UPDATED: Brush fire ignites at north end of Glendora


GLENDORA >> A brush fire broke out on the northern edge of Glendora bordering the Angeles National Forest Thursday afternoon, officials said.
The fire was first reported about 1:48 p.m. at the end of the 800 block of North Grand Avenue, Los Angeles County Fire Department spokesman Joey Napoli said.
“We do have two acres running uphill toward the Angeles National Forest,” he said. He added that county firefighters were working in “unified command” with forest firefighters.
Within two hours, the fire had grown to seven acres in size, Glendora police announced via Twitter. Firefighters had established containment lines around 80 percent of it by 6;20 p.m., police said in a written statement.
A “second-alarm” response was declared, bringing about 200 firefighters and several water-dropping helicopters to bear on the wildfire, LACFD spokesman Brian Beltran said.
“All forward progress has been stopped,” he said about 3:30 p.m.
Firefighters expected full containment by Thursday night, though firefighters planned to remain on scene well afterward conducting “mop up” to ensure no further flare-ups, Beltran said.
No structures were reported threatened as firefighters worked to keep the blaze from taking a foothold in the forest.
Police asked drivers to avoid Sierra Madre Avenue between Grand and Barranca avenues. No evacuations were ordered.

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Glendora man guilty of crime spree including San Marino home-invasion robbery, Glendora shooting

A jury convicted a 26-year-old Glendora man of attempted murder, robbery, burglary and a host of other criminal charges on Wednesday for a 2015 crime spree including a home-invasion robbery in San Marino and a shooting in Glendora, authorities said.
A Pomona jury deliberated for one day for finding Clayton Ruben Addleman guilty of 13 criminal charges, according to Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office spokeswoman Sarah Ardalani. He was convicted of three counts of burglary with a person present, attempted murder, residential robbery, grant theft auto, grand theft, identity theft, forgery related to identity theft, assault with a firearm, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of ammunition by a convicted felon and petty theft. Jurors also found true the special allegations that Addleman personally used a firearm in the crimes.
He faces a maximum penalty of 52 years to life in state prison when he returns to the Pomona branch of Los Angeles County Superior Court for sentencing on Aug. 3, Ardalani said in a written statement.
Prosecutors said Addleman shot at, but did not strike, another man in his hometown of Glendora on Dec. 27, 2015.
“During the investigation, law enforcement believed Addleman may have been the suspected shooter,” Ardalani said. “Two days later, police located the defendant and took him into custody.”
Investigators soon found that Addleman was also responsible for a home-invasion robbery that occurred on Dec. 29, 2015, at a home in the 500 block of Huntington Drive in San Marino.
In that crime, “Addleman armed himself with a handgun, broke into the San Marino home while the residents were inside and then attempted to steal the victims’ vehicle before ultimately fleeing the scene,” according to Ardalani.
A terrified female resident hid in the closet during the home invasion, San Marino police officials said.
When arresting Addleman, police discovered ammunition, as well as checks and identifying documents in the names of other people, Ardalani said.
Addleman was already on probation stemming from another criminal case when he was arrested in connection with the current one.
He was convicted of possession of drugs for sales and possession of a firearm in by a felon in July of 2015, three months after police searched his Starcrest Drive home and discovered two rifles, four handguns, ammunition, 1,000 Xanax pills and a scale, Glendora police Lt. Matt Egan said at the time. Investigators has gone to his home to serve a warrant related to a previous conviction for possession of illegal fireworks in 2014.
Addleman received 180 days in jail and three years of probation for the 2015 gun and drug case, court records show.

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Glendora man killed in forest motorcycle crash identified


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

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Lawndale woman, Riverside man killed in 210 Freeway crash in Glendora identified


GLENDORA >> Authorities have identified a young Lawndale woman and an elderly Riverside man killed when the car they were riding as passengers in was rear-ended on the 210 Freeway in Glendora on Saturday afternoon.
Luisa Gonzalez, 19, of Lawndale and Edgar Ramirez, 76, of Riverside were killed in the three-vehicle wreck, which took place just before 4 p.m. on the eastbound 210 Freeway. just west of Sunflower Avenue, according to Officer O. Zayas of the California Highway Patrol’s Baldwin Park-area office. The relationship between the victims was unclear.
Both were passengers in a 2005 Honda Civic being driven by a 23-year-old Riverside man that ended up smashed between a 2009 Ford F-250 pickup truck and a 2017 Honda Accord, CHP officials said.
The driver of the Accord, described as a 46-year-old Winnetka woman, was driving ahead of the other vehicles and applied her brakes due to slowing traffic ahead, Zayas said in a written statement.
The Civic struck the rear of the Accord, and the pickup truck struck the rear of the Civic.
Paramedics pronounced Gonzalez and Ramirez dead at the scene.
The driver of the Civic was treated for apparently minor injuries, Zayas said. The drivers of the Accord and the F-250 were not injured.
The collision remains under investigation, however, DUI was not initially suspected to be a factor, Zayas said. No arrests were made.

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Man, woman killed in multi-vehicle crash on the 210 Freeway in Glendora


GLENDORA >> A man and woman died in a multi-vehicle wreck on the 210 Freeway in Glendora on Saturday afternoon, authorities said.
The deadly crash was reported just before 4 p.m. in the eastbound lanes of the 210 Freeway at Sunflower Avenue, California Highway Patrol Officer Alex Rubio said.
Witnesses initially reported the crash involved at least three vehicle, with one of them seemingly crushed between the other two, according to CHP logs.
Paramedics pronounced a woman in her 20s and a man in his 70s dead at the scene, Rubio said.
The two right-hand lanes of the eastbound 210 Freeway, as well as the Sunflower Avenue offramp, were closed Saturday afternoon as the investigation continued.
No further details, including whether additional injuries were reported, were available.
The investigation is being handled by officers from the CHP’s Baldwin Park-area office.

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Glendora cops partner with 7-Eleven to ‘ticket’ kids for good behavior

GLENDORA >> Police in Glendora are looking to dole out some “well-deserved Slurpee justice” this summer as they continued partnering with 7-Eleven stores to hand out free Slurpee coupons to reward kids’ good deeds and positive behavior.
“Operation Chill” is in its 22nd year and has resulted in the distribution to 19 million Slurpee coupons through hundreds of law enforcement agencies nationwide, Glendora police officials said in a written statement. It first began in Philadelphia in 1995 before spreading across the U.S.
In the program, police officers hand out the coupons to young people for “constructive activities and acts of kindness,” according to the statement. “Appropriate ‘offenses’ might include helping another person, deterring crime or participating in a community- or police-sponsored event.”
Glendora Police Chief Lisa Rosales said she was a fan of the program.
“We strive to continue supporting ways to help our officers build strong relationships in the community,” she said. “Operation Chill makes it easy to interact with youth in a positive way. This is a great investment for 7-Eleven and for us. We are pleased that this partnership enables us to continuously engage with young people.”
7-Eleven has provided police with 1.33 million coupons to distribute this summer, and at least 300 of those will find their way into the hands of Glendora kids, officials said.
The company described the program as a win-win for police and the communities they serve.
“Year after year, Operation Chill is our most popular community service program,” according to 7-Eleven Vice President of Asset Protection Mark Stinde.
“Kids love Slurpee drinks, and police officers love having a reason to approach kids and surprise them with a Slurpee coupon as a reward for doing something good,” Stinde said. “And we, at 7-Eleven, love helping them make those important connections in the community.”

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Retired Glendora police K-9 ‘Roby’ dies

GLENDORA >> The Glendora Police Department said goodbye this week to a faithful four-legged officer who served the community for seven years before retiring in 2014.
Roby, a Belgian Malinois who patrolled the streets of Glendora alongside handler Officer Al Ancheta under the call sign “3K2,” died Thursday, Glendora police officials announced over the weekend.
“Roby died doing one of his favorite things in the world: going on a car ride,” police said in a written statement. “Roby was a strong working dog, a loyal partner to Officer Ancheta and guardian to the Ancheta and Glendora Police Department families. We ask that you keep Officer Ancheta and his family in your thoughts and prayers as they mourn the loss of what can truly be described as man’s best friend.”
Roby was the Glendora Police Department’s second police dog when he joined the agency in 2007, officials said.
“Roby assisted in the arrest of numerous dangerous criminals, the recovery of illegal narcotics and he highlighted countless community events,” the statement said. “Roby was a regular fixture in the Glendora Police station, always walking around with a ball in his mouth begging someone to throw it, yet stubbornly refusing to allow anyone to take it away from him.”
After retiring, Roby lived out his days with Ancheta’s family, becoming particularly fond of Ancheta’s youngest son.
“Roby sired two litters of healthy puppies, the second of which was born only hours before he left us,” according to the statement.
In the statement, the department offered one last parting message to its loyal K-9.
“Roby, you will be missed. 3K2, you are clear to secure.”
But the Glendora Police Department’s K-9 program lives on, with K-9 Bo and handler Officer Scott Salvage.
The department announced earlier this week that Bo will soon be receiving a bullet and stab resistant vest to help keep him safe while on-duty, thanks to an anonymous donor and the non-profit organization Vested interest in K9s.
“I would like to thank the Vested Interest in K9s for providing the Glendora Police Department with a great piece of equipment to protect my partner,” Salvage said. “This will help allow him to better protect our team and community.”

PHOTOS courtesy of the Glendora Police Department

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Glendora man killed by alleged DUI, hit-and-run driver identified


GLENDORA >> Coroner’s officials have identified a 58-year-old Glendora man who was fatally struck by an alleged DUI, hit-and-run driver while working under the hood of a car last week.
Brian Pasley succumbed to his injuries at a hospital shortly after the 10:10 a.m. crash on April 13 along Grand Avenue, just north of Arrow Highway, Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner Assistant Chief of Operations Ed Winter said.
He was working on auto repairs along the side of the road when a Scion xB driven by 29-year-old Mark Stephen Gagliardi of Claremont slammed into the rear of the car Pasley was working on, Glendora police Cpl. Bill Lee said at the time.
Gagliardi fled the scene, but was found and arrested nearby after his damaged car broke down less than half a mile away, Lee said.
Investigators determined Gagliardi was driving while intoxicated and arrested him on suspicion of vehicular manslaughter, felony DUI and hit-and-run, according to the corporal.
According to Los Angeles County booking records, Gagliardi was released from jail pending his initial court appearance after posting $136,000 bail.

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Glendora man fatally struck by alleged DUI, hit-and-run driver while working on car


GLENDORA >> A Claremont man is accused of manslaughter, DUI and hit-and-run after he crashed his car into a parked car early Thursday, killing a man who was working under the hood, authorities said.
Mark Stephen Gagliardi, 29, was jailed in connection with the 10:10 a.m. crash along Grand Avenue, just north of Arrow Highway, according to Glendora police officials and Los Angeles County booking records.
The victim, a 59-year-old Glendora man whose name was not available, was working on his car, which was parked along the east curbline of Grand Avenue, prior to the crash, Glendora police Cpl. Bill Lee said.
Gagliardi was northbound on Grand Avenue when his Scion xB veered toward the side of the road and rear-ended the victim’s parked vehicle, according to the corporal. The impact pushed the victim’s vehicle forward, crushing him between his own vehicle and another vehicle parked in front of it.
Paramedics treated the badly injured man at the scene and took him to a hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries a short time later, Lee said.
The driver, later identified as Gagliardi, tried to drive away, Lee said. But his car, which was damaged in the collision, broke down less than half a mile away. Officers arrested him without a struggle.
Gagliardi was ultimately booked on suspicion of vehicular manslaughter, DUI and felony hit-and-run, Lee said.
According to county booking records, Gagliardi was being held in lieu of $136,000 bail pending his initial court appearance.

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Woman arrested following Glendora sushi restaurant break-in, high-speed chase


GLENDORA >> Police arrested one suspect and sought two more after they burglarized a Glendora sushi restaurant early Saturday, then led police on a pursuit that ended in Compton, officials said.
A burglary alarm triggered about 4:30 a.m. first drew police to the restaurant in the 1800 block of East Route 66, according to Glendora police Lt. Rob Lamborghini.
“Officers responded and immediately confirmed that a burglary had occurred,” he said. Burglars had broken into the business through the back door and stolen cash, but fled before police arrived.
An officer searching the area spotted a suspicious car getting onto the 210 Freeway near Lone Hill Avenue and tried to pull it over, the lieutenant said. The car accelerated away, kicking off a high-speed chase on the 210, 605 and 105 freeways. Suspects inside the car were seen tossing unknown items from the vehicle during the pursuit.
The car exited the 105 Freeway in Compton and came to a stop, Lamborghini said. Two suspects ran from the car and were not found.
The driver, 33-year-old Erika Anette Washington of Redlands, was taken into custody, according to police and Los Angeles County booking records. She was booked on suspicion of burglary and evading police.
The money believed to have been stolen from the sushi restaurant was not found.
According to county booking records, Washington was being held in lieu of $20,000 bail pending her arraignment hearing, scheduled Monday in the West Covina branch of Los Angeles County Superior Court.

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