Monthly Archives: November 2011

Crime roundup: Reward offered in $1 million heist, woman shot in Pasadena…

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Staff Writer Ruby Gonzales had a busy evening on the night crime desk:

SOUTH EL MONTE — Sheriff’s officials announced a $100,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of the suspects in a July 7 South El Monte robbery and to the recovery of the more than $1 million stolen.
The reward is being offered in conjunction with Lloyds of London. The payment will be in proportion to the amount of money recovered.
Investigators believe the robbers were familiar with the operation and floor plan of Commonwealth International Inc.
The company at 12356 Barringer St. stores cash to be distributed to ATMs throughout the region.
The robbery took place just after 7 p.m. on July 7. Detectives said an unknown number of armed suspects forced their way through the ceiling, slid down a rope and surprised the employees.
Deputies said the employees were blindfolded.
After taking control of the business, the suspects loaded the money into a waiting vehicle, according to Sheriff’s Lt. Chris Brackpool.
He said there is no security video of the robbery because the suspects also stole the video recording device.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Sheriff’s Major Crimes Bureau at 562-946-7893.

PASADENA — A woman was wounded when shooting broke out at a neighborhood Wednesday afternoon.
Pasadena police said the woman, who was shot in the knee, may not have been the intended target. The shooter eluded capture.
Lt. Pete Hettema said callers reported shots being fired on Dearborn Street, east of Summit Avenue at 4:45 p.m.
Police were also told that someone may have been injured at the scene.
Hettema said witnesses heard an argument before the incident. But police aren’t sure if the dispute was related to the shooting and haven’t pinned down who were arguing, according to the lieutenant.
Police closed down the block and searched for the suspect. He wasn’t found.
Hettema said the woman was taken to a hospital with an injury that wasn’t life-threatening.
The suspect was only described as a Latino in his 20s wearing a black shirt and black shorts.

PICO RIVERA — A pedestrian was accosted by an armed man Wednesday who took his cellphone and headphones.
Sheriff’s Lt. Brian Yanagi said the victim was walking on Passons Boulevard near Holbrook Street when a man approached and pointed a gun at him.
Yanagi said the robber grabbed the phone and the headphones from the victim and ran.
The suspect was described as a Latino in his 20s, 5 feet 11 inches tall, about 160 pounds with short hair. He was wearing a blue long-sleeved shirt and black pants.

WEST COVINA — A man wearing a surgical mask, sunglasses and a beanie broke into a store display case and stole jewelry on Wednesday.
Police were told the jewelry was worth thousands.
The masked thief showed up at the Kmart at 3:45 p.m., took out a pair of bolt cutters and snipped the cable tying a jewelry display case, according to West Covina police Lt. Alan Henley.
After swiping the jewelry, the suspect walked out of the store at 730 S. Orange Avenue and was seen getting into a gray compact car.

ALHAMBRA — Police arrested two men and a woman plus recovered possible stolen property after pulling over a car seen at a burglary on Wednesday.
The suspects’ names, ages and city of residences weren’t available Wednesday night.
Alhambra police Sgt. Kean Oda said the investigation is ongoing. He added that detectives are also checking if the suspects are tied to other burglaries.
A residential burglary was reported about 1:30 p.m. in the 1100 block of Azalea Drive.
Oda said a witness gave descriptions of a suspect and a vehicle seen leaving the area.
An officer later spotted a vehicle matching the description of the getaway car on the westbound 10 Freeway. He pulled it over.
The vehicle stopped at Westmont Drive and Valley Boulevard and one of the passengers ran.
Police detained the remaining two occupants and later found their quarry near the 710 Freeway and Valley Boulevard.
Oda said officers also discovered what appear to be stolen items in the car.

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UPDATE: Monterey Park hospital settles sexual harrassment, retaliation lawsuit

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MONTEREY PARK — MONTEREY PARK — Garfield Medical Center has agreed to pay $530,000 to settle a lawsuit alleging sexual harassment of female employees and retaliation against those who reported it, authorities announced Wednesday.
The lawsuit, filed by 10 female current or former employees of the hospital, alleged that a male emergency room staff member harassed female co-workers between 2007 and 2009, when he was ultimately terminated, according to a statement released by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
The hospital reached the settlement and “consent decree” without admitting any wrongdoing or liability, according to court documents.
“We decided to enter into the decree in order to avoid expensive and protracted litigation and are pleased to have this matter concluded,” Hospital officials said in a written statement. “The hospital’s dedicated team can now move ahead without distraction as we focus on our core mission — providing the highest quality of care to the patients we serve.”
The harassment included “inappropriate touching, propositions for sex, graphic discussions of sexual activities, obscene pictures and comments regarding female body parts, including those of underage patients,” the EEOC statement said.
“One employee was terminated upon reporting the harassment, while others were compelled to quit rather than endure the hostile work environment,” the statement continued. “Despite complaints to hospital management, the offending employee was not terminated until 2009, more than two years after the initial complaints were lodged.”
According to the hospital’s statement, the hospital took issue with the EOCC’s findings, but planned to comply with the terms of the settlement.
“While we disagree with the EEOC’s characterization of events, we fully support and intend to comply with all of the provisions in the consent decree, many of which will be incorporated into Garfield Medical Center’s existing policies and programs that address discrimination, harassment or retaliation in the workplace,” according to the hospital statement.
Under the settlement, the hospital will pay $430,000 to 10 identified victims and set aside $100,000 to for payments to yet unidentified victims, according to the EEOC.
The hospital also agreed to take other measures, officials said, such as purging negative reports from the claimants personnel records and taking steps to avoid future harassment and retaliation, such as toll-free complaint hotline and training for staff members.
Hospital officials said the facility had already put some of the required measured in place prior to the settlement.
“In fact, because of the significant steps the hospital took when the claims first surfaced, the training and other programs we put in place at that time already meet or exceed many of the requirements in the consent decree,” the statement said. “Furthermore, the individual involved was counseled and eventually fired.
“Our willingness to agree to the terms in the decree underscores our commitment to provide our employees, physicians, and patients with a comfortable and professional work environment that is free of discrimination,” the statement added.
Garfield Medical Center employs more than 1,300 people and treats more than 50,000 patients a year.
The hospital is operated by AHMC Healthcare Inc., which also runs five other Southern California hospitals: Greater El Monte Community Hospital, Monterey Park Hospital, the San Gabriel Valley Medical Center in San Gabriel, Whittier Hospital Medical Center and Anaheim Regional Medical Center.
“In order to be productive, employees deserve a workplace free from sexual comments, repeated propositions and inappropriate touching,” said Anna Park, regional attorney for the EOCC’s Los Angeles District Office.
“We commend Garfield for agreeing to sweeping injunctive relief remedies to ensure this does not happen again.”

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Covina girl struck by car remains hospitalized in critical condition

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COVINA — A 14-year-old Covina girl badly injured in a crash that killed her twin sister last week remained hospitalized Tuesday in critical condition, officials said.
Luana and Leilani Fukui were struck by a car Nov. 7 as they walked at Lark Ellen Avenue and Tudor Street on their way to Gladstone High School, authorities said.
Leilani died from her injuries three days after the crash.
According to Los Angeles County-USC Medical Center spokeswoman Rosa Saca, “(Luana’s) condition remains critical.”
A Facebook page created by friends of the family titled “Love for Lei & Lu” offers updates on the situation and a way to donate to the family.

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UPDATED Update on Pasadena bomb scare; three pipe bombs detonated

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PASADENA – A parolee led Pasadena Police on a
vehicle chase before barricading himself into an apartment with what
authorities believed to have been three pipe bombs, officials said
Wednesday.

The pipe bombs were detonated by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Bomb Squad on Wednesday morning.

Beau Eginton, 29, of Pasadena, was arrested and booked on
felony possession of explosive devices on Wednesday, Pasadena police Lt.
Phlunte Riddle said.

Eginton was on parole for possession of methamphetamine, she said.

The chase began Tuesday night when Eginton allegedly failed to
yield at traffic stop. Pasadena Police pursued the suspect in his
vehicle and then on foot, Riddle said.

Eginton locked himself in his apartment at 201 S. Oak Knoll Ave. in Pasadena.

“A containment was set up and we arrested the suspect,” Riddle
said. “We returned later to search the apartment with the owner’s
permission and found the devices.”

The Sheriff’s Bomb Squad robot removed the pipe bombs, each of which was exploded separately during the course of the morning.

Pasadena police had “no idea where (Eginton) got the explosives,” Riddle said.

Pasadena police detectives were scheduled to interogate Eginton on Wednesday afternoon.

MORE…

– From Staff Writer Brian Charles

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Azusa robbery suspects in custody

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AZUSA — Police jailed three men and a woman Tuesday in connection with a robbery the previous day near Azusa Pacific University.
Behroozm Alamdari, 33, of La Verne and Jason Ray Murray, 36, of San Dimas, were booked on suspicion of robbery, Azusa police Sgt. Andy Sutcliffe said in a written statement. Murphy was also accused of violation parole.
Keith Jamal Pollard, 41, of Pomona and and Janna Marie Palmer, 30, of Rancho Cucamonga were arrested on suspicion of possession of both stolen property and methamphetamine, the sergeant said.
An APU student was walking near APU in the 900 block of Alosta Avenue about 7 p.m. Monday when a man approached her and grabbed her purse, police said. After a brief struggle, the robber forced the purse from the woman and fled in a white pickup truck.
Two witnesses had to jump out of the way of the fleeing truck to avoid being struck, Sutcliffe added.
The investigation led police to detain, and ultimately arrest, the four suspects Tuesday at two separate locations in Pomona, he said.
Bail and court information for the suspects was not available Wednesday as the county booking records system, which is managed by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, was not working.

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Armed robbery reported at Montebello cell phone store

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MONTEBELLO — Police arrested one man and sought another Monday after an armed robbery at a cell phone store, police said.
Parolee Ruben Arreola, 28, of Los Angeles was booked on suspicion of robbery, Montebello police Lt. Rick Rojas said. A second robber remained at large.
The robbery was reported just before noon at Metro PCS, 2300 W. Beverly Blvd., the lieutenant said.
“Two suspects entered the store with a knife and a handgun,” he said. “A store employee was forced to lie on the ground as they proceeded to take cell phones, cell phone accessories, about $400 in currency, and the employees’ cell phone.”
The men then ran from the store, and nearby detectives spotted Arreola near the scene and arrested him without a struggle, Rojas said. Property believed stolen in the robbery was found in his possession, however a weapon was not.
Police searched for the other robber with no success, Rojas said. He was described as a Latino man in his 20s, of light complexion, bearing a blue or green sweater, blue jeans, a beanie and a black backpack.
Anyone with information on the outstanding suspect is asked to call Montebello police detectives at 323-887-1262.
According to county booking records, Arreola was being held without bail and was due for arraignment Wednesday in East Los Angeles Superior Court.
MONTEBELLO — Police arrested one man and sought another Monday after an armed robbery at a cell phone store, police said.
Parolee Ruben Arreola, 28, of Los Angeles was booked on suspicion of robbery, Montebello police Lt. Rick Rojas said. A second robber remained at large.
The robbery was reported just before noon at Metro PCS, 2300 W. Beverly Blvd., the lieutenant said.
“Two suspects entered the store with a knife and a handgun,” he said. “A store employee was forced to lie on the ground as they proceeded to take cell phones, cell phone accessories, about $400 in currency, and the employees’ cell phone.”
The men then ran from the store, and nearby detectives spotted Arreola near the scene and arrested him without a struggle, Rojas said. Property believed stolen in the robbery was found in his possession, however a weapon was not.
Police searched for the other robber with no success, Rojas said. He was described as a Latino man in his 20s, of light complexion, bearing a blue or green sweater, blue jeans, a beanie and a black backpack.
Anyone with information on the outstanding suspect is asked to call Montebello police detectives at 323-887-1262.
According to county booking records, Arreola was being held without bail and was due for arraignment Wednesday in East Los Angeles Superior Court.

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Apparent electrocution in Whittier remains under investigation

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An autopsy was carried out Tuesday on the body of a 24-year-old Whittier man who died after having a high-voltage power line fall on top of him over the weekend, however the officials cause of death was not determined, officials said.
Los Angeles County Department of Coroner’s officials identified the man as Joel Julius Ramirez. His cause of death was deferred pending further examination, coroner’s Lt. Fred Corral said.
Whittier police said the power line broke loose Saturday morning and started a fire on a roof of a home on Mooreland Drive. As Ramirez was trying to put out the fire, police said the wire fell and hit him. He was knocked unconscious.
The electrical line then landed on the prone Ramirez. A woman who tried to help him was also shocked and injured.
Ramirez was pronounced dead 2:12 a.m. Sunday at St. Francis Medical Center in Lynwood, according to Bale.

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Glendora man arrested in connection with West Covina stabbing released

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WEST COVINA — A man arrested in connection with the stabbing of another man at a party over the weekend was released from custody Tuesday after prosecutors declined to file charges, authorities said.
Christopher Cavins, 28, of Glendora was released from jail Tuesday afternoon after the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office declined to file a case against him due to insufficient evidence, according to D.A’s officials and county booking records.
He was attending a party about 9:30 a.m. Saturday in the 700 block of Glendora Avenue when another party guest accused him of stealing a cell phone, West Covina police officials said.
The two men became involved in a fight, during which Cavins stabbed the other man several times in the torso with a folding knife, according to police.
Cavins claimed the stabbing was self-defense, however police arrested him on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon.
The wounded man was hospitalized in stable condition.

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Azusa police handle robbery, attempted robbery

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Azusa police kept busy Monday dealing with a failed robbery at a store, as well as a successful purse-snatching in the parking lot of APU:

AZUSA — An armed man wearing a ski mask got away with nothing on Monday when he suddenly fled from a store before the clerk handed over the money.
Officers didn’t know what caused the robber to change his mind.
The robbery occurred at 7:55 p.m. when a man with a handgun entered the Radio Shack at 390 North Citrus Ave.
Azusa police Sgt. Xavier Torres said the suspect demanded cash.
As the clerk was about to give the money, Torres said the robber got spooked for unknown reasons, threatened to shoot the employee and ran.
The suspect was described as standing 5 feet 7 inches tall, weighing about 150 pounds and wearing black pants, a black hooded sweatshirt and a ski mask.

AZUSA — A college student was robbed of her purse Monday by a man in a pickup truck.
The incident was reported at 6:53 p.m.
Azusa Sgt. Xavier Torres said the woman was in one of the parking lots at Azusa Pacific University in the 900 block of East Alosta Avenue when a pickup truck drove past her.
The driver parked, got out, headed for the woman and grabbed her purse.
Torres said there was a brief tug of war over the purse before the suspect ran off with it.
As the suspect was heading back to Alosta Avenue, he nearly ran over two witnesses. The pickup truck was last seen on Citrus Avenue.
Torres said no one was injured.
The driver was described as a Latino or white man in his late 20s, 6 feet tall, 185 pounds with brown hair and brown eyes. He wore glasses and a dark-colored baseball cap.
He had a passenger but there was no description given for this suspect.
The suspects left in a mid ’90s white Chevrolet pickup truck with an extended cab.

– From Staff Writer Ruby Gonzales

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Bassett High student struck by car on way to school

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BASSETT — Rescuers flew a teenager to the hospital Tuesday after he was struck by a car while walking to Bassett High School, authorities said.
The incident was reported shortly before 8 a.m. at Puente and Temple avenues, Los Angeles County Fire Department Capt. Paul Sotelo said.
Firefighters treated a 17-year-old boy at the scene before taking him via helicopter to Los Angeles County-USC Medical Center, the captain said.
His vital signs were stable, however he appeared to have suffered head trauma and was rushed to the hospital as a precaution, Sotelo said. His condition was unclear.
The driver of the car remained at the scene, and nothing criminal was initially suspected, Los Angeles County sheriff’s Sgt. Kelly Huffman said.
It initially appeared that the teen was running late for school and darted into traffic when he was struck, she said.

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