UPDATED: Six people hospitalized in El Monte crash

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EL MONTE >> A multi-vehicle crash in El Monte Thursday believed to have been triggered by a driver suffering a medical problem Thursday sent six people to a hospital, authorities said.
The crash was first reported shortly after 3 p.m. on Peck Road near Ramona Boulevard, Los Angeles County Fire Department Inspector Chris Reade said.
A total of eight patients from four vehicles were ultimately examined by firefighters, officials said. Some had to be freed from the wreckage by rescuers.
EMCRASH3Six patients were taken to hospitals, fire officials said. Two more declined to be hospitalized by paramedics.
None of the injuries were believed to be life-threatening, El Monte police Lt. Ben Lowey said.
A man was driving a pickup truck west on Ramona Boulevard when he apparently suffered a medical problem, the lieutenant said.
The pickup truck struck another pickup truck stopped at the light, he said. The struck vehicle lurched forward, struking a third vehicle.
The pickup truck which first triggered the crash then continued, striking another vehicle before flipping over, Lowry said.
No arrests or citations were made at the scene. The investigation was ongoing.

PHOTOS – courtesy

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Gunman robs woman of purse in Pasadena


PASADENA >> A gunman robbed a woman of her purse as she was walking down a Pasadena street late Wednesday, officials said.
A 27-year-old San Gabriel woman was walking along Dayton Street, near Pasadena Avenue, about 9:10 p.m. when the robber approached her from across the street, Pasadena police Lt. Kelly Evans said.
The man pointed a handgun at the woman and demanded her purse, he said. The woman complied, and the robber was last seen fleeing south on foot.
Evans said the woman suffered no injuries. A details suspect description was not available.

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Three arrested following Santa Fe Springs liquor store robbery

SANTA FE SPRINGS >> Police jailed two men and a woman late Wednesday in connection with an armed robbery at a Santa Fe Springs liquor store.
The heist took place about 8:20 p.m. in the 11000 block of Washington Boulevard, Whittier police officials said.
Responding police officers spotted the suspects fleeing the area and tried to pull it over, officials said.
“The suspects attempted to flee, but crashed into parked car in the 8300 block of Vanport (Avenue),” police said in a written statement. The handgun used in the robbery, as well as cash, were recovered from the vehicle.
Arrested were Matthew Hoge, 22, of Montebello; Willie Jefferson, 20, of Long Beach; and Shauntel Jewel Peterson, 18, of Long Beach, according to police and Los Angeles County booking records.
Hoge was released from custody early Thursday pending his initial court appearance after posting $50,000 bail, records show. Jefferson was being held in lieu of 75,000 bail, while Peterson was being held with a bail of $50,000.

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Elderly Rosemead couple struck by pickup truck while crossing street


ROSEMEAD >> An elderly husband and wife suffered major injuries Wednesday when they were struck by a pickup truck while crossing a street in their hometown of Rosemead, authorities said.
The collision took place about 6:15 p.m. along Walnut Grove Avenue, just south of Garvey Avenue, Los Angeles County sheriff’s Lt. Ismael Chavez said.
The couple, described as a Rosemead man and wife in their 70s, were crossing Walnut Grove mid-block, without a crosswalk, when they were struck by a southbound pickup truck, the lieutenant said.
The woman was hospitalized in critical condition, Chavez said. Her husband suffered significant head injuries and was hospitalized in stable condition.
The driver of the pickup truck remained at the scene and cooperated with investigators, he said. Investigators determined the driver was unlicensed and had been driving without headlights on, though the sun set at 4:51 p.m. Wednesday.
No arrests were made at the scene, Chavez said. Deputies will present their ultimate findings to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s office for consideration of charges.

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Ontario sex offender accused of raping Highland senior during home invasion

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Detectives Wednesday arrested a convicted sex offender from Ontario on suspicion of the rape of a Highland senior citizen during a home invasion earlier this month, authorities said.
Antawon Riley Stubblefield, 27, is accused of rape, oral copulation by force, false imprisonment and home-invasion robbery in connection with the attack and robbery, which took place on the afternoon of Dec. 8 at the victim’s home in the 7800 block of Lankershim Avenue, Highland police officials said in a written statement.
“Investigation revealed that an unknown suspect forced entry into the 67-year-old victim’s residence and attacked her as she watched television,” according to the statement. “The suspect then held the victim against her will inside of her home; during which he sexually assaulted her several times over a four-hour period.”
The attacker stole cash and other items from the victim before fleeing her home. The woman was hospitalized for treatment, and her attacker was not found.
Detectives were notified by crime lab officials Tuesday that DNA collected at the crime scene has been matched to Stubblefield, officials said. Stubblefield was already on felony probation and a registered sex offender for a previous assault conviction.
Officials obtained a warrant for Stubblefield’s arrest, and took him into custody Wednesday when he reported to his probation officer, police said.
Authorities added that detectives are seeking any additional people who may have been victimized by Stubblefield.
According to San Bernardino Superior Court records, Stubblefield was awaiting sentencing in his previous case at the time of the Highland attack. He was released from custody Nov. 16 after being granted a waiver allowing him to be free from custody pending formal sentencing.
The Highland home-invasion took place less than a month later.
Stubblefield had pleaded “no contest” to a count of assault likely to produce great bodily injury and engaging in prostitution stemming from a Sept. 1 arrest, records show. An additional count of attempted forcible rape was dismissed by the court.
He was sentenced under AB 109 guidelines, which state officials say is intended for “non-violent, non-serious and non-sexual” offenders.
He received a sentence of 150 days in jail, with credit for time already served and good behavior. He was also sentenced to three years of Post-Release Community Supervision and ordered to register as a sex offender for life.
He was formally placed on felony probation at a hearing Tuesday, the same day his DNA was linked to the Highland crime scene.
Stubblefield was being held without bail Wednesday at the West Valley Detention Center pending his initial court appearance, officials said.

PHOTO of suspect Antawon Riley Stubblefield courtesy of the Highland Police Department.

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Pasadena child welfare agency warns of data breach affecting clients, staff

PASADENA >> A Pasadena child welfare agency has warned that of a computer security breach that may have exposed the personal information of nearly 1,000 clients and staff members.
Hillsides, 940 Avenue 64, announced the data breach Wednesday. It was first discovered Dec. 8, when Hillsides officials learned that an employee had sent unencrypted files to a personal, non-Hillsides affiliated email address on five occasions between Oct. 10, 2014, and Oct. 19, 2015, Hillsides representatives said in a written statement.
The information sent contained names, social security numbers, home addresses and phone numbers for 468 Hillsides staff members, as well as names, birthdates, genders, medical identification numbers, therapists’ names and rehabilitative therapists’ names of 502 Hillsides clients.
The employee has since been terminated for violation of company policy, officials saiad.
“To date, the agency has been unable to recover the data files from (the employee’s) personal email account or verify whether the files have been deleted,” according to the statement.
“While Hillsides has no evidence that any of the personal information has been further disclosed or misused in any manner, they have provided notice of the incidents to individuals whose information was contained in the files so that they can take any precautions they feel are appropriate or necessary.”
Those who has received a letter from Hillsides notifying them their information may be at risk are encouraged to consider contacting the three major credit bureaus — Eperian, Transunion and Equifax — to review account statements and monitor free credit reports.
“We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience and concern these incidents may have caused to our staff and clients, whose privacy is very important to us,“ Hillsides CEO Joseph M. Costa said.. “We will continue to investigate the incident, to reduce harm to potentially affected individuals, and to protect against future similar occurrences.”
The investigation has not resulted in a criminal case, Costa said Wednesday.
Hillsides does not call or email anyone requesting personal information, and anyone receiving an unsolicited call or email purporting to be from Hillsides should not provide any personal information, officials said.
“The agency is working with its legal counsel to ensure all appropriate steps and notifications are being followed,” according to the statement. “They are also implementing an employee re-training program to reduce the risk of future occurrences and improve its internal security awareness procedures.”
Affected clients and employees are also invited to contact Hillsides with questions. Privacy Officer Tony Aikins can be reached via telephone at 323-543-2800 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.,. Mondays through Fridays, via email at taikins@hillsides.org or by addressing a letter to Hillsides Support Services, attention “Privacy Questions” at 815 Colorado Blvd., Suite 100, Los Angeles, CA 90041.

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Baldwin Park-based CHP sergeant retires after 30 years of service

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BALDWIN PARK >> Fellow law enforcement officers from throughout the San Gabriel Valley bid farewell to CHP sergeant who headed out for his last shift Wednesday after three decades of service to the Southland.
Police from Covina, West Covina and Pomona joined in the morning briefing at CHP’s Baldwin Park area office to send off Sgt. Mike Dulong, the senior ranking sergeant in the CHP, colleagues said.
“The Baldwin Park Area was fortunate to have Sergeant Mike Dulong at our Station,” Baldwin Park Area Commander Capt. Steve Urrea said. “Sergeant Dulong brought a great feel in professionalism, commitment, and dedication to his profession which he passed on to his subordinates for many, many years.”
The CHP’s Baldwin Park area office serviced most of the San Gabriel Valley, and CHP officers regularly work with other area police agencies.
“We’ve all encountered him in the field. That’s where the friendships began,” West Covina police spokesman Rudy Lopez said. “He’s had an impact on a lot of people. He’s a great leader.”
West Covina police Lt. Dennis Patton said Dulong has a “heart of gold.”
“He has been an asset to all the agencies in the San Gabriel Valley,” the lieutenant said.
Dulong, a 55-year-old Inland Empire resident, said the additional guests at Wednesday’s briefing were “a pleasant surprise.”
The sergeant began his career at the CHP’s Baldwin Park area office in 1986, before transferring to San Jose two years later, he said.
Having grown fond of Southern California, Dulong transferred back to the CHP’s Baldwin Park area office in 1989. He moved to the South Los Angeles station when he promoted to sergeant in 1992, but returned to Baldwin Park the following year.
Dulong said he kept returning to Baldwin Park because the San Gabriel Valley is his favorite area to work in.
“I’m like a boomerang,” he quipped, adding that he enjoyed both dealing with the people and working Southern California’s extensive highway system.
Dulong has served as a motorcycle sergeant for the past 11 years, adding that patrolling on two wheels has been his favorite assignment.
He said the thing he will miss most about the job is his colleagues, both within the CHP and other law enforcement agencies.

PHOTO: Officials from the Covina, West Covina and Pomona police department bid farewell to Sgt. Mike Dulong of the California’s Highway Patrol’s Baldwin Park area office, who retired Wednesday, Dec. 30, 2015, after 30 years of service. Dulong was the senior-ranking CHP sergeant in California. From left to right: West Covina police Capt. Doug Muray, West Covina police Lt. Pat Benschop, West Covina police Lt. Dennis Patton, West Covina police Lt. Dave Lee, CHP Sgt. Mike Dulong, Covina police Lt. Tim Doonan, Covina police Capt. John Curley, Pomona police Lt. Christian Hsu. (Courtesy, West Covina Police Department)

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Carjacking suspect arrested in East Valinda after pursuit

1230_NWS_SGT-L-CARJACKER1EAST VALINDA >> Deputies arrested a carjacking suspect after he led them on a chase, which ended in a crash in East Valinda Wednesday, authorities said.
The incident began shortly before 2 p.m. when deputies spotted a suspect wanted in connection with a carjacking driving in the unincorporated county area of East Valinda, according to Los Angeles County Sheriff’s officials. The SUV has been reported carjacked in Hawthorne, Lt. David Infante said.
“The suspect was considered armed and dangerous,” the lieutenant said.
Aided by a helicopter, deputies chased the SUV along surface streets for about 15 minutes before the driver crashed into a tree along McLaren Street, between Jellick Avenue and Trafalgate Avenue in East Valinda, and continued to flee on foot, officials said.
1230_NWS_SGT-L-CARJACKER2Deputies captured the suspect as he was pounding on or trying to kick in the door of a nearby home, Infante said. The home may have been that of a relative of the suspect.
The name of the suspect was not available Wednesday afternoon pending booking.

PHOTOS courtesy of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department

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La Habra police shoot suspect in Whittier


WHITTIER >> La Habra police shot and wounded a suspect during an encounter in Whittier late Sunday, officials said.
The suspect, initially described only as an adult, was hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries following the officer-involved shooting, La Habra Police Sgt. Kyle Davis said.
Officers were following up on a theft investigation shortly after 7:30 p.m. when they encountered the man in the area of Russell Street and Tigrina Avenue and the shooting took place, he said. No officers were injured.
No further details were available.

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Ex-con accused of carjacking woman in Irwindale, burglarizing her Pomona home

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IRWINDALE >> Police arrested an ex-convict Sunday after he assaulted and carjacked a woman in Irwindale, then burglarized her Pomona home, officials said.
Officers ultimately jailed Jesse Maldonado, 45, of West Covina on suspicion of felony domestic violence, carjacking and burglary, Irwindale police Sgt. Rudy Gatto said.
The series of crimes began about 12:30 p.m., as Maldonado, the 30-year-old mother of their child and their 12-year-old son were riding together in a 2006 Mazda 6 along Los Angeles Street near the 605 Freeway in Irwindale, Gatto said. Maldonado was at the wheel.
The couple became involved in a dispute, and Maldonado pushed the woman from the vehicle as he continued driving it at about 10 mph, the sergeant said. The woman suffered minor injuries.
Maldonado stopped the car and ordered the child out before driving off in the woman’s car, he said.
The suspect then drove to the woman’s apartment in the 700 block of West 3rd Street in Pomona, where surveillance cameras snapped imaged of him breaking in, Gatto said. He stole various household items and fled the scene before Pomona police arrived.
Irwindale police soon found Maldonado when he returned to their city to access a storage locker in the 4300 block of Irwindale Avenue, Gatto said. He was arrested without a struggle. Police recovered the woman’s car, as well as items from her apartment which were found inside the vehicle.
Maldonado was being held in lieu of $100,000 bail at the Baldwin Park Police Department’s jail pending his initial court appearance, officials said.

*This story has been updated to correct the relationship between the suspect and victim.

PHOTO of Jesse Maldonado, 45, of West Covina courtesy of the Irwindale Police Department

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