Category Archives: Rosemead

FBI seeks “Don’t Even Bandit” for bank robberies in SGV, Inland Empire

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A Thursday bank heist in Rosemead was the work of a serial bandit linked to at least five bank robberies and attempted robberies throughout Los Angeles and San Bernardino counties, officials said Friday.
In addition to the robbery at a Bank of the West branch in Rosemead Thursday, the “Don’t Even Bandit” is also sought in connection with four other bank robberies in Alhambra, Covina, Fontana and Ontario dating back to Aug. 27, FBI officials said in a written statement.
The other crimes linked to the bandit include: a Sept. 17 robbery at a One West branch, 144 N. 2nd Street in Covina; a Sept. 8 robbery at a Bank of the West branch, 855 W. Valley Blvd. in Alhambra; a failed Sept. 7 robbery at a Citibank branch, 8401 Sierra Boulevard in Fontana; and an Aug. 27 robbery at a Bank of America branch, 735 N. Euclid Ave. in Ontario, according to the FBI.
“He got his name based on witnesses describing that his verbal demands included the threatening language, “don’t even,” FBI spokeswoman Ari DeKofsky said.
In all five crimes, the bandit’s tactics were similar, she added.
In addition to verbally demanding cash, the robber passes a teller a note, DeKofsky said. “They’re very short, basically just indicating it is a robbery.”
No weapon has been seen during the crimes, however because of the violent nature of bank robbery, DeKofsky said the suspect is considered “armed and dangerous.”
The Don’t Even Bandit is described as a black man between 30 and 35 years old, 5 feet 6 inches to 5 feet 8 inches tall and 150 to 170 pounds, officials said. He was seen wearing baseball caps in all five crimes.
In the most recent robbery in Rosemead, he was seen fleeing the area in a black Nissan Versa, possibly a 2010 model, with no tinting on the windows and a California license plate, officials said.
Anyone with information is asked to call the FBI at 888-226-8443, or a local law enforcement agency.
SURVEILLANCE PHOTO courtesy of the FBI

Man robs Rosemead bank

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ROSEMEAD – A man in a gray sweater used a note demanding money to rob a bank of an undisclosed amount Thursday.

Lt. Ignacio Samoano of the sheriff’s Temple station said the suspect entered the Bank of the West at 9000 Valley Blvd. in Rosemead just after noon and placed a demand note before a teller.

The teller handed over money. Samoano said no weapon was seen on the suspect.

The robber left in a 4-door black compact vehicle or 4-door black mid-sized vehicle.

He was described as a black man, 20 to 25, 5 feet 11 inches tall and weighing 190 pounds. In addition to the sweater, he wore a black baseball cap.

- Ruby Gonzales

UPDATE: Rosemead wrestling coach from Baldwin Park sought on suspicion of molesting boy

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Detectives sought the public’s help Tuesday in tracking down a 29-year-old Baldwin Park man accused of molesting a teenage boy after the alleged victim’s mother was alerted to the abuse by a YouTube video, authorities said.
Herbert Daniel Ortiz, also known as Herbert Ortiz Monroy, molested the teenage boy while working as an assistant wrestling coach at Rosemead High School, where he was employed from 2007 to 2009, Los Angeles County sheriff’s officials said.
Ortiz founded the Bad News Panthers Kids’ Wrestling Program in Rosemead in 2010, and has worked their as coach and program director since, according to sheriff’s investigators and the programs website.
A video posted on YouTube.com helped identify Ortiz as a suspect after the victim’s mother came across it on the Internet, officials said.
“In the video, another male alleged he was victimized by the suspect and was warning viewers, specifically those residing in Rosemead, California, to protect their children,” sheriff’s officials said in a written statement. “The mother recognized the suspect as a former assistant wresting coach at Rosemead High School and asked her 14-year old son if he had been a victim. Her son then disclosed the sexual abuse by the suspect.”
The molestation was ongoing, involving “multiple incidents,” Sgt. Dan Scott of the sheriff’s Special Victims Bureau said. The crimes are alleged to have taken place in Rosemead, Baldwin Park and El Monte.
In the original video, a young man, who is now an adult, said he had been abused by Ortiz, showed his picture and warned others about the abuse, Scott said.
“We have talked to him,” Scott said of the young man who posted the online video. “We’re doing follow up interviews with him. There are allegations dating back to 2002.”
The investigation into the video poster’s allegations remained ongoing, Scott said, and prosecution for the older crimes was a possibility.
Investigators were still looking into whether any formal allegations were made against Ortiz in the past, he added.
“Investigators believe there may be additional victims who may have been sexually abused by the suspect,” the sheriff’s statement said.
Detectives have been unable to find Ortiz, and believe the suspect was aware of the Internet video that had been posted, and that investigators are seeking him, Scott said.
The Bad News Panthers website states that Ortiz, “established the kids wrestling program based on a simple vision of creating an outlet for local youths to come and test their inner strengths; to encourage the kids to challenge themselves, and teaching them to ‘dream big’. His basic principle, ‘Good discipline and good habits will be rewarded with great success on and off the Mat.’”
The website also describes Ortiz as a Rosemead High School graduate and former assistant coach at Granby High School in Virginia.
The website was no longer accessible Wednesday, and representatives of the Bad News Panther’s Kids Wrestling Program could not be reached by telephone.
Scott said investigators are in the process of interviewing wrestlers at the Bad News Panthers club, as well as others who have had contact with Ortiz.
Anyone who spots Ortiz is asked to call 9-1-1 immediately. Parents, possible victims or anyone with information can reach the sheriff’s Special Victims Bureau at 877-710-5273 or via email at specialvictimsbureau@lasd.org. Tips can also be submitted anonymously by calling L.A. Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477.
PHOTO of Herbert Ortiz courtesy of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department

Attempted robbery reported in Rosemead

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ROSEMEAD — An armed robber fled empty-handed after a man refused to give up his property early Friday, authorities said.
The crime was reported about 4:30 a.m. in the 1000 block of South San Gabriel Boulevard, Los Angeles County sheriff’s Lt. Tim Murakami said.
A man in his early 20s was approached by the robber, initially described only as a Latino man brandishing a handgun, who demanded his cell phone and wallet.
“The victim refused, and the suspect ran,” the lieutenant said.
No further details were available.

Armed suspect arrested after Rosemead carjacking

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Deputies tracked down a Rosemead armed carjacking suspect with the help of a LoJack system late Thursday, officials said.
Jose Ramos, 31, was booked on suspicion of carjacking following his arrest by deputies from the sheriff’s East Los Angeles Station, Los Angeles County sheriff’s  officials said. His hometown was not immediately available.
He’s accused of approaching a man and taking his car at gunpoint in the parking lot of the Garden Inn, in the 5300 block of Rosemead Boulevard in Rosemead, shortly before 11 p.m. Thursday, Moreno said.
East Los Angeles deputies received a signal from a LoJack tracking system and found the car, as well as Ramos and a gun, in their jurisdiction, Moreno said.
According to county booking records, Ramos was being held in lieu of $100,000 bail pending his scheduled arraignment Tuesday in Alhambra Superior Court.

Gang members from Whittier, Montebello accused of 2007 fatal beating, robbery of elderly Rosemead man

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ROSEMEAD — Two admitted gang members gang members from Whittier and Montebello are awaiting trial in connection with the beating and robbery of an 82-year-old Rosemead man who ultimately died from his injuries, officials said Saturday.
Robert Hewitt was found robbed and badly beaten Nov. 5, 2007, inside the garage of his home in the 8500 block of Guess Street, according to Los Angeles County sheriff’s officials.
“He remained in a coma until being pronounced dead 11 months later (Oct. 17, 2008) from injuries sustained in the robbery,” Lt. Mike Rosson of the Sheriff’s Homicide Bureau said in a written statement.
Though detectives had some initial clues to follow and identified suspects, the case grew cold due to a lack of evidence, Rosson said.
New revelations in the case earlier this month led to the arrests of Adrian Gardea, 26, of Whittier and Leonardo Alegre, 36, of Montebello on suspicion of murder, robbery and burglary, investigators said. The men are each also accused of the special allegation of crimes against the elderly.
They were both arrested May 10 by deputies from the Sheriff’s Surveillance/Apprehension Team, according to county booking records.
They were arraigned May 14 in El Monte Superior Court and were scheduled for another hearing in their case June 4, according to officials and records.
As detectives initially investigated the crime, “Possible suspects, who attempted to use the victim’s stolen credit cards after the robbery, were identified and interviewed, but could not be tied directly to the robbery or murder,” Rosson said.
Biological evidence from the scene also pointed to one of the men caught trying to use the stolen credit cards, the lieutenant said, and helped investigators identify a second suspect and a vehicle believed to have been involved in the killing.
“However, there was not enough evidence to obtain a criminal filing for the robbery or murder, and the case went cold for several years,” Rosson said.
“In May, 2012, investigators (Dan) McElderry and (Ken) Perry were able to gain additional information though investigative techniques, which led to the arrest of the two suspects,” he said.
Officials released no further details on what new information recently came to light in the investigation.
Both Gardea and Alegre are “admitted gang members from the San Gabriel Valley area,” Rosson said, though their specific gang affiliations were not disclosed.
According to county booking records, both suspects were being held without bail at the Men’s Central Jail in Los Angeles.

Man beaten and robbed in Rosemead

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ROSEMEAD – Three robbers beat a man and stole his wallet Thursday afternoon.
The robbery happened about 2:30 p.m. in a parking lot in the 3600 block of Rosemead Boulevard.
Sheriff’s Lt. Tim Murakami said the victim was sitting in his car when a light-colored Mercedes pulled up and three men got out.
They beat the victim and took his wallet. Murakami didn’t know how much money was in the wallet.
The suspects drove off in the Mercedes and were last seen heading north on Rosemead Boulevard.
Murakami said the victim declined medical treatment.
- Ruby Gonzales

Woman shot to death by deputies in Rosemead

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ROSEMEAD — Deputies shot and killed a woman who attacked them with a hammer at an office on Valley Blvd., authorities said.
Los Angeles County Sheriff’s officials initially described the woman as being in her 40s.
The shooting took place about 3:40 p.m. at the Asian Pacific Family Center, 9353 Valley Blvd., Los Angeles County sheriff’s Lt. Tom McNeal said.
Deputies responded to a report of an apparently mentally disturbed woman “sitting in the lobby with a hammer in lap,” the lieutenant said.
Three deputies arrived and tried to detain the women, but she attacked them with the hammer, he said.
A deputy tried to shock the woman with a Taser but it failed to stop her, McNeal said.
The woman continued her attack on the deputies, and one of the shot her fatally.
The building was evacuated during the investigation.

Failed bank robbery reported in Rosemead, suspect jailed

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ROSEMEAD — Deputies arrested a Rosemead man who tried, but failed, to rob a Bank of America branch Tuesday, officials said.
Daniel Solis, 19, was booked on suspicion of attempted robbery, Los Angeles County sheriff’s officials said in a written statement.
Authorities responded to a call reporting a robbery at the Bank of America, 8856 Valley Blvd., just before 9:30 a.m., officials said. 
“Solis had entered the bank and presented a note to the teller demanding cash,” according to the statement. “The suspect became suspicious and fled prior to obtaining any money.”
As Solis tried to walk away from the bank casually, a bank employee flagged down a nearby sheriff’s deputy 
At the same time, a bank employee flagged down a deputy who happened to be passing by and pointed out the would-be robber, officials said. Solis was arrested without a struggle.
The FBI and the Sheriff’s Major Crimes Bureau are joining the sheriff’s Temple Station in the investigation.
According to county booking records, Solis was being held in lieu of $100,000 bail and was due for arraignment Thursday in El Monte Superior Court.

Suspect jailed, others sought, in Rosemead knife attack and robbery

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ROSEMEAD — A video game console transaction turned sour resulted in a robbery and knife attack Wednesday, officials said.
Deputies arrested the primary suspect in the attack, who wielded the knife, shortly after the incident with the help of a witness, Los Angeles County sheriff’s Lt. Tim Murakami said.
A witness reported seeing a group of about six young Asian men attack and stab a group of three young black men about 5:30 p.m. in the area of Rosemead and Valley boulevards, the lieutenant said. Two of the three victims suffered superficial cuts to their arms and backs.
The witness followed the attackers as they fled, providing deputies with a description and license plate number, Murakami said.
Deputies were able to capture the suspect believed to have wielded the knife, and continued seeking the others, he said. The suspect’s name was not released Thursday due to the ongoing investigation.
During the attack, the knife-wielding man is accused of stealing the victims’ cell phones.
Murakami said the attack stemmed from the sale of a video game console.
The victims had sold the suspects the machine the day before, but the suspects claimed it didn’t work properly and demanded their money back Wednesday, he said.
When they did receive a refund, Murakami said, one of the attackers pulled a knife, slashed the men and helped himself to their phones.
Anyone with information is asked to call the sheriff’s Temple Station at 626-448-9861.