Monthly Archives: June 2014

El Monte woman, Pico Rivera woman accused of defrauding immigrants

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Federal authorities arrested an El Monte woman and Pico Rivera woman Thursday on suspicion of filing fraudulent green card applications on behalf of immigrants, bilking some of them out of their life savings, officials said.
Claudia Arreola, 35, of El Monte, who own Los Angeles-based California Immigration Services, and her employee, 35-year-old Leticia Gutierrez of Pico Rivera, were taken into custody by agents from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations division, U.S. Department of Justice spokesman Thom Mrozek said in a written statement.
A federal grand jury Tuesday indicted the women on six fraud-related counts, officials said.
Six victims are named in the indictment, however investigators suspect there are likely dozens more.
The defendants charged undocumented immigrants who were married to U.S. citizens as much as $24,000, claiming to be able to help them secure legal immigration status, Mrozek said. But they went on to submit fraudulent documents, such as fraudulent I-94 cards stating the clients, who came to the U.S. illegally, were in the country legally on visitors’ visas.
“Subsequently, investigators say when several of the foreign nationals sought refunds after they failed to receive ‘green cards,’ the defendants allegedly threatened to contact authorities and have the aliens deported,” according to Mrozek.
“Fraud scams run by so-called notarios threaten the integrity of the immigration process and offer false hope to desperate people,’ U.S. Attorney Andre Birotte Jr. said. “The two women in this case victimized immigrants for years by giving the false impression that they could fix immigration problems.”
Additionally, “at least some of the victims in this case could have obtained green cards legally,” Special Agent in Charge for HSI in Los Angeles Clause Arnold said. “Instead, they placed their trust and, in many cases, their life savings, in the hands of individuals who were focused on enriching themselves rather than helping hopeful immigrants realize the American dream.”
The similarity between the acronym for Arreola’s business, CIS, and that of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, USCIS, “was no coincidence,” Mrozek added. Investigators found that money orders and cashiers checks issued to USCIS had been deposited into a bank account controlled by Arreola and Gutierrez.
The two defendants, among others, previously came under federal scrutiny in 2003 when they were sued by the government for allegedly providing immigration services in violation of California law, officials said. Under a settlement, they agreed not to engage in any illegal immigration consulting services.
They opened California Immigration Services in 2006.
If convicted as charged, Arreola and Gutierrez could each face up to 60 years in federal prison. They were scheduled to be arraigned Monday in federal court in Los Angeles.

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Covina man accused of series of assaults, sexual batteries against women

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An 18-year-old Covina man accused of attacking and groping five women, including a pregnant women, in the unincorporated county area near Covina since late 2012 is behind bars and awaiting trial, authorities announced Thursday.
0627_NWS_SGT-L-SANDOVALAlex Lorenzo Sandoval pleaded not guilty Tuesday in Pomona Superior Court to multiple counts of assault and sexual battery, Los Angeles County Superior Court officials said.
Deputies arrested him June 20 in connection with a series of five attacks on women dating back to December of 2012, Los Angeles County sheriff’s Lt. Andy Berg said in a written statement. Some of the charges were filed in juvenile court, as the alleged offenses occurred prior to Sandoval’s 18th birthday.
“During subsequent interviews, Sandoval admitted to committing all of these acts and wrote a letter of apology,” Berg said.
Sandoval’s arrest came after the victim of his most recent allege attack on April 11, 2014, spotted her previous assailant following her in the 21100 block of Nubia Street, Berg said. She called sheriff’s deputies, who found and arrested Sandoval at an apartment complex in the 21000 block of Arrow Highway.
In the attack two months prior, Sandoval approached the 47-year-old woman from behind, covered her mouth and groped her buttocks, Berg said.
A similar unprovoked attack took place April 14, 2013, in the area of Cienega Avenue and Treanor Street, sheriff’s officials said.
“A man approached her from behind, pushed her into a wall and tot he ground and kicked her while she was on the ground,” Berg said. The 30-year-old woman was five months pregnant at the time of the assault.
Another woman, 29, was attacked in the same area on Feb. 25, 2013, he said. In that case, an attacker approached her from behind, covered her mouth, pushed her into a wall and fondled her. He fled when a passing driver honked a car horn.
Women also reported strikingly similar attacks on Jan. 25, 2013, and Dec. 20, 2012, at the same apartment complex in the 21000 block of Arrow Highway. Both women were in their 20s.
0627_NWS_SGT-L-SANDOVALsketchA sketch of the serial groper was released by sheriff’s deputies in April of 2013 following the first four incidents. Sandoval was interviewed as a potential suspect, however none of the victims were able to identify him from a photographic line-up, and no arrest was made, Berg said. “Female detectives walked the area in hopes of luring the suspect, to no avail.”
Sandoval was scheduled to return to Pomona Superior Court July 17 for a preliminary hearing setting, court officials said.
He was being held without bail.

PHOTO/SKETCH courtesy of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department

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Stolen gun found hidden in baby crib during AB 109 probation compliance check in Alhambra

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Police arrested an AB 109 probationer Thursday after discovering a stolen handgun hidden inside a baby crib, as well as a small amount of drugs, during a compliance check, authorities said.
0627_NWS_PSN-L-CRIB_VERA_VINCENTVincent Daniel Vera, 28, was booked on suspicion of weapons and narcotics violations, as well as violation of his Post-Release Community Supervision stemming from a previous felony conviction, according to Alhambra police and Los Angeles County booking records.
Police and probation officials carried out a compliance check about 9 a.m. at Vera’s home on Almansor Street, near Main Street, officials said.
“As officers attempted a door knock at Vera’s residence, additional officers to the rear of the location observed Vera attempting to escape out the rear balcony,” Alhambra police officials said in a written statement. He was taken into custody and officers searched his home.
“A stolen firearm and loaded magazine were found in a baby crib that was in his bedroom,” the statement said. “A small amount of narcotics were also located.”
There was no baby in the crib with the gun and magazine filled with 9mm ammunition, police said.
Probation officials requested a check on Vera because he had failed to show up at an appointment to have his GPS ankle bracelet services, Alhambra police Sgt. Jerry Johnson said.
He was required to wear the ankle bracelet as a condition of his release from jail following a 2012 conviction for being a felon in possession of a firearm, officials said. His initial felony conviction was for domestic violence in 2006.
The handgun seized from Vera’s home had been reported stolen in Chino in 1990, Johnson said.
Vera was being held without bail pending his initial court appearance, scheduled Monday in Alhambra Superior Court.

PHOTOS courtesy of the Alhambra Police Department

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Teen arrested after leading Azusa police on chase in stolen car

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AZUSA — A teenage auto theft suspect led police on a brief chase before being arrested Wednesday, police said.
The chase began just before 10 a.m. when an officer spotted a 1995 Honda Accord that had been reported stolen driving in the area of Foothill Boulevard and Cerritos Avenue , Azusa police Sgt. John Madaloni said.
The driver, 17-year-old Azusa boy, failed to pull over and led police on a pursuit for about two miles south on Cerritos Avenue, the sergeant said.
After crashing the Honda into a parked car, the driver continued fleeing on foot into the Monte Carlo Inn, officials said.
He was found during a search of the complex and arrested on suspicion of auto theft, evading police and driving without a license, Madaloni said. The teenage suspect was take to a juvenile hall.

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$5,000 reward offered in fatal Pico Rivera hit-and-run

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PICO RIVERA >> A $5,000 reward is being offered for information leading to the capture and conviction of the driver who fatally struck a 25-year-old Pico Rivera man as he crossed Beverly Boulevard last week.
Christopher Ventura died after he was struck by two vehicles, one of which fled the scene, late June 16 along Beverly Boulevard near Abbeywood Avenue, Los Angeles County sheriff’s and coroner’s officials said. His residence was listed at the coroner’s office as transient.
0627_NWS_WDN-L-HITANDRUNREWARD2Ventura is survived by two daughters, including one who is now orphaned following the death of her mother from a medical issue last year,friends and family members said.
Officials said he was struck by an eastbound vehicle, which continued driving, before being struck by a second westbound vehicle, sheriff’s Detective Jose Marquez said.
A description of the hit-and-run vehicle was not available, the detective said.
“It’s going to have front-end damage,” Marquez said. A shard of headlight glass left behind at the scene led investigators to suspect the vehicle that struck Ventura was likely of an older model, but did not allow officials to narrow down a year, make or model.
The driver of the second vehicle remained a the scene and cooperated with investigators, according to sheriff’s officials.
A banner advertising the $5,000 reward, offered by a family friend, has been placed at the collision scene, along with candles, pictures, balloons, hand-written messages and Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups. The donor did not wish to be identified, saying he did not want to distract attention from the search for the hit-and-run vehicle.
In order to help the grieving family, a series of car washes are planned.
They are scheduled from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday at Flo’s Coffee Shop and Restaurant, 4597 Peck Road in El Monte; from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday at McDonald’s, 15000 Whittier Boulevard in Whittier; from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday at Arco, 113 E. Arrow Highway in Glendora; from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday at the Latin Skulls Tattoo Studio, 5036 Passons Boulevard in Pico Rivera; and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday at EZ Auto Repair, 4625 Peck Road in Monte.
Anyone with information regarding the hit-and-run vehicle can contact Detective Marquez at the sheriff’s Pico Rivera Station at 562-949-2421. Tips may also be submitted anonymously to L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477.

 

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Alhambra man accused of running brothel out of condominium

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ALHAMBRA — Police arrested a man on suspicion of pimping Tuesday after community tips led investigators to a brothel in a residential neighborhood, authorities said.
Zhi Wang, 56, was being held in lieu of $25,000 bail pending his initial court appearance, according to Los Angeles County booking records.
Police acting on tips from members of the public reporting a possible house of ill repute went to Zhi’s condominium in 100 block of South Marguerita Avenue early Tuesday evening, Alhambra police Sgt. Jerry Johnson said. Detectives knocked on his door, and he allowed them inside.
“Two female adults wearing robes were inside of the residence,” police officials said in a written statement. “The females worked for Wang by conducting massages and sexual acts at the residence for money.”
Through a Chinese interpreter, Wang admitted to running brothel Johnson said. He was arrested on suspicion of pimping.
The women, ages 44 and 47, were not arrested Tuesday, Johnson said. But charges could be filed later by the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office.
The women were not believed to have been held against their will.
According to county booking records, Wang was scheduled to appear for an arraignment hearing Friday in Alhambra Superior Court.

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Azusa officials to test early warning siren

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AZUSA — The city of Azusa is planning a test of its early warning siren along Highway 39 at the forest’s edge later this month, officials said.
The siren test will take place between 6:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. June 30, Azusa police Sgt. Sam Fleming said in a written statement. The siren will sound in intervals of approximately five minutes.
In addition to familiarizing local residents with the siren system, the test will ensure the system is operational and that its connections to Azusa’s police dispatch center are working properly, Fleming said.
“The siren is intended to evacuate residents in close proximity to the mouth of the canyon in the event of a forest fire of flood,” Fleming said. “It is not expected that all residents would hear the siren if indoors, which is why the siren is complementary to Emergency Response Personnel announcements, as well as door-to-door notification as part of the City’s Emergency Response Procedures.”
The test is being coordinated by the Azusa Amateur Radio Communications Emergency Services, which is a group of local volunteers who provide emergency communications in the case of a disaster.

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UPDATED: Dog belonging to missing Arcadia firefighter found in Los Padres National Forest

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LOS PADRES NATIONAL FOREST — Search teams hunting through the Los Padres National Forest in Ventura County Sunday for missing Arcadia Firefighter Mike Herdman found and captured his dog, who vanished along with Herdman June 13 during a camping trip, authorities said.
Rescuers located Duke Sunday, however his owner remained missing, Arcadia Firefighters Association officials announced via their Twitter account.
The dog, Duke, was found about 1 p.m. near the Dough Flats portion of the forest, near the campsite from where Herdman disappeared, Ventura County sheriff’s Capt. Don Aguilar said.
“The dog was found by friends or family members who went out to Dough Flats,” Aguilar said. They managed to capture the pet, which has eluded searchers for a full week.
“It’s resting. It’s really tired,” the captain said.
The dog appeared to have lost weight while lost in the wilderness, and officials and family members were working to nurse the animal back to full health. Duke was resting in the shade Sunday afternoon.
HerdmanAguilar said the dog had travelled at least 12 miles since the animal and owner disappeared nine days prior near Dough Flats.
Duke was last spotted by searchers Thursday about six miles west of Dough Flats, before being captured back at Dough Flats early Sunday afternoon, officials said.
Duke’s condition did not immediately allow rescuers to use him as a resource to help track down Herdman.
“The dog’s not in any condition to help,” Aguilar said. “The dog is not a useful tool right now.”
But as the dog recovers from it’s ordeal, “If we think there’s an opportunity for him to help, we’ll do that,” Aguilar said.
The search has been ongoing since Herdman’s camping partner, fellow firefighter Taylor Byars, emerged from the forest disoriented June 15 and reported his friend missing, officials said.
Byars reported that Herdman had chased after his dog barefoot, wearing only shorts and a T-shirt, and has not been heard or seen since.
Officials said Byars spent a day looking for Herdman, and another day finding his own way out of the wilderness, before he was able to seek help.
More than 85 searchers continued the hunt for Herdman Sunday, Aguilar said. Since its outset, more than 375 officials and volunteers have taken part in the search, contributing more than 5,200 man-hours.
The discovery and capture of Duke came as welcome news to the searchers, Aguilar said.
“I think there’s some encouragement,” he said. “Time is not on our side, unfortunately. There’s always hope.”
“(Herdman) is highly skilled outdoorsman, so that’s why our hopes still high he’s out there,” he said.

PHOTO: Courtesy

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UPDATED: Brush fire erupts near Brand Library Park in Glendale

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GLENDALE — Firefighters responded from both ground an air after a brush fire ignited in the hills above Brand Library Park in Glendale and grew to 50-acres in size, officials said.
The fire was reported just before 12:30 p.m., according to a dispatcher at the Verdugo Fire Communications Center.
A third-alarm was called as firefighters from various area agencies, with the aid of fire-fighting aircraft, attacked the flames.
By 3 p.m., the fire had grown to 50 acres in size, according to Glendale city spokesman Dan Bell.
No evacuations were ordered or expected, however firefighters were taking positions to protect structures, officials said.
No home’s were considered “directly threatened” by the fire, however Glendale Fire Department Battalion Chief Thomas Propst said homes along Allen Avenue and Thurber Place were potentially in the path of the fire’s travel.
Two hikers called for help to report they were stranded by the fire, Glendale Fire Department Battalion Chief Thomas Propst said. Firefighters ended up finding and rescuing a total of five hikers in two separate groups from the area and assessed them for possible dehydration, Bell said. No additional hikers were believed stranded in the area.
About 100 firefighters on the ground and five airships continued fighting the flames Sunday afternoon.

– Brian Day and Brenda Gazzar

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Officials: Man stabs three family members in South Whittier

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A man stabbed his father, mother and sister during an argument at a South Whittier home late Saturday before ultimately surrendering to a SWAT team, authorities said.
All three victims are expected to survive the injuries they suffered in the attack, which took place about 8:30 p.m. at the family home in the 14100 block of Mystic Street, in an unincorporated county area just south of Whittier, Los Angeles County sheriff’s officials said in a written statement.
Alexander Michael, 34, is believed to be high on drugs when he began arguing with family members, officials said.
“According to the victims, the suspect began stabbing his father several times,” according to the sheriff’s department statement. “When the mother and the sister tried to intervene, an attempt to stop the assault, they too sustained several stab wounds.”
The father suffered several stab wounds to his upper torso, Lt. Jason Skeen said. The women’s injuries were described as more superficial slash wounds.
Michael fled into a backyard shed following while still clutching a knife and refused deputies’ orders to come out, officials said.
After a SWAT team was summoned to the scene, Michael ultimately surrendered about 10:20 p.m., according to sheriff’s officials and county booking records. He was jailed on suspicion of attempted murder and assault with a deadly weapon.
Michael was being held in lieu of $1 million bail pending his initial court appearance Tuesday in Downey Superior Court.

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