562-466-5441.

STAFF PHOTO by Keith Birmingham

SAN DIMAS -- Coroner's officials have identified a 61-year-old man who died Tuesday following a fire at his San Dimas home.
Russell Bennett was pronounced dead at San Dimas Community Hospital within an hour of the 4 p.m. fire at his townhouse in the 900 block of Bidwell Road, Los Angeles County Department of Coroner Assistant Chief of Operations Ed Winter said.
"A bush caught on fire next to a townhouse, setting his house on fire," Winter said. "The decedent was seen going back into his house at least two times."
The man emerged from his house with his pet parrot and was near his car when he suddenly collapsed and stopped breathing, according to officials and neighbors.
He did not appear burned or injured from the fire, neighbor Ashly Delgado, 21, said.
It was not clear Wednesday if Bennett died as a result of the fire, or if he suffered a medical condition such as a heart attack, Winter said. An autopsy will be carried out to determine the cause of death.
No one else was injured in the blaze.
The cause of the fire was under investigation.

SAN DIMAS -- A man died following a house fire Tuesday, officials said.
The fire was first reported about 4 p.m. at a duplex in the 900 block of Bidwell Road, Los Angeles County Fire Department Battalion Chief Bob Ryan said.
When firefighters arrived, they found a man of about 60 years old who was already outside of the burning home, but collapsed in full cardiac arrest, Ryan said.
It was not clear if the man suffered smoke inhalation or other injuries in the fire, or suffered some sort of medical problem.
He was rushed to a hospital, where officials pronounced him dead a short time later, Los Angeles County Fire Department dispatch supervisor Melanie Flores said.
The cause of the blaze remained under investigation.
About 50 firefighters extinguished the flames in about 15 minutes.
Neighbor Gavi Loor, 46, said she first noticed some bushes were on fire in front of the duplex and tried to put out the flames with a garden hose. She soon realized that the flames had spread to the home.
Neighbor Ashly Delgado, 21, said she saw the man exit his home with his pet parrot safely. He walked across the street, then collapsed.
The man appeared to stop breathing immediately, Delgado said.
Both neighbors said the man had lived on the street for more than 15 years, and he would often help neighbors with yard work or give them rides.
They had not yet received word of his death.
"He's awesome. He's a great guy," Delgado said.

PASADENA - An Alhambra man who was arrested after he allegedly ran over a woman who fell off her bicycle early Sunday and then fled will likely be released pending a continuing investigation, police said Tuesday.
Nicholas Avila, 21, was booked on suspicion of hit-and-run and driving under the influence and was being held at Pasadena police jail in lieu of $100,000 bail.
The victim, who later died from her injuries at Huntington Hospital, has been identified as 24-year-old Jocely Young of Alhambra.
"It's a real tragic accident and a complex case and we have to make sure we're taking our time to make sure that every aspect of the case is thoroughly investigated before we present our case to the D.A.'s office," said Traffic Lt. Randell Taylor.
Police officers are required to file charges within 48 hours of the suspect's arrest or must release him, he said.
Young and her boyfriend had left a local bar Sunday and were riding bicycles south on Los Robles Avenue, just south of Cordova Street, when Young fell off her bicycle and was run over at about 1 a.m., Taylor said.
Witnesses are in the process of being interviewed and video surveillance from the incident must still be examined and analyzed, he said.
"We like to err on the side of caution and be thorough," Taylor said.
A witness followed the hit-and-run vehicle to Alhambra and called police. The driver was then arrested, officials have said.

NORWALK -- A La Verne man received a sentence of 40 years to life in prison Tuesday for shooting another man in the head in an unincorporated county area near Whittier, court officials said.
Carlos Humberto Ramirez, 44, was convicted earlier this year of the February 2009 shooting of then-29-year-old Danny Rodriguez of Glendale on Esperanza Avenue
Rodriguez was sitting in the back seat of a car, which Ramirez opened fire on, when he was struck in the head by gunfire, authorities said. No one else was injured.
Ramirez was convicted of attempted murder, shooting at an occupied vehicle and being a felon in possession of a gun.

LOS ANGELES -- Sheriff's deputies Tuesday sought a tagger who uses the moniker "RUETS" for his alleged role in vandalizing several trains, busses and other public property, officials said.

Thomas Benson, 28, a.k.a. "RUETS" allegedly belongs to several tagging crews including AL (At Large), PDB (Pros Don't Boast) and ND (North East). He may also belong to a group known as Mad Society Kings, sheriff's deputy Michael Thibodeaux said in a statement.

"MSK is a tagging crew that we know to have ties to several other crews here in L.A., including those that Benson is a part of," said Thibodeaux, "We believe a tagger, Jason Williams, who uses the tagger moniker REVOK, is a leading figure in the MSK crew."

In April Williams was convicted and sentenced to 180 days in jail after a judge found that he had violated the terms of his probation in a previous vandalism conviction. He was found to have violated his probation on a misdemeanor vandalism charge by failing to pay adequate restitution to his victims, officials said.

Williams was arrested by deputies with the Sheriff's Metro Transit Services Bureau Special Problems Unit prior to his April conviction.

"These taggers are not misguided kids," Detective Sergeant Ron Marquez said in a prepared statement, "These suspects are in their 20s and 30s. They are adults who pass themselves off as artists, when in reality, they're criminals who commit vandalism crimes that cost property owners and taxpayers a lot of money to clean up."

For more information, visit the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department website to see "LA's Most Wanted Taggers at:

http://sheriff.lacounty.gov/wps/portal/lasd/graffiti/

To see some of RUETS work visit:

http://graffiti.graffhead.com/2009/05/ruets-go-lakers-round-2.html

From staff and wire reports:

COVINA -- A former Gladstone High School volunteer has been sentenced to 180 days in jail for having sex with a 16-year-old student.
A Pomona Superior Court judge on Monday also placed 23-year-old Eric Duong on five years' probation and ordered him to register as a sex offender.
The West Covina man pleaded no contest last month to having sex with the girl, who attended Covina's Gladstone High School.
Duong was arrested after the teen's parents contacted police in April.
Duong was not employed by the school district and worked on campus as an informal volunteer, police said.
He has also volunteered at West Covina High School, and worked or volunteered at high schools in Orange and Tustin, authorities said.
Duong instructed extracurricular activities at all of the schools he was known to have worked or volunteered at.

LA CRESCENTA -- A briefcase abandoned at an overpass led to all lanes of the 210 freeway being shut down for nearly an hour Monday.
Sheriff's Sgt. Randy Tuinstra said the sheriff's bomb squad determined it was empty.
He said a passing motorist spotted the briefcase on the Rosemont Avenue overpass near the eastbound 210 Freeway about 6 p.m. and called the California Highway Patrol. The CHP then notified the sheriff's Crescenta Valley Station.
Tuinstra said the bomb squad arrived with a robot and rendered the briefcase safe.
CHP Officer Anthony Martin said a SigAlert was issued at 6:18 p.m. and all freeway lanes were reopened at 7:12 p.m.
- By Staff Writer Ruby Gonzales

CLAREMONT -- An off-duty South Pasadena officer was injured Monday night after his motorcycle and a car collided.
The crash happened around 6:30 p.m. on Mt. Baldy Road.
South Pasadena police Sgt. Craig Cooper said the 34-year-old officer was on his way home when a driver pulled out in front of him.
Cooper said the woman behind the wheel was an inexperienced driver and turned into the motor officer.
The officer ended up with a road rash and injured his elbows and legs, according to the sergeant.
Cooper said the officer was flown by helicopter to Los Angeles County USC Medical Center where he is being kept overnight for observation. The officer is listed in stable condition.
The driver of the car wasn't injured.
- By Staff Writer Ruby Gonzales

GLENDORA -- An armored car guard was arrested Monday after he allegedly fired a shot toward a freeway embankment.
Glendora police Lt. Joe Ward said it doesn't appear anyone was injured during the 8:30 a.m. incident on the eastbound 210 Freeway near Grand Avenue.
The man had asked the van's driver to pull over in the No. 4 lane.
"The driver didn't think it was unusual because they were about to get off (the freeway). Their next stop was Glendora," Ward said.
While the van was still moving, he said the passenger opened the door and shot one round toward the embankment.
"Basically he told the driver he did that because he was stressed," Ward said.
Ward said the stunned driver was concerned and made a discreet call to a supervisor in between stops.
It was arranged that Arcadia police would detain the man when the armored van was at the Westfield Santa Anita Shopping Mall in Arcadia, according to Ward.
Officers disarmed Richard Chairez, 25, of Santa Ana and called Glendora police since the shooting happened in their area.
Chairez was booked on suspicion of negligent discharge of a firearm. He was being held at Glendora jail in lieu of $35,000 bail.
He will be arraigned Wednesday at West Covina Superior Court.
- By Staff Writer Ruby Gonzales

LA MIRADA -- A 72-year-old La Mirada man died early Tuesday after being struck by a hit-and-run driver while crossing Santa Gertrudes Avenue, officials said.
Raul Quintanilla, died at the scene of the 4:30 a.m. incident on Santa Gertrudes Avenue at Lawnhill Drive, Los Angeles County sheriff's Deputy Jeff Tibbetts said.
Due to the complexity of the investigation, as well as the severity of the injuries suffered by the victim, Tibbetts referred to the crash as "probably the worst one I've ever seen."
Quintanilla, a 72-year-old man out for a morning stroll, was pronounced dead at the scene, Lt. Al Reyes said.
"(Quintanilla) died as a result of his injuries instantaneously," Tibbetts said. "He took a severe hit."
The speed of the car was not available Tuesday.
"The suspect, after hitting him, slowed down, then continued southbound Santa Gertrudes," Tibbetts said.
The involved 2003 Chevrolet Malibu was found parked in a residential neighborhood less than a mile from the crash scene within minutes of the fatal hit-and-run, investigators said. The passenger-side windshield had been smashed.
"There is no question in my mind," that that driver knew they had struck someone, Tibbetts said.
Investigators tracked down the registered owner of the car at his home in an unincorporated county area near Whittier, however it was determined after questioning that he was not driving when Quintanilla was struck, officials said.
The search for the hit-and-run driver continued Tuesday afternoon. "There are some persons of interest," Tibbetts said.
Quintanilla was crossing west across Santa Gertrudes Avenue in an unmarked crosswalk when he was struck, Tibbetts said.
Any witnesses to the crash or anyone with information was asked to call Deputy Tibbetts at 562-466-5441.

From the Associated Press:

LA HABRA -- The City of La Habra has enacted a law to keep sexual predators from city parks and playgrounds.
Monday's action creates a "child safety zone" which are off limits to registered sex offenders unless they obtain written permission from the police department.
Under the new ordinance, sex offenders caught in the zones would face misdemeanor prosecution that is punishable by up to six months in jail and or up to $500 in fines.
The law is modeled after an Orange County ordinance that took effect in May. That law created "child safety zones" in county parks and harbors. Similar laws have been enacted by the cities of Westminster and Irvine.

LA PUENTE - Deputies arrested a man for allegedly stabbing his wife in the thigh Friday night.
Alfredo Garcia, 50, was booked on suspicion of attempted murder, officials said. He was being held without bail due to an immigration hold.
The stabbing was reported at 10:04 p.m. in the 13900 block of Moccasin Street. Authorities don't yet know what led to the attack.
Sgt. Mark Stonich said the woman was taken to a hospital. Deputies found the husband at a nearby gas station and arrested him on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon, according to Stonich.
He said deputies didn't find a knife.
According to county booking records, Garcia was due to be arraigned Tuesday in El Monte Superior Court.

WHITTIER -- A man and woman suffered serious injuries Saturday in a motorcycle crash on Whittier Boulevard, police said.
The crash was reported about 3 p.m. on Whittier Boulevard at College Avenue, Whittier police Lt. Kent Miller said.
A 25-year-old man who was driving the motorcycle and a 22-year-old woman, both from unincorporated Whittier, suffered "numerous broken bones," cuts, abrasions and other injuries, the lieutenant said. They were taken to St. Francis Medical Center in Lynwood, where they were expected to survive.
The investigation was ongoing, Miller said, however it initially appeared the motorcyclists were westbound on the boulevard when an eastbound Honda Accord, being driven by a 21-year-old woman, turned left in front of them.
The driver of the Honda was not hurt.

LOS ANGELES -- A former Pico Rivera man was sentenced to 60 years to life in prison Friday for shooting another man to death in Montebello four years ago, court officials said.
Ernie Sandoval, 29, received his sentence in Los Angeles Superior Court, where he had previously been convicted of the July 14, 2007 murder of 25-year-old Melvin Estrada of Los Angeles.
Sandoval went looking for Estrada and shot him to death as he stood near a friend's car in the 1900 block of West Whittier Blvd., authorities said.
Sandoval was angry because his girlfriend had told him she had been in a fight with Estrada after he tried to take away her ringing cell phone. Sandoval was the caller.
Previously convicted of assault with a deadly weapon in 2001, Sandoval was sentenced as a second-strike offender.

NORWALK -- A man who convicted of the stabbing death of his girlfriend in her Santa Fe Springs apartment received a 12-year prison sentence Friday, officials said.
Manuel Duron, 28, of Santa Ana has pleaded "no contest" to a charge of voluntary manslaughter for the death of 19-year-old Crystal Ann Coronel on Dec. 18, 2009, court officials said. Her body was discovered in her apartment in the 8200 block of Santa Fe Springs Road three days after her death.
A motive in the killing has not been released.
Duron was first arrested in connection with the killing in 2009, but released due to a lack of evidence, officials said.
After further investigation, authorities then re-arrested Duron on Feb. 24 in Anaheim and charged him with the killing.

MONROVIA -- Authorities are cautioning residents in the foothill portion of the city to be aware after a mountain lion spotting on Lotone Street late Thursday.
A police sergeant on patrol spotted the animal about 10:40 p.m., Monrovia police Sgt. Dan Verna said.
California Department of Fish and Game officials were notified and will respond if another sighting is reported, the sergeant said.
An automated phone message sent to residents living north of Hillcrest Boulevard advised residents to, "monitor your domestic pets and small children. (And) call the Monrovia Police Department immediately if you see a mountain lion."

ARCADIA -- A pizzeria will donate a portion of it's profits Wednesday to the Alhambra Police Officers' Association for their 2012 Peace Officer's Memorial Day activities, officials said.
California Pizza Kitchen at the Westfield Santa Anita shopping mall, 400 S. Baldwin Ave., will donate 20 percent of profits from both dine-in and take-out orders from 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. when customers mention the Alhambra Police Officers' Association, Alhambra police Lt. Jennifer Wiese said.
Wiese plans to take part in the Peace Officer's Memorial Day activities, beginning May 9 in New Jersey, which culminate with a memorial bicycle ride to Washington, D.C.
At the upcoming memorial event, Alhambra officials will ride in honor of Alhambra police Officer Ryan Stringer, 26, who was killed in an on-duty car crash on July 10, 2011.

SANTA FE SPRINGS -- A shooting Thursday night sent one man to the hospital with gunshot wounds to the leg and buttocks.
Whittier police Lt. Mike Przybyl said two men were shot at but only one man was hit.
Who shot at them and why were not known, as the victim were not cooperating with investigators, police said. The wounded man was believed to be a gang member.
Police received a call about a shooting outside the Food 4 Less at 7810 Norwalk Blvd. in Santa Fe Springs at 8:47 p.m. When officers got there, he said victims and suspects were gone.
An officer who happened to be at Presbyterian Intercommunity Hospital later saw the victim arrive at the hospital.
Przybyl said the man's injuries weren't life-threatening.

PASADENA -- Police arrested a man Thursday on suspicion of robbing a teenager, who was injured when he tried to hang on to the suspect's fleeing car.
Amir McAfee, 23, of Pasadena was booked on suspicion of robbery, Pasadena police Lt. Diego Torres said.
A 14-year-old boy was riding his skateboard about 7 a.m. at Sinaloa Avenue and Loma Vista Street when a man approached him in a car, the lieutenant said.
The driver told asked the teen to use his cell phone to make an emergency call, and the teen handed over his phone, Torres said.
The suspect began driving off with the phone, and the teen held onto the car for a short distance before falling off, officials said.
Police said the teen suffered abrasions and possibly a broken foot when he fell.
A patrol officer spotted a car matching the description of the car used in the robbery and arrested the driver, Torres said.

MONTEBELLO -- Sentencing was postponed Thursday for a pickup truck driver who struck and killed an elderly Montebello woman and her dog in 2009, then fled the scene.
David Loera, 38, was ordered to return back to Los Angeles Superior Court Oct. 21 for sentencing, court officials said.
He faces up to 12 years in prison after being convicted last month of vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence and hit-and-run in connection with the Oct. 5, 2009 crash that claimed the life of longtime Montebello resident Norma Lambo, as well as her dog, Barney.
He struck Lambo as she walked at the intersection of Jefferson Avenue and Alfred Court, officials said. A passenger, who has not been identified, got out of the truck and removed Lambo's walker from the front bumper before the truck continued on.
Co-founder of Montebello's "Ashiya Sister Cities" organization, Lambo had deep ties to the Montebello community.
Loera, who had no driver's license at the time of the crash because he had failed vision tests, was arrested three days after the crash after investigators found his truck being repaired at a local auto body shop.

GLENDORA -- A man was behind bars Thursday on suspicion of groping young women at Citrus College, and police are seeking any other potential victims, authorities said.
Glendora police arrested Jose Antonio Villatoro, 32, a transient and student at Citrus College, on suspicion of sexual battery Tuesday, Detective Jason Tibbetts said. One alleged molestation took place Monday, and three occurred Tuesday at the campus, 1000 W. Foothill Blvd.
"Villatoro approached the victims while riding a blue BMX bicycle and engaged them in conversation," Tibbetts said. "The suspect then grabbed at the victims' legs and buttocks."
A campus security guard detained Villatoro until police arrived following Tuesday's incidents, police said.
Police are seeking any other possible victims of Villatoro who have not come forward.
Anyone with information is asked to call Glendora police at 626-914-8200.
According to county booking records, Villatoro was being held in lieu of $20,000 bail and was due for arraignment today in West Covina Superior Court.

PHOTO of Jose Villatoro courtesy of the Glendora Police Department.

WEST COVINA -- Police arrested a woman on suspicion of a home break-in Wednesday after being abandoned by her alleged accomplice, officials said.
Talia Iopu, 35, of West Covina was booked on suspicion of burglary, as well as outstanding arrest warrants for grand theft and possession of stolen property, West Covina police Lt. Tommy Garcia.
A resident of the 2600 block of East Norma Avenue came home to find a White Chevrolet Blazer parked in her driveway, and that her home had been broken into, the lieutenant said.
A woman sitting in the passenger seat of the Blazer slid into the driver's seat and drove off, police said. She was described as being in her late 20s and she had long curly hair with highlights in it.
No one was found in the home, where items such as electronics and jewelry had been stolen, Garcia said.
Officers found Iopu walking in the area of Hollenbeck Street and Garvey Avenue, identified her as a suspect in the burglary and arrested her, Garcia said.
According to county booking records, Iopu was being held in lieu of $50,000 bail and was due for arraignment Friday in West Covina Superior Court.

PICO RIVERA -- A judge sentenced a Pico Rivera man to 20 years in prison Wednesday for serving as the getaway driver in a 2004 gang killing, which the proud gunman commemorated by tattooing the crime scene on his chest.
Norwalk Superior Judge Thomas McKnew handed down the sentence to Robert Armijo for his role in the Jan. 23, 2004 slaying of 23-year-old John Juarez, court officials said. Armijo had pleaded guilty to assault with a deadly weapon and voluntary manslaughter.
Juarez was shot and killed in front of Mr. Ed's Liquor, 6616 Rosemead Blvd., officials said.
After the men asked Juarez where he was from -- a common gang challenge -- Anthony Garcia, 25, of Pico Rivera, shot him several times.
Armijo and Garcia were members of the Rivera 13 street gang, while Juarez belonged to the rival gang, Pico Nuevo.
Garcia's tattoo depicts a helicopter shooting a "Mr. Peanut" character in front of the liquor store. Investigators said Garcia's gang moniker is "Chopper," and Rivera 13 members refer to Pico Nuevo members as "peanuts."
Juarez killing remained a mystery until 2008, when Sgt. Kevin Lloyd of the Sheriff's Homicide Bureau looked through a book of gang member tattoos and recognized Garcia's unusual tattoo as depicting the 2004 shooting.
Garcia was convicted of murder and sentenced in May to 65 years to life in prison.

NORWALK -- The trial for a then-29-year-old P.E. teacher accused of carrying on an inappropriate relationship with a 14-year-old student has been postponed, officials said.
Trial for Jesse Serrato was scheduled to begin Tuesday in Norwalk Superior Court, however it was pushed back to October 20, court officials said. He's accused of four counts of lewd conduct on a child.
Serrato was arrested in March on suspicion of carrying on a months-long relationship with the teenage pupil. He is free on bail pending trial.
In addition to working as a P.E. teacher at East Whittier Middle School, Serrato was also a part-time football coach at La Serna High School, officials said.
He was placed on administrative leave from his teaching position, following his arrest, and fired from his part-time coaching job.
He was in his fourth year with the East Whittier City School District, he had coached at La Serna for three years and he has coached at Pioneer High School as long ago as 2002.

LA MIRADA -- Coroner's officials are investigating the discovery of a body found at La Mirada Regional Park early Wednesday as a possible suicide.
The body, initially described only as male, was found about 7 a.m. at the park, in the 13000 block of Adelfa Drive, Los Angeles County coroner's Assistant Chief of Operations Ed Winter said.
The death was initially reported as a possible suicide by hanging, however the investigation was in its early stages.
Los Angeles County sheriff's officials released no information.

DUARTE -- Two drivers escaped with only minor injuries after one car drove off an elevated freeway onramp, landing squarely on top of another, officials said.
The crash was reported about 5:40 a.m. on the westbound 210 Freeway, just west of Mount Olive Drive, California Highway Patrol Officer Kerri Rivas said in a written statement.
A 23-year-old Azusa man was entering the 210 Freeway from Mount Olive Drive when, for reasons that remained under investigation, he lost control of his 1998 Toyota Camry and the car drove off an elevated onramp, Rivas said.
The car went airborne and fell an estimated 15 to 20 feet, landing on its wheels on a 2007 Toyota Camry being driven west in the No. 3 lane, the officer said.
After bouncing off the newer Camry, the falling vehicle rolled over onto its roof in the roadway.
The 54-year-old Azusa man in the newer car suffered only minor injuries, officials said. The driver of the older Camry suffered minor cuts to his head and arms.
The three right lanes of the freeway were shut down for about an hour during the investigation.

MONTEREY PARK -- Police shot and killed a knife-wielding man early Wednesday after he threatened his mother, then lunged at officers with the blade, authorities said.
The dead man's name was not released pending positive identification and notification of next of kin, coroner's officials said.
Officers responded at 12:18 a.m. to a report of a family disturbance in the 200 block of North McPherrin Avenue, Los Angeles County sheriff's Sgt. Harry Drucker said in a written statement.
Monterey Park police Lt. Jess Alvarado said a man called police to report his mother and his brother were locked in a room, and he heard his mother say, "Please don't kill me."
Police arrived to hear screams coming from a locked bedroom, Lt. Dave Coleman of the Sheriff's Homicide Bureau said.
"Upon kicking the door open the officers were confronted by the suspect who lunged at them with a large kitchen knife," he said. "Fearing for their safety, an officer fired at the suspect fatally striking him."
The woman was unhurt, officials said, and the knife was recovered at the scene.
Witnesses told police the man, who didn't live there, showed up at the home about midnight.
The Sheriff's Homicide Bureau is assisting Monterey Park police in the investigation.

WHITTIER -- Officials Wednesday released the name of a 49-year-old Whittier man struck and killed by a pickup truck while crossing Beverly Boulevard over the weekend.
Cesar Edgar Rodriguez died at a hospital within an hour of Saturday's 10:30 p.m. accident on Beverly Boulevard, just east of Pioneer Boulevard, Los Angeles County coroner's Assistant Chief of Operations Ed Winter said.
Rodriguez was crossing mid-block when he was struck by a westbound pickup truck, police said.
Whittier police Lt. Carlos Solorza said the driver of the pickup truck remained at the scene and cooperated with investigators, and nothing criminal was initially suspected.

WHITTIER -- A man died late Saturday after being struck by a pickup truck while crossing Beverly Boulevard, officials said.
The man's name was not released Sunday pending notification of his family members, Los Angeles County Department of Coroner's Investigator Jerry McKibben said. He was initially described as a 49-year-old Whittier man.
The accident was reported about 10:30 p.m. on Beverly Boulevard, just east of Pioneer Boulevard, Whittier police Lt. Carlos Solorza said.
The man was crossing north across Beverly Boulevard when he was struck, the lieutenant said.
"A pickup truck travelling westbound did not see him and struck him," Solorza said.
The driver of the truck remained at the scene and cooperated with investigators, he said. Nothing criminal was initially suspected.
The pedestrian was crossing the street mid-block in a dark area when struck, police said.
The injured man was taken to an area hospital, where he was pronounced dead just under an hour later, Solorza said.

COVINA -- A motorcyclist was badly hurt in a crash Saturday, authorities said.
The collision was reported about 4:30 p.m. on Citrus Avenue, just south of Arrow Highway, Covina police Sgt. Matt Eddings said.
The motorcyclist, a 57-year-old Azusa man, was hospitalized in critical-but-stable condition, the sergeant said.
Both the motorcycle, a Harley-Davidson, and the car, a Mercedes-Benz, were southbound on Citrus Avenue prior to the crash, police said.
It initially appeared that the driver of the car made a right turn from the left lane of the roadway, striking the motorcyclist in the right-hand lane, Eddings said.
Drugs or alcohol were not believed to be a factor, police said, and the driver of the car, a man in his 50s, was not cited or arrested.
The investigation was ongoing.

ANGELES NATIONAL FOREST -- A man was suspected of drunken driving Saturday after his car plummeted 500 feet over the side Glendora Mountain Road, injuring himself and two passengers, authorities said.
The crash was reported just before 5:30 a.m. on Glendora Mountain Road, near Glendora Ridge Road, in the forest north of Glendora, according to California Highway Patrol logs.
The 1996 Ford Mustang was northbound on Glendora Mountain Road, traveling along with three other vehicles, CHP Officer Theodore Jolin said.
"At the time, the visibility was approximately 20 to 30 feet because of the fog up there," the officer said.
The Mustang went over the side of the road and finally came to a rest about 500 feet down a steep embankment, Jolin said.
The driver, a man of about 20, was able to climb out of the vehicle and back to the road, officials said. His passengers, a man and woman who were also about 20 years old, had to be rescued from the wrecked car by members of the sheriff's San Dimas Search and Rescue Team.
The passengers were flown to separate hospitals via helicopters, Jolin said. Their conditions were unclear Saturday afternoon.
The driver, whose name was not available, was hospitalized by ambulance with moderate injuries, officials said.
Officials noticed what appeared to be an odor of alcohol on the driver's breath, Jolin said, and investigators ordered blood drawn at the hospital for testing.

LOS ANGELES COUNTY -- Extra sheriff's deputies and resources will keep an eye on the county's buses and trains Sunday during the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department is responsible for patrolling the buses and trains of the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority.
"Although there have been no specific threats against the transit system for 9/11, the sheriff's department and Metro are committed to the safety of their patrons, will remain vigilant and exert every effort to curtail any potential threat to the system and the riding public," sheriff's Metro Transit Services Bureau Capt. Dan Cruz said in a written statement.
More than 723,000 people board Metro buses and trains on an average Sunday, officials said. Metro railways extend 79.1 miles through the county.
Cruz asked anyone who sees suspicious activity at any Metro station or on any train or bus to report it immediately by calling (888) 950-7233. Tips can also be left anonymously with L.A. Crime Stoppers by calling 800-222-8477.

WEST COVINA -- City officials this week authorized a $1.5 million settlement to the family of a Cal State Los Angeles student who was shot 15 times and killed by two West Covina police officers in 2008.
In a closed session meeting Tuesday, the City Council voted 4-1 in favor of authorizing the settlement to end a lawsuit filed by the family of Omar Francisco Garcia, 24, of Arcadia. Garcia was shot to death in 2008 by West Covina officers Stephen Delgadillo and Enrique Macias after he allegedly attacked them with their own batons in a Target parking lot.
The offer will remain on the table for a 30-day period, and if the family does not accept it, the matter will remain on trial, City Attorney Arnold Alvarez-Glasman said.
"We're still awaiting acceptance from the plaintiff in this case," Alvarez-Glasman said. "There has been an offer that has been made and until an offer has been accepted, the case is still open."
Attorney Greg Owen, who is representing Garcia's mother, Irma Herrera, and sisters Michelle Celeste Garcia and Jazmin Ortega, declined to comment on the offer Friday. Owen filed a claim in May 2009 alleging reckless intent and excessive force by the Police Department and later filed a lawsuit.
West Covina Councilwoman Shelley Sanderson cast the sole vote against the settlement offer. She did not return calls for comment.
Police Chief Frank Wills expressed sympathy for Garcia's family, but said his officers acted justly.
"The death of a human being is always a tragedy by any measure. But that being said, I stand behind the actions of the officers 100 percent," Wills said. "(The shooting) was thoroughly investigated by the Sheriff's Department and the District Attorney's Office."
District attorney's investigators determined the shooting was "lawful self-defense," he said.
The case stems from a Nov. 17, 2008 incident when officers Delgadillo and Macias responded to reports that Garcia was acting suspiciously behind a Target store at 2370 S. Azusa Ave., according to sheriff's deputies.
Garcia told his mother he was going to the store to apply for a job. A manhunt from an unrelated car-to-car shooting earlier in the day had prompted police to swarm the area in search of the culprit.
When officers encountered Garcia in the store parking lot, a fight ensued and police said Garcia grabbed an officer's baton and tried to use it on them.
An officer tried to use a Taser to disable Garcia, but the device malfunctioned, police said.
The officers then fired their guns, striking Garcia 15 times, officials said. Seven of the wounds were determined to be fatal.
Garcia also sustained blunt force trauma to his face, and the baton was found bloodied next to the body of Garcia, who was handcuffed and pronounced dead at the scene when the coroner arrived, according to the autopsy report.
The two involved officers are still employed by the city, Alvarez-Glasman said.
Although the city is proposing an offer, it is not an admission of guilt, he said.
"There's no admission of fault by the city, department or officers," he said. "In these types of cases, while the city feels strongly that the action of the officers involved was consistent with our police department policies, these are also cases that carry with it the potential for significant damages."
If the case is settled, $1 million would come from the city's risk management funds and its insurance carrier would cover the rest. The settlement could be a benefit to the city, Alvarez-Glasman said.
"The potential damages could be significant and greater than that," he said. "Like any lawsuit, you can defend it but will never know what the jury will do."
- By Juliette Funes and Brian Day, Staff Writers

SOUTH EL MONTE -- A young man was wounded in a stabbing while celebrating his birthday early Saturday, authorities said.
Deputies responded to reports of an assault about 1:25 a.m. in the 1500 block of Millet Avenue, Los Angeles County sheriff's Sgt. Richard Mariscola said.
They found a man in his 20s suffering from stab wounds to his shoulder, the sergeant said.
The stabbing took place during a birthday party for the victim, he said.
Further details, including a suspect description, were not available.

EL MONTE -- Police Friday arrested a convicted sex offender who skipped out on his parole supervision, authorities said.
Manuel Rodriguez, 47, was spotted by an El Monte police detective Friday afternoon at the Valley Mall and arrested on suspicion of violating parole, El Monte police Detective Ralph Batres said.
He had been sought since he walked away from the East Los Angeles parolees home where he'd been staying and allowed his court-ordered GPS ankle bracelet's battery to die, the detective said. Rodriguez has two convictions for indecent exposure.
A detective had seen a wanted bulletin for Rodriguez and recognized him as he was sitting and drinking a cup of coffee at the mall, Batres said.

WHITTIER -- The cause of death of a 29-year-old man whose body was found inside a Whittier home remained under investigation Friday, authorities said.
Charles Rios Barton was pronounced dead shortly after he was found unresponsive Aug. 31 in the 15000 block of Cullen Street, Whittier police and coroner's officials said.
The death was initially reported to coroner's officials as a possible drug overdose, however the officials cause of death remained under investigation pending further forensic examination, Los Angeles County Department of Coroner Assistant Chief of Operations Ed Winter said.
Police have said there were no signs of foul play at the scene.

From the Arcadia Police Department's News and Information Blog:

The Arcadia Firefighters' Association (AFFA) will be conducting a memorial service to commemorate the ten year anniversary of the attacks on September 11, 2001. The memorial service will take place on Sunday, September 11, 2011, at the flag poles of Arcadia Fire Station 106, on the corner of Huntington Drive and Baldwin Avenue. The service will begin at 6:45 a.m.  This year marks the tenth anniversary of the September 11, 2001 attacks against our Nation.  To honor the sacrifice of the public safety officials who perished in the Twin Towers, the Arcadia Police Officers' Association will join the AFFA in honoring all law enforcement and fire fighter personnel who gave the ultimate sacrifice that day.  A traditional bell ceremony, musical tributes, wreath laying, and a roll call will serve to commemorate the public safety personnel lost, and the strength, resilience and unity of the American people . The event is free and open to the public. A small coffee reception will immediately follow. Parking is available behind the station in the Westfield Santa Anita Mall parking lot.

POMONA -- The Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office filed three counts of murder Thursday against a driver accused of killing a man and his pregnant girlfriend last month in a traffic collision.
Lorraine Martinez, 26, was allegedly unlicensed and driving a stolen car when she collided with a Nissan Maxima that made a left turn in front of her at about 1:41 a.m. on Aug. 1 at Holt and Garey avenues in Pomona.
The Nissan caught fire and collided with a pole, killing both people in the car: 22-year-old Miguel Herrera and 17-year-old Desiree Grajeda, both of Pomona.
Grajada was pregnant and in her third trimester, according to Pomona police.
Martinez, of Pomona, was arrested after she attempted to flee the scene on foot, police said.

- From Staff Writer Will Bigham

NORWALK -- A Norwalk tutor was behind bars Friday on suspicion of molesting a 13-year-old student, authorities said.
Frank Chung, 63, of La Palma was being held in lieu of $1 million bail at the Los Angeles County sheriff's Norwalk Station, according to sheriff's officials and county booking records.
He's the owner of the Kumon Math and Reading Center, 11657 The Plaza, where he has worked for five years, Sgt. Dan Scott of the sheriff's Special Victims Bureau said.
"The incident was reported to Norwalk patrol deputies on September 6, 2011, after the 13-year-old female victim was overheard telling one of her siblings of the inappropriate sexual contact with the suspect on several occasions," Scott said.
Special Victims Bureau detectives launched an investigation and arrested Chung without a struggle Thursday at his La Palma home, officials said.
"Based on the investigation, Detectives from the Special Victims Bureau believe there are more victims and are requesting help from the public," Scott said.
"(Chung) has worked in a similar capacity at centers in northern California for the past 25 years.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Special Victims Bureau at 877-710-5273.

PHOTOS of Frank Chung courtesy of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department

EL MONTE -- Two women and a man were behind bars Thursday on suspicion of stealing, altering and cashing checks, authorities said.
Melissa Santone, 30, of El Monte, Yvette Campbell, 41, of El Monte and Josue Flores, 33, of Chino were booked Wednesday on suspicion of forgery and making fictitious checks, El Monte police Detective Ralph Batres.
More than 100 people are believed to have been victimized by the scammers, he added.
Detectives Tim Siedentopp and George Fierro had been conducting an investigation into the theft of City of El Monte checks and tracked possible suspects to a Motel 6 3429 Peck Road, Batres said.
Police pulled over Santone as she drove away from the motel and discovered "numerous fraudulent and altered checks," the detective said.
Police then returned to the motel and arrested Campbell and Flores, Batres said.
"A search of Santone's room revealed numerous stolen person business checks and electronic devices to create and alter the checks, including items consistent with check fraud and stolen U.S. Mail," Batres said.
More than 100 checks were seized altogether, and they had been organized by street, officials said.
Officials were still working Thursday to identify the majority of the victims.
To avoid becoming a victim of a similar crime, Batres said police suggest using locking mailboxes when possible, and hand-delivering important outgoing mail such as checks to the post office.
Area resident are also advised to keep an eye on their bank statements and immediately report anything suspicious.
El Monte police expected to turn the investigation over to the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and the suspects will likely face federal charges, Batres added.
According to county booking records, the suspects were being held in lieu of $20,000 bail at the El Monte Police Department's jail. Their initial court dates were not available.

PASADENA -- A truck driver convicted in a crash that killed a man and his 12-year-old daughter begged forgiveness from the victims' family Thursday before receiving a prison sentence of more than seven years.
A Pasadena Superior Court jury found Marcos Barbosa Costa, 46, of Massachusetts, guilty in July of two counts of involuntary manslaughter as well as three counts of reckless driving causing injuries.
Costa was at the wheel of his car-hauling 18-wheeler when it lost its brakes on Angeles Crest Highway -- where large trucks are forbidden -- and collided with seven other cars and a bookstore just near Foothill Boulevard.
Angel "Jorge" Posca, 58, of Palmdale and his 12-year-old daughter, Angelina, were in a car that was struck by the big rig. They were killed instantly, and three other people suffered serous injuries in the massive crash.
Wearing a black suit and speaking through a Portuguese interpreter, Costa addressed the Posca family, who gathered in the courtroom wearing T-shirts with pictures of Angel and Angelina Posca.
"I know that each of you hates me today, but what I ask from all of you is forgiveness," Costa said. "I never meant to take the lives of anyone."
"I had nightmares and thought about the families and the moment I saw Angel Posca," Costa said.
"I wish, if I could, to have been in their place," he said. "I will always have this mark on my heart."
Costa, a minister, added that he's prayed for God to comfort the Posca family ever since the crash.
Costa faced a maximum sentence of nine years and four months in prison, however Judge Darrell Mavis handed down a sentence of seven years and four months behind bars.
Considering credits for 20 months already served in jail and good behavior, Costa will likely spend two years behind bars, said his attorney, Edward Murphy.
Murphy said he believed the sentence was "too harsh," but was still pleased with the result, considering Costa was initially charged, though acquitted by the jury, with two counts of murder and could have faced life in prison if convicted of those charges.
Prosecutor Carolina Lugo and members of the Posca family had urged the judge to impose the maximum sentence, saying Costa had ignored numerous warning that he should not proceed down Angeles Crest Highway.
"It's a small miracle that there weren't so many more deaths," Lugo said.
The defense argued that Costa should be sentenced to probation or time already served in jail, arguing that he posed no threat to the public and was not a dangerous criminal.
"This is a difficult position for the court to be in," Mavis said.
"The defendant appears to be a man who... before this incident, was living a life that was admirable," he said. Costa had no criminal record, was active as a minister and married for 22 years.
However, Mavis noted, a prison term was appropriate, "for the reason of the seriousness and the nature of this crime," and "based on the great violence and great bodily harm inflicted."
Family members shared memories of Angel and Angelina Posca and how the tragedy has affected them. Angelina was the youngest of seven children in the Posca family.
In a letter read aloud in court authored by Gionina Posca Alvarez, daughter of Angel Posca and sister of Angelina Posca, spoke of her sorrow.
"They both had magic about them. They were literally the center point of our lives," she said. "It's a tremendous tragedy for so many souls."
Giavana Posca, also a daughter of Angel Posca and sister of Angelina Posca, shared memories of her lost loved ones.
"(Angel Posca) is such an inspirational man," she said. "He had so many more life lessons to teach, so many more stories to tell."
"When I think of Angelina, my heart rips to pieces," Giavana Posca continued. "She was such a special little girl... She was beautiful, intelligent, driven and giving. She never failed to surprise me with her wit and charm."
Angelina loved ballroom dancing and dreamed of being an actress, her sisters said.
Mavis denied a request from the defense to allow Costa -- whose been free on bail in recent months -- to delay the start of his sentence for one week to allow him to get his affairs in order.
He was ordered into custody immediately and led from the courtroom in handcuffs.
In addition to his sentence, Costa was ordered to pay $87,204 to a victim restitutions fund and $23,762 in restitution to the City of La Canada Flintridge.
The past two years and four months since the crash have been a trying time for the Posca family, Gionina Posca said.
"(But) we will prevail, because that's what our father would have wanted," she said. "That's how we were raised."

GLENDORA -- A bicyclist was flown to the hospital with major injuries Tuesday after colliding with a car, police said.
The crash took place just before 12:45 p.m. at Glendora Street and Gladstone Avenue, Glendora police Lt. Joe Ward said.
The bicyclist, who was initially described as a man in his 40s or 50s, was flown by helicopter to a hospital with injuries that were believed to be life-threatening, the lieutenant said.
The driver of the passenger car involved in the crash remained at the scene and cooperated with investigators, Ward said.
Nothing criminal was initially suspected, however the investigation was ongoing.

A former Rosemead man allegedly wanted by authorities in California was arrested in Mexico Monday on suspicion of spousal abuse, according to Los Angeles County sheriff's officials and published reports in Guadalajara.
The man, identified as Henry Daniel West, 51, has outstanding warrants for his arrest in connection with a 2009 case alleging criminal threats and attempted extortion out of the sheriff's Temple Station, Los Angeles County sheriff's Sgt. Michael Martinez said.
According to La Prensa Jalisco, West was arrested by Mexican authorities on suspicion of spousal abuse Monday, before his wife told investigators he was also wanted in California.
La Prensa additionally reported that Mexican authorities contacted the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department to confirm that West was wanted in the United States.
Further details of West's alleged crimes in the Temple City area were not available Tuesday, and was unclear when he may be returned to the U.S. to face charges.

Services have been schedule for a 24-year Los Angeles police veteran and West Covina man who was killed in a motorcycle crash while on his way to work last week.
Jesus Ravega, 48, died following Friday's crash on the 101 Freeway at the 110 Freeway interchange, according to LAPD and coroner's officials.
A celebration of Ravega's life will be held at 7 p.m. Monday at the Lighthouse Baptist Church, 2600 N. White Ave. in La Verne.
A funeral will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at Faith Community Church in West Covina, 1211 E. Badillo Street, followed by en entombment ceremony at Rose Hills Memorial Park and Mortuary in Whittier.
Ravega was last assigned to the Foothill Area Detectives gang unit.
"The death of Jesus is a tremendous loss to the LAPD and to the community," Los Angeles Police Protective League President Paul Weber said. "Jesus was a dedicated police officer and will be greatly missed. Our heartfelt thoughts and prayers are with his family during this difficult time. Jesus was known for his kindness and his helpful nature and right now our focus needs to be on taking care of the family and friends he left behind."
Ravega, known to his friends as "Jess," is survived by his wife, Jeannette, two daughter and a son, longtime friend John Holloway said.
Ravega attended church with Holloway for the past 10 years at the Lighthouse Baptist Church in La Verne.
"Jess sang in a choir. He taught Sunday school," Holloway said.
A fellow church member was able to find Ravega's notes, and this past Sunday delivered Ravega's last sermon, Holloway said.
"He loved the Lord. He served the Lord diligently," Holloway said. He was also a dedicated father and husband and a passionate police detective, he added.
The friend further described Ravega as being "mild-manners" and having a "cool head."
"He always had a smile on his face, never complained and was diligent in doing what he needed to do."
"He was a good golfer," Holloway said. "He enjoyed life. He was a good motorcycle rider."
The crash took place about 11 a.m. Friday as Ravega was northbound on the freeway, LAPD officials said in a written statement.
"As he was passing a big rig truck, he lost control of his motorcycle and fell," the statement said. "The passing truck ran over the officer's motorcycle and then the officer."
Witnesses stopped to try to help and called 9-1-1, officials said. Ravega was rushed to Los Angeles County-USC Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead Friday afternoon.
"I just can't seem to say enough," Holloway said. "It's hard to explain in words. He's one of these types of persons that we all want to be."

ROSEMEAD -- A small fire Monday led investigators to find as many as 1,000 marijuana plants growing inside a Rosemead home, officials said.
No arrests had been made early Tuesday in connection with the indoor pot-growing operation, found about 7 p.m. Monday in the 4400 block of Lee Circle, Los Angeles County sheriff's Lt. Tim Murakami said.
Firefighters and deputies responded to reports of smoke at the home and went to investigate what was later found to be a small electrical fire in the garage, the lieutenant said.
Officials discovered the home had been converted into a marijuana farm, with about 800 to 1,000 plants complete with irrigation and lighting, Murakami said.
Detectives were continuing their investigation into who was responsible for the pot, he said.

WHITTIER -- Authorities have released the names of an elderly couple killed last week in a fire at their Whittier home.
Ronald Brownell Wanke, 87, and Margaret Chesney Wanke, 84, died following the Friday afternoon fire in the 10500 block of Orange Drive, Los Angeles County Department of Coroner Assistant Chief of Operations Ed Winter said.
Reports indicate Ronald Wanke was trying to rescue his wife from the fire when both suffered fatal injuries, Winter said.
"(Margaret Wanke's) husband called 9-1-1 and attempted to drag (her) out of the house," Winter said. She had difficulty getting around due to a recent hip fracture.
The couple tried to exit the back door but were unable, Winter said.
When police and firefighters arrived, Wanke was found in full cardiac arrest and rushed to a hospital where he died a short time later, Los Angeles County Fire Department Inspector Matt Levesque said.
An autopsy was pending Tuesday, however he may have succumbed to smoke inhalation, officials said.
Margaret Wanke was hospitalized with severe burns and ultimately died the morning after the fire, according to coroner's and fire officials.
A police officer who tried to rescue the couple but was himself overcome by the smoke was also hospitalized following the fire, but not seriously hurt.
The blaze was initially believed to have been sparked by an electrical problem.

From the Associated Press:

LOS ANGELES -- An off-duty Los Angeles police officer from West Covina has died in a motorcycle wreck near downtown.
Jesus Ravega, 48, was reportedly riding his motorcycle Friday on the northbound 101 Freeway near the connection to the 110 Freeway when he lost control while passing a big rig truck.
A police spokesman says the truck ran over the officer's motorcycle and then the officer.
Ravega was declared dead at a hospital.
He was a 24-year officer assigned to the Foothill Station.
Police did not say if he was en route to or from work at the time of the crash.

LA HABRA -- A man shot and wounded by La Habra police officer last month was not armed, and the officer may have mistaken a cell phone he was holding for a gun, authorities said Friday.
Manuel Galvan, 46, of La Habra remained hospitalized Friday and been charged with domestic violence, violating a protective order, damaging a wireless device with intent to prevent a crime report, dissuading a witness from reporting a crime and resisting police, La Habra police officials said in a written statement.
Officials have previously disclosed that the first officer to arrive Aug. 25 at the scene of a reported restraining order violation at a mobile home park at 1731 W. Lambert Road shot and wounded Galvan, however no further details of the shooting were released.
In a statement issued Friday, officials said the officer, whose name was not released, believed Galvan was brandishing a handgun.
"It appears the object in the subject's hand may have been a dark-colored cell phone," the statement said.
After arriving at the reported restraining order violation about 10:37 p.m., the officer spotted a man and woman arguing near a vehicle, according to La Habra police.
The officer ordered Galvan to move away from the vehicle, but instead, he entered the driver's side and emerged second later with "a dark object in his hand that the officer perceived to be a handgun," the statement said.
"The officer then ordered the subject, at gunpoint, to drop the weapons several times. The subject ignored these commands and began waving his arms around," the statement continued. "When the subject pointed the object toward the woman, the officer perceived her to be in imminent danger and fired his weapon. When the subject then turned toward the officer, he feared for his own safety and fired again."
No weapon was found at the scene, La Habra police said.
The shooting is being investigated by the Orange County District Attorney's Office, which has declined to discuss the case until the probe is completed.
Police released no further information.

PASADENA -- A man pleaded not guilty Thursday to an attempted murder charge in connection with a stabbing on a Metro Gold Line bus earlier this week, officials said.
Juan Vasquez Flores, 36, of Los Angeles was ordered to return to Pasadena Superior Court Sept. 15 for another hearing, court officials said.
He's accused of getting into a fight with a 32-year-old man and stabbing him on a northbound train as it approached the Memorial Park Gold Line Station at 125 E. Holly St.
Passengers rendered aid to the wounded victim, who was initially hospitalized in critical condition and remained hospitalized Thursday, Los Angeles County District Attorney's officials said in a written statement.
Witnesses also pointed out the attacker to police, officials said.
If convicted as charged, Flores could face life in prison.

POMONA -- A man was shot and wounded at Kennedy Park Thursday, police said.
Officers responded to reports of gunshots at the park, 1150 Fairplex Drive, about 11:50 a.m., Pomona police Sgt. Matt Stone said.
Witnesses also reported seeing a person running through the athletic field at nearby Ganesha High School and into a neighborhood, but police found no suspects or victims in the area.
About 20 minutes later, officials at an area emergency room reported receiving a 27-year-old Pomona man with a gunshot wound to his lower body, the sergeant said. The wound was not believed to be life-threatening.
No suspect information was available Thursday afternoon, and a motive in the shooting was unclear.
Ganesha High School was placed on lock-down for about 45 minutes during the investigation, police said.

PICO RIVERA -- Deputies Wednesday arrested a man they'd been seeking on suspicion of robbing his own mother at knifepoint earlier this week, authorities said.
Manuel Ortiz, 20, was booked on suspicion of robbery after a sheriff's sergeant spotted him at a local coffee shop, Lt. Bill Evans said. He's a transient known to frequent Pico Rivera.
He'd been sought since Monday, when he got into an argument with his mother at her home on Lindsey Avenue, then pushed her down and pulled a knife on her as he stole valuable from her house, Evans said.
Deputies spotted him in the 5400 block of Lindsey Avenue early Wednesday, but he eluded capture, officials said.
Later in the day, Sgt. Sgt. Debbie Gallego was handing out fliers in the area regarding Ortiz, Evans said.
She entered Barney's Coffee Shop, 4923 Rosemead Blvd., to drop off a flier when she noticed he was eating at the restaurant, the lieutenant said.
After a brief foot chase, deputies arrested Ortiz, Evans said. Valuables taken from his mother's home with him.
Citizens assisted by pointing out the direction he had run, Evans said, and a taxi driver flagged deputies down when Ortiz jumped into the back of his cab.
According to county booking records, Ortiz was being held in lieu of $135,000 bail and was due for arraignment Friday in Whittier Superior Court.

WEST COVINA -- West Covina police officials seized more than 100 pounds of cocaine and 12 guns, including an assault rifle, Wednesday, authorities said.
Cirilo Montes, 55, was arrested during the 3 p.m. search at his home in the 3900 block of Dwiggins Street in East Los Angeles, West Covina police Detective Adrian Del Haro said.
After developing information that Montes was involved in narcotics activity, The West Covina Police Department's Special Enforcement Team, which handles narcotics investigations and other targeted enforcement operations, launched a month-long investigation, the detective said.
"We've been following him throughout the month of August," Del Haro said.
Ultimately, officials removed 48 individually bundled kilograms of cocaine, six handguns, three rifles, two shotguns and an SKS assault rifle fitted with a bayonet from Montes' home, officials said.
Investigators estimated the street value of the drugs to be more than $1 million.
The bulk of the guns and drugs were found under Montes' bed, though one bundle was found in a laundry basket, investigators said. Several of the guns were loaded.
About $50,000 in cash, which was packaged by denomination, a money counting machine and equipment for vacuum sealing the cocaine bundles was also found. A bullet-proof vest was also recovered.
Though he was not on parole, Montes is a convicted felon who is barred from possessing firearms, Del Haro said.
Montes' wife and mother were also present at the time of the search, however neither was arrested, officials said.
Montes was not suspected of crimes in West Covina, however the police department's SET team develops leads and follows them wherever they go, officials explained. Many members of the team are also sworn Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents, expanding their jurisdiction.
"They're very, very diligent," Lt. Ron Mitchell said. "Once they get into an investigation, they usually follow it through."
The lieutenant added he was pleased with the results of Wednesday's efforts.
"We have a multitude of guns that are not going to be used by anyone, for any illegal purpose anyway," he said.
Wednesday's arrest and seizure came after Del Haro, who moved to East Los Angeles from Diamond Bar earlier this year, spotted Montes walking from his home to his car Wednesday afternoon and approached him.
Montes agreed to allow police to search his home, and the drugs and guns were soon discovered.
Montes' cooperated during the search and was arrested without a struggle, Del Haro said.
According to county booking records, Montes was being held in lieu of $2 million bail and was due for arraignment Friday in West Covina Superior Court.

LA MIRADA -- Authorities released surveillance photographs Wednesday of two men sought in a stabbing last month.
The attack took place about 1:30 a.m. Aug. 12 at a gas station in the 14000 block of Rosecrans Avenue, Los Angeles County sheriff's officials said in a written statement.
"The victim exchanged words with the suspects as they sat in their vehicle," the statement said. "Both suspects exited their car and approached the victim.
"(One attacker) knocked the victim to the ground and began stabbing the victim on his upper body and head with a knife," according to the statement.
During the stabbing, the second suspect prevented a friend of the victim's from intervening, officials said.
The victim, a man in his 20s, suffered superficial wounds, Lt. Bill Evans said.
The knife-wielding suspect was described as a Latino man, about 5 feet 7 inches tall, 200 pounds, with dark hair and dark eyes, officials said.
The second suspect was a Latino man, about 5 feet 7 inches tall, 160 pounds, with dark hair and dark eyes.
Both suspects fled in a dark-colored, possibly black, two-door Honda Civic.
Anyone with information is asked to call the sheriff's Norwalk Station.

NORWALK -- A woman used a gun to fight off two men who forced their way into her house after spray painting racial epithets outside early Thursday, officials said.
Two men, described only as male Latino suspects, scrawled anti-black graffiti on the outside walls of a home in the 12900 block of Lindale Street about 1:30 a.m., Los Angeles County sheriff's Lt. Bill Evans said.
They then forced their way inside of the home, occupied by a black woman in her 40s, he said.
But the frightened resident was ready with a gun, the lieutenant said.
"The resident, in fear for her safety, fired a firearm at the suspects," Evans said. "It doesn't appear anyone was struck."
The intruders then fled from the home and were not found.
Because the woman scared the suspects off so quickly, officials said, it was unclear what their ultimate intentions were.
Anyone with information is asked to call the sheriff's Norwalk Station.