East LA man convicted of Duarte kidnapping

Posted on September 1, 2017 by Brian Day

A jury convicted a Los Angeles man on Thursday of attacking, threatening and kidnapping his ex-girlfriend in Duarte in May, authorities said.
The Alhambra jury found Albert Casillas, 38, guilty of kidnapping, domestic violence and making criminal threats following a four-day trial, Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office spokesman Ricardo Santiago said in a written statement.
He faces up to 24 years and four months in state prison when he returns to the Alhambra branch of Los Angeles County Superior Court on Sept. 28.
The series of crimes took place on May 3.
Casillas went to his ex-girlfriend’s Duarte home and, while in front of the woman’s residence, forced her into his vehicle and threatened to hurt her if she got out,” Santiago said. Casillas then drove the victim from the kidnapping scene at Millbrae and Central avenues to his home in East Los Angeles.
A witness reported the abduction, and deputies arrived to find the woman suffering from injuries to her body, Los Angeles County sheriff’s Lt. John McClure said at the time.
The woman told deputies she had not been the victim of any crimes, but deputies arrested Casillas based on her injuries and the accounts of witnesses, McClure said.
The jury convicted Casillas of all three crimes with which he was charged.

UPDATED: Woman escapes from kidnappers who forced her into van in Azusa

Posted on August 13, 2017 by Brian Day

AZUSA >> A woman escaped from three masked kidnappers who forced her into a minivan as she stood on a sidewalk in Azusa early Sunday morning, officials said.
The crime took place about 2:45 a.m. as a 34-year-old woman was standing on a sidewalk while waiting for a ride in the 200 block of East First Street, Azusa police official said in a written statement.
“A vehicle approached from the west and stopped. A male passenger exited the van and forced the victim into the back seat,” according to the statement. “As the van drove away east on First Street, she was able to fight off the kidnappers and exit the van.”
The woman hopped out of the still-moving minivan, which sped away.
The driver and two passengers of the van were initially described only as three men with their faces covered., Sgt. Jorge Sandoval said. Their vehicle was described as a black minivan, similar in appearance to a Nissan Quest.
No weapon was seen, and no serious injuries were reported, according to the sergeant.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Azusa police at 626-812-3200. Tips may also be submitted anonymously online to L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477.

5 suspected in robbery, kidnapping of man at La Verne park

Posted on August 5, 2017 by Brian Day

LA VERNE >> Police arrested five suspects they say kidnapped, robbed and pistol-whipped another man at Heritage Park in La Verne early Friday.
The crime took place about 12:40 a.m. at the park, 5001 Via De Mansion, La Verne police officials said in a written statement.
A 19-year-old man was approached by a group of five people in a car who tried to rob him, but he initially managed to flee, Lt. Tom Frayeh said.
But the group caught up with the young man, pistol-whipped him and forced him into their car, the lieutenant said. They then drove the victim back to the park and stole several chains the man was wearing before releasing him.
Police were first summoned to the scene by a neighborhood resident who reported an unknown person was knocking on the front window of a home, according to the police statement.
They soon learned the person knocking on windows was the robbery victim, seeking help.
Officers found one of the suspects on foot in the area and took him into custody, officials said. The other four were found sitting in a Toyota Prius parked near Heritage Park.
Tyler Strickland, 19, of La Verne; Darius Kennedy, 19, of Azusa, Julius Sims, 41, of La Verne; Jazmyn Tyus, 22, of Twentynine Palms; and a 17-year-old boy were arrested on suspicion of robbery and kidnapping, Frayeh said.
According to Los Angeles County booking records, the four adult suspects were being held in lieu of $100,000 bail each pending their initial court appearances.

Sketch released in search for failed Pasadena kidnapper

Posted on August 4, 2017 by Brian Day

PASADENA >> Police have released a composite sketch of a man who tried to kidnap a woman from a Pasadena street before being scared away by a good Samaritan last weekend, authorities said.
The attempted abduction took place just after 8 p.m. along Maple Street, just west of Fair Oaks Avenue, Pasadena police officials said.
The woman, who was in her late-teens, suffered minor injuries to her elbows and knees from being dragged by the would-be kidnapper, but was not seriously hurt, Pasadena police Lt. William Grisafe said at the time.
She was walking down the street when she noticed a man standing on the sidewalk ne to the opened passenger-side door of a white pickup truck, Pasadena police said in a written statement.
“Once the victim walked past the suspect, the suspect pulled her by the hair causing her to turn and fall to the ground,” according to the statement. “The suspect managed to drag the victim a short distance despite her physical efforts to resist.”
A passing motorist noticed the struggle and came to a stop, officials said.
“This action by the witness caught the attention of the suspect, who then released the victim,” the statement said.
The attacker got into the driver-side of the pickup truck and was last seen driving West on Maple Street, then entering the 134 Freeway.
Officers searched the area for the suspect, as well as witnesses, officials said. He remained at-large Friday.
Police described him as a Latino man in his 20s, with a light complexion, of thin build, clean-shaven, with light brown hair.
He drove a white, late-1990s- or early-2000s-model pickup truck, possibly a Dodge Ram with an extended cab. It was missing its front bumper.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Pasadena police at 626-744-4241. Tips may also be submitted anonymously to L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477.

Woman escapes kidnapping attempt in Pasadena

Posted on July 30, 2017 by Brian Day

PASADENA >> A young woman escaped a would-be kidnapped who tried to drag her into his pickup truck in Pasadena on Saturday night with the help of some good Samaritans who intervened in the attack, officials said.
The attempted abduction unfolded about 8:15 p.m. as a woman in her late-teens was walking on the sidewalk in the 400 block of North Fair Oaks Avenue, just north of the 210 Freeway, Pasadena police Lt. William Grisafe said.
A white, late-2000s-model Dodge Ram pickup truck pulled up beside the woman, according to Grisafe.
“The occupant exited the truck, grabbed her from behind and attempted to drag her into the truck,” he said.
The woman screamed for help, drawing the attention of several nearby witnesses.
As the good Samaritans rushed to the woman’s aid, the attacker released her, returned to his truck and sped away, the lieutenant said.
Grisafe said the woman suffered minor injuries to her knees and elbows as a result of being dragged by the failed kidnapper.
Police described the attacker as a Latino man in his early 20s, with a light complexion, about 5 feet 7 inches tall and of thin build.
He was last seen driving west along Maple Street before getting onto the westbound 210 Freeway.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Pasadena police at 626-744-4241. Tips may also be submitted anonymously to L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477.

UPDATED: Man charged with kidnapping, assaulting ex-girlfriend in Duarte

Posted on May 5, 2017 by Brian Day

DUARTE >> An East Los Angeles man accused of kidnapping, assaulting and threatening his ex-girlfriend in Duarte earlier this week denied criminal charges on Friday, authorities said.
Alberto Casillas, 37, of East Los Angeles is accused of kidnapping, domestic violence and making criminal threats, according to Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office spokeswoman Sarah Ardalani. He pleaded not guilty to the charges during his arraignment hearing on Friday afternoon in the Alhambra branch of Los Angeles County Superior Court.
“The felony complaint also alleges that the defendant was previously convicted of making criminal threats in 2010,” Ardalani said in a written statement.
The defendant showed up at the home of his ex-girlfriend in the area of Millbrae and Central avenues in Duarte about 1:45 p.m. on Wednesday, prosecutors and Los Angeles County sheriff’s officials said.
“While in front of the woman’s residence, the defendant allegedly forced the ex-girlfriend into his vehicle and threatened to hurt her if she got out,” Ardalani said.
“Casillas then reportedly drove the pair to his East Los Angeles home, the prosecutor added. A witness to the alleged abduction contacted law enforcement about the attack,” she said.
Deputies found both Casillas and his alleged victim at the suspect’s home on Ferguson Drive in East Los Angeles, on the border between Commerce and East Los Angeles, sheriff’s Lt. John McClure said.
“When officers arrived at the defendant’s home, they allegedly found the victim in the driveway with injuries to her body,” Ardalani said. Casillas was arrested without a struggle.
Casillas is scheduled to return to court May 17 for a preliminary hearing, court officials said.
He was initially held in lieu of $100,000 bail pending his initial court appearance, county booking records show. But the court granted a request from the prosecution that bail be increased to $250,000, Ardalani said.
If convicted of all charges, Casillas faces up to 24 years in state prison.

Man accused of kidnapping girlfriend in Duarte

Posted on May 4, 2017 by Brian Day

DUARTE >> An East L.A. man is accused of kidnapping and domestic violence after witnesses reported seeing him force his girlfriend into a car in Duarte on Wednesday afternoon, officials said.
Deputies first responded to the area of Millbrae and Central avenues about 1:45 p.m., Los Angeles County sheriff’s Lt. John McClure said. Witnesses reported seeing a man forcing a woman into a car before driving off.
Deputies soon identified the possible suspect and headed to his home on Ferguson Drive in East Los Angeles, on the border between Commerce and East Los Angeles, McClure said.
The man and the woman complied with deputies’ orders to come out of the home about 5 p.m., he said.
The woman told deputies she had not been the victim of a crime, McClure said. But based on witness accounts, deputies arrested the man on suspicion of kidnapping and domestic violence.
The suspect’s identity was not available pending the booking process.

La Habra man accused of kidnapping following police chase

Posted on February 26, 2017 by Brian Day

LA HABRA >> A La Habra man is accused of kidnapping after leading police on a pursuit through Orange County with his girlfriend riding as an involuntary passenger on Saturday, police said.
Christopher Jonathan Westreicher, 22, was booked on suspicion of kidnapping following the pursuit, which began about 5:45 p.m. in La Habra and came to an end in Irvine, according to La Habra police officials and Orange County booking records. He was also being held on a pre-existing “no-bail” warrant.
A witness called police to report seeing a possible domestic disturbance between a man and woman inside a car in the area of Imperial Highway and Walnut Street, La Habra police Sgt. Rob Diehl said. Officers caught up with the small, gray Toyota in the area of Imperial Highway and Village drive.
The driver, later identified as Westreicher, refused to pull over, initiating a chase that sped through La Habra, Brea, Fullerton, Buena Park Anaheim and Irvine, Diehl said.
As the car drove slowly approaching the 91 Freeway at Brookhurst Street in Anaheim, the woman exited the car as it was still moving, according to the lieutenant. The woman managed to stay on her feet as she exited the moving car and ran toward officers for help. She suffered no significant injuries.
The chase continued until Westreicher stopped and surrendered to police on the 5 Freeway, near Culver Drive in Irvine, Diehl said.
Westreicher was being held without bail pending his initial court appearance, scheduled Tuesday in Orange County Superior Court’s Central Jail branch, records show.

Pizza delivery driver robbed, kidnapped in Hacienda Heights

Posted on February 16, 2017 by Brian Day

HACIENDA HEIGHTS >> A gunman robbed and kidnapped pizza delivery driver late Tuesday, deputies said.
The crime unfolded just after 7:15 p.m. after the delivery man dropped off an order in the 1500 block of Fieldgate Avenue, Los Angeles County sheriff’s Lt. David Infante said.
A man approached the driver while brandishing a black, semi-automatic handgun, the lieutenant said.
He demanded the delivery man’s money, obtaining about $75, he said. He then ordered the delivery driver to give him a ride.
The gunman fled on foot after being driven to the area of Gale and Farmstead avenues in neighboring Industry, Infante said.
He was described as a Latino man between 22 and 25 years old, about 5 feet 4 inches to 5 feet 5 inches tall, 140 to 150 pounds, with a shaved head.
Anyone with information can reach the sheriff’s Industry Station at 626-330-3322. Tips may also be submitted anonymously to L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477.

Attacker sought after woman fights off would-be kidnapper while jogging in Duarte

Posted on November 30, 2016 by Brian Day

DUARTE >> Detectives are seeking a man who tried to kidnap a woman as she was jogging in Duarte over the weekend, authorities said.
The woman managed to fight off her attacker and escape following the assault, which took place about 7:30 a.m. on Sunday along a running trail near Royal Oaks Drive and Oak Avenue, Los Angeles County sheriff’s officials said.
A woman in her mid-50s, was jogging on the trail, as she often does, when the would-be kidnapper approached and suddenly grabbed her, Lt. Tom McNeil said.
She managed to fight off the man as he began to drag her away, he said. The victim suffered minor injuries but declined to be taken to a hospital for treatment.
The suspect was last seen driving off in a tan, four-door sedan, sheriff’s officials said in a written statement. He was described as about 5 feet 6 inches tall, 160 pounds, wearing all-black clothing. No weapons were seen during the incident.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective N. Brenes of the sheriff’s Temple Station at 626-292-3309, or via email at nbbrenes@lasd.org. Tips may also be submitted anonymously to L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477.

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