Brian Day: February 2012 Archives
AZUSA -- A man arrested earlier this week on suspicion of kidnapping a female friend was released from jail Wednesday after prosecutors declined to file charges, officials said.
Derrick Lee Zacheary, 61, of Los Angeles was released from custody early Wednesday after officials rejected the case against him due to insufficient evidence, according to county booking records and Los Angeles County District Attorneys officials.
Azusa police arrested him Monday afternoon following an alleged incident 200 block of North Aspan Avenue, Azusa police Detective Robert Landeros said.
The woman, who is in her 30s, is a friend of Zacheary who lives with him in a recreational vehicle, police added.
The woman told investigators that Zacheary locked her in the back of the RV and brandished a gun, Landeros said.
After driving to Los Angeles, Zacheary was accused of unlocking the back of the RV, at which point the woman ran off and went home, police said.
A handgun was recovered when police took Zacheary into custody, Landeros added.
Zacheary told police he had been hired by a property manager to keep watch over a home on Aspen Avenue, Landeros said, and that the woman wanted to go back to Los Angeles, but Zacheary didn't want to give her a ride.
Prior to being released without charges Wednesday, Zacheary had been held in lieu of $100,000 bail.
SANTA FE SPRINGS -- A drunken driver is believed to be to be responsible for a crash that left a big-rig loaded with beer jack-knifed across the southbound lanes of the 605 Freeway Tuesday afternoon, authorities said.
The driver of an Audi sedan that collided with the big-rig was arrested following the 1 p.m. crash on the southbound 605 Freeway near Florence Avenue, California Highway Patrol Sgt. A. Aleman said.
His name was not available Wednesday, Aleman added. He was initially described as a 26-year-old South Gate man.
The truck driver was not hurt, and the Audi driver was treated for apparently minor injuries, Aleman said.
The Audi had just entered the freeway from a 5 Freeway transition road when it collided with the brew-hauling big-rig, which was already southbound in the No. 3 lane of the 605, officials said.
The wreckage forced the closure of all but the carpool lane on the southbound side of the 605 for about three hours
The crash was being investigated by the Santa Fe Springs office of the CHP.
SAN DIMAS -- Sheriff's deputies arrested a man and two women on suspicion of auto theft Wednesday after a woman spotted her own car, which had been stolen earlier in the day, driving on the 10 Freeway, authorities said.
A woman had her Mazda Miata stolen Wednesday morning in Montclair, Los Angeles County sheriff's Sgt. Kirk Smith said.
As she was on her way to school on the 10 Freeway in another vehicle about 9:45 a.m., "She spotted her car driving down the freeway," Smith said.
The woman called deputies as she followed the car until it headed south on the 57 Freeway, exited at Arrow Highway and pulled into a gas station, Smith said.
The car and three suspects were still at the gas station when deputies arrived, he added. The suspects were arrested without a struggle.
The names of the suspects, who were turned over to Montclair police for booking, were not immediately available.
A 5th grade teacher was arrested Monday for alleged sexual misconduct with a child.
Roger Talley, 53, of Upland, was arrested and booked at the West Valley Detention Center on suspicion of one count of lewd acts on a child and on one count of criminal threats, according to a Chino police news release.
Talley, who worked at Walnut Elementary in the Chino Valley Unified School District, had been the focus of a two-week investigation, officials said.
During that time. Chino police detectives spoke with current and former students of the suspect, who was placed on leave from the school district on Feb. 10, according to the news release.
Anyone with information about the incident can call police Detective Ted Olden at 909-464-0745.
- Staff report
A Whittier man driving a BMW and his passenger were in custody Tuesday night after a chase that began in Hacienda Heights and ended in North Hollywood.
The driver, Valentino Arroyas of Whittier, was booked on suspicion of felony evading, while his passenger, 20-year-old Janine Rodriguez of East Los Angeles, was booked on suspicion of possession of methamphetamine, Los Angeles County sheriff's Lt. Victor Sotelo said.
No one was injured in the incident that started at Colima Road and Hacienda Boulevard.
Sheriff's Lt. John Saleeby said the driver of a BMW ran red lights shortly after 8 p.m.
The car didn't stop and made a beeline for Whittier, where it was later determined the driver resides, officials said.
The pursuit, which involved several law enforcement agencies, went through different communities including Whittier, Pico Rivera and Pasadena before working its way to North Hollywood.
On surface streets the driver hit 35 to 40 mph and sped up while on the freeways.
The chase ended about an hour and a half later on the 170 Freeway at Saticoy Street in North Hollywood, where the car ran out of gas, officials said.
Arroyas and Rodriguez then surrendered to California Highway Patrol officers.
Arroyas was thought to have fled, in part, because he incorrectly believed the car he was driving had been reported stolen.
The owner of the vehicle, who is a relative of one of the suspects, had told them the vehicle would be reported stolen if not returned, Sotelo said. But that had not occurred.
According to county booking records, Arroyas was being held in lieu of $35,200 bail, while Rodriguez was being held in lieu of $13,000 bail. Both were scheduled for arraignment Thursday in West Covina Superior Court.
PICO RIVERA - A 17-year-old Pico Rivera boy was shot in the shoulder after a passenger in a sport utility vehicle fired several times at a group of teens Tuesday.
The shooting broke out at 12:55 p.m. on Washington and Passons boulevards. Sheriff's gang deputies believe the suspects are gang members.
Sgt. Mark Bailey said the shooter shouted the name of a Pico Rivera gang before firing at two boys and two girls who were at a bus stop.
But he said the victims aren't gang members.
Before the shooting, Bailey said a green Pathfinder stopped by the teens and the driver asked where they were from. The four denied being in a gang.
It appeared the man left and returned a short time later with a passenger, investigators said.
The passenger pointed a gun at the group, yelled out a gang's name and shot three times.
The injured teen ended up with a bullet lodged in his shoulder, however the wound did not appear life-threatening, Lt. Robert Smith said.
The shooter was described as a Latino in his 20s with black hair that was slicked back. He wore a black shirt.
The driver was also described as a Latino man in his 20s who was wearing a gray shirt, officials said.
- Staff report
LA MIRADA -- A motorcyclist died Wednesday after colliding with a van on Valley View Avenue, authorities said.
The name of the motorcyclist was not released pending positive identification and notification of his family members, Los Angeles County sheriff's Lt. Bill Evans said. He was initially described as a man in his 50s and believed to be a Whittier resident.
The crash was reported about 8 a.m. on Valley View Avenue at Bora Drive, the lieutenant said.
Rescuers took the injured motorcyclist, who was unresponsive, to the University of Southern California, Irvine, Medical Center for treatment, Evans said. He died from his injuries as 9:08 a.m.
The motorcycle was southbound on Valley View Avenue when it collided with the van, which was making a left turn from eastbound Bora Drive to northbound Valley View Avenue, Evans said.
The motorcycle was traveling at an estimated 15 to 20 mph when it struck the van broadside, he added.
The cause of the crash remained under investigation, however no crime was initially suspected.
Evans said the driver of the van, a woman in her 30s, was unhurt and cooperated with investigators.
Anyone with information is asked to call the sheriff's Norwalk Station at 562-863-8711.
WHITTIER -- A resident who arrived to find a burglar in her home Tuesday afternoon was punched in the head and knocked to the ground.
Whittier police Lt. Randy Inman said the intruder fled with jewelry, laptop and other items but was later caught by officers.
The 12:45 p.m. incident happened in the 16200 block of Honnington Street. Inman said a woman and her child came home and discovered a burglar at the house.
The woman chased the man off the property, he added.
"We started getting 9-1-1 calls about a woman screaming," Inman said.
Officers spotted the man walking on Russell Street and Whittier Boulevard.
Adam West, 30, of Buena Park was arrested on suspicion of robbery and burglary. West was being held at Whittier Jail.
Inman said coins and other items taken from the house were found on the suspect.
"He discarded the laptop and the jewelry in the trash," Inman said.
- Staff report
An armed man who was shot by West Covina police after a high-speed chase Sunday had his 4-year-old son with him during the wild pursuit in a stolen SUV, police said Monday.
Freddy Silva, 31, allegedly drove the wrong way on the 10 Freeway, opened fire on police with a shotgun, and crashed into a house in Pomona, before he left his son and carjacked second car. He was then shot by police and remains hospitalized.
Silva had been acquitted 10 days before on an assault case involving a firearm, police also said Monday.
Lt. Dave Dolson of the Sheriff's Homicide Bureau said Silva, whose last known address is in Claremont, was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and remained in critical condition Monday at Los Angeles County-USC Medical Center.
"He was shot once in the upper torso with a department-issued shotgun," Dolson said.
The Sheriff's Homicide Bureau is handling the investigation because it is an officer-involved shooting.
Dolson said Silva's son is in protective custody with the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services. He didn't know where Silva was heading Sunday before encountering police.
According to online court record and authorities, a Pomona Superior Court jury acquitted Silva on Feb. 16 of charges related to an assault case.
West Covina police shot and seriously wounded a man Sunday following a wild high-speed chase to Pomona during which he opened fire on police with a shotgun, drove the wrong way on the 10 Freeway, crashed into a house and carjacked a second vehicle, authorities said.
The suspect was taken to a hospital following the shooting, where he was listed in critical condition, according to Los Angeles County sheriff's Deputy Tony Moore.
Sheriff's officials initially said the suspect had died at the hospital following the shooting.
"That information was reported to us incorrectly," Moore said. "The suspect is not deceased and is listed in critical condition."
The shooting took place about 4 p.m. on Alvarado Street, just west of Park Avenue, officials said.
The incident began about 15 minutes prior, when a police officer spotted an SUV that had been reported carjacked driving in the area of Temple Avenue and Amar Road in West Covina, West Covina police Lt. Alan Henley said. The SUV failed to pull over for the officer, initiating a pursuit at high-speeds.
When the chase reached the area of Amar Road and Amber Valley Drive in Walnut, "The suspect pointed a shotgun out the window and fired at officers," Henley said.
The suspect was believed to have fired one or two blasts from his shotgun, police added. No officers were struck.
The pursuit continued onto the 10 Freeway, where the suspect drove on the wrong side of the roadway into Pomona, Henley said. At several times during the chase, the fleeing driver pointed his shotgun back toward the pursuing officers and made "furtive movements," he added.
The fleeing SUV exited the freeway and crashed into a house in the area of Park and McKinley avenues, officials said. The suspect then allegedly carjacked a second vehicle, a white Honda sedan.
Authorities late Sunday could not confirm initial reports from the scene that a child had been left behind in the crashed SUV.
The white car rammed a police car before the pursuit came to an end on Alvarado Street, Henley said.
The circumstances of what took place next remained under investigation, officials said, however an officer-involved shooting took place in which the suspect was struck in the upper body.
West Covina and Pomona police swarmed the scene in the minutes following the shooting and shut down Alvarado Street in the area where the shooting occurred.
Maria Hernandez, 40, said she was in her home when she heard a single gunshot and looked outside to see what was going on.
By the time she looked outside, police were already taking the wounded man into custody, she said. "He was yelling."
She added the white Honda the suspect has been driving continued moving without a driver until it struck a curb.
The wounded suspect's name was not released Sunday. Witnesses said he appeared to be a Latino man in his 30s.
As is common practice with officer-involved shootings involving Los Angeles County police agencies, the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Homicide Bureau is leading the investigation, officials said.
LOS ANGELES--Many school teachers across the nation are trained to pick up on clues of child abuse and neglect, but most are not trained to spot the signs of classroom pedophiles, leaving a gray area that could help teacher molesters operate undetected on campuses.
Experts say better training of school teachers and administrators in red-flag behavior could aid in catching molesters, pointing to the case of a former Los Angeles third-grade teacher who is charged with feeding some two dozen students semen-laced cookies, and blindfolding and gagging them over a five-year period.
"There are clear and consistent patterns of behavior. If you know what they are, they jump right out at you," said Diane Cranley, founder of Talk About Abuse to Liberate Kids based in Laguna Niguel, Calif. "But there's no awareness."
Only a fraction of the nation's 3 million educators are involved in any sexual misconduct with children. Although no national statistics are kept, a 2007 Associated Press investigation found 2,500 cases nationwide over five years where educators were punished for sexual abuse.
But that number is believed to be only a sliver of all sexual misconduct incidents.
...FULL STORY from the Associated Press
LONG BEACH - An 11-year-old girl died after a preplanned fight with another girl, also 11, in an alley near Willard Elementary School, police said at a press conference held Saturday night.
The girl, identified by friends as Joanna Ramos, sustained undisclosed injuries after the off-campus fight Friday evening. Both of the girls then walked away.
Some time later, family members noticed Ramos wasn't feeling well and drove her to a local emergency room. She underwent surgery Friday, was initially listed in critical condition, but was pronounced dead shortly before 9 p.m. Friday.
"There are times when words do not convey the sense of sadness we feel," Long Beach Mayor Bob Foster said at a press conference at the Long Beach Police Department. "This is one of those times."
Police have not made any arrests, but have interviewed the girl who engaged in the fight with Ramos. Deputy Chief Robert Luna said there were about seven onlookers present at the time, and they have been interviewed as well.
Police did not say what prompted the fight, but friends said it was over a boy.
"They were fighting over a boy. I told the teacher and she said she would talk to all the girls on Monday," said Stephanie Guadalupe Soltero, who said she was friends with the victim.
IMAGE of Joanna Ramos photographed by Long Beach Press Telegram staff
BALDWIN PARK -- A fire caused major damage to a house and detached garage late Saturday, however the residents escaped injury, authorities said.
The blaze broke out shortly before 10 p.m. at a house in the 4000 block of Bogart Avenue, Los Angeles County Fire Department Dispatch Supervisor Clyde Taylor said.
The fire, which was believed to have been sparked by an electrical problem, caused about $180,000 worth of damage to the home and its contents, Taylor said.
The residents had all evacuated themselves prior to firefighters' arrival, she added.
The fire was determined to be accidental, Taylor said, and investigators were looking into the possibility that "faulty wiring" was to blame.
SOUTH PASADENA -- A South Pasadena police sergeant is training for a 300-mile bike ride to honor a fellow officer who died during a training exercise last year.
Sgt. Tony Abdalla will represent the South Pasadena Police Department, the late Officer Kevin Sandoval and Sandoval's family as he rides his bicycle alongside hundreds of other law enforcement officers at the upcoming Police Unity Tour, department officials said.
The 3-day trek, which is designed to honor fallen officers from all over the country, departs from from Somerset, New Jersey on May 10 and ends in Washington, DC. The ride coincides with National Police Week and is capped off with a candlelight vigil at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial.
"I'm truly honored and privileged to be able to participate in the 2012 Police Unity Tour in memory of Kevin and to honor his family," Abdalla said. "Kevin left us way too soon and the tour is an amazing event that keeps his candle burning bright."
Sandoval, 23, was a 3-year veteran of the South Pasadena Police Department when he suffered a sudden and fatal heart attack while participating in a training exercise at the Burro Canyon Shooting Park north of Azusa on June 14, 2011, officials said.
Abdalla is a 22-year South Pasadena police veteran and an avid bicyclist in his free time.
When given a chance to represent the department and Sandoval, "I jumped at the opportunity," he said.
The Police Unity Tour raises awareness of police officers who have died in the line of duty, as well as raises funds for the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial and Museum in Washington, DC.
More than 1,300 cops took part last year, raising more than $1.5 million in donations, officials said. The motto of the event is: "We Ride For Those Who Died."
Every rider is committed to raising at least $1,800 for the museum, organizers said, and that does not include the equipment and logistical expenses associated with participating in the tour.
Tax deductible donations to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial and Museum can be made in Abdalla's name by visiting www.socalput.com.
Donations to fund Abdalla's ride can be made in his name and sent in care of the South Pasadena Police Officers Association, 1422 Mission Street, Unit S., Pasadena, CA 91030.
DOWNEY - Don't mess with the Hello Kitty Mafia.
That was just one of the female gangs discussed Friday at the third annual Symposium on Street Gangs and School Safety by the Los Angeles County Department of Education.
Santa Ana police Detective Ramona Ruiz said every gang has female members and associates.
Educators and police should know how to recognize female gang members - and how to use them.
Females make the best informants of all," she said. "We know all and see all."
Gang members confide in their girlfriends, sisters and mothers, Ruiz said.
And, in Ruiz's experience, jealous girlfriends aren't above squealing on their gang-member boyfriends, she said to a crowd of more than 200 educators and police at the Los Angeles County Office of Education building in Downey.
WEST COVINA -- Police, with the help of an automated license plate scanning device, arrested a Baldwin Park man driving a stolen car late Friday, officials said.
Norberto Alcantara, 35, was booked on suspicion of auto theft, West Covina police Lt. Alan Henley said.
An officer was on patrol about 8 p.m. in the 1400 block of South Azusa Avenue when an automatic license plate reading device mounted on top of the patrol alerted the officer of a stolen car nearby, the lieutenant said.
Police stopped the car and arrested the driver, later identified as Alcantara, after determining the car had been reported stolen out of Orange County, Henley said.
According to county booking records, Alcantara was being held in lieu of $25,000 bail pending a scheduled arraignment Tuesday in West Covina Superior Court.
COVINA -- Police are seeking a gunman who robbed a young woman in front of her 7-year-old son inside a garage earlier this week.
The crime took place about 6:30 a.m. Thursday in a garage at an apartment complex in the 1100 block of West Badillo Street, Covina police Sgt. Matt Eddings said.
A 28-year-old woman had just gotten into her car with her young son when a man with a gun in his hand walked in the open garage door and approached her, the sergeant said.
The robber told the woman, "I don't want to hurt you, all I want is your purse," Eddings said. The woman complied, handing over her designer Michael Kors handbag.
"As the suspect was leaving, he said he was going to lock her in her garage and don't move," Eddings said. He then exited the garage and closed the door.
The terrified woman was still waiting inside the garage when Officers arrived, Eddings said. Neither she nor her son was injured.
Police described the robber as a black man in his late 20s, about 5-feet 10-inches tall and unshaven. He had a raspy voice and wore a hooded flannel shirt, dark pants and a dark beanie.
Anyone with information is asked to call Covina police at 626-384-5808.
SAN GABRIEL -- A man who planned on buying some cell phones from another man earlier this week got more than he bargained for when the seller pulled a gun, authorities said.
A man who owns a cell phone repair business was solicited via his phone earlier this week by man who offered to sell him four BlackBerry cell phones for $1,200, San Gabriel police Lt. Antonio Hernandez said. The victim did not previously know the seller, or how the seller obtained his phone number.
The men met up about 8:20 p.m. Thursday in a parking lot in the 200 block of West Valley Boulevard to perform the transaction, the lieutenant said.
After selling the victim the cell phones, the robber pulled a silver handgun and robbed the buyer of his laptop computer, wallet and about $4,000 in cash, police said. The BlackBerry cell phones were not taken back from the victim.
As the sale turned into a robbery, a second man joined the first robber, Hernandez said, and both men were last seen fleeing the area in a newer-model, silver, 4-door Chevrolet sedan.
The gunman was described as black man in his mid-20s, about 5-feet 5-inches tall, 155 pounds, with dark hair and dark eyes. The second robber was described only as a black man in his mid-20s with curly hair.
Anyone with information is asked to call San Gabriel police at 626-308-2828.
SAN DIMAS - Deputies are looking for whoever placed a booby trap in the middle of a street Friday that sent a rock crashing into a passing car.
The 30-year-old San Dimas man driving the car wasn't injured in the 7:50 p.m. incident, according to sheriff's Sgt. David Buckner.
But he said a rock, spray-painted black, smashed the windshield of the 2006 Audi and hit the right rear passenger door.
The device left in the 500 block of West Gladstone Street consisted of a rock placed on top of a 4-foot tall traffic delineator post. Both were painted black.
Buckner said the paint was still sticky and that the device was placed in the middle of the lane in a dark area.
Since the delineator post was four feet tall, he said the rock was positioned to hit a windshield.
It's not the first time this has happened on Gladstone Street, east of Amelia Avenue.
The sergeant said there have been three or four similar incidents in the past year where a painted rock and even a piece of plastic embedded with nails and drill bits were placed on the road.
"All in the same area," Buckner said.
While there have been no injuries, he said vehicles have been damaged including one driven by a reserve deputy.
Deputies don't know if the same person is behind all incidents.
Under the law, it is illegal to put oil, glass, nails or any substance on the street that will injure a person or an animal or damage a vehicle. It becomes a felony charge if the suspect does it with the intent to cause great bodily injury to anyone using the street.
Anyone with information on the case is asked to call the sheriff's San Dimas station at 909-450-2700.
- Ruby Gonzales
PASADENA -- A jury Friday convicted a Duarte man of the murder of his brother, who was found shot to death in the parking lot of the Rose Bowl nearly a year ago.
Pasadena Superior Court jurors deliberated for not much more than an hour before finding Clifton Ashley Cass, 57, guilty of the first-degree murder of his brother, 57-year-old Victor Cass of Duarte.
The jury of eight women and four men also convicted Clifton Cass of being a felon in possession of a firearm, and found true the special allegation that he personally used a handgun to murder his brother.
Clifton Cass's polite and mild-mannered courtroom demeanor contrasted starkly with the brutal crime which he had just been convicted of.
Wearing a grey shirt and blue jeans, the large-framed killer with a salt-and-pepper mustache reached out to shake the hand of the lead police investigator in the case -- Pasadena police Detective Keith Gomez -- immediately after the verdict was read.
He sat quietly and showed no emotion as the court clerk informed him of his conviction.
He waived his right to a jury trial on the issue of his prior offenses and admitted to the court he had received at least five previous felony convictions, making him eligible for sentencing under California's Three Strikes Law.
The convict said he wanted to get the process, "over with, and get to wherever I'm going."
The body of 57-year-old Victor Cass of Duarte was discovered by a maintenance worker in the parking lot of the Rose Bowl on Feb. 28, 2011.
Clifton Cass, angered by perceived disrespect displayed by Victor Cass toward their mother, lured his brother to the Rose Bowl under the ruse of a cocaine deal before shooting him and trying, unsuccessfully, to decapitate him with a machete, Deputy District Attorney Debra Archuleta argued during the trial.
Clifton Cass was defended by attorney Bill Jacobson.
Judge Janice Croft ordered Clifton Cass back to court March 14 for sentencing.
Friends and family members of the killer and victim did not wish to comment following the verdict.
A key piece of evidence in the case was an audio recording of an interview with a third Cass brother, Gregory Cass, who said on tape that Clifton confessed the killing to him.
Complicating the case, however, Gregory Cass suffers from serious memory problems. When he testified in court, he displayed difficulty even recognizing Clifton Cass, and said he had only a vague recollection that he had lost a brother.
According to Gregory Cass' recorded statement, Clifton was infuriated at Victor Cass because he was bringing home women and using drugs in their mother's home, as well as eating her Meals on Wheels dinners.
Clifton Cass was jailed in April of last year after being found with drugs and weapons during a traffic stop, officials said. A search at his home yielded yet more drugs and guns.
A second suspect in the case, Dwayne Sims, 60, of Duarte pleaded no contest late last year to charges of being an accessory after the fact for helping clean up evidence following the killing and being a felony with five previous convictions in possession of a firearm, Los Angeles, district attorney's officials said.
Sims is due back in Court March 2 for sentencing.
SIERRA MADRE -- A man convicted last year in Canada of possessing and smuggling child pornography has returned to his hometown of Sierra Madre after serving his sentence, police said.
Robert Matheson was convicted of possessing and smuggling 2,820 images and 285 video -- many of them depicting underage boys engaged in sex acts with adult men, officials said.
He is also under investigation by U.S. officials, though investigators with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement have been tight-lipped about their probe.
Because his conviction was outside the United States, Matheson is not required by California law to register as a sex offender under Megan's Law, Sierra Madre Interim Police Chief Larry Giannone said.
After being sentenced to 120 days in jail for the Canadian child pornography conviction, Matheson was released Wednesday, officials said.
On Thursday, "Mr. Matheson voluntarily came into the police station to advise us that he was back at his residence and simply stated; 'There are two sides to every story," Giannone said.
Prior to Wednesday's release, ICE officials had been informed to expect Matheson's release in February, however an exact date was not available, police said.
"I.C.E. is still actively working on the Matheson case, however it is a lengthy process and I am not at liberty to discuss details of the investigation," Giannone said. "Mr. Matheson is aware of the continuing investigation."
PASADENA -- Jurors have reached a verdict in the murder trial for a Duarte man accused of shooting and trying to decapitate his brother with a machete in the parking lot of the Rose Bowl, court officials said.
Clifton Ashley Cass, 57, is charged with the murder of 57-year-old Victor Cass of Duarte, as well as possession of a firearm by a felon with five prior convictions, according to Los Angeles County District Attorney's Officials.
Authorities announced Friday that after only a few hours of deliberation, the jury had reached a verdict, which was scheduled to be read Friday afternoon in Pasadena Superior Court.
The body of 57-year-old Victor Cass of Duarte was discovered by a maintenance worker in the parking lot of the Rose Bowl on Feb. 28, 2011.
Authorities allege that Clifton Cass, angered by perceived disrespect displayed by Victor Cass toward their mother, lured his brother to the Rose Bowl under the ruse of a cocaine deal before shooting him and trying, unsuccessfully, to decapitate him with a machete.
Clifton Cass was jailed in April of last year after being found with drugs and weapons during a traffic stop, officials said. A search at his home yielded yet more drugs and guns.
A second suspect in the case, Dwayne Sims, 60, of Duarte pleaded no contest late last year to charges of being an accessory after the fact for helping clean up evidence following the killing and being a felony with five previous convictions in possession of a firearm, Los Angeles, district attorney's officials said.
Sims is due back in Court March 2 for sentencing.
HACIENDA HEIGHTS -- Two lanes of the eastbound 60 Freeway were blocked by an overturned pickup truck early Friday after a crash that was initially reported as possibly caused by racing cars.
The crash was reported just before 9 a.m. on the eastbound freeway, just west of 7th Avenue, according to California Highway Patrol logs.
Initial reports from 9-1-1 callers at the scene indicated that, "Two vehicles were racing and caused another vehicle to flip over," logs show.
Authorities issued a Sig Alert on the freeway as they moved the wreckage, but cleared the roadway about 20 minutes later.
No injuries were reported.
SANTA ANA -- Officials Thursday arrested and charged a former La Habra police officer suspected of embezzling more than $60,000 from a charity law enforcement organization he volunteered for.
Kirk Robert Lotzgesell, 43, of Winchester is accused of taking the money from the Orange County Cop Bowl Association between 2007 and 2009 while he served as an unpaid treasurer for the organization, Orange County District Attorney's Officials said in a written statement. The OCCBA runs football games between police officers and firefighters to raise money for youth scholarships.
"Lotzgesell is accused of stealing over $60,000 from OCCBA by writing checks to himself and making ATM withdrawals from the organization's accounts," according to the district attorney's office statement. "He's accused of spending the stolen money on personal expenses and bills."
After being arrested Thursday by Brea police, who investigated the case, Lotzgesell appeared in court and was charged with a felony count of grand theft, officials said.
He was released from jail on his own recognizance early Friday, counting booking records show. He could not be reached for comment.
Lotzgesell was hired by the La Habra Police Department in October of 1989 and "separated" in January of 2006 at the rank of corporal, department spokeswoman Cindy Knapp said. Due to personnel policies, she said, she declined to comment on the circumstances of his separation from the agency.
In 2007, Lotzgesell began volunteering as treasurer for the OCCBA, "after misrepresenting himself himself to the organization as a current police officer on medical leave," according to the district attorney's office statement.
His occupation is listed as "Realtor" in booking records.
In its 34-year history, the OCCBA has raised over $1 million for charity, officials said.
Prior to his release, Lotzgesell was initially scheduled to be arraigned Monday at the Central Jail courthouse in Santa Ana, district attorney's officials said. His updated court date following his release was not available early Friday.
If convicted as charged, Lotzgesell could face up to three years in state prison.
PHOTO of Kirk Lotzgesell courtesy of the Orange County District Attorney's Office
EAST LOS ANGELES -- A transient appeared in court Thursday to charges that he assaulted and broke the arm of another man earlier this week during an argument over a public toilet, authorities said.
Kenny Sakamoto pleaded not guilty to a charge of battery causing serious bodily injury, court officials said.
He was arrested Tuesday after a assaulting and breaking the arm of a 64-year-old Los Angeles man during an argument over who was going to first us a public restroom at a Montebello Del Taco restaurant, 880 N. Wilcox Ave., according to Montebello police Lt. Mike Bergman.
Sakamoto was ordered back to East Los Angeles Superior Court Friday for a bail review hearing, officials said.
Because Sakamoto uses a wheelchair and may require special accommodations, the date of his preliminary hearing was uncertain, officials added.
PASADENA -- Police are planning to hold a checkpoint late Friday, officials said.
The checkpoint will be held from 7 p.m. Friday to 3 a.m. Saturday on South Fair Oaks Avenue, near the city's southern limit, Pasadena police officials said in a written statement.
"Checkpoints are placed in locations that have the greatest opportunity for achieving drunk and drugged driving deterrence and provide the greatest safety for officers and the public," according to the statement.
"Drivers caught driving impaired can expect jail, license suspension, and insurance increases, as well as fines, fees, DUI classes, court probation and other expenses that can exceed $10,000," the police statement said.
The checkpoint is being funded by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
WEST WHITTIER -- Deputies served a warrant early Thursday and arrested a man suspected of three armed robberies along Whittier Boulevard earlier this month, authorities said.
David Jimenez, 38, of West Whittier was booked on suspicion of robbery following the 7:15 a.m. raid on his home in the 6000 block of McNees Avenue, Los Angeles County sheriff's Lt. Robert Smith said.
He was wanted in connection with three robberies that took place between Feb. 4 and Feb. 12 along Whittier Boulevard, just west of the 605 Freeway, in unincorporated West Whittier, the lieutenant said.
The robberies targeted the same donut shop twice, as well as a nearby gas station, Smith said.
Cash and merchandise were taken in the heists, he added.
"Detectives developed information that led them to believe the suspect was a resident of an adjacent neighborhood," Smith said.
Jimenez was arrested without a struggle when deputies arrived at his home early Thursday, he added.
According to county booking records, Jimenez was being held in lieu of $50,000 bail pending arraignment Monday in Whittier Superior Court.
EAST LOS ANGELES -- Prosecutors Wednesday charged an East Los Angeles soccer coach with molesting a 15-year-old player as detectives investigate allegations made by a second teenager against the longtime coach, authorities said.
Javier Arrioja, 48, of East Los Angeles pleaded not guilty Wednesday to four counts of lewd acts on a minor and one count of sending harmful matter, Los Angeles County District Attorney's and court officials said.
The alleged molestations took place between May and November of 2011.
He was arrested without incident Feb. 17 at his home in the 100 block of Townsend Avenue in East Los Angeles, Sgt. Peter Hahn of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Special Victims Bureau said.
"The lewd acts were alleged to have occurred in the suspect's car in Obregon Park in East Los Angeles, and in the coach's home in East Los Angeles," the sergeant added.
Arrioja coaches soccer for a private soccer club called, "Missioneros," for boys under 17, according to investigators.
"He has coached boys and girls soccer teams in the Los Angeles area for over 15 years," Hahn said.
The investigation revealed a second possible victim, a 14-year-old boy, "who reported similar lewd acts committed by the suspect," Hahn said. "The second case is still under investigation."
According to county booking records, Arrioja was being held without bail due to a hold placed on him by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and was next scheduled to appear in East Los Angeles Superior Court for a preliminary hearing March 5.
"Sheriff's Special Victims Bureau detectives believe it is possible there are additional victims and urge anyone who may have been a victim to contact investigators," Hahn said. Anyone with information is asked to contact Special Victims Bureau detectives by calling 877-710-5273 or sending an e-mail to specialvictims@lasd.org.
Tips can also be left anonymously be calling L.A. Crimestoppers at 800-222-8477.
PHOTO of Javier Arriojo courtesy of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department
MONTEBELLO -- Montebello police arrested a female Roosevelt High School Spanish teacher from Montebello late Wednesday on suspicion of carrying on sexual relationships with two boys while they were her students, authorities said.
Gabriela Cortez, 42, of Montebello was arrested about 6 p.m. Wednesday and booked on suspicion of unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor, according to Montebello police officials and county booking records.
Both of the victims are now adults, police said. Cortez teaches at Roosevelt High School in East Los Angeles, which is operated by the Los Angeles Unified School District.
The relationships took place between 2008 and 2010, Montebello police Lt. Luis Lopez said, while the victims were between the ages of 16 and 17.
Both former students were believed to have been involved in "long-term" relationships with the teacher, Lopez added.
One of the men came forward Feb. 15 and reported the alleged misconduct, launching an investigation, the lieutenant said.
"It appears that the first victim, it was on his mind," Lopez said. It was not immediately clear of the arrest of six other LAUSD teachers in the past month on suspicion of molesting students played a role in his decision to come forward.
Police informed the school of the investigation the day the allegations were made, and the district "took immediate action," removing Cortez from contact with students.
Detectives were able to corroborate the information provided by the first victim, Lopez said, and the investigation further revealed a second young man who also is believed to have been involved in a sexual relationship with Cortez.
School officials first learned of the first student's allegation from his family on the evening of Feb. 14, said Patrick Sinclair, spokesman for the Partnership for Los Angeles Schools -- a coalition of 22 LAUSD schools and the City of Los Angeles designed to turn around low-performing campuses. Roosevelt High is part of the Partnership for Los Angeles Schools.
Officials were prepared to place her on administrative leave the following day, "but she called in sick," Sinclair said.
When she returned to work Thursday, she was immediately placed on administrative leave, "pending the investigation," he added.
Once police arrested Cortez Wednesday evening, "Then we moved in full force to inform the entire school community as to what's going on," Sinclair said.
Parents received recorded phone calls regarding the arrest in both English and Spanish, he said, and students were sent home with bilingual letters Thursday afternoon.
A parent meeting will be held later this week, Sinclair said.
"All of the students from her classes have been pulled out and talked to," Sinclair said. Counseling was offered as well, he said.
She has taught at Roosevelt High School since 1994, Sinclair said, and began her teaching career with the LAUSD in 1988 at Soto Street Elementary School.
According to county booking records, Cortez was released from jail Wednesday night after posting $140,000 bail.
She could not be reached for comment Thursday.
She was scheduled to appear March 22 for an arraignment in East Los Angeles Superior Court, officials added.
There was no indication that other victims were involved, Lopez said, "However, it's always a possibility."
Anyone with information regarding this investigation is asked to call Montebello police Detective Andrade at 323-887-1255.
PHOTO of Gabriela Cortez courtesy of the Montebello Police Department.
EAST VALINDA - A robber fired several times into the air to force a driver to hand over his car keys Wednesday night.
Sheriff's Lt. Raymond Enriquez said the driver wasn't injured during the carjacking in the 400 block of Vidalia Avenue.
It was around 6 p.m when a man walked up to the driver and demanded the keys to his dark gray Toyota Camry, according to Enriquez.
When the driver refused, he said the suspect then shot into the air. The robber drove off with the Camry which has the license plate number 5TPN136.
The suspect was described as between 20 to 25, 5 feet 7 to 5 feet 8 inches tall and weighing 150 to 160 pounds.
- Ruby Gonzales
PICO RIVERA -- Sheriff's deputies shot and wounded a Whittier man who opened fire on them outside a motel late Wednesday, officials said.
Eddie Albert Luna, 28, was booked on suspicion of attempted murder of a peace officer as was being treated for his wounds at Los Angeles County-USC Medical Center, Los Angeles County sheriff's Lt. Robert Smith said.
The incident began just before 10 p.m. when a man called 9-1-1 from the Knights Inn, 6540 Rosemead Blvd., "to report that he was drunk and he had a gun," according to Deputy Peter Gomez of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Headquarters Bureau.
A sheriff's helicopter first arrived on-scene and deputies on board spotted the suspect -- later identified as Luna -- standing in front of the motel with a handgun tucked into his waistband, Gomez said.
"As numerous patrol units arrived, the suspect raised the handgun towards the deputies and fired his weapon at the deputies, missing them," Gomez said. "Deputies returned fire, striking the suspect numerous times."
Luna was hospitalized in stable condition, officials said. He was already on parole for a robbery at the time of his arrest.
No deputies were hurt, officials added, and the suspect's handgun was recovered at the scene.
As with any Los Angeles County sheriff's deputy-involved shooting, the incident is under investigation by sheriff's investigators, the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office and the County of Los Angeles Office of Independent Review.
WASHINGTON -- The Supreme Court appeared sharply divided Wednesday over a law that makes it a crime to lie about having been awarded top military honors.
The justices engaged in spirited debate over the constitutionality of a 2006 law aimed at curbing false claims about military exploits.
Some justices said they worried that upholding the Stolen Valor Act could lead to other limits on speech, including laws that might make it illegal to lie about an extramarital affair or a college degree, or to impress a date.
"Where do you stop?" Chief Justice John Roberts asked at one point.
But Roberts later joined other justices in indicating that the court could make clear that, if it upheld the law, it would only be endorsing an effort to prevent people from demeaning the system of military honors that was established by Gen. George Washington in 1782.
The Obama administration's top Supreme Court lawyer, Solicitor General Donald Verrilli Jr., defended the law as targeted to "protect the integrity of the honors system."
Justice Sonia Sotomayor seemed the least willing member of the court to accept the administration's argument. She disputed that the value of the highest award, the Medal of Honor, or any others has been diminished because some people lie about having received them.
Sotomayor said the issue provokes a justifiable emotional reaction, but said previous Supreme
Court cases make clear that taking offense by itself is not enough to justify limiting speech.
"So outside of the emotional reaction, where's the harm? And I'm not minimizing it. I, too, take offense when people make these kinds of claims, but I take offense when someone I'm dating makes a claim that's not true," said Sotomayor, who is divorced.
On the other side was Justice Antonin Scalia. "When Congress passed this legislation, I assume it did so because it thought that the value of the awards that these courageous members of the armed forces were receiving was being demeaned and diminished by charlatans. That's what Congress thought," Scalia said.
Jonathan Libby, the federal public defender arguing against the law, said Congress' intent is hard to discern because it passed the legislation without any hearings.
Libby's client, Xavier Alvarez, was one of the first people prosecuted for violating the Stolen Valor Act. Alvarez told a meeting of the Three Valleys Municipal Water District in Pomona, to which he had been elected, that he was a wounded war veteran who has received the Medal of Honor.
He never served in the armed forces.
- From the Associated Press. FULL STORY.
LOS ANGELES -- A doctor initially arrested by Montebello police earlier this year on suspicion of molesting one patient last year appeared in court Tuesday to answer allegations that he molested eight patients over the past five years, authorities said.
Arturo Vargas, 41, pleaded not guilty to 23 counts of molestation stemming from the allegations of eight women, according to court officials and an amended felony complaint filed against Vargas Feb. 6.
Montebello police initially arrested Vargas Jan. 4 at the end of a six-month investigation into a woman's allegations that he sexually assaulted her during a July, 2011 medical exam at the Kaiser Permanente Medical Offices, 1550 Town Center Drive.
Information released to the public about the case against Vargas helped generate new leads in the case, which was expanded to include seven additional women who allege sexual assault by the doctor dating back as far as 2007, according to court documents.
"The police department put out a press release announcing the arrest," Deputy District Attorney Martha Carrillo said. "It got disseminated, and potential victims came forward."
Vargas was ordered to return to Los Angeles Superior Court March 15 for a preliminary hearing, court officials said.
Several of the alleged molestations occurred at the same Montebello medical office involved in the initial allegation against Vargas, however others took place at other Los Angeles County facilities, Carrillo said.
Vargas, who has no prior criminal history, has been employed with Kaiser Permanente since 2005, Montebello police officials said. Details on his career before Kaiser were not available.
He was placed on leave from his position with Kaiser at the beginning of the investigation, according to police and Kaiser officials.
Further details were not immediately available.
Vargas was released after posting $200,000 bail within hours of his Jan. 4 arrest, according to county booking records.
He was re-arrested Feb. 6 after the amended complaint was filed in court and released the following day after posting $925,000 bail, records show.
According the the felony complaint filed against Vargas, he is charged with multiple counts of sexual penetration by a foreign object, sexual battery by fraud and sexual exploitation by a physician.
If convicted as charged, Vargas could face up to 104 years in state prison.
LA MIRADA -- Sheriff's detectives asked the public's help Wednesday in tracking down a man who carried out an armed robbery at a pharmacy earlier this week.
The crime was reported Monday at CVS Pharmacy, 13525 Beach Blvd., Los Angeles County sheriff's officials said in a written statement.
The robber entered the store and placed some beer on the counter, according to the statement. He then allowed another customer to check out before him.
"The suspect paid for his items and then removed a small-caliber black handgun from his back pocket and pointed it at the (clerk)," the statement said. "He demanded that she open the register and then he removed the cash and fled on foot. No vehicle was seen."
Deputies described the robber as a black man between 40 and 45 years old, about 6 feet tall, 200 pounds with dark-colored eyes. He wore a gray long-sleeved shirt, gray cotton pants and a red baseball cap with a "Nike" logo on it.
Stolen in the robbery was about $200 in cash, a 12-pack of Miller Lite beer and some beef jerky, officials added.
Anyone who recognized the robber is asked to call Detective Sierra at 562-902-2979, or the sheriff's Norwalk Station at 562-863-8711. Tips may also be submitted anonymously by calling L.A. Crimestoppers at 800-222-8477.
PHOTO courtesy of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department
PASADENA -- A 61-year-old man chased down and tackled a would-be car thief Tuesday, restraining him with the help of a good Samaritan until police arrived, authorities said.
Cole Decosta, 22, of Pasadena was booked on suspicion of attempted auto theft in connection with the 5:30 a.m. incident at the Ramada Inn, 2156 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena police Lt. Rick Aversano said.
The victim went to his work truck parked at the hotel when he spotted a man -- later identified as Decosta -- inside of it, the lieutenant said.
The man confronted the thief, who ran, Aversano said. The 61-year-old chased down and tacked the much-younger man and held him down with the help of a bystander until police officers arrived and arrested him.
According to county booking records, Decosta was being held in lieu of $35,000 bail pending arraignment Thursday in Pasadena Superior Court.
WEST COVINA -- West Covina police are looking for the man whose foot will fit the size 13 Nike rubber shoe left behind after a Tuesday night robbery.
A female police officer found the shoe that fell off the crooked Cinderfella's foot as he fled with a bag containing an undisclosed amount.
The robber stole the bag from a woman at Westfield West Covina, 112 Plaza Drive just after 10 p.m., according to Lt. Marty Sevilla.
He said the woman went to a bank drop box on the first floor to deposit the day's receipts from a kiosk at the mall.
The robber approached from behind and grabbed the woman's wrist. Sevilla said the victim was knocked to the floor, the suspect took the bag and ran to a waiting light blue or gray minivan.
But the culprit left a clue.
"Apparently he lost one of his shoes," Sevilla said, adding that the shoe was discovered in the parking lot after a review of the surveillance video.
The victim wasn't taken to a hospital.
The robber was described as a black man in his late 20s to early 30s with a thin build and standing 5 feet 9 inches tall. He wore a gray hooded sweatshirt and dark-colored pants.
There was no description for the getaway driver.
- Ruby Gonzales
MONTERREY, Mexico (AP) -- A fight among inmates led to a prison riot in northern Mexico that killed 44 people Sunday, a security official said.
Nuevo Leon state public security spokesman Jorge Domene Zambrano said the riot broke out at about 2 a.m. in a high-security section of a prison in the city of Apodaca outside the northern industrial city of Monterrey.
Several inmates attacked others, and the fighting then spread and blew up into a riot, Domene said. Forty-four people died before authorities regained control of the prison a couple of hours later, he said.
Families of the prisoners gathered outside the prison pushing at the fences and shouting at police to demand word of the victims. READ MORE.
- From the Associated Press
PHOTO: Police hold back the relatives of inmates outside Apodaca correctional state facility as they try to get past the gates in Apodaca on the outskirts of Monterrey, Mexico, Sunday Feb. 19, 2012. A fight among inmates at the prison led to a riot that killed dozens on Sunday, according to a security official. (AP Photo/Hand Maximo Musielik)
WEST COVINA -- An 18-year-old man suffered a stab wound to his arm Saturday during a fight between two groups of teenagers at the Westfield West Covina mall, police said.
A group of four teenagers, who were described as members of a "tagging crew," became involved in an altercation with three other young men in the 1000 block of West Covina Parkway, at the southeast end of the mall, about 6:20 p.m., West Covina police Lt. Jerry Pearman said.
During a fistfight between the two groups, one of the taggers pulled a knife, the lieutenant said, stabbing one of the other combatants in the arm.
The injured teen was taken to a hospital for treatment, Pearman said.
Police searched the area, but the suspects were not found, he said.
The stabber was described as a Latino boy of about 17 years, of thin build and with a shaved head.
COVINA -- A nonprofit athletic and academic training center for San Gabriel Valley teens threw open its doors Saturday with an emotional ceremony and a joyful celebration.The Man-E Moreno Foundation's "212 Training Center" is a dream four years in the making. And though the grand opening ceremony was a cheerful event for all in attendance, the origin of the center was a tragedy -- the 2007 murder of 26-year-old Manuel Joseph Moreno.
The young graphic artist was gunned down on Nov. 10, 2007, in his hometown of Covina by a gunman who remains unidentified.
In the wake of Manuel's death, family members including brother Robert Moreno and parents Charlie and Evelyn Moreno forged their devastation into determination and founded the Man-E Moreno Foundation, dedicated to keeping young people on a positive path and away from gang, drugs and violence.
Since then, the foundation has worked with local youths and comforted families of other murder victims as it worked toward the goal of establishing a permanent street address in the San Gabriel Valley.
The culmination of that dream came Saturday, as Robert Moreno cut the ribbon in front of the 212 Training Center in the midst of an accompanying block party.
"I'm not here to dwell on my brother's murder, but that event birthed a vision," he said. "I'd rather turn this tragedy into a triumph."
Through the center, Robert Moreno said, he hoped to help ensure other young people do not stray down the path of violence and crime.
Officials including Covina Police Chief Kim Raney and Mayor John King welcomed the center to town and commended the Moreno family for their work, and their resilience in the face of tragedy.
"From that tragedy, God still had a plan for this family. And this family has taken hold of that calling," the mayor said.
"This is the kind of place where kids can come and see a different path," King said. "A place to go to train both their minds and their bodies."
The 3,700-square-foot 212 Training Center, 542 N. Second Avenue, offers a synthetic turf covered sports training facility, complete with a batting cage, weight training system and other equipment, and professional athletic trainers have volunteered to staff the gym.
The center also houses a classroom-style study lab, complete with computers and white boards.
Each center member is required to complete one hour of study for every hour of athletic training, Robert Moreno explained.
The center, which espouses Christian principals, is also designed to provide positive mentoring and encouragement to young people, he added.
The name of the center, "212," is taken from the center's motivational philosophy, Moreno family members said.
At 211 degrees Fahrenheit, water is hot. At 212 degrees, it boils, Moreno said. 212 is a symbol for putting in "that extra degree" of effort, whether it's in sports, academics or daily life.
Many family members of other homicide victims attended the grand opening to support the center.
"We're behind them 100 percent," said Tina Yamashiro, aunt to 16-year-old Sammantha Salas, who was fatally shot on Jan., 26, 2008, near her father's home in an unincorporated county area near Monrovia.
She attended the event with her husband, Ernie.
"They do a really fantastic job for the young generation," she said.
Moreno thanked the city, Covina police and sponsors such as Home Depot, Pregra Artificial Grass and and TRX Suspension Training for their support.
"We're not going to live in the past, we're going to go after our future," Robert Moreno said. "This is just the beginning. We look forward to expanding the facility and reaching more kids."
For more information on the 212 Training Center, call 626-407-3989, or e-mail info@man-efoundation.org.
"This is the kind of place where kids can come and see a different path," King said. "A place to go to train both their minds and their bodies."
The 3,700-square-foot 212 Training Center, 542 N. Second Avenue, offers a synthetic turf covered sports training facility, complete with a batting cage, weight training system and other equipment, and professional athletic trainers have volunteered to staff the gym.
The center also houses a classroom-style study lab, complete with computers and white boards.
Each center member is required to complete one hour of study for every hour of athletic training, Robert Moreno explained.
The center, which espouses Christian principals, is also designed to provide positive mentoring and encouragement to young people, he added.
The name of the center, "212," is taken from the center's motivational philosophy, Moreno family members said.
At 211 degrees Fahrenheit, water is hot. At 212 degrees, it boils, Moreno said. 212 is a symbol for putting in "that extra degree" of effort, whether it's in sports, academics or daily life.
Many family members of other homicide victims attended the grand opening to support the center.
"We're behind them 100 percent," said Tina Yamashiro, aunt to 16-year-old Sammantha Salas, who was fatally shot on Jan., 26, 2008, near her father's home in an unincorporated county area near Monrovia.
She attended the event with her husband, Ernie.
"They do a really fantastic job for the young generation," she said.
Moreno thanked the city, Covina police and sponsors such as Home Depot, Pregra Artificial Grass and and TRX Suspension Training for their support.
"We're not going to live in the past, we're going to go after our future," Robert Moreno said. "This is just the beginning. We look forward to expanding the facility and reaching more kids."
For more information on the 212 Training Center, call 626-407-3989, or e-mail info@man-efoundation.org.
PHOTO: Man-E Moreno Foundation President Robert Moreno, right, speaks at the
grand opening of the 212 Training Center in Covina along with CovinaMayor John King, center, and Covina Police Chief Kim Raney. (Brian Day)
LOS ANGELES -- Authorities say $100 million worth of PCP and nearly $400,000 in cash has been seized at multiple locations in Los Angeles and Culver City.
The seizure is reportedly being described as a major bust of a national drug-trafficking organization that was distributing to Texas, New York, Washington D.C. and other cities.
The huge cache of PCP totals roughly 10 million individual doses, which in the Los Angeles area sell for between $10 and $20 each
The drug was found at two storage facilities and several other locations. Two assault weapons were also seized.
Two suspects were arrested Wednesday at a UPS store in Culver City where they were allegedly trying to ship narcotics.
The bust was announced by the Los Angeles Interagency Metropolitan Police Apprehension Crime Task Force.
- From the Associated Press
PASADENA -- Someone shot out a window at Pasadena Superior Court early Friday with what was initially believed to be a shotgun, authorities said.
Employees arrived at the courthouse, 300 E. Walnut Ave., about 7:30 a.m. and discovered one of the windows had apparently been shot out, Pasadena police Sgt. Ed Calatayud said.
Police initially suspected the window had been shattered by a blast from a shotgun, he added.
Police had responded to a call reporting a gunshot in the same area about 1 a.m., the sergeant said, however officers found no signs of a shooting at the time.
AZUSA -- A home was badly severely damaged an an elderly woman suffered minor injuries in a house fire Friday, police said.
The fire broke out about 4:45 p.m. in the 100 block of South Louise Avenue, Azusa police Sgt. John Madaloni said.
"Officers arrived first to find a single-story residence fully involved in smoke and flames," he said. "The lone resident, an elderly female, was located outside of the home and treated for minor smoke inhalation by paramedics."
The woman was taken to a hospital for further treatment, officials said.
The home sustained "major fire and smoke damage," Madaloni said, however a dollar-value estimate was not immediately available.
The cause of the fire was under investigation.
DUARTE - A man who was shot and wounded by a parole officer Friday was trying to rob the ununiformed officer at knifepoint, authorities said.
The wounded suspect's name was not released as he remained hospitalized in stable condition, Los Angeles County sheriff's Lt. Mary Leef said in a written statement. He was expected to be booked on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon on a peace officer, attempted robbery and violating parole.
California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation officers were searching for a parole violator about 2:20 p.m. in the 1900 block of Huntington Drive when they believed they spotted him, Leef said.
A plain-clothed parole officer stood on a sidewalk in an attempt to confirm that the man was the parolee they were looking for, she said.
"While doing so, the suspect approached the officer, pulled a knife on him and demanded the officer's cell phone," Leef said.
"The parole officer identified himself at which time the suspect came at him with the knife," according to the lieutenant. "In fear for his safety, the parole officer fired multiple times, striking the suspect several times in the upper torso."
The parole officer was not hurt in the incident, and the knife was recovered from the scene, officials said.
The massive on-scene investigation that followed the shooting lasted more than 12 hours and kept residents of several nearby apartment buildings out of their homes overnight as the area remained cordoned off by authorities.
Robert Westmoreland, 69, said he was unable to return to his home until 4 a.m.
He said he left his apartment about 11 a.m. Friday, prior to the shooting.
When he returned at 3 p.m., police told him he could not enter the area because of the investigation. After waiting six hours, he elected to go stay with relatives in Pasadena.
At 4 a.m., Westmoreland said, deputies allowed him to park his car at a nearby bank and walk back to his home.
"It was inconvenient, but I understand the officers got to do what they got to do," he said. "They've got a job to do."
Traffic was shut down between Highland Avenue and Mt. Olive Drive following the shooting.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Homicide Bureau is spearheading the investigation into the shooting.
DUARTE -- A California Department of Corrections officer was involved in a shooting Friday, however few other details were initially available.
The shooting was first reported at 2:22 p.m. in the 1900 block of Huntington Drive, just east of Highland Avenue, Los Angeles County sheriff's Sgt. Richard Mariscola said.
The circumstances of the shooting remained under investigation, he said.
A CDC officer fired a weapon, and suspect was hospitalized in unknown condition, however it was not immediately clear if the suspect had been shot, Mariscola said.
No officials were injured in the incident, he added.
No further information was available.
EL MONTE -- A Rosemead man pleaded not guilty Friday to charges of attempted murder and mayhem stemming from a knife-attack on his brother, authorities said.
Thomas Chu, 58, was ordered to return to El Monte Superior Court Feb. 29 for a preliminary hearing, Los Angeles County Superior Court officials said.
He's accused of slashing and seriously wounding his 59-year-old brother Feb. 11 at the brothers' home in the 8800 block of Jenny Way.
The brother suffered slashes to his face, among other injuries.
Investigators have said the argument stemmed from the borrowing of a car.
According to county booking records, Chu was being held in lieu of $1 million bail.
NORWALK -- A man accused of attempted murder was released from jail Thursday after a second jury failed to reach a verdict in his case, officials said.
Joshua Michael Silva, 26, had been charged with attempted murder in connection with a June 1, 2010 shooting that wounded a 30-year-old man in the 7700 block of Washington Avenue in Whittier. He was listed as a transient at the time of his arrest.
After one jury announced it could not reach a verdict in September, a second trial was held for Silva, Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office spokeswoman Jane Robison said.
A second trial also ended in a hung jury Feb. 7, Robison said, with jurors deadlocked 8 to 4 in favor of conviction, Robison said.
At a hearing Thursday, Norwalk Superior Court Judge Philip Hickok granted a defense motion to dismiss the case, she said.
Following the decision, Silva was released from jail just before 9 a.m. Thursday, county booking records show.
DOWNEY -- A warrant has been issued for one of two women convicted of embezzling more than $150,000 dollars from the La Mirada scrap metal recycling business where they worked after she failed to show up in court for her sentencing Friday, authorities said.
Magali Herrera, 27, along with 22-year-old Monica Barragan, pleaded guilty Jan. 20 in Downey Superior Court to one count of grand theft each, Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office spokeswoman Jane Robison said.
Both suspects had been released from jail on their own recognizance pending trial Jan. 12, according to county booking records.
Herrera, who was due in Downey Superior Court to be sentenced Friday, failed to show up, and the court issued a bench warrant for her arrest, Robison said.
Barragan is due to return to court for sentencing Feb. 24 in Downey Superior Court.
The money was taken from Star Scrap Metal Recycling in the 14300 block of Firestone Boulevard during a four-month period beginning in September, officials said.
WEST COVINA -- Sentencing was postponed Friday for a former Covina Police Department records clerk convicted of stealing parking funds from the city and hiding an arrest report of a relative.
Mary Louise Wasilchin, also known as Louise Vance- Wasilchin , 58, of Upland, admitted to stealing at least $140,000 from the police department and hiding a police record during a December arraignment in West Covina Superior Court.
Police allege she actually stole more than twice that amount, and the exact amount to be repaid to the city will be determined at Wasilchin's sentencing hearing.
The sentencing was scheduled for Friday, but continued to March 28, court officials said.
Under a plea agreement she made with prosecutors, Wasilchin is expected to receive a sentence of two years and eight months in state prison, according to police and Los Angeles County District Attorney's officials.
In addition to stealing the money, Wasilchin also admitted to hiding the report related to the DUI arrest of her son-in-law to prevent his prosecution.
GLENDORA -- Since November, thieves have swiped copper water valves from the exterior of a dozen buildings in the city.
Glendora Police said the thefts typically occurred over the weekend and occasionally during weeknights.
The valves taken are large U-shaped pipes that feed water into the building and measure at least two feet long with attached valves or the water meter, according to police.
Lt. James De Mond said a video showed two people during the Jan. 12 theft in the 500 block of South Pasadena Avenue but the image isn't clear.
The copper culprits have hit the following locations:
*Nov. 17, 2011 in the 400 block of West Route 66
*Nov. 25, 2011 in the 300 block of West Route 66
*Between Dec. 5 and 5, 2011 in the 1300 block of South Grand Avenue
*Between Dec. 25 and 25, 2011 in the 1300 block of South Grand Avenue
*Between Jan. 6 and 7 in the 300 block of East Route 66
*Between Jan. 8 and 9 in the 500 block of East Route 66
*Between Jan. 6 and 9 in the 900 block of South Grand Avenue
*Between Jan. 12 and 13 in the 800 block of South Grand Avenue
*Jan. 12 in the 500 block of South Pasadena Avenue
*Between Jan. 24 and 25 in the 1300 block of East Route 66
*Jan. 25 in the 600 block of South Elwood Avenue
*Between Feb. 10 and 13 in the 300 block of West Route 66
Anyone with information on the thefts is asked to call Detective Shelly Schaiterer at the Glendora police department, 626-914-8250. Refer to case #12-0281.
- Ruby Gonzales
ALHAMBRA -- A crash involving a bus and three other cars brought the westbound 10 Freeway to a screeching halt Friday afternoon.
The crash was reported about 11:45 a.m. on the freeway just west of Atlantic Avenue, according to California Highway Patrol logs.
Initial reports from the scene indicated passengers on a Foothill Transit bus were injured, as well as occupants of three other vehicles involved in the crash.
All westbound lanes of the 10 Freeway were shut down for about 40 minutes as crews cleared the disabled vehicles from the roadway, CHP logs show.
The two right-hand lanes of the freeway were re-opened at 12:20 p.m., and all westbound lanes were back in operation by 1:45 p.m.
PICO RIVERA -- A sheriff's bomb squad responded to a recycling facility Thursday after workers found a grenade, which was ultimately found to be inert, authorities said.
The bomb squad was summoned to Waste Management, in the 8400 block of Loch Lomond Drive, shortly before 6 p.m., according to Los Angeles County sheriff's Deputy Ben Grubb.
"The informant stated workers at the location found the device during a sorting process of collected waste," Grubb said. "An evacuation of the area was conducted."
Bomb squad officials investigated and determined the grenade contained no explosives and was not a threat, he said.
NORWALK -- A 23-year-old El Monte man was sentenced to 36 years to life in prison Thursday for the 2009 attempted murder of a Bellflower woman, who was drugged, had her throat slashed and was stabbed and beaten before she was tossed over the edge of Turnbull Canyon and left for dead.
Vincent Mendoza showed no reaction to the sentence, handed down by Norwalk Superior Court Judge Michael Cowell, who noted the "high degree of viciousness and cruelty" displayed in the attack on then-20-year-old Christina Martinez.
Defense Attorney Harriet Hawkins argued the court had discretion not to sentence her client on each individual count of kidnapping, assault with a deadly weapon, attempted murder and conspiracy to commit murder.
An allegation that Mendoza personally used a weapon, a knife, was also found to be true by a jury last December. He is one of three men convicted in the case.
Cowell agreed Thursday that he had the option to sentence Mendoza on one count, but said the severity of the crime demanded more.
Police Friday identified a 27-Whittier man jailed following a high-speed pursuit in a stolen car that went from Montebello to Boyle Heights.
Andres Martinez was booked on suspicion of auto theft and violating his parole, Montebello police Lt. Mike Flores said.
Martinez, along with a second man who escaped capture, took a Honda Accord from the 500 block of South 5th Steet in Montebello shortly before 10 p.m., police said.
Montebello police quickly found the car driving in their city, and a pursuit began, Lt. Ron Santo said.
The car reached speeds in excess of 90 mph as it darted down freeways and surface streets, ultimately coming to a stop at Soto and 1st streets in Boyle Heights, Santo said. Two men ran from the car.
Montebello and Los Angeles police searched the area and took Martinez into custody. The second man who fled from the car was not found.
According to county booking records, Martinez was being held without bail pending his scheduled arraignment Wednesday in East Los Angeles Superior Court.
LOS ANGELES -- A Los Angeles County sheriff's deputy has been arrested for investigation of committing lewd acts on a child.
Police say Deputy Oscar Rodriguez, a 10-year department veteran, was taken into custody Thursday.
He was immediately relieved of duty pending the outcome of criminal and administrative investigations.
Police say the alleged acts were committed while Rodriguez was off duty.
Rodriguez was assigned to the sheriff's Marina del Rey station.
He's being held on $100,000 bail.
- From the Associated Press
POMONA -- A six-car crash briefly shut down all eastbound lanes of the 10 Freeway during the morning rush-hour Friday.
The crash was reported just before 7:30 a.m. on the eastbound freeway, just west of Dudley Street, California Highway Patrol Officer Monica Posada said.
Initial reports indicated between four and six vehicles, including a big rig, were involved in the crash, according to CHP logs.
All eastbound lanes were blocked for more than half an hour as officials moved the wreckage to the side of the road. At of 8:07 a.m., all but the right-hand lane were re-opened, and all lanes were cleared by 8:40 a.m.
No major injuries were initially reported, Posada said.
The crash was being investigated by the CHP's Baldwin Park Office.
DIAMOND BAR -- A burglar escaped but left his car behind after breaking into a home Thursday, authorities said.
The incident began about 1:20 p.m. when officials received word of a burglary at a home in the 1000 block of Longview Drive, Los Angeles County sheriff's Lt. Joe Chavez.
Deputies responded to the area and found that the suspect had left, but a witness pointed them to a car parked about a block away where the burglar ditched it and ran into an open field, Chavez said.
Deputies set up a search perimeter but called off the manhunt about three hours later, officials said.
Officials described the suspect as a white man in his 20s, standing about 6 feet tall.
Investigators were working to see if the car, which was registered to San Diego, would yield clues that would lead them to the suspect, Chavez added.
PICO RIVERA -- Deputies will target both unsafe motorcyclist and car drivers next week as they embark on a motorcycle safety enforcement campaign, officials said.
The crackdown -- aimed at reducing motorcycle-related fatalities -- will take place Feb. 24 throughout Pico Rivera, Los Angeles County sheriff's officials said in a written statement.
"Extra deputies will be on duty patrolling areas frequented by motorcyclists and where motorcycle crashes occur," the statement said. "Deputies will be looking for drivers and riders who are under the influence of drugs or alcohol and cracking down on traffic violations made by motorcyclists as well as other vehicle drivers that can lead to motorcycle collisions, injuries, and fatalities."
After 10 years of steadily rising motorcycle deaths, from 204 in in 1998 to 560 in 2008, fatal motorcycle crashes have declined in over the past two years, sheriff's officials said.
There were 394 motorcycle deaths reported in 2009, and 352 in 2010.
"This is positive trend that we want to see continue," the sheriff's statement said.
"The terrible trend of rising motorcyclist fatalities has been reversed, though there is more that everyone can do to save more lives," California Office of Traffic Safety Director Christopher Murphy said. "Riders and drivers need to respect each other and share the road."
The upcoming enforcement campaign is being funded by the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Motorcycle rider training is offered through the California Motorcyclist Safety Program. For information, visit www.CA-msp.org, or call 877-743-3411.
Defense officials scrambled to F-16 fighter jets to intercept a single-engine airplane that violated a temporary flight restriction over Los Angeles related to President Barack Obama, authorities said.
The Cessna 182 was intercepted by the fighter jets, which were dispatched from March Air Reserve Base in Riverside, shortly after 11 a.m., North American Aerospace Defense Command officials said in a written statement.
"After intercepting the aircraft, the F-16s followed it until it landed without incident at approximately (11:30 a.m.), where the plane was met by local law enforcement," the statement said.
NORAD is responsible for safeguarding airspace over the U.S. and Canada to prevent potential air attacks.
At least one news agency reported the plane was found to be carrying a significant amount of marijuana, however that could not be confirmed Thursday afternoon.
- The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Southern California Edison crews have been making steady progress restoring power to most of the 6,000 customers who were affected by power outages during Thursday's gusty winds.
As of 1:40 p.m., the most-heavily affected area was Monrovia, where 506 SCE customers were without power, down from a peak of more than 1,000 earlier in the day, SCE spokeswoman Mashi Nyssen said.
Montebello, where nearly 5,800 customers were without electricity Thursday morning, has only 29 customers without electricity by the afternoon, she said.
Slightly more than 170 SCE customers continued to be affected by outages in Altadena, as well as 33 Arcadia customers, Nyssen said.
Crews continued working to restore power to those still in the dark as quickly as possible, Nyssen added.
As always, anyone who sees a downed power line is advised not to touch it, even if it doesn't appear to be energized, and call 9-1-1 immediately.
LOS ANGELES -- A court hearing for the second of two Miramonte Elementary School teachers, and Alhambra resident, accused of molesting a student was postponed for two months Thursday.
Martin Springer, 49, was scheduled to appear in Los Angeles Superior Court for a hearing to set a date for a preliminary hearing, however the hearing was continued until April 16, Los Angeles County District Attorney's officials said.
He was arrested Feb. 3 after two girls came forward with allegation he had touched them inappropriately in the classroom. The allegations came on the heels of the arrest of fellow teacher Mark Berndt, who is accused of sexually abusing more than 20 of his students.
Berndt is being held in lieu of $23 million bail pending his arraignment Tuesday in Los Angeles Superior Court, according to county booking records.
Prosecutors ultimately elected to file charges in connection with only one of the girls' allegations, citing a lack of evidence for the other girl's statements.
Springer entered a not guilty plea to three counts of committing lewd acts on a child Feb. 7, and was released from jail after posting $300,000 bail Feb. 10, officials said.
The alleged crimes took place between April and June of 2009, when the victim was about 7 years old, officials said.
If convicted as charged, Springer could face up to 12 years in prison.
High winds caused power outages in Monrovia, Duarte and as far south as Montbeello Thursday as police and utility workers responded to reports of downed wires and failing transformers.
The wind-driven problems began around 10:20 a.m., Monrovia police Lt. Patty Newton said.
According to Southern Califonia Edison, about 6,000 SCE customers were without power at noon, primarily in Altadena.
In the Monrovia-Duarte area, about 1,170 customers were affected in an area bordered by Walnut Avenue to the north, Altern Street to the South, Mayflower Avenue to the west and Mountain Avenue to the east, SCE spokeswoman Mashi Nyssen said.
Power outages were also reported farther south in Montebello, SCE officials said.
Estimates of when power would be restored were not available.
The winds also triggered false burglar alarms throughout the town, Newton said.
As always, anyone who sees a downed power line is advised not to touch it, even if it doesn't appear to be energized, and call 9-1-1 immediately, Mashi said.
PICO RIVERA -- Deputies performing a random probation compliance check early Thursday arrested a man on suspicion of breaking into a TV repair shop hours earlier.
Roman Vega Escobar, 40, a resident of unincorporated West Whittier, was booked on suspicion of burglary, Los Angeles County sheriff's Lt. Robert Smith said.
A passer-by called authorities just after 6:30 a.m. to report seeing a front window smashed at World Electronics, 9355 Telegraph Road in Pico Rivera, the lieutenant said.
Deputies responded and determined a burglar had broken in, and two big-scree TVs -- one 47-inch and one 36-inch -- had been taken, Smith said.
Meanwhile, he said, deputies assigned to the sheriff's Community Oriented Policing Team were visiting local probationers to make sure they were in compliance with the terms of their probations.
When they visited Escobar's home in the 8300 block in the 8300 block of Summerfield Avenue in West Whittier about 7 a.m., deputies noticed two big-screen TVs, including one that was wrapped in plastic, according to sheriff's officials and county booking records.
After contacting the business owner, deputies confirmed that the TVs found in Escobar's home were taken from World Electronics, Smith said.
Escobar was being held in lieu of $40,250 bail pending arraignment Tuesday in Whittier Superior Court, records indicated.
MONTEBELLO -- A petty theft of some beer turned into a robbery Tuesday when the suspect wrestled a phone away from a convenience store clerk as she dialed 9-1-1, police said.
Jesus Naranjo, 25, of Montebello was arrested following the 3:25 p.m. incident at 7-Eleven, 1106 W. Beverly Blvd., Montebello police Lt. Andy Vuncanon said.
He and another man entered the store and both grabbed a three-pack of 24-ounce of beer, the lieutenant said.
One of the men paid for his beer, while the other concealed his and walked out of the store without paying, Vuncanon said.
The store clerk, with a cordless phone in hand, confronted the suspect outside the store and demanded he return the beer, police said. The man refused and began walking toward a nearby car.
"The cashier began to call 9-1-1 and the subject walked back toward the cashier and returned the beer," Vuncanon said. "He asked the cashier not to call the police.
"The cashier ignored his request and continued to dial 9-1-1, and that's when the suspect grabbed the cashier's arm, twisted it and took the phone," he said.
He then got into a car with the second man, which sped away.
Police obtained a description of the men and their car and pulled it over nearby, the lieutenant said.
The men were identified as the same men from the store, and Naranjo was arrested, he said.
The second man, who paid for his beer, was detained for questioning but ultimately released without charge.
Naranjo was being held in lieu of $100,000 bail at the Montebello Police Department's jail pending arraignment Thursday in East Los Angeles Superior Court.
PASADENA -- A parked SUV appeared to be the only target of a Summit Avenue shooting late Tuesday, police said.
Residents of the 1900 block of North Summit Avenue arrived home about 10 p.m. to find several bullet holes in a 1989 Jeep Cherokee left parked in the neighborhood, Pasadena police Lt. Rick Aversano said.
After investigating, police believed the shooting took place about 8 p.m., the lieutenant said.
No further details were available.
AZUSA -- Authorities continued seeking a truck that leaked a highly toxic chemical on a six-block stretch of Foothill Boulevard, prompting a closure for much of the day and a clean-up operation with a $10,000 price tag.
The chemical was later identified as chromic acid -- a toxic and carcinogenic cleaning material used in metal plating, Azusa police Cpl. Terry Smith said in a written statement.
"Witnesses reported the substance was leaking from an unidentified stake bed style truck that was traveling eastbound Foothill," Smith said.
The acid leaked onto eastbound lanes of the road from the 900 block of West Foothill Boulevard to the 300 block of West Foothill Boulevard, police added.
Westbound traffic lanes were briefly shut down following the spill, and eastbound lanes in the area remained closed for much of the day.
"The clean up costs were estimated at approximately $10,000," Smith added.
No injuries were reported as a result of the spill, officials said.
Anyone with information is asked to call Azusa police at 626-812-3200.
PASADENA -- Firefighters found a 70-year-old woman dead following a fire in her condominium early Wednesday, authorities said.
Susan Eaton Adams died in the fire, which was reported just before 1:30 a.m. at a condominium complex in the 300 block of West California Boulevard, Los Angeles County Department of Coroner Assistant Chief of Operations Ed Winter said.
An upstairs neighbor, a man in his 30s, was alerted to the fire by his smoke detector, Pasadena Fire Department spokeswoman Lisa Derderian said.
"He called 9-1-1 and ran down stairs, but couldn't access the unit right away," she said.
Firefighters arrived within five minutes and discovered a couch inside the condominium unit was ablaze, officials said.
Firefighters extinguished the fire and pulled the 70-year-old woman out of the home, Derderian said. She had been asleep on the couch.
Rescuers performed CPR in an attempt to resuscitate the Adams, Derderian said, however she succumbed to her injuries.
The woman's pet cat also died the in the fire, officials said.
Investigators determined the fire started due to a cigarette on the couch.
Coroner's investigators will perform an autopsy do determine exactly how Adams died, Winter said. The examination had not been scheduled Wednesday morning.
Damage to the condominium and its contents was estimated at about $175,000, officials said. The fire was isolated to one unit, and neighbors were not displaced.
STAFF PHOTO by Walt Mancini
On Monday, February 13, 2012, at approximately 7:30 P.M., members of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Internal Criminal Investigations Bureau arrested a 24-year old employee named Remington Orr, as he was preparing to enter Men's Central Jail to distribute cocaine.- From LASD statement
Orr, employed as a Custody Assistant assigned to the Men's Central Jail, has been a Department member for four years. Monday's arrest culminated a four week Sheriff's Department investigation into allegations that Orr was bringing contraband to jail inmates in exchange for monetary considerations. He was subsequently arrested for Possession of a Controlled Substance with the Intent to Sell, Transportation of a Controlled Substance with the Intent to Sell, and Bribery.
Orr was booked into the Inmate Reception Center, and is being held in lieu of $1,000,000.00 bail.
PASADENA -- A man snatched a purse from a woman in Old asadena early Sunday, but was captured hiding in some bushes nearby, police said.
Keith Patterson, a 36-year-old transient, was arrested on suspicion of robbery, Pasadena police Lt. Diego Torres said.
A woman in her early 20s was walking at Union Street and De Lacey Avenue about 1:30 a.m., returning to her car from Old Pasadena, when a man ran up from behind her and grabbed her purse from her shoulder, Torres said.
The man ran off after snatching the handbag and the woman was not injured, the lieutenant said.
Police spotted Patterson hiding in some bushes in the 100 block of West Walnut Street and jailed him in connection with the crime, Torres said. The woman's purse was recovered.
MONTEREY PARK -- An Alhambra woman who went missing in Alhambra Friday was found dead at a Monterey Park motel Saturday in what was initially believed to be a suicide, authorities said.
Alhambra police sought the public's help Saturday in finding 44-year-old Benita Nunez after she left home and didn't return shortly after 6 p.m. Friday.
Family members told investigators they were worried because Nunez was distraught and possibly suicidal, Alhambra police Lt. Jennifer Wiese said.
Nunez's body was discovered about noon Saturday inside a room at the Garfield Inn in the 2200 block of South Garfield Avenue in Monterey Park, Los Angeles County Department of Coroner Lt. Cheryl MacWillie said.
The death was initially reported as an apparent suicide, however an autopsy was pending, she said.
Those dealing with suicidal feelings are encouraged to call the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health's 24-hour suicide prevention hotline at 800-854-7771.
SOUTH PASADENA -- Police are continuing their search for a man who broke into a young woman's home and sexually assaulted her.
The 18-year-old victim awoke about 2:50 a.m. Wednesday in the 600 block of Monterey Road and found a man in her room, South Pasadena police officials said in a written statement. He sexually assaulted her.
Police launched an investigation and released a composite sketch of the attacker to the public in hopes someone would recognize the man.
"The police department is currently soliciting, processing and following up on leads generated from the initial preliminary investigation along with those received from the public," according the police statement.
"Information we have been able to develop during the course of the investigation suggests the suspect may have either resided in or frequented the 600 block of Monterey Road," the statement said.
Investigators are also awaiting the results of DNA analysis of evidence collected from the crime scene, officials said.
Patrols in the area where the assault took place have been beefed up, according to the police statement, "even though we do not have any specific information to suggest the suspect may return."
The attacker was described as a white man in his 40s, about 5-feet 11-inches tall, 190 pounds, with brown eyes, curly brown hair and facial hair. He wore a red hooded sweat shirt during the crime.
Police advised the public to keep in mind that the suspect may have altered his appearance, such as changing hair length or color, to avoid capture.
Anyone with information is asked to call South Pasadena police at 626-403-7270.
SUSPECT SKETCH courtesy of the South Pasadena Police Department
ROSEMEAD -- A man slashed and seriously injured his brother Saturday during an argument at their Rosemead home, authorities said.
Thomas Chu, 57, was expected to be booked on suspicion of attempted murder and mayhem in connection with the attack, which took place about 6 p.m. at a house in the 8800 block of Jenny Way, Los Angeles County sheriff's Sgt. Jim Dexter said.
Chu became involved in an argument with his 59-year-old brother regarding the borrowing of a car, the sergeant said.
He then pulled a knife and slashed his older brother on his face, back and arms, Dexter said.
The wounded man suffered serious injuries, though they were not believed to be life-threatening, officials said.
The allegation of mayhem against Chu, legally defined as the malicious disfiguring or disabling of another person, results from the wounds the victim suffered to his face, officials said.
Chu surrendered without a struggle when deputies arrived, Dexter said. He was hospitalized for a pre-existing medical condition prior to be being booked into jail.
Los Angeles County sheriff's officials Sunday again warned the public of a telephone scam being carried out by county jail inmates. Here's a previous story on the same scam.
SOUTH PASADENA -- A power disruption involving the Metro Gold Line is expected to cause longer-than-usual delays at road crossings Sunday, police said.
As a result of the electrical problems, "Gate arms are in the down position for longer than normal due to trains running on a single track," South Pasadena Police said in a written statement. "Expect delays for the remainder of the day."
PASADENA -- A worker appears to be fine after being attacked by a swarm of bees Saturday, officials said.
The man, estimated to be about 50, was working shortly before 11 a.m. at a private property in the 500 block of North Wilson Avenue when he disturbed a hive of bees that had taken up residency in a hollow tree, Pasadena Fire Department spokeswoman Lisa Derderian said.
The bees swarmed the man, who received "a few" stings but declined to be taken to a hospital, Derderian said. Paramedics treated the man at the scene and stood by for a brief time to make sure the man was not displaying signs of a reaction to the bee stings.
The street was shut down for several hours Saturday afternoon as a beekeeper removed the hive from the property, Derderian said.
Officials did not initially believe the involved insects were of Africanized or "killer" bees, she said.
ALHAMBRA -- Police asked the public's help Saturday in finding a missing Alhambra woman who they fear may be suicidal, authorities said.
Benita Lydia Nunez, 44, left her home in the 700 block of South Stoneman Avenue about 6:30 p.m. Friday and has not been seen since, Alhambra police Lt. Jennifer Wiese said.
She was believed to be depressed and potentially suicidal, and family members were worried about her, police said.
Nunez is about 5-feet 4-inches tall, 140 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes, Wiese said. She was last seen driving a black, 1992 Nissan Sentra.
Anyone with information is asked to call Alhambra police at 626--570-5151.
PHOTO of Benita Nunez courtesy of the Alhambra Police Department.
MONROVIA -- Two suspects in a Colorado Boulevard robbery were behind bars Saturday as police continued seeking a third.
Anthony Villa, 19, and Roger Macedonio, 20, both of Monrovia, were booked on suspicion of robbery shortly after Thursday's 11 p.m. heist on Colorado Boulevard at Violet Avenue, Monrovia police Sgt. Patty Newton said.
A young man was walking when he was approached by three other young men who demanded money and assaulted him, the sergeant said.
The robbers obtained some cash, and the victim suffered minor injuries, she said. It was not clear if a weapon was involved in the robbery.
Police searched the area and found Villa and Macedonio, who were ultimately arrested in connection with the robbery, Newton said. The third suspect has been identified but remained at-large Saturday.
Villa and Macedonio were being held in lieu of $50,000 bail each pending arraignment Tuesday in Pasadena Superior Court, according to county booking records.
PICO RIVERA -- A deputy-involved shooting resulted in no injuries, however a gang member was jailed on suspicion of attempted murder of a peace officer, authorities said.
Angel Viera and Christina Chacon, both 37 and from Chino, were arrested in connection with the 4:30 a.m. incident in the 4100 block of Maris Avenue, Sgt. Mark Bailey, a gang investigator with the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department said.
Viera was booked on suspicion of attempted murder of a peace officer, and Chacon was suspected of obstructing or resisting police, the sergeant said, adding that he's a known Pico Viejo gang member.
A deputy approached Viera and Chacon as they sat in a parked car, Bailey said. Viera got out of the car.
"He had a gun in his hand," he said. "He pointed in in the direction of the deputy,"
Fearing for his life, Bailey said, the deputy fired several rounds at Viera, who was not struck.
Viera then fled into a nearby backyard before ultimately surrendering minutes later, officials said.
Chacon did not flee and was arrested at the car, Bailey said.
Officials used a dog to search for the suspect's handgun, but none was found, officials said.
According to county booking records, Viera was being held in lieu of $1.15 million and was due for arraignment Wednesday in Whittier Superior Court.
Court information for Chacon was not available late Saturday.
COVINA -- A nonprofit organization dedicated to keeping kids away from gangs, violence and drugs invites the community to take part in the grand opening of an athletic and academic teen center later this month.
The Man-e Moreno Foundation's "212 Training Center" opens its doors Feb. 18, and a block party is planned to celebrate, organizers said.
The party will take place from noon to 4 p.m. at the center, 542 N. Second Ave.
The teen center has been the dream of Man-e Moreno Foundation organizers for years, and and is designed to give guidance and direction to youths throughout the San Gabriel Valley.
Food and live entertainment will be provided.
For more information or to RSVP, call the Man-e Moreno Foundation at 626-407-3989, or e-mail info@man-efoundation.org.
WEST COVINA -- A man was sentenced to 25 years to life in prison Friday for bludgeoning his father to death with a dumbbell in an Irwindale self-storage facility, officials said.
Jonathan Martinez Pedraza, 26, of Hollywood, received his sentence from West Covina Superior Court Judge Douglas Sortino after being convicted by a jury of first-degree murder and other crimes Feb. 3, court officials said.
He killed his 62-year-old father, Miguel Pedraza of Glendora, Sept. 3, 2010 and left his body inside a storage locker at A-1 Mini Storage, 4391 Irwindale Avenue, officials said.
A motive in the killing has not been released.
The sentence was slightly less than the maximum possible sentence of 27 years to life in prison.
After killing his father, Jonathan Pedraza fled the area in a car, crashing through a security gate and becoming involved in a hit-and-run crash in Baldwin Park before being taken into custody.
In addition to murder, he was convicted of felony vandalism and two counts of hit-and-run, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office.
A hearing in October in which Pedraza was determined to be mentally competent to stand trial.
His trial lasted about a day and a half, and the jury deliberated for about two hours before finding Jonathan Pedraza guilty.
Evidence presented at trial revealed that Pedraza delivered at least five powerful blows to his 62-year-old father's head causing 10 lacerations and a fractured skull.
BUENA PARK -- Two men died and a third man was injured and arrested on suspicion of drunken driving early Friday following a solo-car crash on the La Mirada border, authorities said.
Ryan Hernandez, 22, of Anaheim was hospitalized in unknown condition and arrested on suspicion of felony drunken driving following the 2 a.m. crash near La La Mirada Blvd. and Alondra Avenue, Buena Park police Lt. Gary Worrall said.
Hernandez was driving a 4-door Honda sedan when it crashed into a pole along the roadside, investigators said.
Two of his passengers, described initially only as men in their early 20s, died at the scene, Worrall said. Another young man riding in the car was unhurt.
After crashing in Buena Park, the car ultimately came to a rest across the city border in La Mirada.
NORWALK -- NORWALK -- Officials in Long Beach Friday morning found a man convicted of stalking entertainer Madonna who walked away from Metropolitan State Hospital in Norwalk last week, officials said.
Robert Hoskins, 54, was "located and en route back to the hospital," Los Angeles County sheriff's Lt. Pat Valdez said.
He walked away Feb. 3 from a non-secured area of the facility, 11401 Bloomfield Ave., where he was committed last year, officials said.
"The Long Beach Police Department transported the patient back to MSH where the patient is being housed in the hospital's high-security compound," MSH hospital spokesman Alonzo Townsell said. "MSH cannot release any specific information about patients due to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act."
While the search for Hoskins was ongoing, Los Angeles police officials, in a written statement, described him as, "highly psychotic when not taking his medication," and had, "very violent tendencies."
Hoskins served a 10-year prison sentence for stalking and threatening Madonna after being convicted by a jury in 1996. The singer reluctantly testified against the man, who was shot by her personal security after he jumped the fence of her Hollywood Hills home.
"Upon his release from prison Hoskins also completed a stay at Atascadero State Hospital where he was determined to be a Mentally Disturbed Offender," according to the LAPD statement. Within about a year of being released from Atascadero, he had an additional police contact in July 2011 that resulted in his arrest and eventually being placed in Metropolitan State Hospital."
Court records indicate the July, 2011 arrest resulted in a conviction for vandalism.
Authorities had been searching the Long Beach and Paramount areas, where Hoskins was believed to have ties, officials said.
Hoskins was found in by Long Beach police about 9 a.m., police and sheriff's officials said.
"Officers in the area of South Street and Cherry Avenue in Long Beach saw a male subject matching the physical description of subject Hoskins walking down the street," sheriff's Capt. Mike Parker said. "Officers made contact with the subject, confirmed his identity to be that of Robert Hoskins, and took him into custody without incident or injury."
In addition to Madonna, Hoskins has also reportedly made threats against actress Halle Berry, contributing to her decision to ask a judge for permission to move herself and her daughter to France.
- The Associated Press contributed to this report.
WHITTIER -- A pregnant woman and her husband ended up in the hospital after a two-car crash Thursday.
Whittier police Sgt. Terry McAllister said the man sustained minor injuries and the woman was taken to a hospital as a precaution.
The collision on Colima Road and Cullen Street was reported to police at 6:08 p.m.
McAllister said the couple's car was traveling on Colima Road when another car made a left turn from Cullen Street to Colima Road and hit their vehicle.
No one was injured in the second car, according to McAllister.
- Ruby Gonzales
AZUSA -- An alleged drunken driver was arrested Thursday after his speeding car crashed into another vehicle, injuring him, his passenger and a 9-year-old child.
Azusa police Sgt. Xavier Torres said Rodney Gamez, 25, of Azusa was booked on suspicion of driving under the influence causing injury.
The crash occurred at 3:53 p.m. in the 1900 block of San Gabriel Canyon Road.
Torres said Gamez was driving a Honda Civic heading south at a high rate of speed when he lost control of the car. The Civic jumped the center divider, ended up on the opposing lane and crashed into a 2008 Lexus.
Gamez sustained a minor head injury while his front passenger, a 24-year-old Covina man, suffered serious injuries including a broken ankle, according to Torres.
The passenger was taken to Los Angeles County USC Medical Center.
Torres said a 9-year-old child riding in the Lexus complained of pain and was taken to a local hospital. He didn't know if the child was a boy or a girl.
The sergeant said Gamez displayed symptoms of being intoxicated and failed a field sobriety test.
Gamez was being held at Azusa jail in lieu of $20,000 bail and has a Feb. 14 arraignment in West Covina Superior Court.
- Ruby Gonzales
WEST COVINA -- Three Los Angeles teens in a stolen Honda Accord were arrested after a chase through local streets that ended in a crash Thursday.
One of the boys fled but was later discovered in a trash can, according to West Covina police Lt. Marty Sevilla.
A police dog bit him as well as the suspect driving the stolen car.
The incident started at 10:47 p.m. on Sunset and Cameron avenues when a sergeant ran the license plate of a 1997 Honda Accord and it came back as being stolen from Los Angeles.
Sevilla said several units followed the car and when they tried to pull it over, the driver took off.
While heading south on Valinda Avenue, he said the driver tried to make a left turn into Meadowside Street, lost control, crashed into the southeast corner and hit a wall.
The driver tried to run but was captured by a police dog. The rear passenger surrendered and was taken to a hospital as a precaution, Sevilla said.
He said the teen sitting in the front passenger seat bolted and ran across a gated community in the area of Lemongrass Lane and Olive Grove lane which is in the county area.
"He was found hiding in a trash can," Sevilla said.
The three teens were arrested on suspicion of grand theft auto and felony evading.
- Ruby Gonzales
SAN GABRIEL -- Authorities Friday released the name of a 30-year-old man who was fatally struck by a car while standing in a driveway in front of his home.
Thomas James Ristich of San Gabriel died at the scene of Thursday's 1:47 p.m. accident in the 1100 block of South Charlotte Avenue, Los Angeles County Department of Coroner Assistant Chief of Operations Ed Winter said.
He was standing in a driveway in front of his home when, for reasons that remained under investigation, a southbound Toyota Camry driven by a 79-year-old San Gabriel woman, suddenly veered to the left and into the driveway, San Gabriel police Lt. Antonio Hernandez said.
The investigation was ongoing, however no crime was initially suspected, Hernandez said.
LOS ANGELES -- One of two teachers accused of sexual misconduct at Miramonte Elementary School in South Los Angeles -- an Alhambra man -- was released from jail Friday after posting bond, authorities said.
Martin Springer, 49, was arrested one week ago after two girls came forward with allegations that he touched them inappropriately in the classroom, Los Angeles County Sheriff's officials said.
Prosecutors have charged Springer with three counts of committing lewd acts on a child in connection with one of the girls' allegations, Los Angeles County District Attorney's officials said, while they declined to file charges based on the other girl's claims.
Springer posted $300,000 bail about 2 a.m. Friday and was released from the Los Angeles jail facility where he was being housed, sheriff's Capt. Mike Parker said.
"He was fitted with a court ordered ankle monitoring device before his release," the captain said.
The victim was about 7 years old when the alleged molestation took place in April, May and June of 2009, according to sheriff's and D.A.'s officials.
Springer pleaded not guilty to the charges Tuesday in Los Angeles Superior Court. He's due back in court for a hearing Feb. 16.
If convicted as charged, Springer could face up to 12 years in prison.
The allegation against Springer came forward in the wake of the high-profile arrest of another Miramonte Elementary School teacher, 61-year-old Mark Berndt, earlier in the week on suspicion of sexually abusing 23 of his students.
Berndt remains jailed in lieu of $23 million pending his Feb. 21 arraignment, according to county booking records.
ROY, UTAH -- Utah police looking into the case of a missing San Gabriel man unearthed a body Thursday from a property where they've been digging for four days, however it was not clear if it belonged to the missing man, authorities said.
Further details about the body would not be available until an autopsy is performed by coroner's officials, Layton police Lt. Garret Atkin said.
Police made the grisly find while investigating the disappearance of then-25-year-old Victor Flores of San Gabriel, who headed to Utah from his Southern California home in May for a job, according to Layton and San Gabriel police. He was last seen May 9.
An autopsy was scheduled to be performed Saturday, Atkin said, however results would likely not be available until early next week.
It was unclear what, if any, other evidence was found with the body.
SANTA FE SPRINGS -- Three parolees arrested on suspicion of carrying out a car-to-car shooting that left one man dead and another seriously wounded last week have not been charged in connection with the slaying, officials said Thursday.
Jason Uzel, 37, of Whittier, Brian Recinos, 22, of Whittier and Frank Ramos, 45, of Eureka were arrested on suspicion of murder in the hours following the Jan. 2 shooting on Sorensen Avenue, just south of Washington Boulevard, Whittier police officials said.
While all three men remained behind bars on suspicion of violating their parole, police had not yet presented the murder case to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office, Whittier police Officer Bradley White said.
"There's no criminal filing at this time," he said. The investigation is still ongoing."
The shooting claimed the life of 18-year-old Mark Joseph Rodriguez of Whittier, and left a second man who was riding in a car with Rodriguez seriously wounded, according to police and coroner's officials.
The shooting is being investigated by the Whittier Police Department, which provides police services to Santa Fe Springs.
PICO RIVERA -- Three men robbed another man at gunpoint and slashed his hand with a knife Thursday before fleeing the scene in a car with a "Baby on Board" sticker on the back, authorities said.
The crime took place just after 1:20 p.m. at Coolhurst Drive and Pico Vista Road, Los Angeles County sheriff's Sgt. Ernest Bille said.
A man in his 20s was walking when he was approached by three robbers in a white, 4-door, 90s-model Honda Accord with a "Baby on Board" sticker adorning the rear, the sergeant said.
At least two of the robbers exited the car and demanded cash from the victim, who turned over about $15, the sergeant said. A struggle took place during the robbery, during which the victim suffered a minor slash to his hand.
In addition to a knife, the robbers also brandished a handgun during the crime, Bille said.
The robbers were initially described only as a white man, a Latino man and a black man, he added.
The suspects' car was last seen heading south on Pico Vista Road toward Washington Boulevard.
WHITTIER -- A South Whittier man has begun serving a 12-year prison sentence for stabbing wife to death at their home in an unincorporated county area near Whittier.
Andres Zazueta, 47, was sentenced to prison Feb. 3 after pleading no contest to voluntary manslaughter in the death of 45-year-old Maria Guzman on March 13, Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office spokeswoman Jane Robison said.
Originally charged with murder, Zazueta attacked his wife with a kitchen knife at their home in the 10700 block of Carmenita Road, then wounded himself as well before deputies arrived at the scene, officials said.
Guzman died at the scene, while Zazueta was hospitalized for his injuries before being arrested.
Other than domestic violence, a motive in the killing has not been released.
EL MONTE -- Police are seeking a man accused of stabbing another man during a fight at a fast-food restaurant Wednesday.
A man, his wife and a friend of his wife met about 7 a.m. at a McDonald's restaurant at Valley Boulevard and Baldwin Avenue, El Monte police Lt. Dan Burlingham said.
The husband, a man in his mid- to late-20s, was confronted by his wife's friend and a fight ensued, the lieutenant said.
The suspect pulled a knife and stabbed the husband three to four times in the neck and upper torso, Burlingham said. Police were looking into the possibility two men who were with the suspect also jumped into the fray.
The wounded man was hospitalized in stable condition.
The knife-wielding man and his friends fled the scene before officers arrived and remained at-large Thursday, police said.
The attacker was initially described only as a Latino man in his late-20s.
Anyone with information is asked to call El Monte police at 626-580-2110.
EAST VALINDA -- A fire badly damaged a home early Thursday, though the residents escaped injury, officials said.
Firefighters responded to a report of a blaze about 6:20 a.m. at the rear house on a property in the 200 block of North Hambledon Avenue, Los Angeles County Fire Department Inspector Quvondo Johnson said.
The home was well-involved with fire when firefighters arrived, however the home's residents had gotten out safely, according to fire and sheriff's officials said.
Firefighters battled the blaze for more than 20 minutes before it was extinguished, Johnson said.
The damage to the home was extensive, however a dollar-value estimate was not immediately available, officials said. The cause of the remained under investigation.
The Red Cross was summoned to the scene to help find temporary lodging for eight adults and two children displaced from the home, Johnson said.
No official cause of death is known for a San Gabriel woman and Tournament of Roses volunteer whose body was found in the trunk of her car in 2004, resulting in the arrest of an Alhambra man on suspicion of murder earlier this week, coroner's officials said.
Richard Allan Munnecke, 71, was jailed Wednesday on suspicion of killing 59-year-old Donna Kelly, whose body was found by her daughter in April of 2004, sheriff's officials said. She went missing about three weeks earlier.
Coroner's medical examiners were unable to determined how Kelly died, largely because of the condition her body was discovered in, Los Angeles County Department of Coroner's Assistant Chief of Operations Ed Winter said.
"(Cause of death) is undetermined after autopsy and toxicology. They don't know why she died," Winter said.
Investigators noted in their report that the cause of death was, "possibly masked by decomposition," he added.
Detective Richard Lopez of the Sheriff's Homicide Bureau said after meeting with coroner's medical examiners, investigators are convinced that Kelly died as the result of suffocation. He declined to give further details.
DNA linked Munnecke to the killing, leading to his arrest, Lopez said.
As part of the ongoing investigation, detectives obtained a court order to collect a sample of DNA from Munnecke in August of 2010, Lopez said.
While Munnecke had not previously been named as a suspect in Kelly's killing, "We knew of his connection to the victim," the detective said.
When results from the DNA analysis came back in September of last year, "it narrowed the investigation," Lopez said.
Authorities allege the killing took place while Munnecke, who is married, was having an affair with Kelly. Munnecke has denied an affair took place.
Munnecke's arrest shocked many who knew him as a friendly and active community member.
According to county booking records, he was being held in lieu of $1 million bail pending arraignment Friday in Alhambra Superior Court.
LOS ANGELES -- A Romanian man already convicted in his home country of hacking into NASA computers at the the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in La Canada Flintridge has been indicted in the United States, officials announced Wednesday.
Robert Butkya, 25, of Cluj-Napoca, Romania, was indicted by a federal grand jury on allegations of unauthorized impairment of a protected computer, U.S. Department of Justice officials said in a written statement. The alleged hacking took place in December.
Butkya used the moniker "Iceman" as he hacked into, and placed malicious software on, 25 computers that were part of NASA's "Atmospheric Infrared Sounder Program -- designed to support climate research and improve weather forecasting capabilities -- in December, according to the DOJ.
In at least one instance, "He used the computers to launch attacks against other computers," Assistant U.S. Attorney Erik Silber, who is prosecuting the American case, said.
It was not believed Butkya was trying to steal information from the system, Silber added.
In many cases, he said, the principal motivation of hackers is pride -- to show off their prowess at accessing restricted systems.
"As a result of Butkya's alleged conduct, researchers were unable to use the computers for more than two months while NASA removed the malicious code in the machines, restored data and took steps to prevent further access by hackers," according to the statement. "NASA sustained more than $500,000 in damages, which includes the costs of completing the work on the computers and the time lost to scientific researchers."
A Romanian court has already tried and convicted Butkya, sentencing him to three years in prison and seven years of probation, officials said.
Once he's released from Romanian prison, he will have to be brought before a judge in the U.S. for the case to process, Silber explained.
Since Romania will not extradite in such a case, he said, prosecution in the United States will depend on with Butkya coming to America voluntarily, or being arrested in another country that will extradite him.
"As a practical matter, he has to come to the United States (to face trial)," Silber said.
If convicted in the U.S., Butkya faces up to 10 years in federal prison.
COVINA -- The arrest of a man on suspicion of drug possession at a motel Tuesday led police to arrest two other people on suspicion of stealing copper wiring, authorities said.
Richard Hughes, 43, was jailed on suspicion of possession of methamphetamine, while Laura Wohlhueter, 47, and Keith Kessler, 41, were booked on suspicion of receiving stolen property, Covina police Lt. John Curley said. All three are West Covina residents.
Officers were on patrol near the Radisson Suites, 1211 E. Garvey Street, when they spotted Hughes in the parking lot rifling through a car, the lieutenant said.
Police questioned the man and quickly discovered he had a small amount of what appeared to be methamphetamine with him, police said. He told officers that the car he was seen in belonged to a friend who was renting a room.
After arresting Hughes, police went to the hotel room he indicated to verify his story, Curley said. Once in the room, officers noticed a box full of copper wiring which they believed to be stolen and arrested Wohlhueter and Kessler.
According to county booking records, all three suspects were being held in lieu of $20,000 bail and were due due for arraignment Thursday in West Covina Superior Court.
From Los Angeles Police Protective League Blog:
The names of officers involved in shootings are public information subject to disclosure by law, a California appellate court ruled Tuesday, marking the latest legal opinion in a public records court battle that has embroiled law enforcement and the media.
The 2nd District Court of Appeal rejected arguments from the city of Long Beach and its police union that officers' names were protected as investigative and personnel records and because of officers' privacy rights.
The decision upheld a Superior Court judge'sorder that the city would have to release the names in response to a public records request from The Times.
COVINA -- Covina police are asking for the public's help in finding a 64-year-old woman with Alzheimer's who has been missing since Monday.
Leiza Margarita Ochy left her home in the 500 Block of S. Eremland Drive Monday afternoon after an argument with her daughter over the possibility of being placed into an adult care facility, Covina police said.<p>
Officials said the Covina woman also has bipolar disorder, a history of schizophrenia and other medical conditions. She didn't have medications or money with her when she left.
Ochy is Panamanian, speaks English with a Spanish accent, stand 5 feet 6 inches tall and weighs about 200 pound. She was last seen wearing a lime green sweater, white pants and brown bowling-style shoes. She was carrying a blue-and-grey backpack and had a white purse with pink stripes.
Anyone with information is asked to call Covina Police at 626-384-5656 or Detective Anthony Zavala at 626-384-5622.
- Staff report
PHOTO of Leiza Ochy courtesy of the Covina Police Department
TEMPLE CITY -- A masked gunman robbed a donut shop along Rosemead Boulevard early Wednesday, authorities said.
The robber wore a ski mask as he entered Rose Donut, at Rosemead Boulevard and Longden Avenue, about 8 a.m., Los Angeles County sheriff's Lt. Edward Godfrey said.
Using a handgun, he robbed the business and was last seen fleeing the area on foot, the lieutenant said.
Officials described the robber as a Latino or white man, about 5 feet 8 inches tall and 180 pounds, wearing a black ski mask, a black hooded sweat shirt and dark-colored jeans.
Anyone with information is asked to call the sheriff's Temple Station at 626-448-9861.
NORWALK -- Sentencing was delayed Wednesday for a La Habra man facing the death penalty for two gang-related murders in Whittier, including one in which he fatally stabbed the wrong man, authorities said.
A jury recommended the death sentence in January for Gabriel Alexander Ronquillo, 39, for the 2004 mistaken-identity murder of 47-year-old Gary Frausto, as well as the 1999 slaying of rival gang member David Borunda, 23. He was convicted of the killings in December in Norwalk Superior Court.
His sentencing was initially scheduled for Wednesday, but was postponed to March 15, court officials said.
Ronquillo was arrested following the most recent killing, after his would-be getaway car failed to start, investigators said.
In Frausto's killing, authorities said, Ronquillo was following an order from the Mexican Mafia to kill another man, Frausto's brother, but stabbed Frausto to death by mistake when he answered a midnight knock at the door.
In addition to the two murders, a jury also found true special allegation of multiple murder, murder for the benefit of a street gang, murder by an active gang member, use of a deadly and dangerous weapon and principal discharge of a firearm causing death, officials said.
WHITTIER - Deputies are looking for a gunman who shot another man several times Tuesday night.
Sheriff's Sgt. Mike Mendoza said the injured man was in stable condition at a hospital.
The station received calls about multiple shots being heard about 8:50 p.m. at Laurel and Virginia avenues in an unincorporated county area near Whittier, he said. Deputies checking out the calls found the wounded man.
The gunman said nothing before opening fire, striking the victim, a 30-year-old man, several time in the stomach area, Sgt. James Franks said.
The shooting happened in an unincorporated county area near Whittier.
A relative was driving the man to the hospital but decided to let paramedics transport him, according to Mendoza. He said the relative pulled over in nearby Santa Fe Springs.
Witnesses saw a man fleeing from the scene after the shooting. Mendoza said the suspect was last seen running west through Amelia Mayberry County Park.
The suspect was described a Latino, 25, 5 feet 6 inches tall, between 150 to 160 pounds and wearing a black shirt and black pants.
- staff report
ROY, Utah -- Police who have been digging on a Utah property for three days say the excavation is related to the search for a San Gabriel man who went missing under "suspicious circumstances" after heading to Utah to seek work last year.
Layton Police Lt. Travis Lyman said detectives are looking into the case of Victor Flores of San Gabriel, Calif., though he declined to say what was found inside the hole at a duplex in Roy, Utah, Tuesday.
"We're still in the middle of processing that scene," the lieutenant said. "We're not releasing what, if anything, we've found yet."
The reason for the search, he added: "We're looking for any items of evidence."
Lyman said police would make a statement regarding their findings once the search was complete, which he expected would be Wednesday or Thursday.
One officer looking into the hole was reportedly seen holding his nose, and police have used a tarp to shield the view of onlookers from their work.
Flores, then-25, departed from his home in San Gabriel in early May to seek work in Utah, San Gabriel police Lt. Darren Perrine said.
Within days of his arrival in Utah, he went missing, officials said.
Flores' mother, who kept in frequent contact with him, grew worried when she lost touch with her son and reported him missing to Utah investigators, Perrine said.
While Layton investigators labelled the disappearance as occurring under, "suspicious circumstances," Lyman said, "We can't comment on what specifically those circumstances are. "It's still part of a real active investigation."
While the investigation is being by the Layton Police Department, Perrine said, San Gabriel police have assisted detectives in Utah through such measures as collecting a DNA samples from relatives for comparison.
It was unclear what his relationship is to the duplex where police are searching.
Lyman would say only that a "culmination" of evidence and interviews led police to believe, "there may be items of evidence at this address."
Police used ground-penetrating radar last week at the site, where excavation began Monday, officials said.
Shortly after Flores was reported missing, Utah police spoke with residents of a home in Layton who told them they knew Flores, and that he was fine, Lyman said.
When police returned to re-interview the residents several weeks later, they had moved, he said.
A family friend told the Standard-Examiner of Ogden that Flores had gone to Utah with an acquaintance with the promise of a construction job, but had later called family members to say he had changed his mind. She added she was suspicious of the acquaintance.
Neighbors of the home in Roy where the excavation was taking place told the Ogden newspaper that police in tactical gear raided the house in the fall and made an arrest.
PHOTO of Victor Flores: courtesy
ALTADENA -- Rescuers hoisted a Whittier woman from Eaton Canyon by helicopter after she took a fall while hiking and broke her ankle, authorities said.
The 38-year-old woman was hiking with her husband 100 yards below the first waterfall of Eaton Canyon about 11:30 a.m. when she lost her footing and fell, Los Angeles County sheriff's officials said.
Altadena Search and Rescue Team members, along with a sheriff's helicopter, reached the couple and hoisted the injured woman into a helicopter via a rescue basket about 1:30 p.m., Lt. Marjory Jacobs of the sheriff's Crescenta Valley Station said.
Her husband was not injured, she added.
A search and rescue team members also took a spill during the incident and was taken to a hospital for treatment of a minor injury to his knee, Jacobs said.
The algae-lined trails near the Eaton Canyon Falls are well-known to rescuers, who help pull dozens of injured hikers to safety every year.
ANGELES NATIONAL FOREST -- A Duarte man died and a teenage girl was hurt early Sunday when a car plunged over the side of San Gabriel Canyon Road north of Azusa, officials said.
Alex Rodriguez, 20, of Duarte died in the 1:10 a.m. crash at mile-marker 27.62 of the winding mountain road, California Highway Patrol Officer Alex Antillon said in a written statement.
A 16-year-old Duarte girl was hospitalized with minor injuries following the crash, he added.
"Although the cause of the collision is unknown at this time, alcohol and or drugs is being investigated as a factor," Antillon said.
Rodriguez was driving a Honda sedan southbound at an undetermined speed when the crash occurred, he said.
"(Rodriguez) failed to negotiate a turn in the roadway and traveled out of control," the officer said. "(The Honda) subsequently left the roadway and traveled down the mountain embankment."
The car came to a rest about 100 feet over the side of the road, officials added.
Antillon said Rodriguez was thrown from the car in the crash and pronounced dead at the scene.
MONTEREY PARK -- Homicide detectives arrested a man Sunday on suspicion of killing his pregnant wife in their Monterey Park home.
Hongxin Liu, 41, was booked on suspicion of the murder of 39-year-old Chenyan Bao, Los Angeles County Sheriff's Capt. Mike Parker said in a written statement.
"Suspect Liu was involved in a domestic violence altercation with his wife," Parker said. "Bao ultimately died as a result of her injuries."
Bao was pronounced dead shortly after 7:10 a.m. at the couple's house in the 1000 block of South Ynez Avenue, Los Angeles County coroner investigator Jerry McKibben said.
Firefighter-paramedics responded to a report that Bao was unconscious, and ultimately pronounced her dead, Monterey Park police Lt. Scott Wiese said. Rescuers summoned police to investigate.
"When the coroner investigator arrived, she found suspicious marks on the victim," according to the sheriff's statement. "The victim was also believed to be three months pregnant."
Detectives at first detained Liu for questioning, but ultimately arrested him on suspicion of killing his wife shortly before 3 p.m., Parker said.
"The exact cause of death is unknown at this time," Parker added. Coroner's investigators will perform an autopsy to determine how Bao died.
The couple had a 2-year-old daughter who was placed into the custody of the county Department of Children and Family Services, officials said.
As is standard procedure for homicide cases or suspicious death investigation Monterey Park, detectives from the Sheriff's Homicide Bureau are assisting Monterey Park police in the investigation.
According to county booking records, Liu was being held in lieu of of $1 million bail at the Monterey Park Police Department's jail pending an arraignment hearing Wednesday in Alhambra Superior Court.
Anyone with information is asked to call sheriff's homicide detectives at 323-890-5500, or tips can be left anonymously by calling L.A. Crime Stoppers at 800-222-88477.
PASADENA -- A Pasadena man is accused of drunken driving after backing out of a gas station and crashing through the front window of a department store late Saturday, authorities said.
William Garrett, 50, of Pasadena was booked on suspicion of driving under the influence, Pasadena police Lt. Diego Torres said.
He was backing out of a Mobile gas station at Lake Avenue and San Pasqual Street about 8:30 p.m. when he struck and shattered the window of a Ross department store across the street, the lieutenant said.
"He backed all the way across (San Pasqual Street) street into Ross," Torres said.
Officers who responded to the crash determined Garrett was drunk and arrested him on suspicion of DUI, police said.
According to county booking records, Garrett was released from jail Sunday morning on $30,000 bail pending his initial court appearance.
PASADENA -- Police jailed a local man early Saturday on suspicion of burglarizing a Lake Avenue pharmacy, authorities said.
Anthony Harris, 52, was booked on suspicion of burglary, Pasadena police Lt. Diego Torres said.
Officers responded to a burglary alarm about 2:30 a.m. at CVS Pharmacy, 900 N. Lake Ave., had been smashed, the lieutenant said.
Harris was spotted inside, and surrendered to officers who ordered him out of the business, he said.
It appeared that Harris had been filling a bag with merchandise from the store, Torres added.
He was being held in lieu $21,683 bail at the Pasadena Police Department's jail pending his initial court appearance, according to county booking records.
PASADENA -- A man is behind bars on suspicion of kidnapping and robbing another man late Thursday, polcie said.
Rasheed Mack, 24, of Las Vegas was booked on suspicion of robbery, with a charge of kidnapping expected to be added, Pasadena police Lt. Diego Torres said.
A man in his 30s was waiting at a bus stop at 160 N. Lake Ave. when another man demanded money, Torres said. No weapon was seen.
The victim handed over a small amount of cash, and the suspect forced him to walk to an ATM machine at a nearby grocery store and withdraw more money, the lieutenant said.
While at the store, the victim alerted security guards that he was being robbed, police said.
Store security called the police, who found and arrested Mack as he was walking in the area, Torres said.
According to county booking records, Mack was being held in lieu of $1 million bail pending his initial court appearance.
PASADENA -- Two unrelated robberies kept police busy Friday afternoon, officials said.
The first crime was reported about 12:45 p.m. at Marengo Avenue and Grandview Street, Pasadena police Lt. Diego Torres said.
A 70-year-old man was walking when he was approached by two other men, one of whom was armed with a large folding knife, Torres said.
The robbers demanded cash, and the victim turned over nearly $1,000, he said.
One of the robbers was described as a Latino man in his 50s, about 5 feet 6 inches tall, of thin build, with short salt-and-pepper hair. He wore a light blue shirt and light blue pants.
The second robber was a Latino man in his mid-40s, about 5 feet 3 inches tall, 190 pounds, clean-cut, with short gray hair, police said. He wore a light blue business suit.
The robbers were last seen running north from the area.
A second robbery was reported about 2:30 p.m. at a gas station on Hill Avenue at Walnut Street, Torres said.
An employee was preparing to make a bank deposit when a robber armed with a stun gun confronted him and demanded the money, police said.
The victim, who is in his 60s, and the robber struggled briefly before the robber manage to get the money and run, Torres said. the employee was not hurt.
Police described the robber as a black man in his mid-30s, of dark complexion, with short black hair, wearing blue jeans and a black jacket.
WEST WHITTIER -- Deputies arrested a parolee spotted with a gun Saturday following a stand-off of nearly two hours, authorities said.
William Lemus, 28, was ultimately taken into custody and was expected to be booked on charges including violating parole and weapons violations, Los Angeles County sheriff's Sgt. Dianna Woodward said.
The incident began just before 11 a.m. in the 7800 block of Morrill Avenue, just north of Washington Boulevard, the sergeant said.
A resident reported seeing a person with a gun walking in the area, and the man fled from responding deputies, she said.
Deputies recognized the man as a parolee, Woodward said.
Officials surrounded a house and yard where Lemus was believed to be hiding and summoned a SWAT team to assist, according to the sergeant.
As SWAT team members were en route, however, the suspect made a run for it and tried to escape the search perimeter, Woodward said. He was promptly met by two deputies and surrendered.
ALTADENA -- A woman is accused of intentionally striking a county employee with her car Friday following a dispute over an unleashed dog at the Eaton Canyon Nature Center, authorities said.
Arune Kavaliauskaite, 28, was booked on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon following the 3 p.m. incident at the park, 1750 N. Altadena Drive, according to sheriff's officials and county booking records. Her city of residency was not clear Saturday.
A Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation employee approached Kavaliauskaite and told her she needed to put her dog on a leash, Lt. Denise Stephenson of the Sheriff's Park Services Bureau said.
"The suspect refused to put the dog on a leash (and) became abusive toward staff," the lieutenant said.
When the county employee began taking photographs of the Kavaliauskaite's car and her dog, she apparently became angry and intentionally struck the county employee with her car, Stephenson said. The employee suffered a minor knee injury.
Deputies responded and arrested Kavaliauskaite, officials said.
According to county booking records, Kavaliauskaite was released from jail Saturday morning after posting $30,000 bail pending her initial appearance in Pasadena Superior Court.
WEST COVINA - A jury on Friday convicted a Hollywood man of beating his 62-year-old father to death with a dumbbell in an Irwindale storage facility.
Jonathan Martinez Pedraza, 26, was found guilty of first-degree murder, felony vandalism and two misdemeanor counts of hit-and-run driving, according to Deputy District Attorney Stacy Okun-Wiese.
The jury also found true an allegation that he personally used a deadly and dangerous weapon, the dumbbell.
Pedraza faces a maximum sentence of 27 years to life in prison at his Feb. 10 sentencing in West Covina Superior Court.
Miguel Pedraza of Glendora was killed Sept. 3, 2010 and his body was discovered inside a storage locker at A-1 Mini Storage, 4391 Irwindale Avenue.
The younger Pedraza delivered at least five powerful blows to his father's head fracturing the skull and causing 10 lacerations, according to authorities.
He then rammed his car though a security gate at the facility to escape before becoming involved in another collision in Baldwin Park.
He crashed into two other cars at a parking lot in the 14500 block of Ramona Boulevard and fled. Baldwin Park police found him hiding on the roof of a apartment complex in the 14400 block of Pacific Avenue and arrested him.
A judge in October 2011 ruled that Jonathan Pedraza was mentally competent to stand trial.
- Ruby Gonzales
ALTADENA -- The search continued Saturday for two missing persons -- one elderly and one mentally disabled -- who wandered away from their respective homes earlier this week.
Johnny Burton, 72, was last seen about 11 a.m. Thursday leaving his home in the 2800 block of Nido Drive, near Hahamongha Watershed Park, Los Angeles County sheriff's officials said in a written statement.
He suffers from occasional forgetfulness and is easily confused, authorities added.
He's black, 5 feet 10 inches tall and 155 pounds. He's missing most of his teeth, and was last seen wearing a long-sleeve yellow shirt, blue jeans, a black jacket and black boots.
A second missing person case was reported Friday, officials said, after 27-year-old Arsen Bayramyan, who is mentally disabled, wandered away from his home on North Glenrose Avenue about 8:30 a.m., authorities said.
He requires medication, and his family is very concerned and asking the public's help, investigators said.
Bayramyan is described as white, 5 feet 9 inches tall, 205 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes. He was last seen wearing a brown sweater and black sweat pants.
Anyone with information on either case is asked to contact detectives Abraham or Harris at Sheriff's Homicide Bureau's Missing Persons Detail at 323-890-5500.
PHOTO of Arsen Bayramyan courtesy of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department. PHOTO of Johhny Burton not available as of Saturday.
WHITTIER -- A fire damaged a home, along with a 75-year-old pickup truck, but caused no injuries Friday, authorities said.
The blaze was first reported just after 11:30 a.m. at a house in the 14300 block of Chestnut Street, Los Angeles County Fire Department Inspector Quvondo Johnson said.
"On arrival, we did see smoke and fire coming from a single-story, single-family dwelling," he said.
A man who lives at the home returned from a trip to the store just before firefighters arrived, Capt. Matt Arledge said. He and a neighbor were trying to control the flames with water hoses.
Firefighters extinguished the flames by 11:50 a.m., Johnson said. No one was injured.
The fire mainly scorched only one room of the home, however the house sustained smoke damage throughout, Battalion Chief Ron Cabrera said. The blaze left the home uninhabitable pending repairs.
The blaze caused an estimated $200,000 worth of damage to the home and its contents, including a 1937 Chevrolet pickup truck parked at the property, the residents, Keith and Nancy Kowalsi, had been restoring, officials said.
The couple has invested about $20,000 in the project and had planned to continue the restoration, Nancy Kowalsi said.
Additionally, Nancy Kowalski said, a chest she inherited from her mother containing china and a doll collection was consumed by the blaze.
Nonetheless, she said she was just happy no one was hurt.
"It's all stuff," she said. "It can be replaced."
Nancy Kowalski said she normally would be home at the time the fire broke out, but she was delayed at work Friday due to a malfunctioning copy machine.
The couple has lived in the home for 15 years, she added.
The cause of the fire was initially believed to be accidental, possibly caused by discarded smoking materials, officials said.
SOUTH LOS ANGELES -- Investigators arrested a second school teacher at Miramonte Elementary School, an Alhambra man, Friday on suspicion of child molestation, authorities said.
Detectives from the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Special Victims Unit arrested Martin Springer, 49, about 10 a.m. as he was exiting a Los Angeles Unified School District building at 107th Street and Western in South Los Angeles, sheriff's Capt. Mike Parker said in a written statement.
"The allegations involve two girls who were allegedly fondled in the classroom at Miramonte school by suspect Springer," Parker said. "They were approximately 7-years old at the time of the incidents, which were alleged to have occurred during the past three years."
Springer was being held in lieu of $2 million bail at the Inmate Reception Center in Los Angeles pending his arraignment, which was scheduled Tuesday in Los Angeles Superior Court, according to county booking records.
Springer's arrest stemmed indirectly from Monday's arrest of another teacher at Miramonte Elementary School, 61-year-old Mark Berndt.
Berndt is being held in lieu of $23 million bail pending his Feb. 21 arraignment on 23 counts of child molestation.
He's accused of taping the eyes and mouths of students, placing cockroaches on their faces and spoon-feeding them a substance authorities have said had been identified as Berndt's semen.
Berndt's arrest came after a photo shop employee became concerned and notified authorities while developing Berndt's pictures, investigators said.
"As a result of recent requests from the sheriff's department for members of the public to contact us with any information regarding possible criminal activity at Miramonte school, we received new information (Thursday) morning. That information led investigators to (Springer)."
Springer was interviewed by investigators Wednesday and subsequently suspended from his teaching duties, Parker said. he had been under surveillance by deputies since Thursday, Parker said.
He was arrested by detectives exiting a school building at 107th Street and Western in South Los Angeles, officials added.
No one answered one phone phone numbers listed in public records as belonging to Springer Friday afternoon. A second phone number associated with him was disconnected.
And the investigation continues, Parker said.
"Sheriff's Special Victims Bureau investigators are seeking the help of the public to identify possible additional victims during the suspect's tenure at Miramonte Elementary School," he said.
Additionally, Parker said, "Sheriff (Lee) Baca understands the public's concern about this and has dedicated the necessary resources to thoroughly investigate all the information that we have received and will receive."
Anyone with information was asked to contact Special Victims Unit detectives at 877-710-5273, or tips can be left anonymously be calling L.A. Crimestoppers at 800-222-8477.
PHOTO of Martin Springer courtesy of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department
PASADENA -- A woman pretending to be a police officer ended up in jail Thursday after an encounter with the real thing, officials said.
Sonia Yeretzian, 37, was booked on suspicion of impersonating a police officer, as well as outstanding warrants including one for a previous allegation of impersonating an officer in Pasadena, Pasadena police Lt. Diego Torres said.
The woman wore a blue shirt, blue pants and boots when she told firefighters she met in the 1100 block of Linda Vista Avenue Thursday afternoon that she was a police officer, Torres said.
The firefighters became suspicious and called police, who responded, found Yeretzian driving in the area and pulled her over, the lieutenant said.
She told Pasadena officers that she was a member of the Los Angeles Police Department, which turned out to be false, Torres said.
It was not clear why the woman claimed to be a police officer, he added.
According to county booking records, Yeretzian was being held in lieu of $64,500 bail pending her initial court appearance.
LA MIRADA -- Two men were stabbed Thursday during a possibly gang-related fight at La Mirada Regional Park, officials said.
The incident was reported shortly before 4 p.m. at the park, 13701 Adelfa Drive, Los Angeles County sheriff's Sgt. Greg Arnold said.
Three suspects, initially described only as Latino men, became involved in a fight with three other men, the sergeant said.
At least one of the suspects pulled a knife, and two of the men in the other group of combatants were stabbed, he said. Both wounded men were taken to a hospital with injuries not believed to be life-threatening.
The stabbing was suspected to be gang-related, Arnold said. No further details were available.
ARCADIA -- An intense fire Thursday destroyed a vacant Arcadia home that was in the process of being sold, authorities said.
The fire was first reported about 6:25 p.m. in the 1300 block of South First Avenue, Arcadia Fire Department spokeswoman Beth Stogner said in a written statement.
Both Arcadia and Monrovia firefighters responded to the blaze, which had already engulfed the home when they arrived, Stogner said.
"The structure was dangerously unstable due to a heavy interior fire load," she said. "Taking a defensive stance, firefighters extinguished the fire utilizing exterior tactics."
The fire did not spread to nearby structures, including the nearby Richard Henry Dana Middle School gym, officials said.
The cause of the fire, which caused an estimated $300,000 worth of damage, remained under investigation, Stogner said.
The home was vacant and was in the escrow process when the fire occurred, she said.
PHOTOS courtesy of the Arcadia Fire Department
SANTA FE SPRINGS -- Three men have been jailed in connection with a fatal car-to-car shooting that left an 18-year-old Whittier man dead and another man critically wounded, authorities said.
Mark Joseph Rodriguez died at a hospital shorty after the shooting, which was reported about 6 p.m. Thursday on Sorensen Avenue, just south of Washington Boulevard, Los Angeles County Department of Coroner Assistant Chief of Operations Ed Winter said.
Jason Uzel, 37, of Whittier, Brian Recinos, 22, of Whittier and Frank Ramos, 45, of Eureka, were booked on suspicion of murder, Whittier police Officer Bradley White said.
Rodriguez and the other shooting victim were in the back seat of a car when someone opened fire on them with .45-caliber handgun from a pearl-white compact car with aftermarket rims, Whittier police officials said.
Two other people in the car that was shot were not wounded, police said.
"A (sheriff's) deputy made a traffic stop on a vehicle (and), found a .45(-caliber) casing in the car," Whittier police Lt. Carlos Solorza said. The car matched the description of the one driven during the attack.
Two men inside the car -- later identified as Uzel and Recinos -- were found to be on parole, the lieutenant said. Officials searched a home connected to the men and seized a handgun of a similar caliber to the one used in the shooting, he added.
"It was good police work," Solorza said.
Continued investigation led to the arrest of Ramos about 12: 45 a.m. Friday, according to police and county booking records, however further details of his arrest were not available Friday.
The shooting took place on a commercial street lined with concrete warehouses and factories.
It was not clear if Thursday afternoon's shooting was related to another Santa Fe Springs shooting reported the previous night. In that incident, a 12-year-old boy was wounded in the leg while sleeping when bullets tore through his family's home in the 9300 block of Danby Avenue -- about two miles from the scene of Thursday's shooting.
Both shootings were described by police as being apparently gang-related.
According to county booking records, all three suspects were being held without bail pending their initial court appearances.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Whittier Police Department, which provides police services to Santa Fe Springs.
PICO RIVERA -- Detectives have recovered 14 charity gum dispensary stolen from area local businesses as they continued seeking the man suspected of pilfering them, authorities said.
The investigation began in January when a representative of a children's cancer charity reported to sheriff's officials that five plastic collection boxes had been stolen from businesses in the Pico Rivera and Norwalk area, Los Angeles County sheriff's Lt. Robert Smith said.
A man had taken the boxes pretending to be a representative of the charity, Smith said. He told shopkeepers that he was a new employee of the charity, and he had been instructed to collect the boxes.
An investigation led by Detective Eric Callahan identified a suspect, and officials carried out a search warrant Thursday at the man's Lakewood home, Smith said.
Deputies recovered the five missing donation boxes, long with six others, the lieutenant said. The gum remained in the boxes, though the money had been taken.
Eight of the 14 boxes were determined to belong to a children's cancer charity called the "Hope for Kids Foundation," Smith said.
Detectives were still working Friday to determine who owned the other six donation boxes, he added. They were believed to belong to another children's charity.
Detectives withheld the suspect's name pending his arrest, Smith said.
Anyone with information about the thefts, or who knows who may own the six recovered collection boxes which haven't been accounted for yet, is asked to call the sheriff's Pico Rivera Station at 562-949-2421.
VAN NUYS -- A judge sentenced a man to 21 years in prison Thursday for the fatal shooting of a popular Pasadena professor, officials said.
Steven Ronald Honma, 56, of Westlake Village, was convicted of voluntary manslaughter in November for the March 20, 2010 slaying of 50-year-old Norman Schureman of Altadena.
Schureman was a professor at the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena.
Honma received his sentence in Van Nuys Superior Court from Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Thomas Rubinson, Los Angeles County District Attorney's officials said in a written statement.
The shooting took place at a Persian New Year's Eve Party hosted by Schureman's mother-in-law in the 31700 block of Kentfield Court in Westlake Village, officials said.
"The defendant got into a fight and was asked to leave," according to the D.A.'s statement. "Honma left the party but returned with multiple concealed weapons, ammunition and a serrated knife."
Sheriff's officials said Honma had two guns with him at the time of the shooting, though only one was fired.
"When Honma was asked to leave a second time, a fight ensued and the defendant drew a handgun, fatally shooting Schureman," according to the statement.
Schureman taught product design at Art Center for nearly two decades.
He is survived by his wife and two young children. More than 1,000 mourners gathered for his memorial service at the school, and a scholarship has been established in his name.
SANTA FE SPRINGS -- Investigators asked the public's help Thursday in finding a big rig driver who fled the scene of a four-vehicle crash that left a 4-year-old boy critically injured.
The crash occurred about 7:25 p.m. Tuesday on the northbound 605 Freeway, just north of Telegraph Road, California Highway Patrol officials said in a written statement.
The chain-reaction crash involved a big rig, a Honda Civic, a Toyota Avalon and a Nissan Altima, CHP Officer Al Perez said. The badly injured boy was riding in the Honda.
The cause and circumstances of the crash remained under investigation, he added.
Witnesses were able to provide CHP investigators with a partial license plate for the big rig, as well as a partial name of the business that owns the truck, Perez said.
In order to find the hit-and-run driver, CHP officials asked that anyone who may have witnessed the crash to contact Officer Destiny Tafoya at 562-868-0503.
WEST COVINA -- Police arrested two men who ran from a stolen car Thursday, including one who was subdued with a Tazer and a bean bag gun after trying to choke a police dog sent to capture him, authorities said.
Officers received a report of a stolen car about 2:10 p.m. in the 1300 block of South Fleetwell Avenue, West Covina police Lt. Tommy Garcia said.
Officers searching the area spotted the stolen car about 2:30 p.m. less than a mile to the south, parked along a curb on Azusa and Fairgrove avenues, the lieutenant said.
Both men, initially described as appearing to be in their late teens or early 20s, ran from the car once they spotted an approaching police officer, Garcia said.
The passenger was captured almost immediately, he said, however officials set up a search perimeter to hunt for the driver.
A short time later, were notified by a resident of the 1700 block of Newcrest Drive that he had arrived home to find a man had broken into his house and was hiding in his bathroom, Garcia said.
Police ultimately forced their way into the home and sent in a police dog, the lieutenant said.
"He was fighting with the dog. He wasn't giving up," Garcia said. "He actually got the dog into a position where he was choking the dog."
At that point, officers shocked the suspect with a Taser with no effect, he said. Officers then fired a bean bag round at the suspect and took him into custody.
The suspects' names were not available Thursday afternoon pending booking, officials said.
The passenger was being held on suspicion of auto theft, while the driver was suspected of auto theft, burglary and resisting arrest.
WHITTIER -- Police are planning to hold a sobriety and driver's license checkpoint Friday.
The checkpoint will take place from 7 p.m. Friday to 3 a.m. Saturday in the area of Whittier Boulevard and Philadelphia Street, Whittier police officials said in a written statement.
"Research shows that crashes involving alcohol drop by an average of 20 percent when well-publicized checkpoints are conducted often enough," according to the police statement.
When possible, officers will, "strive to delay motorist only momentarily," the statement added.
Funding for the checkpoint is being provided by the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
LOS ANGELES COUNTY -- Bank robberies in Los Angeles County and across the state have hit a 10-year low, according to the FBI.
Annual bank robbery statistics released by the FBI Wednesday indicate that officials investigated 122 bank robberies in the county in 2011, compared with 168 in 2010.
With the exception of a moderate uptick in bank heists in 2008 and 2009, bank robberies in Los Angeles county have been steadily waning since 2002, when 401 such crimes were reported.
A similar trend was seen statewide, where 677 bank robberies took place in 2011, down from 779 in 2010 and 1,405 in 2002, according to the FBI report.
"The decrease in overall robberies is attributable in part to closer cooperation among law enforcement agencies, successful prosecution by the United States Attorney's Office and its counterparts at the district attorney's offices, as well as a more proactive approach by the banking community in the implementation of additional security measures," FBI officials said in a written statement.
"In addition, media coverage of increasingly clear bank surveillance photographs, and rewards offered by banks and law enforcement (have) contributed to the community's awareness and has generated valuable assistance from the public in the identification of unknown subjects," the statement said.
According to the data, California saw about twice the number of bank robberies as any other state. New York comes in second with 339 bank robberies reported in 2011.
Bank heists have been on a steady decline since the early 1990s, officials added.
The FBI's Los Angeles Field Officer serves seven Southern California Counties including Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara and Ventura.
Though yearly numbers show bank robberies declining, "In January 2012, the pace of bank robberies has increased and so far this year, 40 bank robberies have been reported in the seven-county area, primarily in Los Angeles and Orange counties, followed by Riverside County.
About 12 percent of the heists reported to the Los Angeles Field Office of the FBI were "takeovers" -- in which employees or customers are held hostage during the crime.
Along with the updated statistics, the FBI Wednesday issued a list of the region's top ten wanted serial bank robbers.
They include the "Explosive Threat Bandit," tied to six L.A. County bank robberies since November -- the first of which took place at a West Covina Bank of America Branch; as well as the "Lift and Show Bandit," linked to three bank robberies in La Puente, West Covina and Pico Rivera since December.
Seven suspected serial bank robbers who have been operating in the Los Angeles area have been arrested this month, including the prolific "Market Duo," "Bubble Wrap" and "Puffy Coat" bandits.
Anyone with information about a bank robber at-large is asked to call the FBI's 24-hour tip line in Los Angeles at 310-477-6565.
PHOTOS of the "Explosive Threat Bandit" (top) and the "Lift and Show Bandit," (below) courtesy of the FBI.
COVINA -- A Covina woman died late Wednesday after being struck by an SUV while crossing the street, authorities said.
Elsa Giron, 68, was pronounced dead at a hospital shortly after the 6:26 p.m. crash at Cypress Street and Ellen Drive, in an unincorporated county area near Covina, according to Los Angeles County Department of Coroner and California Highway Patrol officials.
The cause of the crash remained under investigation, however nothing criminal was initially suspected, said CHP Sgt. C. Fusco, who declined to give his first name.
The woman was crossing in the intersection when she was struck by a passing Ford SUV. The directions of travel and other circumstances of the crash were not available Thursday.
A 64-year-old Covina man who was driving the SUV was not injured, Fusco added.
SANTA FE SPRINGS -- A 12-year-old boy was shot and wounded as he slept in his bed late Wednesday, authorities said.
The attack took place just after 11 p.m. in the 9300 block of Danby Avenue, Whittier police Officer Bradley White said.
"When we arrived on-scene, we discovered a 12-year-old male had suffered a gunshot wound to his leg," he said. "He was inside sleeping in his room when the shots were fired."
The boy was treated at a hospital and released early Thursday, White added.
Though detectives initially suspected the attack to be gang-related, "We don't know why this house was targeted," White said.
The bullet that struck the boy pierced a front window of the house, family members said. Another bullet struck the windowsill, and another hit a door.
"There was maybe six to seven shots fired," said a cousin of the young victim who asked that his name be withheld for fear of retaliation. "I don't know where the other ones went."
The family was relaxing at home when their peace was suddenly shattered by the gunfire, said the cousin.
The cousin said he was awakened by the shots and immediately dropped to the floor along with the others in the home.
Then he saw the wounded little boy.
"He was in so much shock, I thought it was worse," the cousin said.
He said he felt relieved when he heard the little boy speak, saying, "It burns."
Following the shooting, a car was heard speeding away from the home, said the cousin.
He added that the family had no idea why someone would shoot at the home.
The little boy's knee was shattered by the bullet, his cousin said, and he may require surgery later in the recovery process. The boy plays flag football in a local league.
No suspect description was available, and the circumstances of the shooting also remained under investigation, police said. Neighbors reported hearing the gunshots, but not seeing the incident.
Anyone with information was asked to contact Whittier police at 562-567-9200.
POMONA -- Authorities have identified a man whose body was found inside a burning car along the 10 Freeway in Pomona last week, though how the man died remained under investigation.
Christopher Michael Cercone, 33, of Ontario was pronounced dead after firefighters extinguished a burning Chevrolet Impala along the the South Campus Drive onramp to the westbound 10 Freeway, Los Angeles County Department of Coroner's Assistant Chief of Operations Ed Winter said.
The body was found in the driver's seat of the car, which was reported as a car fire by passers-by about 10 p.m. Jan. 26, according to Pomona police investigators.
Once firefighters extinguished the flames and discovered the body, they determined the fire was suspicious in nature and notified Pomona police, authorities said.
The car displayed no body damage consisted with a major crash.
An autopsy had been carried out on Cercone's body, Winter said, however an officials cause of death was deferred pending further examination.
Pomona police homicide detectives continued investigating.
WEST COVINA -- Trial began Wednesday for a Glendora man accused of murdering his father with a dumbbell in a storage facility in Irwindale in September.
Jonathan Pedraza, 26, is charged with Sept. 3, 2010 killing of his father, 62-year-old Miguel Pedraza of Glendora.
The body of the elder Pedraza was discovered inside of a storage locker at A-1 Mini Storage, 4391 Irwindale Avenue, beaten to death with a free weight, investigators said.
After the killing, Jonathan Pedraza allegedly rammed his car though a gate at the facility to escape before becoming involved in another hit-and-run crash in Baldwin Park.
A judge in October ruled that the son was mentally competent to stand trial. Authorities have not disclosed a motive in the killing.
After completing jury selection Wednesday in Pomona Superior Court, the jury listened to opening statements and the prosecution began laying out its case, court officials said.
According to county booking records, Jonathan Pedraza was being held in lieu of $1 million bail.
PHOTO courtesy of the Irwindale Police Department
GLENDALE -- A former Pasadena City College assistant women's volleyball coach has been arrested on suspicion of taking cell phone video up a woman's skirt on an escalator, authorities said Wednesday.
John Puncel, 49, of Sylmar was booked on suspicion of taking "up-skirt" video, possession of child pornography, assault on a police officer and obstructing police, Glendale police Sgt. Thomas Lorenz said.
Glendale police officers assigned to a substation housed at the Glendale Galleria, 100 West Broadway, noticed Puncel holding a cell phone in his hand near the bottom of an escalator, the sergeant said.
"When this woman got onto the escalator, they could see him sticking (the cell phone) under her skirt," he said.
The officers immediately recognized Puncel's activity as a crime and approached him, however Lorenz said the officers and Puncel got into a brief scuffle over his cell phone.
"He tried to resist, push back from the officers," Lorenz said. "He didn't want the officers to get their hands on the phone."
One officer suffered abrasion to his arm during the scuffle, resulting in the additional charge of assaulting a peace officer, officials said.
The woman, 49, "was totally unaware of what was going on, Lorenz said.
When shown footage taken up her skirt on Puncel's camera, the alleged victim was "shocked and outraged," he said.
She herself placed Puncel under private person's arrest, under the supervision of officers, Lorenz said. "She wasn't going to tolerate it."
Detectives seized Puncel's phone and computer and were still in the process of examining them for evidence, Lorenz said.
Investigators Wednesday had already found "several" other suspicious images in Puncel's possession, including nude images of people who appear to be minors, Lorenz said. Other potential victims in the seized footage had not been identified Wednesday.
Puncel was released from jail Tuesday afternoon pending further investigation and the presentation of the case to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office, Lorenz said.
A phone number listed in public records as belonging to Puncel no longer appeared to be valid Wednesday.
In addition to being an ex-assistant women's volleyball coach at PCC, Puncel is also listed as a board member on the website of the San Gabriel Valley Football Officials Association.
The SGVFOA helps provide referees for high school football games for more than 30 high schools throughout the region.
It was not clear if his work with the organization placed him on high school campuses. SGVFOA officials could also not be reached for comment.
PCC spokesman Juan Gutierrez said he was still working to collect information regarding Puncel's employment history at the school Wednesday afternoon.
A press released issued by the school welcomed him to the campus as an assistant women's volleyball coach in late 2006.
The occupation listed on his booking sheet was "landscaper," officials said.
Because of the nature of the alleged crime and the additional footage found in Puncel's possession, detectives reached out to the public for help with the investigation.
Anyone who believes they've had a suspicious encounter with Puncel is asked to call Glendale police at 818-548-3106.
PHOTO of John Puncel courtesy of the Glendale Police Department
WEST COVINA -- Two robbers posing as solicitors forced their way into the home of a 90-year-old man last week and stole items including jewelry that belonged to the man's deceased wife, authorities said.
The crime took place Thursday at a home in the 400 block of South Mesita Place, however the victim did not report it until Tuesday after family members convinced him to do so, West Covina police officials said.
The elderly victim answered a knock at his door about 1:10 p.m., Lt. Marty Sevilla said. He encountered two men -- one of about 60 years old and one of about 30 years old -- who had a clipboard with them and believed them to be solicitors.
"The men forced their way in by pushing the elderly man onto a chair," Sevilla said. "The older male remained with the victim while the other man ransacked the home, taking jewelry belonging the victim's deceased wife and cash."
The robbers were inside the man's home for about five minutes before running off, the lieutenant said. The homeowner was not hurt.
Police described the older suspect as white, about 5 feet 9 inches to 6 feet 2 inches tall and heavyset. The younger robber was white, five feet 6 inches to five feet 8 inches tall and of thin build.
Anyone with information is asked to call West Covina police at 626-939-8557, or tips can be left anonymously on the department's 24-hour tip line at 626-939-8688.
ALHAMBRA -- A woman with Down syndrome who went missing Tuesday is safely back at home with her family, police said Wednesday.
Worried family members reported about 10:30 a.m. Tuesday that Chi Kim Truong, 51, had wandered away from home in the 600 block of Meridian Avenue and disappeared, Alhambra police Lt. Elliot Kase said.
Shortly before 7 p.m., police issued an alert to the public with Truong's photo in an attempt to locate her.
A patrol officer spotted Truong about 7:45 p.m., standing at the corner of Atlantic Boulevard and Commonwealth Avenue, Kase said. The intersection is about a mile from her home.
"We don't know where she was, but we're happy to say she's unharmed," he said. Truong was reunited with her family.
Police will try to figure out where Truong went during the nine hours she was missing to give them an idea where to look should she ever go missing again, Kase added.
SANTA FE SPRINGS -- Two men are in custody and a third was being sought Wednesday after a break-in at a medical marijuana dispensary, police said.
Germell Miles, 35, of Los Angeles and Bryan Adams, 25, of Hawthorne were booked on suspicion of burglary, Whittier police Lt. Randy Inman said.
Officers responded to a burglary call about 1:30 a.m. at the dispensary on Los Nietos Road, just west of Norwalk Boulevard, according to the lieutenant.
Three suspects ran when police arrived, he said.
Officers found two of the men during a search of the area, Inman said. One was arrested with the use of a police K-9 and was treated for dog bites before being taken to jail.
Police also impounded the suspects' car, which was left at the scene of the burglary when they fled, the lieutenant said.
It was not clear whether any marijuana had been stolen or recovered, police said.
According to county booking records, Miles was released from jail Wednesday after posting $20,000 bail, while Adams was being held without bail pending his initial court appearance.
CONTRIBUTORS
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| Frank Girardot, Metro Editor for the San Gabriel Valley Newspapers, brings you behind the yellow tape with takes on true crime, cold cases and more. This is also your forum to discuss crime, its impact on your neighborhood and how we cover it. Have any questions or tips? You can leave a comment here or e-mail Frank. |
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Brian Day is the crime reporter for the San Gabriel Valley Newspaper group. E-mail Brian. |
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