Firefighters douse brush fire near 605-210 freeway interchange in Irwindale


IRWINDALE >> Firefighters quickly gained control of two small brush fires that scorched about half an acre of vegetation in wash area along the 605 Freeway in Irwindale on Friday afternoon, officials said.
The fires were first reported at 1:12 p.m. in a wash just southwest of the 605-210 freeway interchange, Los Angeles County Fire Department Inspector Gustavo Medina said.
About half an acre went up in flames before firefighters stopped the “forward progress” of the fire just after 2 p.m., he said.
Water-dropping helicopters joined firefighters on the ground in the effort.
No injuries were reported, and no structured were threatened by the fires.
Investigators were summoned to the scene to determine the cause of the fire, Medina said.
Another fire broke out less than a mile to the south along the same riverbed on Wednesday afternoon and also scorched about half an acre of vegetation, officials said. The cause of that fire remains under investigation as well.

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PHOTOS/VIDEO courtesy of the Irwindale Police Department.

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Woman robbed in Irwindale after arranging Craigslist transaction, 2 suspects jailed


IRWINDALE >> Police, aided by a good Samaritan, jailed two men after they robbed a woman of an iPhone in front of an Irwindale coffee shop after she arranged to sell the device online, authorities said.
Justin Mitchell Huff, 19, of Riverside was arrested for robbery and resisting arrest, and Bryan Joseph Gomez, 19, of Huntington Park was arrested for robbery, conspiracy, hit-and-run and resisting arrest, according to Irwindale police officials and Los Angeles County booking records.
A woman had arranged to sell her iPhone 7 via Craigslist and met the purported buyer shortly after noon outside a Starbucks, 15700 Arrow Highway, Irwindale police Sgt. George Zendejas said.
“When the victim arrived, she met the suspect to the front of the store and the suspect forcefully took the phone from the victim, struggling and pushing her in the process,” police said in a written statement. “The victim sustained minor scratches from the altercation.”
A good Samaritan saw the robbery occur and watches as the robber hopped into a getaway car with a driver waiting at the wheel.
The witnesses called police and followed behind the suspects car, Zendejas said.
The suspects crashed into a parked car in the 4700 block of Irwindale Avenue and continued to flee on foot, police said.
“Officers converged in the area and located the two outstanding suspects in the area of Fraijo Avenue near Burrola Street,” according to the statement. Huff and his alleged getaway driver, Gomez, were arrested without a struggle.
Officers also recovered a replica handgun from the suspects’ car, Zendejas said.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Irwindale Police Department’s Detective Bureau at 626-430-2239.
According to booking records, Huff and Gomez were being held in lieu of $100,000 bail each pending their initial court appearances.
In an effort to combat exactly this type of crime, Irwindale police officials in May unveiled an e-commerce and child custody exchange “safe zone,” monitored by surveillance cameras, in front of the Irwindale Police Department at 5050 N. Irwindale Ave.
“The purpose of the designated parking spots is to help ease the worry that a crime may occur during these types of encounters,” police said in a statement.

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El Monte woman arrested after pursuit in Irwindale

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IRWINDALE >> An El Monte woman wanted for an alleged cigarette lighter attack on her ex-boyfriend last month led Irwindale police on a short pursuit before being taken into custody early Thursday, officials said.
Jessica Magaly Ruvalcaba, 20, was booked on suspicion of felony domestic violence, evading a police officer, drunken driving and driving on a suspended license, according to Irwindale police officials and Los Angeles County booking records.
The chase began about 9:40 a.m. when an Irwindale officer spotted a gray Ford Mustang speeding at Irwindale Avenue and First Street and tried to pull it over, Irwindale police Sgt. George Zendejas said.
“(Ruvalcaba) failed to yield and led officers on a pursuit that terminated approximately one mile later in the area of Cypress Street and Irwindale Avenue,” police said in a written statement. Ruvalcaba stopped her car and surrendered.
A woman riding as a passenger in the Mustang was questioned and released, police said.
While the chase was ongoing, the pursuing officer recognized the description of the Mustang from a previous call he had handled several weeks ago, Zendejas said.
Ruvalcaba had been sought since Sept. 9, when she burned her ex-boyfriend with a cigarette lighter during an argument that took place in the same car, also along Irwindale Avenue.
Ruvalcaba told her ex to get out of her car, Zendejas said. When he did not comply, she burned him in the upper body with a cigarette lighter.
The man was injured by declined to be taken to a hospital, the sergeant said. Ruvalcaba fled the scene before officers arrived.
According to county booking records, Ruvalcaba was being held in lieu of $75,000 bail at the Glendora Police Department’s jail pending her initial court appearance.

PHOTO Jessica Ruvalcaba, 20, of El Monte. (Courtesy, El Monte Police Department)

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UPDATED: Motorcyclist and driver killed in Irwindale collision


IRWINDALE >> A crash between a motorcycle and a car in Irwindale early Sunday claimed the lives of both the motorcyclist and the driver of the car, authorities said.
The crash took place about 12:30 a.m. in the 14900 block of Los Angeles Street, east of Maine Avenue, Irwindale police Sgt. Rudy Gatto said in a written statement.
“Irwindale Police Department officers responded to the scene and found that a motorcyclist had been traveling eastbound in the No. 1 lane of Los Angeles Street when it collided with a white Toyota Scion that had been making a left turn out of the parking lot of a nearby business,” Gatto said.
The motorcycle collided with the driver-side door of the Scion as the car was exiting the parking lot of AMVETS post 113 and turning onto westbound Los Angeles Street, Sgt. John Fraijo said.
Paramedics pronounced the both the motorcyclist and the driver of the Scion dead at the scene, Fraijo said.
The motorcyclist was identified as Erick Medin Del Rio, 22, of Baldwin Park, Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner Investigator A. Lopez said.
Officials identified the driver of the Scion as 38-year-old Oscar Pena of Ontario.
A woman riding as a passenger in the Scion was taken to a trauma center for treatment, according to the sergeant. An update on her condition was not available.
Gatto said the cause of the crash remained under investigation.
Any witnesses, or anyone with information, is urged to contact the Irwindale Police Department Detective Bureau at 626-430-2245.

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Big rig owner chases down stolen truck in Irwindale after theft in Baldwin Park

BALDWIN PARK >> Two men chased down a big rig to Irwindale after it was stolen in Baldwin Park Wednesday, but the thief escaped with the help of a knife-wielding accomplice who spirited him away in a getaway car, officials said.
The chain of events began about 11:50 a.m. with the report of a big rig being stolen in the 15200 block of Arrow Highway, just west of Azusa Canyon Road, Baldwin Park police Sgt. Joshua Hendricks said.
A co-owner of the truck and a man in his friend, both men in their 20s, saw the truck drive off, he said. They called police and followed behind the stolen big rig in another car.
The truck became stuck in traffic on Irwindale Avenue at the 210 Freeway in Irwindale, officials said. The driver of the just-stolen big rig reversed the truck and rammed his pursuers. No injuries were reported, and the damage to the car was described as minor.
The victims exited their car and tried to grab the truck thief, but an accomplice showed up and brandished a knife before both suspects fled in a gray BMW sedan, Hendricks said.
Detailed descriptions of the suspects were not available.
The investigation was being handled by Irwindale police, Hendricks said. Irwindale police Sgt. Rene Sapien declined to discuss the case, referring inquiries back to Baldwin Park police.

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Police sell pink patches to fight breast cancer at L.A. County Fair; 44 departments from across nation taking part

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IRWINDALE >> A small Southern California police department’s colorful effort to combat breast cancer has spread like wildfire, with 44 police agencies from across the region and the nation now joining the campaign by trading their traditional shoulder patches for bright pink versions.
Police are staffing a “Pink Patch Project” booth during the L.A. County Fair at the Fairplex in Pomona this month, where guests can purchase T-shirts, challenge coins, and of course, pink police department patches offered by the dozens of participating agencies, according Irwindale Police Sgt. Rudy Gatto.
The project has been well-received by fellow police officers and the public, Gatto said.
“In just three days at the L.A. County Fair, we have raised upwards of $10,000, (and) that’s just at the fair,” the sergeant said.
Proceeds from the memorabilia sales are being donated to fund cancer research, treatment and education, officials said.
0910_nws_sgt-l-patches2Irwindale police first donned their pink patches and made them available for purchase by the public last year. The Irwindale Department was inspired by the Seal Beach Police Department, which gave officers pink patches in 2013 to stimulate conversation and raise awareness during Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
“That year, the Irwindale Police Department raised over $20,000 for City of Hope,” Irwindale police said in a written statement.
This year, the department reached out to expand the project, Gatto explained. About 20 agencies from the Los Angeles County Police Chiefs’ Association initially joined in, followed by another two-dozen who heard of the project largely via social media outreach.
In addition to dozens of Southern California police agencies, departments as far away as New Mexico and New Jersey have joined the effort by sporting pink. A police sergeant from the Lyndhurst Police Department in New Jersey planned to visit the Punk Patch Project booth at the L.A. County Fair on Sunday, Gatto said.
During Breast Cancer Awareness month in October, officers in participating agencies wear the pink patches in lieu of their usual ones.
The Pink Patch Project is also come as a boon for law enforcement patch collectors, who have seen more and more department’s stop selling their normal department patches to the public in recent years over safety concerns.
For more information, including a list of participating agencies and how to purchase their patches and other memorabilia, visit www.pinkpatchproject.com.

PHOTOS: [ABOVE] Glendora police officials staff the Pink Patch Project booth at the L.A. County Fair in Pomona on Sunday, Sept. 4, 2016. Forty-four police departments from across Southern California and the nation are participating in the Irwindale Police Department’s Pink Patch Project to raise funds and awareness to combat breast cancer. (Courtesy) [BELOW} Pink Patch Project patches. (Courtesy)

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Man’s body brought to Irwindale dump site in load of dirt

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IRWINDALE >> A dump truck driver discovered a man’s body mixed in with a load of dirt after depositing the load at the Manning Pit in just outside of Irwindale Friday morning, authorities said.
The discovery was made about 9 a.m. at the dump site along Vincent Avenue, just south of Arrow Highway, in an unincorporated county area just outside of Irwindale, Irwindale police Sgt. George Zendejas said.
pitHe said one of the truck drivers dropping off dirt at Manning Pit saw the body. The body was lying face up.
Irwindale police summoned the Los Angeles County sheriff’s Homicide Bureau to take over the investigation.
“When the truck driver dumped the dirt in a quarry in the 5100 block of Vincent Avenue in the county area of Irwindale, he discovered the victim’s body mixed in with the dirt,” Deputy Ryan Rouzan said of the sheriff’s Information Bureau said in a written statement.
The man was initially described only as 20 to 30 years old. His identity was not released Friday pending positive identification by crooner’s officials and notification of his family.
“There doesn’t appear to be any trauma to the victim and no foul play is suspected at this time,” he said.
But exactly when, where and how the man ended up in the back of the dump truck remained a mystery Friday afternoon, sheriff’s officials said.
BODY2Detectives determined the dump truck had visited a downtown Los Angeles about 7:45 a.m. and picked up a load of dirt from a building construction site, Deputy Ryan Rouzan of the sheriff’s Information Bureau said. The specific location of the construction site was not available.
One grisly possibility being investigated was that the man had been inadvertently buries alive
“It’s possible the victim may have climbed into the back of the dump truck without anyone knowing and the dirt was dumped on top of him,” Rouzan said.
No workers from the Los Angeles construction site had been reported missing, Rouzan said.
No further details were available.
The dump site continued operating as homicide detectives and coroner’s officials conducted their investigation Friday morning and afternoon.
Anyone with information is 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.

  • Brian Day and Ruby Gonzales

PHOTOS by Mike Mullen

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Death of man in Irwindale riverbed ruled a suicide


IRWINDALE >> The death of a man found dead in the San Gabriel riverbed in Irwindale last weekend has been ruled a suicide, coroner’s officials said.
The body of the man, whose identity has not been released, was discovered about 11 a.m. Sunday beneath a bridge in the riverbed along Rivergrade Road, near the 605 Freeway, according to Los Angeles County sheriff’s and coroner’s officials.
Foul play was not initially suspected, however the man’s cause of death was not apparent, officials said. Sheriff’s homicide detectives joined Irwindale police and coroner’s officials in the investigation.
An autopsy revealed that the man died as a result of jumping from the bridge, Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner Chief of Operations Brian Elias said. He died from “blunt force injuries,” and the death as ruled a suicide.
Coroner’s officials withheld the man’s name pending notification of family.

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UPDATED: Man’s body found in San Gabriel riverbed in Irwindale


IRWINDALE >> Homicide detectives are investigating the death of a man whose body was discovered in the San Gabriel riverbed in in Irwindale Sunday, authorities said.
The death was first reported shortly after 11 a.m. along Rivergrade Road, near the 605 Freeway, Los Angeles County sheriff’s Deputy Kimberly Alexander said in a written statement.
Investigators from the sheriff’s Homicide Bureau are helping Irwindale police with the investigation.
Los Angeles County Fire Department Dispatch Supervisor Bernard Peters said Irwindale police first found the body in the riverbed and summoned firefighters to the scene.
“The victim was pronounced dead at the scene,” Alexander said.
The man’s identity was not released pending positive identification and notification of his family, Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner Lt. Larry Dietz said. He was initially estimated to be in his 50s.
The cause of death was unclear, and was to be determined through an autopsy, Deputy Juanita Navarro-Suarez said.
“There’s no obvious signs of foul play.”
Irwindale police officials did not return calls seeking comment.
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.

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Irwindale police unveil ‘safe zone’ for e-commerce transactions, child exchanges

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IRWINDALE >> Police in Irwindale established a new “safe zone” Thursday to provide those engaging in online commerce, as well as child custody exchanges, a secure and monitored place to conduct their business in front of the police station.
The “E-Commerce and Child Exchange Safe Zone” allows residents to meet with buyers or purchasers to complete online transaction, as well as take care of sometimes-contentious child custody exchanges between separated parents at the station, 5050 N. Irwindale Ave., Irwindale police Sgt. George Zendejas said.
“Transactions that start online but must be completed in person have become more common in recent years and most times the parties are strangers,” police said in a written statement. “E-commerce sales were estimated at $341.7 billion in 2015, up 14.6 percent from the year before.”
0513_NWS_SGT-L-SAFEZONE2“The E-Commerce Safe Zone will consist of two designated parking stalls in front of the Irwindale Police Station,” according to the statement. “The parking stalls will be designated by signage and a painted green curb, where parties can finalize their e-commerce transactions with less concern of being robbed, scammed, seriously injured, and or killed.”
If the other party involved in an online transaction is unwilling to meet at the police station, Zendejas said that may be a “red flag” that the transaction may be less than legitimate.
The special parking spaces, which are under 24-hour video surveillance monitored live by police dispatchers, will also serve as a secure, neutral place for separated parents to relinquish custody of their children for visitations.
The cost of the program amounted to $35, Zendejas said.

PHOTO courtesy of the Irwindale Police Department.

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