Category Archives: La Mirada

UPDATED: Motorcyclist killed following crash in La Mirada

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LA MIRADA — A motorcyclist died Wednesday after colliding with a van on Valley View Avenue, authorities said.
The name of the motorcyclist was not released pending positive identification and notification of his family members, Los Angeles County sheriff’s Lt. Bill Evans said. He was initially described as a man in his 50s and believed to be a Whittier resident.
The crash was reported about 8 a.m. on Valley View Avenue at Bora Drive, the lieutenant said.
Rescuers took the injured motorcyclist, who was unresponsive, to the University of Southern California, Irvine, Medical Center for treatment, Evans said. He died from his injuries as 9:08 a.m.
The motorcycle was southbound on Valley View Avenue when it collided with the van, which was making a left turn from eastbound Bora Drive to northbound Valley View Avenue, Evans said.
The motorcycle was traveling at an estimated 15 to 20 mph when it struck the van broadside, he added.
The cause of the crash remained under investigation, however no crime was initially suspected.
Evans said the driver of the van, a woman in her 30s, was unhurt and cooperated with investigators.
Anyone with information is asked to call the sheriff’s Norwalk Station at 562-863-8711.

Help sought finding La Mirada armed robber

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58622-LA MIRADA ARMED 211-thumb-300x199-58621.jpeg
LA MIRADA — Sheriff’s detectives asked the public’s help Wednesday in tracking down a man who carried out an armed robbery at a pharmacy earlier this week.
The crime was reported Monday at CVS Pharmacy, 13525 Beach Blvd., Los Angeles County sheriff’s officials said in a written statement.
The robber entered the store and placed some beer on the counter, according to the statement. He then allowed another customer to check out before him.
“The suspect paid for his items and then removed a small-caliber black handgun from his back pocket and pointed it at the (clerk),” the statement said. “He demanded that she open the register and then he removed the cash and fled on foot. No vehicle was seen.”
Deputies described the robber as a black man between 40 and 45 years old, about 6 feet tall, 200 pounds with dark-colored eyes. He wore a gray long-sleeved shirt, gray cotton pants and a red baseball cap with a “Nike” logo on it.
Stolen in the robbery was about $200 in cash, a 12-pack of Miller Lite beer and some beef jerky, officials added.
Anyone who recognized the robber is asked to call Detective Sierra at 562-902-2979, or the sheriff’s Norwalk Station at 562-863-8711. Tips may also be submitted anonymously by calling L.A. Crimestoppers at 800-222-8477.
PHOTO courtesy of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department

Woman convicted of embezzling from La Mirada business skips out on sentencing

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DOWNEY — A warrant has been issued for one of two women convicted of embezzling more than $150,000 dollars from the La Mirada scrap metal recycling business where they worked after she failed to show up in court for her sentencing Friday, authorities said.
Magali Herrera, 27, along with 22-year-old Monica Barragan, pleaded guilty Jan. 20 in Downey Superior Court to one count of grand theft each, Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office spokeswoman Jane Robison said.
Both suspects had been released from jail on their own recognizance pending trial Jan. 12, according to county booking records.
Herrera, who was due in Downey Superior Court to be sentenced Friday, failed to show up, and the court issued a bench warrant for her arrest, Robison said.
Barragan is due to return to court for sentencing Feb. 24 in Downey Superior Court.
The money was taken from Star Scrap Metal Recycling in the 14300 block of Firestone Boulevard during a four-month period beginning in September, officials said.

Stolen car, cremated remains, recovered in La Mirada

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LA MIRADA — A car that was stolen earlier this week while containing the cremated remains of the owner’s mother has been recovered, along with the ashes, authorities said.
A woman reported Thursday afternoon that her 2005 Ford Taurus had been stolen from the parking lot Stater Bros., 12800 La Mirada Blvd., Los Angeles County sheriff’s Lt. Pat Valdez said.
The woman was an Oregon resident whose mother, a resident of South Whittier, passed away several months ago, officials said. The woman was preparing to bring the remains back to Oregon when her car was stolen.
Two sisters of the car’s owner were driving through town about 11 a.m. Saturday when they spotted the car abandoned along Imperial Highway, east of La Mirada Boulevard, not far from where it was taken, Sgt. Grady Miles said.
“Fortunately, it wasn’t too long of an ordeal for them,” he added.
The car was undamaged, Miles said, and the family was relieved to have the remains returned.

Car containing cremated remains stolen from La Mirada parking lot

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LA MIRADA — Sheriff’s officials asked the public’s help in tracking down a car the what stolen from a supermarket parking lot with the cremated remains of the owner’s mother inside.
The car was stolen about 6 p.m. Thursday from the parking lot of Stater Bros., 12800 La Mirada Blvd., Los Angeles County sheriff’s Lt. Pat Valdez said.
The owner of the car is an Oregon resident whose mother, who lived in an unincorporated county area near Whittier, died in August, the lieutenant said.
She was preparing to take her mother’s remains back to Oregon when her car was taken, Valdez said.
The stolen car is described as a foam green, 4-door, 2005 Ford Taurus with an Oregon license plate of 717CQL.
Family members were distraught by the theft and hoped to have their loved one’s remains returned, Valdez said.
Anyone with information is asked to call the sheriff’s Norwalk Station at 562-863-8711.

La Mirada scrap metal workers accused of embezzlement

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LA MIRADA — Two employees at a scrap metal business will be arraigned Thursday for allegedly stealing $152,855 from the till to pay their credit card bills and expenses.
The money was stolen from Star Scrap Metal Recycling in the 14300 block of Firestone Blvd. during a 4-month period.
Magali Herrera, 27, who was the accounts receivable manager, and cashier Monica Barragan, 22, were arrested Tuesday on suspicion of embezzlement. They were being held at the sheriff’s Norwalk Station in lieu of $50,000 bail each.
Detectives served search warrants at their residences. About $56,000 was found from Herrera’s home in Los Angeles.
The incident started when deputies were called Tuesday afternoon to Star Scrap Metal Recycling about the embezzlement.
The employees allegedly took money from the registers at the end of their shift and falsified documents to indicate a decreased amount of cash receipts, deputies said.
Management conducted an audit and found the discrepancy.
The employees allegedly admitted to management that they’ve taken several thousands in small amounts from the cash registers since September 2011, according to deputies.
- Ruby Gonzales

Home gutted by fire in La Mirada

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LA MIRADA — A home was gutted by a fast-spreading fire early Saturday, however its residents escaped harm  thanks to a smoke detector, authorities said.
The blaze broke out about 8 a.m. on Sabine Drive, between Gabbett and Tanfield drives, Los Angeles County Fire Department Capt. Greg Lombardo said.
Two men were asleep when the fire ignited, he said. One was awakened by a smoke detector and alerted the other before both got out of the home.
The home was already engulfed in flames when firefighters arrived just a couple of minutes later, the captain said.
The home was largely gutted, he said, however firefighters were able to salvage many valuables from the home.
The cause of the fire remained under investigation, however it was believed to have originated in a room addition to the home before spreading throughout the structure.

Store robbed in La Mirada

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LA MIRADA – A man in a faded leather jacket and carrying a red-and-black tool bag robbed a Big Lots of about $1,600 Thursday night, deputies said.
The robbery was reported at 10:02 p.m.
Sheriff’s Sgt. Mike Mendoza said a man entered the store at 13942 Imperial Highway and demanded money. The employees handed over the cash to the robber.
He was last seen walking out of the store.
The suspect was described as a Latino in his early 30s with a mustache. He wore a red baseball cap, a plaid shirt and a leather jacket.
It’s the second robbery of a local Big Lots this week.
An armed man on Wednesday forced the manager of a Big Lots in Diamond Bar to hand over money from the store safe. Authorities haven’t determined if the two cases are linked.
- From Staff Writer Ruby Gonzales

UPDATE: La Mirada middle school locked down after shots fired in nearby home

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LA MIRADA — A middle school was evacuated early Friday as a SWAT team responded to reports of gunshots from inside a nearby home.
The incident began about 7:30 a.m. at a house on Mercado Avenue, near Rosecrans Avenue, Los Angeles County sheriff’s Sgt. Greg Arnold said.
Deputies responded to reports of gunshots heard inside the house, he said. Family members of the person believed to be inside the home told officials the man may want to harm himself.
At about 11 a.m., after refusing orders to surrender, “the suspect fired several rounds out of the house,” sheriff’s Sgt. Diane Hecht said in a written statement. No one was struck by the gunfire.
Nearby Los Coyotes Middle School, 14640 Mercado Avenue, was placed on lockdown as a precaution at the outset of the incident, authorities added, but the students were ultimately bused to the gym at La Mirada Park, 15105 Alicante Road, after the shots were fired.
Deputies encircled the home and attempted to contact the person inside, Arnold said. Deputies noted blood stains outside the home.
Nearby homes were also evacuated as a precaution.

UPDATE: 2 killed, 5 hurt in Lambert Road crash

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LA MIRADA — Two women died and three people suffered serious injuries when a Honda Accord carrying seven people crashed into a power pole and a tree, authorities said.
The names of the dead women were not released pending notification of their family members, Los Angeles County Coroner’s officials said.
California Highway Patrol officials described them as a 21-year-old woman, the driver, and a 20 year old woman. Both were from Whittier.
The car was heading west on Lambert Road, just east of Fireside Drive, about 3:50 a.m. when the crash occurred, CHP officials said in a written statement.
“For undetermined reasons, (the Honda) veered to the right, colliding with a wooden power pole, then continued in a westerly direction, colliding into a tree,” the statement said.
The 21-year-old driver and 20-year-old passenger were taken to hospitals where they died from their injuries, authorities said.
A 20-year-old Cerritos man and an 18-year-old La Puente man were hospitalized in critical condition following the crash, officials said, and a 23-year-old La Habra man was hospitalized with injuries including cuts to his head and broken bones in his back.
A 19-year-old Bellflower woman and a 20-year-old Cerritos woman riding in the car were hospitalized with apparently minor injuries, according to the CHP.
The cause of the crash was being investigated by the Santa Fe Springs office of the CHP.