Man crashes car after being shot at near Monrovia

Posted on September 6, 2016 by Brian Day

MONROVIA >> A man crashed his car after another driver opened fire on him in an unincorporated county area near Monrovia on Monday afternoon, but was not struck by the gunfire, authorities said.
The incident unfolded shortly after 5 p.m., Los Angeles County sheriff’s Lt. Frank Ruiz said.
After being fired upon by another motorist, the driver crashed into another car at Schrode and California avenues, the lieutenant said.
The intended target of the shooting suffered no significant injuries, he said. The occupant of the other car involved in the crash was treated for apparently minor injuries.
The shooting was believed to have occurred near the scene of the crash, but the exact location of the gunfire was yet to be determined, Ruiz said.
Deputies were still sorting out conflicting suspect descriptions Monday evening.
Anyone with information can reach the sheriff’s Temple Station at 626-285-7171. Tips may also be submitted anonymously to L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477.

Man found dead in Duarte field; no foul play suspected

Posted on August 27, 2016 by Brian Day

DUARTE >> Investigators did not suspect foul play after a man was found dead in a vacant field in Duarte on Saturday morning, authorities said.
A person flagged down a deputy about 8 a.m. to report finding an unresponsive man lying in a dirt field dotted with trees in the 1400 block of East Huntington Drive, just east of Buena Vista Street, Los Angeles County sheriff’s Lt. Ronald Daily said.
Paramedics pronounced the man dead at the scene.
The man was yet to be identified, Daily said. He appeared to be homeless and was estimated to be in his 50s.
Officials found no signs of foul play involved in the death, according to the lieutenant.
Los Angeles County Department of Coroner-Medical Examiner officials retrieved the body are conducting an investigation into the man’s cause of death.
Anyone with information can reach the sheriff’s Temple Station at 626-285-7171.

UPDATED: Duarte man accused of murder after fatal shooting of neighbor, pursuit

Posted on August 20, 2016 by Brian Day

DUARTE >> A Duarte man shot and killed his neighbor Friday night before leading police on a chase that ended with his arrest in Azusa, authorities said.
The shooting took place about 7:55 p.m. in the 2100 block of Broach Avenue, Deputy Crystal Hernandez of the Los Angeles County sheriff’s Information Bureau said in a written statement.
Gabriel Alejandro De La Torre, 35, died in the shooting, Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner Lt. David Smith said.
Luis Valdes-Santillan, 40, was booked on suspicion of murder, according to sheriff’s officials and county booking records.
De La Torre and Valdes-Santillan lived in separate homes on the same lot, Hernandez said. Both attended a party being held at another neighbor’s home.
“At some point during the party, the victim and the suspect began to argue,” she said. “The suspect then entered his residence, retrieved a handgun, exited, and fired multiple rounds at the victim, striking him.”
De La Torre died at the scene.
Witnesses told deputies the shooter had fled in a white Toyota work truck, officials said.
Deputies soon spotted the truck nearby. The driver refused to pull over, initiating a pursuit.
The chase headed down Duarte Road and Huntington Drive before ultimately making its way onto the eastbound 210 Freeway, according to sheriff’s radio traffic.
A helicopter joined in the pursuit before Valdes-Santillan stopped and surrendered on the Azusa Avenue offramp in Azusa.
“A weapon was recovered inside the suspect’s vehicle,” Hernandez said.
The man was taken to the sheriff’s Temple Station for questioning, officials said. He was ultimately booked on suspicion of murder.
Valdes-Santillan was being held in lieu of $1 million bail pending his initial court appearance, scheduled Tuesday in the Los Angeles County Superior Court’s Alhambra branch, records show.
No further details were released as the investigation continued Saturday.
De La Torre’s brother-in-law, Bobby Serna, said De La Torre is survived by his wife and three step-daughters who he had helped raise. The youngest of his step-daughters is a teenager.
“It doesn’t make sense,” Serna said. “He took a really good man that I looked up to. I loved him, I really did.”
Serna, who was not present when the shooting occurred, said his brother-in-law was gathered with family members behind his home, along with Valdes-Santillan.
It was unclear what angered Valdes-Santillan and prompted him to retrieve a gun from his home.
The suspect made a statement to the effect of, “Who wants it first?” before opening fire, Serna said.
Until the gunshots were fired, “Nobody even knew it was happening,” he said.
Serna said he did not know whether De La Torre was specifically targeted in the shooting.
“He was such a good man,” Serna said of his brother-in-law.
De La Torre migrated to the U.S. from Mexico as a teenager and had been working as a subcontracting electrician, he said. De La Torre’s white work van with a ladder affixed to the top remained parked in front of the home Saturday.
He was saving money and planning to obtain his contractor’s license, so he could start his own contractor business, Serna said.
“He would help anybody,” Serna said. “He really valued family. He loved kids. He was a hard worker.”
De La Torre’s personality was “quiet but humorous,” he said.
“My daughters are devastated. They loved their uncle,” Serna said.
Funds to benefit De La Torre’s family are being collected online at www.gofundme.com/2ksz74hg.
Anyone with information can reach the sheriff’s Homicide Bureau at 323-890-5500. Tips may also be submitted anonymously to L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477.

PHOTO: Gabriel Alejandro De La Torre, courtesy

UPDATED: Man and wife beaten in Duarte home invasion; 3 suspects sought

Posted on March 5, 2016 by Brian Day

DUARTE >> Three masked attackers beat a man and his wife during a home invasion at the northern edge of Duarte Friday, authorities said.
One of the attackers tried, but failed, to carjack a woman while fleeing from the scene of the 1 p.m. home-invasion on Spinks Canyon Road, at Rim Road, Los Angeles County sheriff’s Lt. Ismael Chavez said.
The husband and wife, both in their 50s, suffered injuries not believed to be major, including swelling, abrasions and bruising to their heads and faces, the lieutenant said.
The man was standing in front of the home when he was first confronted by one of the masked criminals and attacked, Chavez said. After being beaten up, the man managed to go to a neighbor’s house to seek help.
Meanwhile, the two additional robbers made their way to the home’s front door.
“They force their way in and start beating her up,” Chavez said. “She was able to flee to a neighbor’s house.”
It was unclear what, if anything, was stolen from the couple’s home as the investigation continued late Friday.
Three male suspects, all black wearing hooded sweat shirts, black masks and black gloves, carried out the crime, he said.
Two of the men fled the area in a silver Range Rover SUV, last seen driving south along Spinks Canyon Road, Chavez said.
The third suspect was left behind by his partners in crime, Chavez said. He tried to carjack a woman near the scene of the home-invasion, but the woman was able to drive away. The third suspect was last seen on foot.
Detectives had found no obvious reason late Friday why the robbers would target the couple, Chavez said.
Anyone with information can reach the sheriff’s Temple Station at 626-285-7171. Tips may also be submitted anonymously to L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477.

Victim of Irwindale shooting identified as Duarte man

Posted on November 28, 2015 by Brian Day

IRWINDALE >> Coroner’s officials have released the identity of a Duarte man found dead inside a bullet-riddled car along Foothill Boulevard in Irwindale Wednesday morning.
Martin Diaz, 48, was found fatally shot about 5:40 a.m. in the 15900 block of Foothill Boulevard, Los Angeles Count Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner officials said.
He was believed to have been driving east on Foothill Boulevard when he was shot by an unknown assailant, who remains at large, Lt. Joe Mendoza of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Homicide Bureau said. But it was unclear exactly what time the shooting took place.
No further information regarding the circumstances or motive in the shooting were available.
Anyone with information was asked to contact the Sheriff’s Homicide Bureau at 323-890-5500. Tips may also be submitted anonymously to L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477.

UPDATED: Man killed, woman wounded in shooting near Duarte

Posted on October 26, 2015 by Brian Day

DUARTE >> A man died and a woman was wounded in a shooting in a residential neighborhood in an unincorporated county area between Duarte and Monrovia late Sunday, authorities said.
Deputies responded to a report of a shooting about 7:05 p.m. at Lincoln and Shrode avenues, Los Angeles County sheriff’s officials said in a written statement.
“Upon their arrival, they found a victim, a male Hispanic adult, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds to the upper torso,” according to Deputy Kelvin Moody. “The victim was pronounced dead at the scene.”
A woman had also been struck by gunfire, he said. She was hospitalized in stable condition with a gunshot wound to her leg.
No further details regarding the circumstances of the shooting were available.
“There is no suspect information at this time,” Moody said.
Anyone with information was asked to contact the Sheriff’s Homicide Bureau at 323-890-5500. Tips may also be submitted anonymously to L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477.

‘Bluto Bandit’ suspect, linked to 4-county bank robbery spree, charged federally

Posted on September 12, 2015 by Brian Day

LOS ANGELES >> A prolific serial bank robbery suspect known as the “Bluto Bandit” who was arrested following an ill-fated heist in South Pasadena Thursday has been charged in federal court, officials said Saturday.
Joseph Adel Noriega, 37, of Rancho Cucamonga is accused of eight bank robberies and attempted bank robberies, as well as numerous other incidents of “casing,” spanning Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Riverside and Orange counties since June 10, according to FBI spokeswoman Laura Eimiller said.
His alleged crime spree came to an end Thursday after he tried, unsuccessfully to rob a South Pasadena bank before being captured minutes later by police in neighboring San Marino, according to South Pasadena police Cpl. Shannon Robledo.
Federal prosecutors filed a criminal complaint Friday charging Noriega with the South Pasadena crime.
“However, the investigation is continuing and Noriega potentially faces additional charges,” FBI officials said in a written statement.
Crime attributed to the serial bandit have been reported in cities including Monrovia, Duarte, unincorporated Pasadena, Ontario, Chino, Norco, Fontana and Beaumont.
The FBI labeled the then-unidentified robber the Bluto Bandit due to a black fake beard he wore during the crimes, reminding investigators of the villain in the Popeye comic strips, Eimiller said.
The Bluto Bandit’s tactic, or modus operandi, was to pass a note demanding cash to bank tellers, officials said.
“In some robberies, the note advised the teller to remain calm; to remove the money within 15 or 30 seconds; or to avoid deploying security devices,” according to the FBI statement. “The suspect generally did not talk during the robberies.”
When San Marino police apprehended Noriega following a brief car chase Thursday, officers found evidence linking him to the crime spree, including bank robbery demand notes, officials said.
He was still wearing his trademark fake beard, Robledo added.
Noriega appeared in federal court in Los Angeles Friday and was remanded to federal custody pending trial, officials said.

Bank surveillance photo courtesy of the FBI.

Cause of death still uncertain for Duarte man found dead in front of Baldwin Park grocery store

Posted on July 30, 2015 by Brian Day

BALDWIN PARK >> The cause of death of a 54-year-old Duarte man found unconscious in front of a Baldwin Park grocery store remains under investigation, though the man suffered from several maladies and foul play was not initially suspected.
Paramedics pronounced Raul Ygnacio Acuna dead shortly after he was found lying unconscious in front of Food 4 Less, 3000 N. Baldwin Park Blvd., Los Angeles County Department of Coroner Assistant Chief of Operations Ed Winter said.
An autopsy had been performed, but a cause of death was yet to be determined pending the results of additional tests, Winter said Thursday.
Though listed in coroner’s documents as transient, niece Rachel Chavez said her uncle was a lifelong Duarte resident.
Family members were awaiting word from the coroner regarding exactly what happened to Acuna, she said. They knew only that he had gone for a walk after leaving the nearby Kaiser Permanente hospital.
“He was diabetic,” the niece said. He had a lot of ailments.”
Acuna is survived by son Nicholas Acuna; mother Linda Olsen-Acuna; siblings Angela Acuna Hernandez, Eddie Acuna Jr., Cynthia Marin, Alex Acuna, David Olsen; and many nieces and nephews, Chavez said.
A former steel worker who had not been working lately due to his illness, Chavez described her uncle as a “funny, funny guy.”
“He was one of those guys who wanted to make everyone laugh,” she said. “He was so much fun to be around. His energy was so amazing.”
“His family loved him very much,” Chavez said. “We will greatly miss him.”

‘Bluto Bandit’ sought for bank robberies in L.A., San Bernardino counties

Posted on June 18, 2015 by Brian Day

The FBI is offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of a fake beard-clad serial bank robber dubbed “The Bluto Bandit” who has robbed or been spotted at six banks throughout Los Angeles and San Bernardino counties over the past week.
The bandit has robbed Chase bank branches in Pasadena, Duarte and Ontario, and has been seen “casing” other branches in Monrovia, Chino and Fontana, according to FBI spokeswoman Laura Eimiller.
In each case, the bandit wore a thick, black, curly fake beard, prompting investigators to nickname him the Bluto Bandit, inspired by the bearded villain in the “Popeye” comic strip, Eimiller said.
He robbed a Chase bank at 3870 Foothill Boulevard in an unincorporated county area near Pasadena about 2:35 p.m. Tuesday, then robbed another Chase bank at 1000 Huntington Drive in Duarte about half an hour later, Eimiller said. The robber was also seen casing a Monrovia bank in between the two robbers, as well as a Fontana bank later in the afternoon.
In the Pasadena and Monrovia heists, the robber quietly approached tellers and handed over notes demanding cash, Los Angeles County sheriff’s Lt. Loy McBride said.
“He didn’t really even speak,” the lieutenant said.
But the serial bandit’s crime spree began June 10, when he robbed a Chase bank at 1070 N. Mountain Avenue in Ontario, according to the FBI. He was spotted casing a Chino Chase bank two days later.
Investigators described the robber as a Latino man, 28 to 30 years old, about 5 feet 9 inches tall and 195 pounds. In all of the crimes, he wore his fake beard and a blue, long-sleeve Pendleton-style shirt.
He’s been spotted getting into a white, newer-model Volkswagen Jetta with tinted windows and final three license plate digits of “665.”
No weapon has been seen during the crimes.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the FBI Los Angeles Office at 310-477-6565.

PHOTOS from robberies in Duarte (above) and unincorporated Pasadena (below) courtesy of the FBI.

Police: Duarte man carjacks ex-girlfriend in Irwindale

Posted on May 3, 2015 by Brian Day

IRWINDALE >> An AB 109 probationer is accused of violating a restraining order and carjacking his ex-girlfriend early Sunday, officials said.
Officers arrested Manuel Martinez, 21, of Duarte on suspicion of carjacking and violating a criminal protective order following the incident, which took place shortly after midnight at an ARCO gas station at 110 E. Longden Ave., according to Irwindale police Sgt. Rudy Gatto.
Martinez, who was on post-release community supervision under AB 109 guidelines following a domestic violence conviction and was barred by court order from contacting the woman, approached the woman at the gas pumps, Gatto said.
Martinez demanded a ride, but the woman refused, the sergeant said. He then pulled the woman from the driver seat of the car, wrestled her keys away from her and drove away in her vehicle. The woman suffered minor injuries but declined medical treatment.
Police found the car abandoned near Pamela Park in Duarte about 30 minutes later, Gatto said. Officers found Martinez in the 400 block of Shrode Avenue in Duarte and took him into custody without a struggle.
Martinez was being held in lieu of $100,000 bail pending his arraignment hearing, scheduled Tuesday in West Covina Superior Court, records show.

PHOTO of suspect Manuel Martinez, 21, of Duarte courtesy of the Irwindale Police Department

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