Monthly Archives: June 2017

Glendora man killed in forest motorcycle crash identified

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ANGELES NATIONAL FOREST >> Authorities have identified a 46-year-old Glendora man who died in a motorcycle crash in the Angeles National Forest north of Azusa.
Jonathan Wayde Shoemaker died at a hospital a little more than two hours after the collision, which took place about 6:18 a.m. on Sunday near mile marker 27.19 of San Gabriel Canyon Road, north of the Morris Reservoir.
He was riding a 2005 Ducati 999 south along the mountain road when a northbound 2000 Honda Civic made an abrupt left turn in front of him while turning into an offroad parking lot, California Highway Patrol Officer C, Strautman said in a written statement.
Paramedics took Shoemaker to Los Angeles County-USC Medical Center, where he succumbed to his injuries about 8:30 a.m., Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner Assistant Chief of Operations Ed Winter said.
The driver of the Honda, a 40-year-old Montebello man, suffered no injuries, Strautman said. DUI was not suspected to be a factor in the crash, which remains under investigation by the CHP’s Baldwin Park office.

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Man gets two life terms in prison for double-fatal Pasadena boarding house arson

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PASADENA >> A man received two life prison terms, plus an additional 14 years behind bars, on Wednesday for a 2012 arson fire at a Pasadena boarding home that left two of his roommates dead, authorities said.
Garth Allen Robbins, 54, will spend the rest of his life in state prison after receiving his sentence from Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Stan Blumenfeld at the court’s Pasadena branch, according to Los Angeles County District Attorney’s spokesman Greg Risling.
A Pasadena jury convicted him in April of two counts of first-degree murder, one count of arson causing great bodily injury and one count of arson of an inhabited structure for the Nov. 1, 2012, arson at the illegal boarding home at 1385 El Sereno Ave. The jury also found true the special allegations of multiple murder and murder during the commission of an arson.
Robbins was staying at the boarding home along with 17 other residents, who were asleep inside when he lit the three-story house on fire during the early-morning hours.
“Evidence presented at trial showed that Robbins started the fire at about 2 a.m. when 17 others were asleep inside the house,” Risling said in a written statement. “He doused his room with gasoline and set it ablaze.”
Residents Cliff Juan Clark, 56, and Paul Richard Boyd, 75, died in the fire, coroner’s officials said. Another 65-year-old resident of the boarding home suffered severe injuries, but survived.
At Wednesday’s sentencing hearing, “Robbins was sentenced to two consecutive sentences of life without the possibility of parole, plus an additional 14 years,” Risling said.
The motive in the deadly arson was never fully explained, officials said.
Robbins stated during the trial process that, “he wanted his life to go away,” but there was no indication that he was angry with his roommates, Pasadena Fire Department spokeswoman Lisa Derderian said.
The owner of the boarding home subsequently pleaded guilty to 23 Pasadena city ordinance violations. She was sentenced to three years of probation and ordered to pay $6,200 in fines.

PHOTO: Garth Allen Robbins, 54, was convicted of two counts of murder and two counts of arson on Friday, April 7, 2017, for a Nov. 1, 2012, arson fire at a Pasadena boarding home that left two men dead and another badly burned. Robbins is pictured during his preliminary hearing Tuesday, June 18, 2013, in the Pasadena branch of Los Angeles County Superior Court. File Photo

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Glendora man killed in motorcycle crash in forest north of Azusa

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ANGELES NATIONAL FOREST >> A Glendora man died in a crash early Sunday after a car made an abrupt left turn in front of his motorcycle along San Gabriel Canyon Road in the forest north of Azusa, officials said.
Coroner’s officials did not release the identity of the motorcyclist on Sunday pending positive identification and notification of his family. He was described by California Highway Patrol officials as 46 years old.
The crash was first reported about 6:15 a.m. near mile marker 27.19 of the winding mountain road, near the Morris Reservoir, California Highway Patrol Officer C. Strautman said in a written statement.
The motorcyclist was heading north on a 2005 Ducati 999 when a southbound 2000 Honda Civic made “an unsafe left turn into an offroad parking lot, in the direct path of the Ducati 999,” Strautman said. “The front of the Ducati 999 collided into the right side of the Honda Civic.
Paramedics took the injured rider to Los Angeles County-USC Medical Center in Los Angeles, where he succumbed to his injuries, officials said.
The driver of the Honda, a 40-year-old Montebello man, was unhurt, Strautman added.
No arrests were made as the investigation continued, Strautman said. Drugs or alcohol were not suspected to have played a role in the deadly crash.
Any witnesses are urged to contact the CHP’s Baldwin Park-area office at 626-338-1164.

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DUI suspect surrenders to police in the nude following pursuit from Monrovia to Covina

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A Covina man allegedly high on drugs led Monrovia police on a pursuit before driving home, barricaded himself inside, taking a shower, then surrendering to police in the buff on Saturday night, authorities said.
The incident just after 8 p.m. when a witness flagged down a Monrovia police officer to report seeing a possible intoxicated driver, Monrovia police Sgt. Glen Coleman said.
Officers soon found the car, driving on the wrong side of the road, and tried to pull it over, he said. The driver refused to yield, initiating a chase.
The fleeing suspect drove through red lights and ultimately made his way into the eastbound 210 Freeway, according to the sergeant.
He exited the freeway and drove to his home along Cloverland Drive, near Mesarica Road, in the unincorporated county area near Covina, officials said.
The driver entered the home and refused officer’s orders to surrender, Coleman said. He took a shower, then surrendered to police about 45 minutes later, wearing only a towel.
Brian Robert Borland, 28, who was suspected to be under the influence of an unknown drug, was booked on suspicion of DUI and evading police, Coleman said.
Police in Sierra Madre had pulled Borland over a short time before the chase began in Monrovia, but he fled from officers and was not found, authorities said.
According to Los Angeles County booking records, Borland was being held in lieu of $155,000 bail pending his initial court appearance, scheduled Tuesday in the Pasadena branch of Los Angeles County Superior Court.

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Two suspects and dog burned fire at alleged ‘honey oil’ lab at South El Monte motel

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SOUTH EL MONTE >> Two men and a dog suffered burns when a fire broke out at a hash oil extraction lab operating out of a South El Monte motel early Sunday, authorities said. A third, possibly injured suspect was believed to be at large.
Los Angeles County deputies and firefighters responding to reports of a structure fire about 12:40 a.m. encountered several rooms ablaze at the Motel 6, 1228 Durfee Ave., according to Deputy Lisa Jansen of the sheriff’s Information Bureau.
Firefighters quickly extinguished the flames, she said. Two men, as well as a dog, suffered burns in the fire.
One of the men suffered major burn injuries, while the second man’s injuries appeared less severe, Sgt. James Long said. An update on their conditions was not available.
“Detectives from Arson-Explosives Detail responded and, based on recovered evidence, determined there was a possible ‘honey oil’ marijuana extraction laboratory at the location,” Jansen said in a written statement. Deputies seized equipment associated with the alleged hash oil extraction.
Officials took the two suspects to a hospital to receive treatment prior to facing potential criminal charges, officials said. The injured dog was taken to a veterinary hospital in unknown condition.
“Investigators believe another suspect, with possible burn injuries, may have left the location prior to their arrival,” Jansen said.
Deputies found scorched clothing believed to have been shed by the third suspect before fleeing the scene, Long said. No description of the man was available.
Officials estimated that the fire caused $80,000 worth of damage to the motel.
Detectives from the Los Angeles Interagency Metropolitan Police Apprehension Crime Task Force’s Clandestine Laboratory Team responded to the scene and is spearheading the investigation.
Anyone with information is urged to contact LA IMPACT at 323-869-6874. Tips may also be submitted anonymously to L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477.

PHOTOS courtesy of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department

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Officials: Woman shot by Montebello police after charging at officer, boyfriend with car

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MONTEBELLO >> Police shot and killed a woman they say drove a car toward an officer and her boyfriend as police were investigating a report of a domestic dispute at a motel in Montebello on Saturday afternoon.
The fatal officer-involved shooting unfolded just after 4 p.m. outside the Quality Inn & Suites, 7709 Telegraph Road, Los Angeles County sheriff’s officials said.
Police were summoned to the pool area of the motel regarding a dispute between a woman and her boyfriend, both 28 years old, according to Deputy Kelvin Moody of the sheriff’s Information Bureau.
The couple, who were using the pool at the motel but were not guests, had been “drinking heavily during the day,” Moody said in a written statement.
“A verbal argument escalated to the point where the woman went inside the motel lobby and told the front desk clerk that her boyfriend had taken her purse,” Moody said. Motel staff called the police.
The woman then returned to her boyfriend and assaulted him, he said. She drove off just as a Montebello police officer was arriving.
“As the suspect drives away, she makes a U-turn and drives towards the officer and the boyfriend with her car, at which time an officer-involved shooting occurred,” Moody said.
“The woman was struck several times in the upper body,” Moody said. “She was transported to a local hospital where she was pronounced dead.”
The woman’s name was not available Sunday pending positive identification and notification of family, Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner Investigator Rudy Molano said.
No further details were released.

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Suspect wounded in Montebello police shooting

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MONTEBELLO >> Police shot and wounded a man in Montebello on Saturday afternoon, officials said.
Few details were initially available regarding the officer-involved shooting, which took place about 4:05 p.m. in a commercial neighborhood in the 7700 block of Telegraph Road, according to Deputy Ryan Rouzan of the Los Angeles County sheriff’s Information Bureau.
“The suspect was struck by gunfire,” Rouzan said in a written statement.
“The suspect was transported to a local hospital in an unknown condition,” he said. “There is no additional information available and the investigation is ongoing.”
Detectives from the sheriff’s Homicide Bureau are spearheading the investigation, as is common practice for officer-involved shooting involving Los Angeles County police agencies.
Anyone with information can reach 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.

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Pomona man fatally shot during family party

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POMONA >> A Pomona man died following a shooting that erupted during a family party at his home on Friday night, authorities said.
Joseph Ellis Aguilar, 23, died at a hospital shortly after the 11:45 p.m. shooting at the corner of McKinley and Towne avenues, according to Pomona police Sgt. Bert Sanchez.
“A family party was interrupted when a fight broke out,” Sanchez said in a written statement. “During the fight, person(s) unknown produced a firearm and shot victim Aguilar fatally wounding him.”
Paramedics treated Aguilar and took him to Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center, where he succumbed to his wounds shortly after arriving, officials said.
Public records indicated Aguilar lived at the home where the shooting took place.
“Homicide Investigators responded to the scene and are currently conducting the investigation,” Sanchez said. “Little is known at this time.”
Anyone with information was urged to contact Pomona police at 909-620-2085. Tips may also be submitted anonymously to L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477.

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Whittier checkpoint nets 1 arrest, 16 citations

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WHITTIER >> Police arrested one suspected drunken driver and issued 16 citations during a checkpoint in Whittier late Friday and early Saturday, police said.
The checkpoint was held along Mulberry Drive, just east of Santa Fe Springs Road, at the southwest edge of the city, Whittier police officials said in a written statement.
Officers arrested on driver on suspicion of DUI, police said. Sixteen more were “arrested and released on citations” for driving without licenses, or with suspended or revoked licenses.

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UPDATED: Bloomington man fatally struck by car while helping stranded motorist on 60 Freeway in Diamond Bar

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DIAMOND BAR >> A Bloomington man who stopped on the 60 Freeway in Diamond Bar to help a disabled motorist died after being struck by another car early Sunday, authorities and his brother said.
Timothy Joseph Rios, 23, died in the crash, which took place about 2:40 a.m. in the westbound lanes of the freeway at Diamond Bar Boulevard, Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner Coroner Assistant Chief of Operation Ed Winter said. He was described by California Highway Patrol officials as a Bloomington resident.
CHP logs indicated one or two vehicles were first reported disabled in the carpool and fast lanes at 2:38 a.m. A secondary collision was reported four minutes later.
A 2006 Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck was stalled in the fast lane following a minor collision just prior to the fatal crash, CHP Officer J. Chumacero said in a written statement.
Rios was standing in the fast lane, officials said. It was not clear whether he had been a passenger in the pickup truck or another vehicle.
A 2007 Honda Civic being driven by a 49-year-old Covina man then approached the crash scene, according to Chumacero.
“Due to (the Honda Driver) driving his Honda Civic at an unsafe speed for changing traffic conditions, the front of the Honda Civic collided into the rear of the Chevrolet Silverado,” Chumacero said.
“The Honda Civic continued traveling out-of-control in a westerly direction, causing the front of the Honda Civic to collide into Rios,” he said.
Paramedics pronounce Rios dead at the scene.
Rios worked as a security guard and was working toward becoming a corrections officer, his younger brother, Michael Estrada, said. Rios had just gotten married earlier this year.
Estrada said his brother had spotted the Chevy Silverado pickup truck while driving in his patrol car, and stopped to help the woman at the wheel of the disabled truck when he was struck.
The driver of the Honda Civic was not arrested, according to the CHP.
Officers arrested the driver of the Silverado, described as a 28-year-old Anaheim woman, who Rios initially stopped to help, according to officials and Estrada. But it was not clear Saturday exactly what crime the driver was suspected of.
But county booking records indicated the arrested driver was booked on suspicion of a misdemeanor offense and released on $5,000 bail late Saturday morning.
Estrada said helping a stranded motorist was consistent with Rios’ charitable personality.
“That’s him. He just wanted to help,” the brother said. “He was really selfless, easy to get along with, adventurous.”
Rios is survived by his wife, his brother, three sisters and his mother, Estrada said.
The crash is being investigated by officers from the CHP’s Baldwin Park-area office. No further information was available Saturday afternoon.
Fund to help Rios’ family are being collected online at www.paypal.me/melissavrios.

PHOTOS: Timothy Joseph Rios (Courtesy)

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