UPDATED: Man stabbed to death in South Whittier; suspect sought

0927_NWS_WDN-L-WHITTIER-STABBING1

SOUTH WHITTIER >> A man died as his alleged killer remained at large after a fight between two men over a woman escalated into a fatal stabbing early Saturday, authorities said.
The stabbing took place about 7:30 a.m. in the 13500 block of Trumball Street, in the unincorporated county area of South Whittier, according to Deputy Sara Rodriguez of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Information Bureau.
Tyrone Duran, 43, died in the alleged attack, Deputy Ruan Rouzan said. He was initially believed to be a San Gabriel resident.
Lt. John Corina of the Sheriff’s Homicide Bureau said it appeared the Duran and his killer knew each other prior to the slaying.
They became involved in an argument, then a fist fight over an unknown issue, the lieutenant said.
“At some time during the fight, the suspect pulled out a knife and stabbed the victim one time,” Corina said.
“The victim stumbled on to the front lawn of a residence here. People at the house try to render him some aid.”
The attacker ran away and remained at large Saturday afternoon, Corina said.
Investigators recovered a large folding pocket knife believed to have been used in the stabbing at the scene, Corina said.
The wounded victim was taken to PIH Health Hospital in Whittier, where he succumbed to his injuries, officials said.
Officials said the fight and stabbing stemmed from an argument over a woman as the men were hanging out together.
“It appears that the victim and suspect had been arguing over the ex-girlfriend of the suspect when the fight and stabbing occurred,” Rouzan said.
George Delgado, 53, was being sought in connection with the slaying, Rouzan said. His city of residence was unclear.
Several neighbors said they didn’t see or hear anything unusual Saturday morning prior to deputies’ arrival.
Detectives continued seeking and interviewing witness. Anyone with information is asked to call the Sheriff’s Homicide Bureau at 323-890-5500. Tips may also be submitted anonymously to L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477.

Facebook Twitter Reddit Tumblr Linkedin Email

UPDATED: Montebello senior stabbed during robbery attempt outside her home


MONTEBELLO >> A senior citizen suffered serious injuries when she was stabbed during a robbery attempt outside her Montebello home late Friday, police said.
The stabbing took place about 8:20 p.m. in the 600 block of N. Hendricks Street, just north of Beverly Boulevard, Montebello police officials said in a written statement.
The victim, a woman in her mid-60s, had just arrived home, Montebello police Lt. Michael Bergman said.
“It sounds like she was trying to get in her front door. The attacker approached her,” he said.
The robber initially appeared to be after the woman’s purse, but the crime quickly escalated into a stabbing, Bergman said.
The woman had offered little resistance when the would-be robber, without provocation, stabbed her at least twice in the upper torso with a kitchen-style knife, the lieutenant said. He fled on foot, without obtaining anything from the woman.
The woman was taken to a hospital, Bergman said. “She’s in serious condition.”
A detailed suspect description was not available, police said.
Anyone with information was asked to contact Montebello police at 323-887-1313. Tips may also be submitted anonymously to L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477.

Facebook Twitter Reddit Tumblr Linkedin Email

Motorcyclist killed in Whittier crash


WHITTIER >> A man died after his motorcycle collided with an SUV along Hadley Street Friday afternoon, police said.
The crash took place about 4:45 p.m. at Hadley Street and Court Avenue, Whittier police Lt. Aaron Ruiz said.
The injured man was taken to a hospital, but died a short time later, he said.
Ruiz said the SUV driver remained at the scene and was cooperating with investigators. No further details were available.
Hadley Street was shut down in both directions as police continued to investigate the scene Friday evening.

Facebook Twitter Reddit Tumblr Linkedin Email

Marijuana delivery man robbed in Altadena


ALTADENA >> A man claiming to be delivering medical marijuana for a dispensary was robbed of both cannabis and cash early Thursday in a residential Altadena neighborhood, authorities said.
The crime was reported just before 2 a.m. at Beverly Way and Maiden Lane, Los Angeles County sheriff’s Lt. Cruz Solis said.
Deputies first responded to the neighborhood after residents reported a man knocking on doors, apparently in some sort of distress, the lieutenant said.
The victim, a 26-year-old Pasadena man, told police he was delivering for a legal medical marijuana dispensary when a man grabbed him, threatened him and robbed him of marijuana, cash and his car keys, Solis said.
They keys turned up in some nearby bushes the following day, he said.
The amount of money and marijuana stolen was not available. A detailed suspect description was not available.

Facebook Twitter Reddit Tumblr Linkedin Email

Man denies fatal stabbing of tow truck driver in Pico Rivera


NORWALK >> A Pico Rivera man accused of fatally stabbing a tow truck driver as he replaced his mother’s minivan battery appeared in court Friday and denied a murder charge, officials said.
Tobias Ruben Cabrera, a 40-year-old transient, pleaded not guilty in Norwalk Superior Court to one count of murder in connection with the June 2 stabbing of Raymond Zabala, 35, of East Los Angeles, Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office spokesman Ricardo Santiago said.
The fatal stabbing occurred after Zabala, a tow truck driver for AAA contractor Petra Towing & Auto Repair in Montebello, arrived at the home of Cabrera’s mother in the 8200 block of Buhman Avenue to replace the battery on her Honda Odyssey, Los Angeles County sheriff’s investigators said.
Following the seemingly unprovoked attack, Zabala ran to a neighboring home to seek help but ultimately succumbed to his wounds at the scene, authorities said. Cabrera allegedly fled the scene on a bicycle before being apprehended three days later.
Friday was Cabrera’s second arraignment. After initially pleading not guilty to murder shortly after his arrest, a judge determined Sept. 11 that there is sufficient evidence to order Cabrera to stand trial.
Cabrera, who had prior criminal convictions and is accused of the special allegation of personally using a knife in the killing, faces 37 years to life in state prison if convicted as charged.
He was ordered back to Norwalk Superior Court Oct. 26 for a pretrial hearing.

Facebook Twitter Reddit Tumblr Linkedin Email

Police to hold weekend checkpoint in San Gabriel

SAN GABRIEL >> Police plan to screen drivers for sobriety and valid licences during a checkpoint Friday night.
The checkpoint will be held from 7 p.m. Friday to 3 a.m. Saturday at an undisclosed location within San Gabriel, San Gabriel police officials said in a written statement.
Funding for the checkpoint is being provided by a grant from the National Traffic Safety Administration, through the California Office of Traffic Safety.

Facebook Twitter Reddit Tumblr Linkedin Email

Video released, reward offered in Culver City arson


CULVER CITY >> Investigators offered a $5,000 reward and released video footage of a suspected arson sought in connection with a fire in a three-story business in Culver City over the weekend, officials said.
The arson fire erupted about 7:25 a.m. Saturday on the third floor of a commercial building at 11869 W. Teale Street, Los Angeles Fire officials said in written statement.
Firefighters battled the flames for about two hours declaring the fire extinguished, officials said.
0925_NWS_TDB-L-ARSON1“Arson investigators have recovered security camera video footage that captures the suspect entering a room on the third floor of the subject building, set a set and fire,” the statement said. “(He) set a fire and left the building via the northwest staircase.”
A motive for the fire was yet to be established, LAFD officials added. Authorities declined to discuss exactly how the fire was set.
Officials described the suspect as a Black or Latino man of about 6 feet tall and 175 pounds. He had short, dark hair and has a discoloration mark on his right arm. He wore no shirt, with dark saggy jeans over blue boxer shorts.
The U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives are teaming with LAFD officials in the investigation, and have offered a $5,000 reward for information leading to the capture and conviction of the arsonist.
A dollar-value estimate of the damage caused by the fire was not available.
Anyone with information is asked to contact LAFD Arson Investigator Sanchez at 213-503-1203, or 213-893-9850.

VIDEO, PHOTOS  courtesy of the Los Angeles Fire Department

Facebook Twitter Reddit Tumblr Linkedin Email

Man fatally shot in El Monte identified

EL MONTE >> Coroner’s officials Thursday released the identity of a 40-year-old man found shot to death in El Monte earlier this week.
Freddie Molina, 40, died at the scene of the shooting, reported just before 10:30 p.m. in the 11600 block of Rio Hondo Parkway, Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner Lt. David Smith said. His city of residence was unknown.
Few details were available regarding the fatal shooting. Investigators have released no information regarding the circumstances of the shooting or any possible suspects, however Los Angeles County sheriff’s officials described the slaying as possibly gang-related.
Monday’s shooting was the second homicide reported in El Monte over the past week.
Jonathan Flores, 30, of El Monte died early Saturday morning after he was found suffering from stab wounds on a sidewalk in the 12200 block of Magnolia Street, officials said.
Both investigations are being spearheaded by detectives from the Sheriff’s Homicide Bureau, who are assisting El Monte police.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Sheriff’s Homicide Bureau at 323-890-5500. Tips may also be submitted anonymously to L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477.

Facebook Twitter Reddit Tumblr Linkedin Email

UPDATED: Huntington Beach man killed, woman wounded in Norwalk shooting


NORWALK >> A Huntington Beach man died and a woman was wounded in a Norwalk shooting late Wednesday, authorities said.
The shooting occurred about 10:30 p.m. in a residential neighborhood in the 15100 block of Grayland Avenue, Los Angeles County sheriff’s officials said.
“Homicide detectives learned that the victims were walking south on Grayland Avenue when a white vehicle drove alongside them,” sheriff’s officials said in a written statement.
“The vehicle stopped, two male Hispanics exited the vehicle, and one or possibly both suspects started shooting at them. Both victims were struck by gunfire. The suspects re-entered the vehicle, drove north on Grayland Avenue and out of view.”
Luis Virgen Jr., 21, if Huntington Beach was taken to UC Irvine Medical Center, where he succumbed to injuries a short time later, Orange County coroner’s officials said in a written statement.
The man died at a hospital, officials said. The woman was hospitalized in serious condition.
Anyone with information on the shooting was urged to call the Sheriff’s Homicide Bureau at 323-890-5500. Tips may also be submitted anonymously to L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477.

Facebook Twitter Reddit Tumblr Linkedin Email

LA County Sheriff’s Dept. gets $1.5 million to combat human trafficking

LOS ANGELES COUNTY >> The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department will receive a $1.5 million federal grant to combat human trafficking, authorities announced Thursday.
The funding comes from $44 million in federal grant money set aside to fight human trafficking — “a wide variety of criminal conduct involving the exploitation of minor and adult victims who are compelled to engage in sex and labor and support its victims,” U.S. Department of Justice officials said in a written statement.
Los Angeles County is one of 16 sites across the nation to receive a grant to support a human trafficking task force. Each site receives funding for both law enforcement and victim support services.
Riverside County was awarded $1.4 million to fund a task force. Some of the task forces are county-wide or regional, while others operate statewide.
The DOJ will also add additional prosecutors specializing in human trafficking cases, officials said.
More than $22.7 million have been allocated for the 16 task forces, with the remainder of the federal grant money going to support victim services and research nationwide. The grant will be effective Oct. 1. 2015, through Sept. 30, 2018.
“As those who commit this horrible crime and prey on trafficking victims become more sophisticated, we must work together to find new and comprehensive strategies,” Los Angeles County Sheriff Kim McDonnell said. “If we are to truly make a difference in combatting human trafficking, we must do more than simply prosecute the wrong-doers. We need a regional, multi-disciplinary approach that enables us to cross jurisdictional and agency lines.
“Working with other justice system and community partners, we will be able to amplify our ability to rescue and address the needs of the victim; investigate, effectively punish and pro-actively prevent criminal misconduct; and address the demand side by recognizing that buyers of sex with minors should be viewed as child molesters and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”
All too often, the victims of human trafficking are children, said Eilee Decker, U.S. Attorney for the Central District of California.
“The devastating crime of human trafficking often is hidden behind the locked doors of a sweatshop or the supposedly ‘victimless’ crime of prostitution,” Decker said. “Law enforcement in Los Angeles is now redoubling efforts to combat this horrific offense with additional resources, improved training and a growing awareness that perpetrators are often victimizing children. I am fully committed to working with Sheriff Jim McDonnell — a national leader in this arena — to seeing that perpetrators of these offenses are brought to justice.”

Facebook Twitter Reddit Tumblr Linkedin Email