Man killed, 4 hurt in 6-vehicle wreck on 605 Freeway in Industry


INDUSTRY >> A man died and four other people were hurt in a six-vehicle pile-up on the 605 Freeway in Industry early Sunday, authorities said.
The deadly chain reaction crash took place about 2 a.m. on the southbound 605 Freeway, just north of Rose Hills Road, according to California Highway Patrol logs.
The man who died was standing along the roadway, not inside a vehicle, when he was struck, Officer C. Izydorek of the CHP’s Santa Fe Springs area office said in a written statement.
The circumstances of the collision remained under investigation and few details were available.
CHP logs show officials first received a report of a disabled vehicle in the carpool lane at 1:58 a.m. It had possibly struck the center divider.
Three minutes later, witnesses reported at least one additional car had smashed into the stopped vehicle.
CHP officers arrived to find four cars and two SUVs had become involved in the wreck, according to Izydorek.
“During the sequence of events, it is believed at least one of the vehicles struck the pedestrian, resulting in a fatality,” the officer said.
Paramedics pronounced the man dead at the scene. His identity was not available Sunday pending positive identification and notification of family, coroner’s officials said.
It was not clear whether he had exited the original disabled vehicle, but the Driver of 2008 Nissan Versa involved in the pile-up was unaccounted for.
A 21-year-old Seal Beach man driving a 1970 Datson 240Z in the crash suffered major injuries, Izydorek said. His passenger, a Long Beach woman, suffered injuries described as moderate.
A man and woman who were in a 1998 Toyota Camry suffered minor injuries, officials said.
A couple riding in a 2014 Chevrolet Suburban, a couple in a 2015 Dodge Durango and a man driving a 2017 Chevrolet Camaro were unhurt, according to the CHP.
Currently, the California Highway Patrol is looking for any witnesses who may have witnessed this traffic collision,” Izydorek said. The CHP’s Santa Fe Springs area office can be reached at 562-868-0503.
Officials shut down all southbound lanes of the 605 Freeway for about seven hours following the collision, diverting traffic onto the 60 Freeway.

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$50 million worth of marijuana uprooted from 2 Industry warehouses; 8 men arrested

INDUSTRY >> Deputies seized more than 16,000 marijuana plants, valued at more than $50 million, and arrested eight men while raiding two warehouses in Industry on Thursday morning, authorities said.
The bust took place about 9:30 a.m. at two separate warehouses in the 1100 block of Fullerton Road, just north of the 60 Freeway, Deputy Trina Schrader of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s Information Bureau said in a written statement.
Deputies began an investigation about two months ago based on a tip of possible illegal activity going on inside the warehouses, Schrader said.
Investigators from the sheriff’ Special Assignment Team obtained a two-location search warrant for the two warehouses. They showed up to serve the warrants Thursday morning.
“A sophisticated indoor marijuana grow operation was discovered at both locations,” Schrader said.
“There were over 16,000 marijuana plants seized,” she said. “The street value of the marijuana seized is over $50 million.”
Eight men were arrested during the raids on suspicion of cultivating marijuana, officials said.
They were described as residents of San Gabriel and Rowland Heights between 35 and 50 years old, according to Schrader. Detectives withheld their identities Thursday as they continued following investigative leads.
No money or weapons were seized during the raid, Schrader added.
Anyone with information is urged to contact the sheriff’s Industry Station at 626-330-3322. Tups may also be submitted anonymously to L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477.
The raid was the second high-value marijuana bust reported in the central San Gabriel Valley since Tuesday.
El Monte police investigators, originally seeking a stolen Lexus, discovered a concentrated marijuana, or “honey oil” lab on Tuesday in the 14700 block of Horticultural Drive in neighboring Hacienda Heights. Investigators seized $1.8 million worth of marijuana and concentrated marijuana products and arrested five men.
The two busts occurred about 7 miles away from one another. Sheriff’s officials released no information regarding whether the two investigations may be related.

PHOTOS courtesy of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department

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UPDATED: Man killed, another wounded in Industry shooting


A car-to-car shooting on the border between Hacienda Heights and Industry left one man dead and another wounded on Wednesday afternoon, authorities said.
The deadly gunfire was first reported about 2:20 p.m. at Clark and Ridley avenues in Hacienda Heights, Los Angeles County sheriff’s officials said.
Bullets were fired from one white car into another, and possibly in both directions, Lt. Joe Mendoza of the sheriff’s Homicide Bureau said.
The other car continued traveling just over three-quarters of a mile before it collided with another, uninvolved car at Turnbull Canyon Road and Don Julian Road in Industry, according to the lieutenant. The second car sped away and was yet to be found.
“When deputies arrived there, that’s when they saw there was a victim inside one of the vehicles,” Mendoza said. “That victim was suffering from at least one gunshot wound to the body. That person was pronounced dead at the scene.”
The identity of the victim, who had been driving the crashed white sedan, was not available pending positive identification and notification of family. He was initially described only as a man.
A second man inside the car was also found to be suffering from gunshot wounds, Mendoza said. He was taken to a hospital for treatment. An update on his condition was not available.
A third person inside that vehicle fled from the scene and was detained a short distance away from where that vehicle collided,” Mendoza said.
Detectives detained the third man for questioning.
No description of the shooter or shooters was available. The vehicle being sought in connection with the shooting was described only as a white sedan.
It was not clear Wednesday whether the shooting was an attack or a two-way gun battle, Mendoza said.
Investigators said they could not confirm initial reports from the scene that casings from at least two different bullet calibers were found.
Deputies continued scouring the multiple crime scenes into Wednesday evening, bringing in a search dog to look for any discarded weapons.
Investigators determined the shooting was preceded by a “disturbance” reported just before the shooting on a residential cul-de-sac in the 15500 block of Ladysmith Street in Hacienda Heights, Mendoza said.
Further details regarding the circumstances of the incident believed to have led to the shooting were not available.
Mendoza said the shooting was believed to be gang-related.
It was not yet clear if the incident was an attack or a two-way gun battle.
A man and three young children who were riding in the car struck by the wounded driver were treated at the scene for minor injuries, Mendoza said.
Anyone with information is urged 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.

PHOTO by Leo Jarzomb

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Torch Middle School ex-janitor accused of molesting eight students, more victims sought

A former janitor at an Industry middle school faces charges of molesting eight female students, authorities announced Thursday.
Michael Anthony Barry worked at Torch Middle School in the Bassett Unified School District for 16 years, according to Deputy Kimberly Alexander of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Information Bureau. Investigators from the sheriff’s Special Victims Bureau arrested him July 6.
Barry is accused of molesting eight children, according to a criminal complaint filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court. The alleged molestation charged in the complaint took place between August of 2016 and May of this year.
“The acts Mr. Barry is alleged to have committed involved the inappropriate touching of female students on school grounds,” according to Alexander.
And sheriff’s officials said they are seeking potential additional victims.
Torch Middle School administrators were approached on May 12 by multiple students who said they were touched inappropriately by Barry, Bassett Unified School District spokeswoman Nancy Yeang said. After interviewing the students, school leaders immediately put Barry on administrative leave, she said.
Administrators went to classrooms the same say to inform students Barry was put on leave, as well as to ask if any other students had experienced inappropriate conduct by the janitor, Yeang said. More students came forward with allegations.
Torch Middle School parents were later informed about the incident. Yeang said school officials were cooperating with the sheriff’s department during its investigation.
Barry was first arrested at the sheriff’s Industry station on June 13, but was released the next day without charges, according to Los Angeles County booking records.
Following his re-arrest on July 6, prosecutors filed nine criminal charges against him, according to court documents.
Barry pleaded not guilty the same day to five charges of felony child molestation of a victim under 14 years old, three misdemeanor counts of annoying or molesting a child under 18 and one count of contributing to the delinquency of the minor, Los Angeles County District Attorney’s officials said. He’s scheduled to return to the Pomona branch of Los Angeles County Superior Court on Aug. 10 for a preliminary hearing setting.
In the meantime, Barry is being held in lieu of $1.545 million bail, booking records show.
If convicted as charged, Barry could face up to 75 years to life in state prison.

— Brian Day and Josh Cain

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Fire scorches commercial building in Industry


INDUSTRY >> A fire broke out in a commercial building in Industry on Friday afternoon.
The fire was first reported at 1:34 p.m. as a machine on fire inside a commercial structure in the 200 block of Puente Avenue, Los Angeles County Fire Department officials said.
The fire soon spread to the building itself, and firefighters declared a second-alarm fire, calling in reinforcements and assuming a defensive stance against the fire, which sent a thick, black plume of smoke into the sky above the San Gabriel Valley.
The flames were all but extinguished by 3 p.m., with firefighters working to douse lingering “hot spots” in the scorched 50-foot by 150-foot bulding, Inspector Joey Marron said.
Officials declared the fire “knocked down” at 3:42 p.m., according to Dipatch Supervisor Cheryl Simms.
One firefighter was taken to a hospital for treatment of a minor injury, she said.
The cause of the fire was under investigation.

PHOTO by Sarah Reingewirtz

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Pizza delivery driver robbed, kidnapped in Hacienda Heights


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.

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Deputies make arrests, hand out toys to children during checkpoint in Industry

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INDUSTRY >> Deputies made 33 arrests or citations, but also handed out Christmas toys to children, during a checkpoint in Industry late Thursday, officials said.
The checkpoint was held from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Hacienda Boulevard, just south of Nelson Avenue, near the Los Angeles County sheriff’s Industry Station, according to Capt. Jeff Scroggin of the sheriff’s Information Bureau.
A total of 1,453 vehicles passed through the checkpoint, and 47 drivers were evaluated, he said.
Officials arrested two drivers on suspicion of driving under the influence of marijuana, Scroggin said in a written statement.
Seventeen unlicensed drivers were arrested and issued court dates, four drivers are accused of driving on suspended or revoked licenses, seven people were arrested for knowingly allowing an unlicensed person to drive, one person was arrested for possession of narcotics and two people were arrested for outstanding misdemeanor warrants, Scroggin said.
Deputies impounded four vehicles for 30 days, while 17 more were released to licensed drivers per checkpoint policy, he added.
But officials handed out more than citations during the checkpoint. Deputies also brought children’s toys to the checkpoint to give to children who passed through.

PHOTOS courtesy of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department

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Woman attacked, robbed along walkway in Industry


INDUSTRY >> A man attacked and robbed a woman as she walked along a pedestrian pathway in Industry late Friday, officials said.
The woman was walking along a trail near the intersection of Temple and Azusa avenues about 7:30 p.m. when the robber approached, Sgt. D. Contreras of the Los Angeles County sheriff’s Industry Station said.
The suspect demanded money and punched the woman in the face and shoulder, he said. The robber managed to steal about $200 from the woman and fled.
Contreras said the victim did not wish to be taken to a hospital.
A detailed suspect description was not available.
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.

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Deputies, community plan massive holiday toy drive at Puente Hills Mall


INDUSTRY >> Sheriff’s deputies and young volunteers will be teaming with an auto shop, a car club and holiday shoppers at the Puente Hills Mall in Industry on Saturday in an effort to fill a bus with toys for children in need.
The “Fill the Bus” toy drive will be held from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the east entrance of the mall, 1600 S. Azusa Ave., according to Deputy Caroline Rodriguez of the Los Angeles County sheriff’s Information Bureau.
Seidner’s Collision Center and the Purist Car Club will join officials from the sheriff’s Industry Station for the annual event, Rodriguez said in a written statement.
Young members of the sheriff’s Youth Activities League will be caroling and providing free gift wrapping for those add a donated gift to the bus. The Purist Car Club, which is bringing 500 toys to donate, will also be displaying their vehicles.
The gifts are to be distributed to kids in need throughout Los Angeles County.

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Man sought in connection with molestation of young boy at Puente Hills Mall

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INDUSTRY >> Deputies are seeking a man for questioning in connection with the molestation of a 9-year-old boy at the Puente Hills Mall in Industry earlier this month, officials said.
The crime took place about 6:45 p.m. on July 8 at the mall, 1600 S. Azusa Ave., Deputy Trina Schrader of the Los Angeles County sheriff’s Information Bureau said in a written statement.
“A 9-year-old old boy reported that he was inappropriately touched by a male adult while he was inside the Puente Hills Mall,” Schrader said. “The assault was reported to mall security shortly after the incident occurred.”
Investigators have since obtained a surveillance camera image of a person of interest, and asked the public’s help in tracking him down.
He’s described as a Latino man, about 35 to 40 years old, 5 feet 10 inches to 6 feet tall. He was balding with black-and-gray hair, clean-shaven and wore a blue shirt.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the sheriff’s Special Victims Bureau at 877-710-5273. Tips may also be submitted anonymously to L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477.

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