Pasadena man fights off would-be armed robbers with lamp

Posted on January 13, 2017 by Brian Day

PASADENA >> A Pasadena man used a lamp to fight off two would-be armed robbers, who then crashed their getaway car while fleeing the scene and ran on Thursday afternoon, police said.
The incident unfolded about 3 p.m., Pasadena police Lt. John Luna said.
A man in his 20s was standing in a driveway in the 1000 block of North Michigan Avenue when two suspects approached in a car and stopped in the street, he said.
Both suspects got out of the car. One of them brandished a knife “in a threatening manner” and demanded the victim empty his pockets.
The victim picked up a lamp that happened to be nearby and used it to defend himself, Luna said.
The robbers punched him in the face during the fight that ensued before fleeing empty handed.
Luna said the robbers got back into their car and sped off, but collided into another car being driven by a woman at Michigan Avenue and Mountain Street, Luna said. They abandoned their car and continued fleeing on foot. They were not found, though police seized the car as evidence.
The victim of the robbery attempt suffered cuts to his face but declined medical treatment, Luna said. The woman driving the car struck by the suspects was no hurt.
Detailed suspect descriptions were not available.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Pasadena police at 626-744-4241. Tips may also be submitted anonymously online to L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477.

Arcadia woman killed by alleged DUI, hit-and-run driver identified

Posted on December 21, 2016 by Brian Day

ARCADIA >> Authorities have released the identity of a 77-year-old Arcadia woman who was killed by an alleged drunken, hit-and-run driver while crossing Baldwin Avenue last week.
Fang Qiaorui died at a hospital following the collision, which took place about 9:45 p.m. on Dec. 14 on Baldwin Avenue near Arcadia Avenue, Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner Assistant Chief of Operations Ed Winter said. An autopsy was pending.
She was struck by a Ford Explorer Sport Trac pickup truck, which fled the scene after striking her, Arcadia police Sgt. Dan Crowther said.
But witnesses provided police with a description of the truck, including its license plate number. Investigators quickly found and arrested Alex Danilo Cerna, 51, at his home in Pasadena, the sergeant said.
Cerna pleaded not guilty to charges of vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated and hit-and-run on Friday in the Pasadena branch of Los Angeles County Superior Court, records show.
According to court and booking records, Cerna was released from custody Monday after posting $100,000 bail. He’s schedule to return to court Jan. 12 for a preliminary hearing setting.

Pasadena man accused of DUI, hit-and-run in death of Arcadia woman denies charges

Posted on December 16, 2016 by Brian Day

ARCADIA >> A Pasadena man accused of fatally striking an elderly woman with his pickup truck in Arcadia while drunk, then fleeing the scene, pleaded not guilty on Friday to charges filed in connection with the collision, authorities said.
Prosecutors filed charges of vehicular manslaughter and hit-and-run against Alex Cerna, 51, Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office spokeswoman Sarah Ardalani said.
He was at the wheel of a Ford Explorer Sport Trac pickup truck when it struck a 77-year-old Arcadia woman at Baldwin and Arcadia avenues, according to Arcadia police Sgt. Dan Crowther.
The succumbed to her injuries at a hospital. Her identity was not released Friday pending notification of her family, coroner’s officials said.
The driver fled the scene, but witnesses provided police with a description of the hit-and-run truck, including its license plate number, Crowther said.
Police found and arrested Cerna at his home in Pasadena a short time later, Crowther said. They determined he was under the influence of alcohol.
Cerna was being held in lieu of $80,000 bail pending his next court appearance, scheduled on Jan. 12.
Anyone with information about the hit-and-run is asked to call the Arcadia Police Department at 626-574-5151. Anonymous tipsters can call L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477.

UPDATED: Elderly Arcadia woman killed by alleged DUI, hit-and-run driver; Pasadena man accused of manslaughter

Posted on December 15, 2016 by Brian Day

ARCADIA >> Police arrested a driver they say fatally struck a 77-year-old pedestrian Wednesday night then fled the scene.
The hit-and-run collision took place about 9:45 p.m. on Baldwin Avenue at Arcadia Avenue, Arcadia police Sgt. Dan Crowther said.
An Arcadia woman was crossing Baldwin Avenue when she was hit by a northbound Ford Explorer Sport Trac pickup truck, according to the sergeant. The truck continued driving.
Multiple witnesses called 911 to report the crash and provide information, including the license plate number, of the involved truck, he said.
Pasadena police officers found and arrested the suspected driver a short time later at his home in Pasadena, Crowther said.
The woman was hospitalized in critical condition, he said.
Ed Winter, spokesman for the coroner’s office, said the woman died at Huntington Hospital at 2:03 a.m. on Thursday. He said the woman has not been positively identified.
Alex Danilo Cerna, 51, of Pasadena was booked on suspicion of vehicular manslaughter, felony hit and run, and felony driving under the influence.
Cerna is being held at the Arcadia police jail on $100,000 bail, according to county booking records. He was scheduled to appear for an arraignment hearing Friday in the Pasadena branch of Los Angeles County Superior Court.
Anyone with information about the hit-and-run is asked to call the Arcadia Police Department at 626-574-5151. Anonymous tipsters can call L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477.
Wednesday night’s incident was the third fatal automotive collision in Arcadia in just over a week.
Two young men and a young woman died, and another young man was seriously injured, in a solo-car car crash early Tuesday at Live Oak Avenue and Las Tunas Drive, according to police and coroner’s officials. The cause of the crash remains under investigation.
A 42-year-old man died on the afternoon of Dec. 7 after he was struck by a vehicle while crossing Live Oak Avenue near 6th Avenue.
The driver remained at the scene and cooperated with police, authorities said. The cause off that crash also remains under investigation.

By Brian Day and Ruby Gonzales

Pedestrian killed in Monterey Park freeway hit-and-run identified

Posted on November 5, 2016 by Brian Day

MONTEREY PARK >> Coroner’s officials have identified man who died after being struck by a hit-and-run vehicle while walking in traffic lanes of the 60 Freeway in Monterey park on Wednesday.
Kevin Smalls, 49, who is believed to have been homeless, died after he was struck by an unidentified vehicle shortly before 11 p.m. Wednesday on the westbound 60 Freeway, just west of Pomona Boulevard, according to Los Angeles coroner’s and California Highway Patrol officials.
Smalls had been walking on the center divider before stepping into traffic lanes for unknown reasons, CHP Officer I. Villareal said in a written statement.
A vehicle struck him, but fled the scene without stopping to help, officials said. No description of the hit-and-run vehicle was available.
Anyone with information can reach the CHP’s East Los Angeles area office at 323-980-4600.

Man walking on 60 Freeway in Monterey Park struck, killed by hit-and-run driver

Posted on November 3, 2016 by Brian Day

MONTEREY PARK >> A man walking in traffic lanes died after he was struck by a vehicle, which fled the scene, on the 60 Freeway in Monterey Park late Wednesday, authorities said.
The pedestrian was yet to be identified Thursday.
The fatal collision took place about 10:55 p.m. in the westbound lanes of the 60 Freeway, just west of Pomona Boulevard, California Highway Patrol Officer I. Villareal said in a written statement.
Prior to the incident, callers reported a man was walking on the center divider of the freeway, then walking in traffic lanes, according to CHP logs. One driver reported having to swerve to miss the man.
“For unknown reasons, (the man) entered the traffic lanes and was struck by an unidentified vehicle,” Villareal said.
The vehicle continued driving, heading west on the 60 Freeway, according to the officer. No description was available.
It was unclear why the man was on the freeway on foot, officials said. There were no signs of a vehicle in the area associated with the man.
Anyone with information can reach the CHP’s East Los Angeles area office at 323-980-4600.

Arcadia burglary suspects jailed after pursuit, crashes

Posted on October 23, 2016 by Brian Day

ARCADIA >> Police jailed two suspects and sought a third on Saturday after they allegedly burglarized several cars at an Arcadia mall, led police on a chase and ultimately slammed into a pickup truck while running a red light.
Yiyon Tyree Farley, 19, of Vallejo and Jabril Marcelle Tom, 21, of San Francisco were booked on suspicion of burglary, evading police and hit-and-run in connection with the incident, which began about 3:40 p.m. at the Westfield Santa Anita shopping mall, 400 S. Baldwin Avenue, Covina police Lt. Tom Cullen said in a written statement.
A witness flagged down an officer at the mall to point out a group of three people seen breaking into several cars, the lieutenant said.
The driver refused to pull over, initiating a chase. Police cancelled the pursuit due to safety concerns when it reached the area of Huntington Drive and First Avenue, Cullen said.
The fleeing car sideswiped another vehicle at Huntington Drive and Second Avenue, resulting in now injuries, and continued driving, he said.
“The suspects then drove south on Second Avenue, and they failed to stop for the red light at Duarte Road,” Cullen said. An eastbound pickup truck collided with the suspects’ car.
A woman inside the pickup suffered “moderate” injuries, he said. All three suspects abandoned their crashed getaway car and continued fleeing on foot.
Officers found and arrested Farley and Tom in the area, officials said. A third suspect who fled from the car remained at-large.
Both suspects were treated at a hospital for injuries suffered in the crash before being booked into jail.
According to county booking records, Farley and Tom were being held in lieu of $75,000 bail each pending their initial court appearances, scheduled Tuesday in the Pasadena branch of Los Angeles County Superior Court.

Woman injured, man arrested following Pasadena hit-and-run

Posted on October 22, 2016 by Brian Day

PASADENA >> A 75-year-old man turned himself in to police after striking and injuring a woman with his car and fleeing the scene on Friday afternoon, police said.
Carlos Sanchez of Los Angeles was ultimately booked on suspicion of felony hit-and-run in connection with the collision, which took place about 5 p.m. at Manzanita Avenue and Orange Grove Boulevard, Pasadena police Lt. Mark Goodman said.
He struck the 51-year-old pedestrian with his vehicle and left the scene, the lieutenant said.
The woman was taken to a hospital for treatment of head injuries, he said. An update on her condition was not available.
As officers were still investigating the crash about two hours later, Sanchez showed up at the Pasadena Police Department.
“He was identified as the driver of the vehicle involved in the collision and was arrested without incident for felony hit and run,” Goodman said.
According to Los Angeles County booking records, Sanchez was released from custody Friday night pending his initial court appearance after posting $20,000 bail.

4 killed, 4 hurt in hit-and-run crash on 60 Freeway in Pomona

Posted on October 16, 2016 by Brian Day

POMONA >> Four people died and four other were hurt in a hit-and-run collision on the 60 Freeway in Pomona early Saturday morning, authorities said.
The crash took place about 5 a.m. on the eastbound 60 Freeway, just west of Reservoir Street, California Highway Patrol officials said in a written statement.
The eight victims, four men and four women between 21 and 49 years old, were all riding in a 2003 Ford Explorer and on their way home after a night out at Universal Studios’ Halloween Horror Nights when the crash occurred.
All four of those killed were passengers, and all were residents of Lake Elisnore, officials said.
They were identified as Elba Rosales, 26; Luis Herrera, 29; Noemi Herrera, 21; and Gerardo Herrera, 49, Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner Acting Lt. B. Kim said. The relationship between the victims was not available.
The four survivors, two men and two women, were hospitalized with injuries ranging from moderate to major, CHP Officer Rodrigo Jimenez said.
The Explorer, which was only configured to seat seven people, was traveling in the No. 2 lane at 65 to 75 miles per hour when a newer-model white vehicle struck the left side of the SUV, according to CHP Officer S. Sullinger.
(The Explorer driver) immediately lost control of her vehicle as it veered sharply to the right,” Sullinger said. “(The Explorer) subsequently overturned within the No. 4 lane and on the right shoulder area.
“The vehicle continued to overturn multiple times down a dirt embankment, across the Reservoir Street offramp, down a second dirt embankment, and finally came to rest against the chain-link perimeter fence,” Sullinger said.
Four victims were pronounced dead at the scene, officials said.
Six of the eight people inside the Explorer were thrown from the SUV, he said.
Investigators found damage, and possible paint transfer, on the left side of the SUV that appeared consistent with the account of the driver, a 25-year-old Lake Elisnore woman, Jimenez said.
A detailed description of the hit-and-run car was not available, Jimenez said.
Of the four people who died, only one was wearing a seat belt, officials said.
The victims had just spend the evening at Universal Studios’ Halloween Horror Night and stopped for dinner before the crash occurred as they were on their way home, Jimenez said.
There was no indication the crash involved alcohol or drugs, officials said.
The fatal crash resulted in a Sig Alert that affected the freeway and nearby connector roads through Saturday afternoon.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the CHP’s Baldwin Park area office at 626-338-1164.

Driver of stolen Tesla sought after fatally striking motorcyclist in Pasadena

Posted on October 7, 2016 by Brian Day

PASADENA >> Police are seeking the driver of a stolen Tesla who struck and killed a 60-year-old Pasadena man as he rode his motorcycle late Thursday.
Oscar Gary Chavez, 60, died following the 11:43 p.m. collision at Marengo Avenue and Washington Boulevard, according Los Angeles County coroner and Pasadena police officials.
He was riding his motorcycle through the intersection in an undetermined direction when he was struck by a 2015 Tesla heading north on Marengo Avenue “at a high rate of speed,” Pasadena police officials said in a written statement.
Chavez was thrown from his motorcycle in the collision, Pasadena police Lt. Mark Goodman said.
Paramedics pronounced Chavez dead at the scene at 11:49 p.m., said Ed Winter, assistant chief of operations at the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner.
“The driver of the Tesla abandoned the vehicle at the scene and fled on foot,” according to the statement. The search for the driver continued Friday.
Police soon determined the Tesla had been stolen in Pasadena within hours of the fatal collision, Goodman said.
The owner of the high-performance electric vehicle was not aware it had been stolen until police notified him it had been involved in a crash, Goodman said.
“We are actively seeking the identity of the driver of that vehicle. We are seeking the public’s assistance in trying to solve this crime,” Goodman said.
A detailed suspect description was not available.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Pasadena police Lt. Diego Torres at 626-744-7159, or the on-duty watch commander at 626-744-4620. Tips may also be submitted anonymously to L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477.

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