Recently in Azusa Category
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
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.
AZUSA -- An elderly Azusa woman had died late Thursday after being struck by a car being driven by a drunken elderly man, police said.
Cirila Guzman, 76, was pronounced dead at Los Angeles County-USC Medial Center shortly after the 6:10 p.m. collision at Foothill Boulevard and Dalton Avenue, Azusa police Sgt. John Madaloni said.
The driver, 74-year-old Luis Sanchez, was booked on suspicion of gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, as well as drunken driving causing injury, police said.
Police responded to reports that a car had struck a pedestrian, Sgt. Xavier Torres said.
"Upon arrival, officers found that an elderly female pedestrian had been struck by a vehicle, and sustained major head trauma and other significant injuries," he said.
The was flown to the hospital by helicopter, where she succumbed to her injuries a short time later, officials said.
According to county booking records, Sanchez was being held in lieu of $100,000 bail pending his arraignment Monday in Covina Superior Court.
GLENDORA -- A woman's tip Tuesday led police to arrest three teenagers in the parking lot of a fast-food restaurant on suspicion of breaking into a home in Azusa, officials said.
Brian Ibarra, 18, of Anaheim, a 17-year-old boy from Anaheim and a 17-year-old boy from Santa Ana were arrested on suspicion of residential burglary and possession of stolen property, Glendora police Lt. Jamie Caldwell said.
A woman called police about 12:20 p.m. to report seeing something suspicious -- three young men going through women's purses while sitting in a car parked at In-N-Out, 1261 Lone Hill Ave., he said.
Officers arrived and found the men still in the parking lot, Caldwell said.
They were found to have items in the car that had just been stolen in a break-in at a home in the 1100 block of North Pasadena Avenue in Azusa, according to Glendora and Azusa police officials.
The homeowner was at work and was not aware her home had been burglarized, police added. All of her allegedly stolen property was recovered.
Caldwell commended the tipster who first reported the suspicious activity.
"That's the stuff I really want to impart on people," he said. "The public -- that's our eyes and ears out there."
Ibarra was being held in lieu of $50,000 bail and was due for arraignment Thursday in Covina Superior Court, according to county booking records.
The juvenile suspects were released to their parents with written promises to appear in court, officials said.
AZUSA -- A woman kept her purse and socked a thief when the culprit tried to snatch the bag Friday night.
Sheriff's Lt. Andy Berg said an 18-year-old Azusa woman was walking in the 18300 block of Galatea Street about 6 p.m. when a driver in a small white pickup truck drove alongside her and tried to grab her purse.
"She hangs onto it and won't let go. He punches her. She punches him back," Berg said.
The would-be snatcher hurled an insult at the woman and drove away.
"He didn't get anything from her," the lieutenant said.
Deputies are handling the attempted purse-snatching because it happened in an unincorporated county area near Azusa.
The suspect was described as a Latino, 20 to 25, with a dark complexion and brown hair in a "fade" hairstyle.
- Ruby Gonzales
AZUSA -- Police are looking for the man who stabbed another man at an apartment complex Friday night.
The attack was reported at 9:39 p.m. in the 1100 block of West Arrow Highway.
Sgt. Randy Schmidt said a resident was stabbed twice in the leg.
The suspect fled in a black pickup truck.
The victim believed he recognized the suspect, but once police detained the man indicated by the victim, it was determined he was not involved, Sgt. Dewayne Eldridge said.
Paramedics took the injured man to a hospital for treatment, and the investigation continued Saturday.
AZUSA -- A man was arrested Thursday night for allegedly trying to poison his wife who ended up in the hospital after tasting something unusual in her cereal.
Fernando Porras, 43, was booked on suspicion of attempted murder early Friday morning at the Azusa Police Department jail where he is being held in lieu of $1 million bail, Azusa police officials said.
"The investigation ultimately revealed that her husband, Fernando Porras, placed a poisonous chemical in her food," Azusa police officials said Friday in a written statement.
The incident began about 8:40 p.m. when police received a call from a home in the 200 block of North Dalton Avenue, Cpl. Randy Schmidt said.
The 51-year-old woman started eating a bowl of cereal and noticed a horrible smell and taste, he said.
The woman was taken to Foothill Presbyterian Hospital for treatment, police said. While there, the husband's behavior raised officers' suspicions.
Porras allegedly told police he was going outside to smoke a cigarette. He left instead.
"He walked away from the hospital," Schmidt said.
Officers found the man on 5th Street and Rockvale Avenue and arrested him on suspicion of attempted murder.
Police said there were family members who heard the man allegedly make incriminating statements.
It was not clear Friday what chemical was believed to have been used in the alleged poisoning, and an update on the woman's condition was not available.
ccording to sheriff's booking records, Porras was due to be arraigned Tuesday in the West Covina Superior Court.
- Staff report
AZUSA -- Two men barged into a house Thursday then beat, bound and robbed an 18-year-old Azusa man.
The injured resident was taken to a hospital, said Azusa police Sgt. Randy Schmidt.
The home invasion robbery happened at 10:23 a.m. in the 900 block of West Momax Street.
Schmidt said the suspects knocked on the door then forced their way inside.
"They overpowered the resident, beat him and bound his hands," Schmidt said.
He said the robbers fled with valuables but didn't say specifically what items they took.
A neighbor called the police. Officers found the injured resident.
One of the robbers was described as either a white man or Latino, 19-20, with dark brown hair, light complexion, unshaven face, 5 feet 9 inches tall and 150 pounds.
He wore a black jacket, blue pants and sunglasses with one cracked lens.
The other suspect was described as a Latino in his 20s, with short brown hair, stands 5 feet 8 inches tall and weighs 150 pounds. He was clad in a gray sweatshirt, blue jeans and black Vans tennis shoes.
Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Cpl. Rob Landeros at 626-812-3228, or Detective Rock Wenrick at 626-812-3223 or the tips hotline at 626-812-3272.
- Ruby Gonzales
AZUSA -- Three robbers wearing bandannas on their faces fled with cash and several bottles of alcohol after robbing a liquor store Friday night, authorities said.
The crime took place about 10:45 p.m. at Eddie's Jr. Market, 596 E. Foothill Blvd., Azusa police Sgt. Randy Schmidt said in a written statement.
"Three men, one of them armed with a handgun, entered the store and ordered the clerks to the ground at gunpoint," the sergeant said.
The robbers helped themselves to several hundred dollars from the cash register, as well as several bottles of liquor from the store shelves, police said.
Two of the robbers wore black hooded sweat shirts and dark jeans, Schmidt said, while the third wore a long-sleeved white shirt under a gray, short-sleeved shirt and a black beanie. They were last seen fleeing south on Cerritos Avenue from the store on foot.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Azusa Police Department's Tip Line at 626-812-3272.
HOLLYWOOD -- A 26-year-old former Azusa resident who opened fire on cars randomly at a busy Hollywood intersection Friday before being fatally shot by police has been identified, officials said.Tyler Brehm died at the scene of the bizarre incident, which unfolded shortly after 10 a.m. at Sunset Boulevard and Vine Street, Los Angeles County Department of Coroner's Lt. Larry Dietz said. A city of residency was not listed.
Azusa police described him as a former resident of an Arrow Highway apartment complex in that city. He moved out several months ago, but it was not clear Saturday how long he had lived there.
A 40-year-old man who was struck by one of Brehm's bullets during the rampage was hospitalized with serious injuries but expected to survive, officials said.
Clad in a sleeveless undershirt, Brehm showed up at the intersection and began firing indiscriminately at passing vehicles, officials said.
In an amateur video shot during the incident, the gunman is seen firing his handgun into the passenger compartment of a passing pickup truck at close range.
A motive in the shooting was unknown, however Brehm was heard screaming "kill me" and "I'm gonna die" during the rampage.
While Los Angeles police have not revealed any motive in the shooting, a Facebook page established for Tyler Brehm may provide some insight.
Brehm's relationship status on a Facebook profile was changed Tuesday from "in relationship" to "single," the same day Brehm's hometown was changed to Hollywood.
No mentions of the shooting or Brehm's death appeared Saturday afternoon on the online profile.
Several items on his Facebook page had changed between Saturday morning and Saturday afternoon.
His "interests" were listed Saturday morning as "knowledge," "conversation," "friendship," "family," and "military intelligence." By the afternoon, the "military intelligence" entry had been removed, and replaced with "dog."
The "movies" preferences section of the profile had also been taken down Saturday. It previously read, "Anything with a bad ass... Money... And a lot of guns."
In an interview with KTLA 5, Brehm's ex-girlfriend, 24-year-old Alicia Alligood, said she dated Brehm for four years before they broke up earlier this month. They had met when both lived in Pennsylvania.
She said lately, Brehm had seen "really stressed out," and possibly had recently started taking some kind of pills, which was out of character for him.
She described him to the TV station as being a "humanitarian" in the past who was involved in nonprofit work.
He sent a text message to her only minutes before the shooting telling her he loved her, she said.
PHOTO of Tyler Brehm taken from Facebook
HOLLYWOOD -- A 26-year-old former Azusa resident who opened fire on cars randomly at a busy Hollywood intersection Friday before being fatally shot by police has been identified, officials said.
Tyler Brehm died at the scene of the bizarre incident, whichj unfolded shortly after 10 a.m. at Sunset Boulevard and Vine Street, Los Angeles County Department of Coroner's Lt. Larry Dietz said. His current city of residency was not clear.
Azusa police described him as a former resident of an Arrow Highway apartment complex in that city. He moved out several months ago, but it was not clear Saturday how long he had lived there.
A 40-year-old man who was struck by one of Brehm's bullets during the rampage was hospitalized with serious injuries but expected to survive, officials said.
A motive in the shooting was unknown, however Brehm was heard screaming "kill me" and "I'm gonna die" during the rampage.
AZUSA - A 59-year-old Azusa man was robbed of his wallet Thursday night by a gunman and his accomplice.
Azusa police Sgt. Randy Schmidt said the man wasn't injured during the 10:25 p.m. robbery in the 1100 block of West Calle De La Luna.
Schmidt said two men walked up to the victim who was in a carport.
"One points a handgun and they demanded his wallet," Schmidt said.
The robbers then ran northbound and out of sight.
They were described as Latinos in their 20s. One of the suspects stands about 5 feet 8 inches tall, weighs 150 pounds and wore a white shirt and dark-colored pants. He was also armed with a handgun.
The other suspect is 5 feet 9 inches and 160 pounds. He was clad in a black shirt and dark-colored pants.
- From Staff Writer Ruby Gonzales
AZUSA -- Police are looking for two suspects who shot and injured another man Wednesday night.
Azusa police Lt. Mike Bertelsen said callers reported gunshots and "a man down" in the 500 block of South Azusa Avenue shortly after 5 p.m.
Officers checking out the calls found a man who had been shot in the upper body.
Bertelsen said the victim, an Azusa resident, was taken to a hospital and was listed in stable condition Wednesday night. He added that the man's injuries weren't life-threatening.
The victim told officers his assailants were two Latinos. There was no other description given for the suspects.
Police don't know yet what led to the shooting.
Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Tom Avila at 626-812-3267.
- From Staff Writer Ruby Gonzales
Azusa police Lt. Mike Bertelsen said callers reported gunshots and "a man down" in the 500 block of South Azusa Avenue shortly after 5 p.m.
Officers checking out the calls found a man who had been shot in the upper body.
Bertelsen said the victim, an Azusa resident, was taken to a hospital and was listed in stable condition Wednesday night. He added that the man's injuries weren't life-threatening.
The victim told officers his assailants were two Latinos. There was no other description given for the suspects.
Police don't know yet what led to the shooting.
Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Tom Avila at 626-812-3267.
- From Staff Writer Ruby Gonzales
AZUSA -- Firefighters extinguished a blaze that gutted a donut shop early Friday.
The fire was reported about 6:45 a.m. at Christy's Donuts, on Alosta Avenue near 5th Street, Los Angeles County Fire Department Battalion Chief Jim Enriquez said.
Upon responding to reports of a fire, "we found the donut shop well involved in fire," Enriquez said.
Two employees had gotten out of the building, he said.
About 35 firefighters doused the flames within 15 minutes, the battalion chief said. No injuries were reported.
Enriquez said the cause of the fire was determined to be an unattended candle left at a religious shrine. The fire caused an estimated $200,000 worth of damage to the donut shop and it's contents.
Though the candle involved in the donut shop fire was not being used for lighting, due to the ongoing power outages related to recent high winds, Enriquez reminded residents that candles are not recommended for a light source during power outages. Flashlights are a safer option.
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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