Category Archives: Rowland Heights

Rowland Heights woman arrested on suspicion of elder abuse released without charges

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ROWLAND HEIGHTS — A woman arrested on suspicion of elder abuse earlier this week has been released without charges, county records show.
Hang Vu, 53, of Rowland Heights was arrested Tuesday on suspicion of abusing her step father by getting him to turn over large amounts of money and a home, Los Angeles County sheriff’s officials said.
Detectives arrested Vu following months of investigation, officials said.
But county booking records show Vu was released from jail Thursday, where she had been held in lieu of $325,000 bail, due to an “insufficient complaint,” county booking records show.
The investigation was ongoing.

Officials: Man who tried to flee country charged with Rowland Heights robbery, assault

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A Chinese national arrested while trying to board a one-way plane to China after skipping his court date for an alleged beating and robbery of another man in Rowland Heights appeared in court Thursday, officials said.
Gangyi Zhang, 20, pleaded not to charges of robbery and assault with means likely to cause great bodily injury in West Covina Superior Court, Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office spokeswoman Shiara Davila-Morales said.
Zhang is accused of taking part in the beating and robbery of a man March 30 at a restaurant in the 18700 block of Colima Road in Rowland Heights, according to Deputy Benjamin Grubb Grubb of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Homicide Bureau.
“During the incident Zhang and other unknown suspects got into an argument with a 26 year old Pomona man,” Grubb said. “The argument escalated and Zhang and the other suspects kicked and punched the victim repeatedly while stealing his wallet.”
Zhang was identified as a suspect and arrested the following morning, according to sheriff’s officials and county booking records.
He was released from jail two days later after posting $50,000 bail, officials said. He was ordered to appear in court Monday, but failed to show up.
“At approximately 10:45 p.m. (Monday), United States Customs and Border Protection identified suspect Zhang at Los Angeles International Airport and arrested him as he attempted to board a flight to China,” Grubb said. “Zhang was returned to the custody of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.”
Zhang was being held without bail due to a hold placed on him by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, according to county booking records. He was due back in court July 6.

Rowland Heights woman arrested on suspicion of elder abuse

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ROWLAND HEIGHTS — A Rowland Heights woman was behind bars on suspicion of abusing her elderly father-in-law by taking thousands of dollars and a house from him, authorities said.
Hang Vu, 53, was booked on suspicion of elder abuse Tuesday and was being held in lieu of $325,000 bail pending her initial court appearance, according to Los Angeles County sheriff’s officials and county booking records.
Following five months of investigation, detectives arrested her at the home in the 18000 block of Mescal Avenue where she lived with the alleged victim — her step-father, Los Angeles County sheriff’s Sgt. Mario Estrada said.
The investigation revealed she had convinced the man to turn over thousands of dollars to her, as well as the title to a different home in an undisclosed area, Estrada said.
The man has since come to realize he was victimized by his step-daughter, Estrada said.
“During a search of the suspect’s residence, detective located additional evidence, along with property belonging to the victim,” Lt. Steve Katz said in a written statement. “Although a suspect has been arrested, the investigation is ongoing.”

UPDATE: Hearing delayed for Rowland Heights doctor charged with murder following overdose deaths

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LOS ANGELES — The start of a complex preliminary hearing was delayed Friday in the case of a Rowland Heights doctor accused of three counts of murder in the deaths of three young men who overdosed on powerful pain drugs while under her care in 2009.
At a brief hearings Friday morning and again in the afternoon, Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge M.L. Villar de Longoria ordered all sides in the case to return to court Monday afternoon in the case of Hsiuying “Lisa” Tseng, 42, of Walnut.
The preliminary hearing, in which the judge will listen to a summary of the evidence from the defense and prosecution and determine whether there is sufficient evidence to order a trial, is expected to take more than two weeks.
Tseng was arrested March 1 and has been charged with three counts of murder, as well as 20 other felony charges related to the improper distribution of powerful painkillers such as oxycodone, hydrocodone and Methadone.
Through abuse of her prescription pad, Los Angeles County District Attorney’s officials allege, Tseng killed Vu Nguyen, 29, of Lake Forest, who died March 2, 2009; Steven Ogle, 25, of Palm Desert, who died April 9, 2009; and Joseph Rovero III, 21, of San Ramon, who died Dec. 18, 2009.
Prosecutors allege the drugs were prescribed without a valid medical reason.
Tseng, a doctor of osteopathic medicine, practiced out of a clinic called Advanced Care AAA Medical in Rowland Heights, which was searched by investigators in August of 2010. She has remained jailed in lieu of $3 million since her arrest earlier this year. 
At her brief court appearance Friday morning, Tseng sat hunched silently, her hands shackled at the waist, using a tissue to dab her eyes beneath wire-framed glasses. She clutched a yellow bag.
She was represented in court by attorneys Allan Stokke and T. Edward Welbourn. Two other lawyers, Anthony Brooklier and Donald Marks, also comprise the doctor’s defense team.
Brooklier declined to comment Friday.
In an interview with the Los Angeles Times prior to her arrest, Tseng denied any wrongdoing and said she can’t be held responsible for patients who abuse their prescriptions.
Tseng has already settled in civil court with the families of five five other men who overdosed in 2009 on powerful pain killers prescribed by the doctor.
Tseng, who earned her medical license in 1997, began practicing at the Rowland Heights clinic in 2005.
Deputy district attorneys John Niedermann and Grace Rai are prosecuting the case.
If convicted as charged, Tseng could face 45 years to life in state prison.

Rowland Heights doctor accused of three murders due in court

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LOS ANGELES — A Rowland Heights doctor charged with three counts of murder and other crimes after patients in her care overdosed on prescription painkillers was is due in court Friday for a preliminary hearing, officials said.
Dr. Hsiuying “Lisa” Tseng has been held in lieu of $3 million bail since her March 1 arrest on suspicion of the murders of three patients in her car: Vu Nguyen, 29, of Lake Forest, who died on March 2, 2009; Steven Ogle, 25, of Palm Desert, who died on April 9, 2009; and Joseph Rovero III, 21, of San Ramon, who died on Dec. 18, 2009. 
She is accused of prescribing large amounts of powerful painkillers to the men without a medical need, according to Los Angeles County District Attorney’s officials.
She was expected to appear in Los Angeles Superior Court Friday morning for her preliminary hearing on the murder charges, as well as 20 other charges related to prescribing drugs by fraud, officials said.
She has already been found civilly liable in connection with the painkiller overdose deaths of five other young men she was treating in a lawsuit.
If convicted as charged, Tseng faces up to 45 years to life in prison.

Crime, schools to be discussed at Rowland Heights Community Coordinating Council meeting

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ROWLAND HEIGHTS — Residents are invited to meet with law enforcement officials, political leaders and school officials next week to discuss issues affecting the city.
The Rowland Heights Community Coordinating Council is hosting the 7 p.m. meeting April 9 at the Pathfinder Park Community Center, at the southeast corner of Pathfinder and Fullerton roads, RHCCC President Beth Hojnacke said in a written statement.
The meeting is to include two special reports.
Capt. David Halm of the sheriff’s Walnut-Diamond Bar Station, which patrols Rowland Heights, will give a presentation on crime trends in the Rowland Heights area, Hojnacke said.
Additionally, Rowland Heights Unified School District Superintendent Maria Ott and other district officials will discuss the state of the RUSD budget.
Representatives of the offices of State Rep. Curt Hagman, R-Chino Hills, State Sen. Bob Huff, R-Walnut, and Los Angeles County Supervisor Don Knabe are expected to attend.
For more information, visit rhccc.netfirms.com.

Rowland Heights meeting planned to discuss early prisoner release, transfers

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ROWLAND HEIGHTS — The community is invited to meet with an assemblyman, sheriff’s officials and the Rowland Heights Community Coordinating Council this afternoon to discuss the impact of prison realignment and early prisoner release from county jails on the eastern San Gabriel Valley.
Assemblyman Curt Hagman, R-Chino Hills, as well as sheriff’s Deputy Chief James Lopez, Commander Michael Rothans and Capt. Dave Halm are scheduled to speak at the meeting, which is planned at 7 p.m. at Pathfinder Regional Park, 18150 E. Pathfinder Road, organizers said in a written statement.
Topics will include, “What will be the impact on the communities of the San Gabriel Valley?” “Why are the increases in prisoner releases and transfers occurring?” and “What should residents do to protect themselves.”
For more information, visit rhccc.netfirms.com.

Rowland Heights doctor pleads not guilty to murder charges

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LOS ANGELES — A Rowland Heights doctor accused of murder in the connection with the drug overdose deaths of three young men in her care pleaded not guilty Friday, officials said.
Dr. Hsiuying “Lisa” Tseng entered the plea in Los Angeles Superior Court and was ordered to return April 30 for a preliminary hearing, according to court officials.
Judge Kalra Upinder also denied Tseng’s request to have he bail reduced, officials said, and the doctor remained in custody in lieu of $3 million bail.
While in her care, Vu Nguyen, 29, of Lake Forest died on March 2, 2009; Steven Ogle, 25, of Palm Desert died on April 9, 2009; and Joseph Rovero III, 21, of San Ramon died on Dec. 18, 2009, officials said.
She allegedly prescribed large amounts of powerful painkillers to the men without a medical need.
She has already been found liable in civil court in connection with the painkiller overdose deaths of five other young men she was treating.
Along with three counts of murder, Los Angeles County District Attorney’s prosecutors charged Tseng with 20 felony counts of prescribing drugs using fraud.
Tseng faces up to 45 years to life in prison if convicted as charged.

Hearing delayed for Rowland Heights doctor charged with three murders

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LOS ANGELES — The arraignment for a Rowland Heights doctor accused of three counts of murder after three men she prescribed powerful painkillers to died was postponed until next week, officials said.
In addition to the murder charges, Dr. Hsiuying “Lisa” Tseng is charged with 20 felony counts of prescribing drugs without a legitimate purpose and one count of prescribing drugs using fraud, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office.
Her arraignment, initially scheduled for Friday in Los Angeles Superior Court, was continued until March 16, court officials said.
She is accused of prescribing large quantities of painkillers to the men without a legitimate medical reason.
While in her care, Vu Nguyen, 29, of Lake Forest died on March 2, 2009; Steven Ogle, 25, of Palm Desert died on April 9, 2009; and Joseph Rovero III, 21, of San Ramon died on Dec. 18, 2009, officials said.
She has previously been found liable in civil court in connection with the overdose deaths of five other young men in her care.
Tseng remained jailed Friday in lieu of $3 million bail, according to county booking records.
If convicted as charged, Tseng could face 45 years to life in state prison.

UPDATED: Rowland Heights doctor charged with murder following patients’ overdose deaths

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ROWLAND HEIGHTS — Officials arrested a doctor on suspicion three counts of murder Thursday in connection with the deaths of three men who overdosed on drugs prescribed by the doctor at her Rowland Heights office, authorities said.
Hsiu-Ying “Lisa” Tseng, 42, of Walnut, was arrested by California Medical Board investigators and booked at the sheriff’s Walnut-Diamond Bar Station, Los Angeles County District Attorney’s spokeswoman Jane Robison said.
A felony complaint filed in court Wednesday accuses Tseng of three counts of second-degree murder of three men in their 20s, according to district attorney’s office spokeswoman Sandi Gibbons.
“All were patients of Tseng, who prescribed a myriad of drugs for the three young men,” she said.
Patients of Tseng’s received prescriptions for “cocktails of drugs,” which included, in part, Methadone, Oxycodone, Hydrocodone, Oxymorphone, Suboxone, Gibbons said.
Tseng is being held in lieu of $3 million bail pending a scheduled arraignment Friday in Los Angeles Superior Court, officials said.
Through abuse of her medical license, officials allege, Tseng is suspected of causing the drug overdose deaths of Vu Nguyen, 29, of Lake Forest on March 2, 2009; Steven Ogle, 25, of Palm Desert on April 9, 2009; and Joseph Rovero III, 21, of San Ramon on Dec. 18, 2009.
A representative of the Fullerton Road clinic which is still operated by Tseng’s husband, Advanced Care AAA Medical, said by telephone that the office had no comment regarding the arrest.
In addition to the murder charges, Tseng is charged with 20 felony counts of prescribing drugs without a legitimate purpose and one count of prescribing drugs using fraud, Gibbons said.
“Two of the prescription counts involve two of the patients who died,” she added. “The remainder of the prescription counts involves victims who survived or prescriptions written for undercover officers.”
On top of the criminal charges, Tseng late last year and early this year settled lawsuits brought by five Orange County families after their loved ones, also young men, overdosed on drugs supplied by the doctor in 2009, said Irvine attorney Larry Eisenberg, who represented all five families. The civil cases involved different patients than the criminal case.
The dollar-amount of the settlement is confidential, he added.
“We consider the settlements to be an admission of fault on behalf of Dr. Tseng,” Eisenberg said.
Upon hearing news of the criminal charges against Tseng, “The families feel vindicated to some effect, but obviously nothing that happens subsequently is going to bring their children back.”
“The (murder) charges are justified based on the horrendous, illegal and immoral conduct of the doctor,” he said.
The alleged pattern helped motivate prosecutors to file murder charges in connection with the deaths of Nguyen, Ogle and Rovero, Gibbons said.
Tseng received her medical license in 1997 and opened the storefront medical office in Rowland Heights in 2005, authorities said.
Investigators began looking into her practice in 2008 after a pharmacy reported a high number of patients showing up with prescriptions for painkillers from Tseng.
Tseng, a doctor of osteopathic medicine, had her DEA registration revoked after officials investigators searched her office in August of 2010, officials said.
The Osteophathic Medical Board of California has begun procedures to have her medical license revoked.
“Dr. Feelgoods who knowingly over-prescribe drugs for no medical reason other than someone asks for the drugs and pays the doctor a staggering amount of money will be dealt with severely,” said District Attorney Steve Cooley. “Prescription drug overdose deaths have reached epidemic proportions. Enough is enough. Doctors are not above the law.”
If convicted as charged, Tseng could face 45 years to life in state prison.