Deputies hold 24-hour honor guard in memory of slain fellow deputy in Irwindale

Posted on April 30, 2015 by Brian Day

IRWINDALE >> Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputies stood in 24-hour guard Wednesday over the site where fellow deputy David March was fatally shot during a traffic stop 13 years ago.
Afternoon temperatures climbed into the mid-90s as deputies have continued the stoic tradition each year since March was gunned down along Live Oak Avenue, just east of Peck Road, on April 29, 2002.
Sheriff’ Jim McDonnell visited the memorial site to pay his respects.
“These deputies from Temple have taken the time to pay tribute to the life of Deputy David March,” McDonnell said. “This tribute exemplified the belief that’s shared throughout the law enforcement community that we will never forget, and that we want to respect the memory and the sacrifice through the year.”
March, 33, who was assigned to the sheriff’s Temple Station, was fatally shot after pulling over Jorge Arroyo Garcia, also known as Armando Garcia. After being captured in Mexico and extradited back to the U.S., Garcia pleaded guilty to the deputy’s murder in 2007 and received a life sentence in prison.
Two by two, deputies, primarily from the sheriff’s Temple Station, took turns standing half-hour shifts over the spot where March was fatally shot, which is marked with a permanent memorial plaque. After standing frozen in place for 30 minutes, deputies changed guards with a brief ceremony.

Police: Wanted felon arrested for ID theft in Irwindale

Posted on February 28, 2015 by Brian Day

IRWINDALE >> Police jailed a wanted felon Friday after he tried to using a stolen credit card and identification to buy items at an Irwindale hardware store, officials said.
Daniel Garcia, 33, of Los Angeles, is accused of identity theft, false impersonation of another person and possession of drug paraphernalia, Irwindale police Sgt. George Zendejas said. He’s additionally wanted by South Gate police due to an auto theft warrant and Manhattan Beach police in an identity theft case.
The arrest took place about 5:20 p.m. when the suspect tried to make purchases at Grainger Industrial Supply, 12780 Schabarum Ave., the sergeant said.
Store employees called police to report the fraud attempt, and Garcia ran from officers when they arrived at the store, Zendejas said. He was captured nearby, without a struggle.
Friday’s incident was the second time in recent days Garcia has gone shopping at the hardware store with stolen identification and credit cards, police said. He successfully bought goods at the store with fraudulent information in recent days, though the exact date was not available Saturday.
It is estimated that the suspect fraudulently purchased items totaling $3,000,” Zendejas added.
According to Los Angeles County booking records, Garcia was being held without bail pending a scheduled arraignment Tuesday in West Covina Superior Court.

UPDATED: CHP officer, motorist hurt in crash involving patrol car in Irwindale

Posted on February 14, 2015 by Brian Day

IRWINDALE >> A CHP patrol car and a Honda sedan collided on Irwindale Avenue on Friday afternoon, sending both drivers to the hospital.
The crash took place about 4 p.m. on Irwindale Avenue, just north of Arrow Highway, California Highway Patrol Officer Peter Bishop said.
Paramedics rushed the driver of the Honda to a trauma center by helicopter, while the injured CHP officer was taken to a hospital by ambulance, Irwindale police Sgt. Robert Avila said.
The woman in her 20s who was driving the Honda suffered injuries described as moderate, Los Angeles County Fire Department Capt. Irvin Williams said. The officer, who is in his 30s, suffered apparently minor injuries.
The CHP car sustained significant damage to the front end. The Honda sustained major damage to passenger side.
Authorities shut down both directions of traffic on Irwindale Avenue between Arrow Highway and Gladstone Street as they investigated the scene.
Both CHP and Irwindale police officials took part in the investigation, which was expected to be spearheaded by Irwindale police.
The crash was the second involving a law enforcement patrol car in the San Gabriel Valley Friday.
A Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department patrol car sustained major damage about 11:30 a.m. after colliding with a Nissan Altima being driven by a woman on San Gabriel Boulevard in Rosemead, sheriff’s Lt. Loy McBride said.
Officials said the deputy was driving southbound on Rosemead Boulevard, just south of Garvey Avenue, with emergency lights and sirens on when the crash occurred.
The patrol car struck the Nissan and a parked car, McBride said. The woman was not hurt. The deputy was treated for injuries described as minor.
The cause of the Rosemead crash remained under investigation.

PHOTOS: TOP – By Watchara Phomicinda; BELOW – By Brian Day

West Covina man killed by hit-and-run driver while changing tire along 605 Freeway in Irwindale identified

Posted on February 8, 2015 by Brian Day

IRWINDALE >> Coroner’s officials have released the name of a 35-year-old West Covina man who was struck and killed by a hit-and-run driver while changing a tire along the side of the 605 Freeway in Irwindale just over a week ago.
Kevin Armando Marquez died at the scene of the collision, which took place about 3:30 a.m. on Jan. 30 along the southbound 605 Freeway, just north of Rivergrade Road, Los Angeles County Department of Coroner Lt. Fred Corral said.
Marquez was changing a flat tire on a 2001 Honda Accord parked on the right shoulder of the freeway when he was struck, California Highway Patrol Sgt. Arlene Brannon said.
An unknown vehicle heading south veered to the right shoulder and struck Marquez, Brannon said.
Los Angeles County Fire Department paramedics pronounced Marquez dead at the scene, officials said. The impact was believed to have killed him instantly.
An autopsy determined that Marquez died from multiple blunt force injuries, and his death was ruled accidental, Corral said.
The vehicle fled the scene.
A second driver struck Marquez’s body following the first collision, but the driver stopped at the scene and cooperated with investigators, officials said.
No description of the hit-and-run vehicle was available.
Anyone with information was asked to contact the Baldwin Park office of the CHP at 626-338-1164.

Officials: Death of woman at Irwindale gas station appears natural, investigation ongoing

Posted on February 1, 2015 by Brian Day

IRWINDALE >> The death of a woman whose body was discovered inside an SUV parked at an Irwindale gas pump Saturday is being investigated as natural, officials said.
An autopsy was pending, however initial indications were that the 70-year-old Arcadia woman, who was discovered slumped over the wheel of an SUV shortly before 3 p.m. at an ARCO station at Longden Avenue and Myrtle Street, died of natural causes, Los Angeles County Department of Coroner Lt. Fred Corrall said. Her name was not released pending notification of family.
While the investigation was ongoing, “At this point, there’s nothing to indicate there was foul play,” Sgt. Rudy Gatto said.
“Obviously, we’re waiting for the coroner’s review to determine the cause of death,” Gatto added.
Police and firefighters rushed to the gas station after a witness reported finding the woman unconscious in her mid-size SUV, Irwindale police Sgt. George Zendejas said.
Paramedics found she was not breathing and pronounced her dead at the scene, he said.
Anyone with information was asked to contact Irwindale police at 626-430-2242.

UPDATED: Woman’s body found inside vehicle at Irwindale gas station

Posted on February 1, 2015 by Brian Day

IRWINDALE >> Police are investigating the death of a woman whose body was discovered slumped over the wheel of a vehicle parked at a gas pump in Irwindale Saturday, officials said.
The body, described police only as that of a woman between 40 and 60 years old, was found about 2:50 p.m. at an Arco station at Longden Avenue and Myrtle Street, Irwindale police Sgt. Geroge Zendejas said. The dead woman’s identity was not released pending positive identification and notification of her family.
“At this time, it is unknown if there is any foul play involved in the death,” Zendejas said.
Police responded to the gas station after receiving a 9-1-1 call reporting a person who was slumped over the steering wheel of a mid-size SUV vehicle parked next to a gas pump, the sergeant said.
She was unconscious and not breathing when police and paramedics arrived, he said. The woman was pronounced dead at the scene.
It was not clear whether there were any signs of trauma on the body, Zendejas said.
Detectives were working with the business owner to review surveillance video in hopes of learning exactly what took place, he added.
No further details were available.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Homicide Bureau and the Los Angeles County Department of Coroner were assisting Irwindale police in the investigation.

Stolen SUV found abandoned, perched on edge of 605 Freeway overpass in Irwindale

Posted on January 26, 2015 by Brian Day

IRWINDALE >> Police are seeking four people seen fleeing from a reportedly stolen SUV that was found crashed and abandoned, teetering over the side of the Lower Azusa Road overpass of the 605 Freeway early Sunday, officials said.
The crash took place about 12:30 a.m. on Lower Azusa Road, just west of the onramp to the northbound 605 Freeway, Irwindale police Sgt. Rudy Gatto said.
Witnesses reported seeing four people fleeing from the 2010 Chevrolet Suburban immediately after the solo-vehicle crash, the sergeant said. Two of them got into a white Lexus, which fled the scene. None of the people who ran from the SUV were found.
The SUV went over a concrete retaining wall along the north side of the road and smashed through metal fencing that lines the top of it, Gatto said. Pieces of fence fell onto the freeway below, causing damage to at least two vehicles that subsequently struck the debris.
The SUV came to a rest with its back section hung up on the retaining wall, and its front wheels against a steep grass embankment along the 605 Freeway.
California Highway Patrol officers briefly shut down the northbound lanes of the freeway as the crashed SUV and the debris were cleared, he added.
After determining the SUV was registered to an El Monte resident, El Monte police paid a visit to the owner, who told them the SUV had been stolen from his home, Gatto said. El Monte police took a vehicle theft report.
Anyone with information was asked to contact the Irwindale police detectives at 626-430-2245.

PHOTO courtesy of the Irwindale Police Department

Stolen truck recovered, woman arrested in Irwindale

Posted on January 25, 2015 by Brian Day

IRWINDALE >> Police in Irwindale recovered a stolen pickup truck and arrested a woman on suspicion of stealing it early Saturday, officials said.
Monique Lanette Delgado, 33, of El Monte is accused of auto theft, Irwindale police Sgt. George Zendejas said in a written statement. She was also being held on an outstanding warrant related to a petty theft case.
A witness called police about 8:15 a.m. to report seeing a suspicious person loitering in the employee parking lot of a business in the 4900 block of Rivergrade Road, Zendejas said. Officers spotted the suspicious woman driving as she was trying to drive away in a 2002 Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck.
Police soon discovered the truck had been reported stolen in El Monte about two hours earlier.
The owner had left the truck running in his driveway as he briefly walked into his home, Zendejas said. When he returned, the truck was gone.
Zendejas cautioned the public to be mindful of opportunistic auto thieves.
“Car thieves look for moment of opportunity and will not hesitate to steal your car if you leave the keys inside,” he said.
According to county booking records, Delgado was being held in lieu of $40,000 bail pending a scheduled appearance Tuesday in West Covina Superior Court.

San Gabriel Valley cops brighten holidays for disadvantaged kids

Posted on December 22, 2014 by Brian Day

Throughout the San Gabriel Valley and beyond, cops have been working to brighten the holidays of needy and disadvantaged kids.
Police and California Highway Patrol Officers, as well as Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputies, have been busily playing the roles of elves distributing toys, food and cheer to young people in need of some holiday spirit.
The California Highway Patrol and Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department have run large-scale toy drives to collect gifts for kids who might otherwise go without this holiday season.
And sheriff’s officials even brought Santa Claus, via helicopter, to meet with kids in Compton Saturday as deputies took them on a special Target shopping trip. Sheriff’s deputies also hosted an annual party Dec. 7 for abused and neglected children.
Police officers from both the Irwindale and Covina police departments have delivered toys to the young patients at the City of Hope in Duarte this month.
Police agencies including those in Whittier and West Covina, as well as some sheriff’s stations, joined Target stores for the “Heroes & Helpers” program, in which officers take needy youths shopping for gifts, officials said.
In La Puente, deputies visited schools and churches and neighborhood to hand out about 300 bags full of groceries Friday, sheriff’s Lt. Pete Cacheiro said. And more food giveaways are planned this week.
Baldwin Park police attracted an estimated 2,000 kids to their police station Friday as they handed out more than 3,500 toys, according to the Baldwin Park Police Association. And of course, Santa Claus was on-hand as well.

PHOTOS: (top to bottom) 1.)Covina police officials deliver toys to children at the City of Hope in Duarte on Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2014. (Courtesy) 2.) Whittier police take children shopping at Target in Whittier as part of the “Heroes & Helpers” program on Saturday, Dec. 20, 2014. (Courtesy) 3.) Principal Mona Diaz of Workman Elementary School in La Puente stands in front of a patrol car as Sgt. John Suh unloads bags of groceries to be handed out to families to help out for the holidays on Friday, Dec. 18, 2014. (Courtesy) 4.) Children meet with Santa Claus at the Baldwin Park Police Station as the Baldwin Park Police Association handed out more than 3,500 toys. (Courtesy) 5.) Irwindale police and city officials from Irwindale and La Puente deliver donated toys to City of Hope in Duarte on Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2014. From left to right: La Puente City Councilman David Argudo, Irwindale police Officer Shawn Cory, Irwindale police Officer Diego Cornejo, Irwindale police Detective Jose Vargas, Irwindale police Capt. Ty Henshaw and Irwindale Mayor Mark Breceda. (Courtesy) 6.) West Covina police take children shopping at Target in Whittier as part of the “Heroes & Helpers” program on Thursday, Dec. 11, 2014. (Courtesy)

Irwindale police deliver donated toys to kids at City of Hope

Posted on December 18, 2014 by Brian Day

IRWINDALE >> Irwindale police delivered a truck full of toys to the young patients at City of Hope hospital in Duarte Wednesday.
Officials collected hundreds of donated playthings during a toy drive Tuesday at Mariscos Uruapan restaurant in Irwindale, Irwindale police Sgt. George Zendejas said. Tuesday’s event featured a meet and greet with Mexican recording artist Luis Coronel.
City officials from Irwindale and La Puente joined Irwindale police in the drive, organizers said.
Police loaded the toys into a police truck Wednesday and delivered them to City of Hope, Zendejas said.
“Chief (Anthony) Miranda wants to thank all who came out to support the toy drive as we worked together to brighten the day of children who will be spending Christmas at the hospital this year,” Zendejas said.

PHOTO: Irwindale police and city officials from Irwindale and La Puente deliver donated toys to City of Hope in Duarte on Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2014. From left to right: La Puente City Councilman David Argudo, Irwindale police Officer Shawn Cory, Irwindale police Officer Diego Cornejo, Irwindale police Detective Jose Vargas, Irwindale police Capt. Ty Henshaw and Irwindale Mayor Mark Breceda. (Courtesy)

Crime Scene

Breaking crime and public safety news

Category Archives: Irwindale