Monthly Archives: October 2014

Police: Alhambra man on life support after fight with roommate in Old Pasadena

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PASADENA >> A fist fight between two roommates in Old Pasadena early Saturday left one man on life support and another behind bars, police said.
Joseph Rafael, 31, of Alhambra, was not expected to survive the injuries he suffered in the 1 a.m. fight in the 100 block of South Raymond Avenue, Pasadena police Lt. Art Chute said. He remained hospitalized on life support Saturday night with major head injuries.
Police arrested his roommate, 30-year-old Giorgio Inigo Bustamante, on suspicion of attempted murder.
The two men had just attended a birthday party when they became involved in a dispute on the sidewalk, Chute said.
“Mr. Rafael and Mr. Bustamante became involved in an argument with each other that escalated into a physical altercation.”
Rafael ended up on the sidewalk with a severe head injury, the lieutenant said. It was unclear if the injuries were the result of blows, or his head striking the ground.
No weapons were involved in the fight, Chute said. “Just fists.”
Police responding to a witnesses’ 9-1-1 call reporting a “person down” found Rafael pulseless, Chute said. Officers performed CPR until paramedics arrived to rush Rafael to the hospital.
Bustamante remained at the scene, Chute said. “He made no attempt to flee.”
According to county booking records, Bustamante was being held in lieu of $1 million bail pending his initial court appearance.

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Shots fired in West Covina; no injuries reported

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WEST COVINA >> A man escaped injury in a shooting in a residential neighborhood early Saturday, police said.
The attack took place just after 1 a.m. in the 1700 block of West Eldred Avenue, West Covina police Lt. Dennis Patton said.
The victim had just dropped off two friends in the neighborhood when a car drove past slowly and came to a stop just in front of the victim’s car, the lieutenant said. The suspect vehicle was described as a black, older-model car similar to a Ford Crown Victoria.
A passenger got out of the black car and walked toward the victim while racking the slide of a handgun to chamber a round, Patton said.
The victim abandoned his car and ran to an adjacent street, where he asked residents to call the police, Patton said. He heard gunshots as he ran, but was not struck by gunfire.
Police found bullet casings in the area, however the suspects were not located.
The motive in the shooting remained under investigation.

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Man wounded in stabbing at Norwalk bar

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NORWALK >> A man suffered serious injuries but was expected to survive after he was stabbed during a fight at a Norwalk bar early Saturday, authorities said.
The stabbing took place about 1:15 a.m. at the Agave Junction Cantina, 11957 Firestone Boulevard, Los Angeles County sheriff’s Sgt. George Suarez said.
Responding deputies found a man suffering from stab wounds to his abdomen and thigh, Suarez said.
The stabbing was the result of a fight, he said. No suspect description was available.

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UPDATED: Suspect in random crossbow attack arrested after 6-hour standoff in Pico Rivera

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PICO RIVERA >> Deputies subdued and arrested a psychologically troubled man following a six-hour standoff early Saturday after he shot passers-by with a crossbow in Pico Rivera, authorities said.
A SWAT team ultimately arrested Armando Marron, 48, of Pico Rivera on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon and drug possession, Los Angeles County sheriff’s Lt. Alex Villanueva said.
Deputies first responded about 10:45 p.m. Friday to reports of an assault in the 8500 block of Hasty Avenue, Los Angeles County sheriff’s Sgt. Scott Chapman said.
They encountered a 23-year-old Pico Rivera man who had been shot in the leg with a crossbow, Villanueva said. The victim was accompanied by a second young man who was not injured.
Marron also allegedly fired his crossbow at another nearby home with people gathered in the front yard, the lieutenant said. No one in the yard was struck.
No argument or exchange of words preceded the seemingly unprovoked attack, sheriff’s officials said. The wounded man and his companion were merely passing by when the attack occurred. At least one of the young men was riding a skateboard.
Paramedics treated the wounded man at the scene and removed the arrow from his leg, Chapman said. He declined to be taken to a hospital.
Deputies learned the attacker was inside his nearby home, Chapman said. Deputies ordered the occupants out of the house.
Two relatives of the suspect emerged from the home and told deputies that Marron was still inside, Chapman said. The relatives also told officials that the man had a history of psychological problems, off his medication and potentially violent.
A SWAT team was summoned to take over the situation, and a stand-off ensued for about six hours, officials said.
Deputies fired tear gas into the home about 5 a.m., and the suspect ultimately came out, Chapman said. But he continued refusing to surrender.
Officials used a less-lethal projectile and a K-9 to subdue the man, who was taken to a hospital for treatment prior to booking, Chapman said.
Deputies recovered a crossbow, arrows and a small amount of a substance believed to be methamphetamine from the suspect’s home, Chapman said.
Deputies have had more than a dozen past encounters with Marron in connection with calls such as disturbances, officials said.
According to county booking records, Marron was being held in lieu of $30,000 bail pending a scheduled arraignment Tuesday in Downey Superior Court.

PHOTO courtesy of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, Special Enforcement Bureau.

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UPDATED: Whittier motorcyclist killed in Montebello hit-and-run

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MONTEBELLO >> A 28-year-old Whittier man died Friday after his motorcycle was rear-ended by a hit-and-run car on Washington Boulevard and crashed into a pole, officials said.
The crash took place about 4:45 p.m. on Washington Boulevard and Bluff Road, Montebello police officials said.
Both the motorcycle and the tan, four-door car were headed east on Washington Boulevard “at a high rate of speed” just prior to the collision, police said in a written statement.
“The tan vehicle collided into the rear of the motorcyclist, causing the motorcyclist to collide into a pole,” the police statement said.
“The motorcyclist succumbed to his injuries at the scene,” according to the statement. “The tan vehicle fled the scene eastbound into Pico Rivera out if sight.”
No further details were released.
Police shut down Both directions of Washington Boulevard between Paramount and Montebello boulevards as they investigated the scene.
Anyone with information was asked to contact Montebello police at 323-887-1313.
The hit-and-run was the second fatal crash within less than 24 hours in Montebello.
A man died late Thursday after the car he was riding as a passenger in crashed into a tree about 8:30 p.m. Thursday in the 300 block of North Montebello Boulevard, Montebello police Lt. Kelly Gordon said.
The driver of the car, described only as a woman, was hospitalized in critical condition following the crash.

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Downey man fatally shot in Rosemead named

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ROSEMEAD >> Officials Friday released the name of Downey man who was shot to death while driving through Rosemead with his girlfriend earlier this week.
Jose Radillo Jr., 20, died following Tuesday’s 4:30 p.m. car-to-car shooting at Garvey and Muskatel avenues in Rosemead, according to Los Angeles County sheriff’s and coroner officials.
Radillo was driving east on Garvey Avenue, with his girlfriend riding as a passenger, just before the shots rang out, sheriff’s officials said.
Someone inside a dark-colored, mid-sized car that was also eastbound on Garvey Avenue opened fire, Lt. Holly Francisco of the Sheriff’s Homicide Bureau said.
Radillo suffered a gunshot wound to his torso, she said. His girlfriend was not injured.
Radillo’s car ended up crashing and coming to a stop in the 9300 block of Garvey Avenue, just across the city border in South El Monte, officials said. The vehicle containing the killer or killers made a U-turn and fled west on Garvey Avenue.
Paramedics took Radillo to Beverly Hospital in Montebello, where he succumbed to his injuries, coroner Assistant Chief of Operations Ed Winter said.
A motive in the shooting was not released.
Anyone with information was asked to contact the Sheriff’s Homicide Bureau at 323-890-5500.

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Nevada man fatally shot in Glendora identified

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GLENDORA >> Coroner’s officials Friday identified a Nevada man found shot to death along Sunflower Avenue in Glendora early Thursday.
Ernesto Medina, 22, of Henderson, Nevada, was pronounced dead after newspaper carrier discovered him about 3:30 a.m. inside a car along the road near an offramp of the 210 Freeway, Los Angeles County Department of Coroner Assistant Chief of Operations Ed Winter said.
Initial statements issued by Los Angeles County sheriff’s investigators indicated the Medina was found lying on the ground. Handling detectives could not be reached for comment Friday.
No information was released regarding he circumstances of the shooting, or what the Nevada resident may have been doing in Glendora.
Several neighbors said they heard several popping noises or gunshots shortly before midnight.
“I just heard shots about four (to) five shots around 11:27 p.m.,” Emma Carolina Rosas said.
Another neighbor also reported hearing what sounded like tires exploding shortly before midnight.
Detectives from the Sheriff’s Homicide Bureau are assisting Glendora police in the investigation, and anyone with information was asked to call the bureau at 323-890-5500.

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UPDATED: Azusa man accused of molesting 10-year-old girl

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AZUSA >> Authorities charged an Azusa man with six felonies Friday for allegedly sexually assaulting a 10-year-old girl earlier this week.
Prosecutors filed five charges related to child rape and molestation and one count of dissuading a witness from reporting a crime against Victor Carnio Martinez, 48, Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office spokeswoman Sarah Ardalani said.
He entered no plea when appeared in Pomona Superior Court, she said. His arraignment was continued to Monday.
Police arrested him Wednesday after a 10-year-old girl told her mother she had been abused by Martinez two days earlier, Azusa police Sgt. Bruce Badoni said.
The family had trusted Martinez, whom police described as a family acquaintance, to take the girl on an outing to get some food when he attacked her, Badoni said.
“Suspect Martinez and the victim were in his vehicle on Monday evening when he drove to the rear of a local shopping center,” Badoni said in a written statement. “While in the vehicle, in a secluded area, Martinez sexually abused the child while she pleaded with him to stop. “During the incident Martinez threatened to harm the child and her family if she screamed, yelled for help or told anyone about what he was doing to her.”
Martinez returned the girl home nearly an hour later, “and once again threatened to harm the child and her family if she told anyone what had happened,” Badoni said.
The girl remained silent for two days, police said. She told her mother what had happened Wednesday, and the mother contacted police.
Officials took the traumatized girl to a hospital to be examined, Badoni said. Officers arrested Martinez Wednesday night.
Police lured Martinez to a shopping center where they arrested him about 9:40 p.m., according to police and booking records.
“During the initial contact, statements were made by Martinez that confirmed his involvement in this incident,” Badoni said. “In addition, he was identified by both the 10-year-old victim and her mother.”
Prosecutors charged Martinez Friday with seven felony counts related to child molestation, Badoni said.
He was being held in lieu of $1.2 million bail.
If convicted on all counts, Martinez faces up to 37 years to life in state prison, Ardalani said.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Azusa police at 626-812-3200.

PHOTO of suspect Victor Carnio Martinez courtesy of the Azusa Police Department.

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UPDATED: La Mirada woman killed in weekend stabbing at Santa Fe Springs Swap Meet

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SANTA FE SPRINGS >> A La Mirada woman died after she was stabbed in front of her adult children during a dispute over a parking space at the Santa Fe Springs Swap Meet late Friday, Whittier police officials announced Thursday.
A man and woman face murder charges in connection with the stabbing, which took place about 9:30 p.m Friday. at the swap meet, 13963 Alondra Boulevard, Whittier Police Department officials said in a written statement.
Elizabeth Yanez, 43, died at the hospital shortly after the stabbing, police said.
Police found and arrested Reggie Cervantes, 22, and Brenda Jasmine Rangel, 19, both of South Los Angeles, in connection with fatal stabbing early Saturday in South Los Angeles, according to police and Los Angeles County booking records.
Prosecutors filed murder charges against both suspects Tuesday, Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office spokeswoman Sarah Ardalani said.
Whittier police officers, who provide police service for Santa Fe Springs, first responded to the swap meet after receiving a report of a fight in the parking lot, Whittier police officials said.
“When officers arrived, they located a female victim lying on the ground with multiple stab wounds to her neck and back,” according to the statement. Police rendered first aid to the woman, who was taken to the University of California, Irvine Medical Center. She succumbed to her injuries a short time later.
“As the investigation developed, it was determined that she had been stabbed by a male and female over a dispute involving a parking space within the lot,” the police statement said. The woman’s 22- and 23-year-old children were present during the incident.
Investigators identified a possible suspect vehicle and two potential suspects, who were tracked to South Los Angeles, Whittier police Lt. Kent Miller said.
Cervantes and Rangel were arrested as they were exiting an apartment shortly before 9 a.m. Saturday, according to police and county booking records.
The weapon used in the stabbing remained outstanding Thursday, Miller said. It was unclear what type of stabbing implement was used.
Police did not disclose the stabbing or the arrest until Thursday, two days after charges were filed against the suspects.
Yanez’s mother, Sally Yanez, said the family was still in shock over the sudden tragedy.
“It’s beyond senseless,” she said. “It’s beyond words.”
“In just the blink of an eye, everything’s changed,” Sally Yanez said.
Elizabeth Yanez’s granddaughter was treated for minor injuries following the incident, Sally Yanez said. Her grandson was struck in the head, but did not go to a hospital.
The 43-year-old woman was a dedicated mother who spent a lot of time with her children, her mother said. “She really based everything around them.”
Elizabeth Yanez grew up in South Gate before moving to La Mirada in 1987, Sally Yanez said. She graduated Sunny Hills High School in Fullerton in 1988. She worked in accounting at an Orange County construction company.
“She had a terrific personality, a terrific sense of humor. She was just a force to be reckoned with,” her mother said.
“She loved her Dodgers. She was a die-hard Dodger fan.”
Elizabeth Yanez is survived by her parents, Sally and Larry, her children, 22-year-old Renee Crable and 23-year-old Daniel Crable, and the children’s father, Donnie Crable, who lives out-of-state.
Services were yet to be scheduled.
Prosecutors charged Cervantes and Rangel each with murder and assault with a deadly weapon Tuesday in Norwalk Superior Court, Ardalani said.
Prosecutors also allege that Cervantes personally used a knife in the commission of the crime, and that he has prior felony convictions for robbery and receiving stolen property, according to the felony complaint filed against him and Rangel.
Rangel pleaded not guilty to all charges Tuesday and was ordered back to court Oct. 29 for preliminary hearing, Ardalani said. Cervantes entered no plea Tuesday. His arraignment was postponed until Nov. 20.
Cervantes and Rangel were being held in lieu of $1 million bail each.

 

 

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Man pleads not guilty to fatally stabbing grandmother in East Los Angeles

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EAST LOS ANGELES >> A man accused of stabbing his grandmother to death at the East Los Angeles home they shared pleaded not guilty to a murder charge Wednesday, officials said.
Armando Sepulveda, 23, fatally stabbed 59-year-old Anna Maria Sepulveda, whose body was discovered Monday inside her home in the 100 block of North Gage Avenue, Los Angeles County sheriff’s and district attorney’s officials said.
She had not been seen since Friday, Lt. Holly Francisco of the Sheriff’s Homicide Bureau said.
Deputies discovered her body at the home shortly before noon Monday after checking on Anna Sepulveda at the request of concerned family members, Francisco said. The woman had been stabbed several times in the torso.
Deputies also found Armando Sepulveda at the home and arrested him in connection with the slaying.
An alleged motive in the fatal stabbing has not been released.
In addition to murder, prosecutors also accuse Armando Sepulveda of the special allegation that he personally used a knife in the crime, district attorney’s officials said in a written statement.
He was ordered back to court Nov. 5 for a preliminary hearing setting, district attorney’s office spokesman Greg Risling said.
If convicted as charged, Armando Sepulveda could face life in state prison.

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