Category Archives: San Dimas

UPDATED: Young man killed in San Dimas motorcycle crash

Posted on by
Reply
60245-MOTORCRASH-thumb-300x184-60244.jpg
SAN DIMAS — An 18-year-old Pomona man died Thursday in a motorcycle crash on the 57 Freeway near Arrow Highway, authorities said.
Daniel G. Calvillo died at the scene of the crash, which was reported about 9:45 a.m. on the northbound freeway, just north of Covina Boulevard, California Highway Patrol Officer Kerri Rivas said.
Calvillo was riding his 2011 Suzuki GSX-R600 motorcycle northbound on the freeway at about 70 mph just prior to the crash, the officer said. A 49-year-old Corona man was driving a 2001 Ford F-150 directly in front of Calvillo at 55 to 60 mph.
“(The F-150 driver) slowed his vehicle to allow another driver ahead of him to change lanes,” Rivas said. “For unknown reasons, Mr. Calvillo could not stop his motorcycle in time and rear-ended the 2001 Ford F-150.”
“Immediately after impact, Mr. Calvillo lost control of his motorcycle and was ejected onto the freeway pavement,” Rivas said.
Paramedics pronounced him dead just after 10 a.m.
Officials issued a Sig Alert for the three left lanes of the freeway for about two hours as they investigated.
The crash was being handled by the Baldwin Park office of the CHP.
Any witnesses were asked to call the Baldwin Park CHP office at 626-338-1164, or after hours, the Los Angeles Communications Center can be reached at 323-982-4900.
PHOTO by staff photographer Keith Birmingham

Sheriff’s golf tournament in San Dimas to benefit Special Olympics

Posted on by
Reply
SAN DIMAS — The Los Angeles County sheriff’s Temple Station is planning a charity golf tournament in May, organizers said.
The registration deadline is May 7 for the tournament, which is to be held May 21 at the San Dimas Canyon Golf Course, 2100 Terrebonne
Avenue in San Dimas, sheriff’s officials said in a written statement.
Proceeds from the event will benefit the Special Olympics Southern California and events hosted by the sheriff’s Temple Station.
Registration and check-in begins at 10:30 a.m., to be followed by a shotgun start at noon, officials said. The event, which will be limited to 144 players, will include lunch, beverages, prizes for top golfers and raffle prizes.
The cost of entry is $100 per player, though larger contributions can be made as well.
Completed entry forms can be mailed, along with entry fees, to the Temple Station, 8838 E. Las Tunas Drive, Temple City, 91780, attention of Maria Sigala. Checks can be made payable to the Temple Station Booster/Support Group.
Entry forms are available at the sheriff’s Temple Station, 8838 Las Tunas Dr.
For more information, contact Tom McNeal at 626-241-0509, Maria Sigala at 626-292-3367, April Nelsen at 626-292-3346, John McNeal at 323-526-5245.

UPDATED: Man killed after tumbling from moving SUV on 10 Freeway in San Dimas

Posted on by
Reply
SAN DIMAS — An Ontario man died Saturday after jumping out of an SUV as it traveled at about 65 mph on the 10 Freeway, authorities said.
Javier Gonzalez, 28, suffered severe injuries in the incident, which took place just after 4 p.m. on the eastbound 10 Freeway at Via Verde, California Highway Patrol Sgt. Alex Antillon said.
He died at a hospital a short time later, officials said.
Gonzalez was a rear passenger sitting on the right side of a Chevrolet Suburban in the fast lane of the freeway when, for reasons that remained under investigation, he tumbled from the SUV, the sergeant said. He ended up lying in the No. 2 traffic lane, but was not struck by any additional vehicles.
The initial investigation indicated Gonzalez intentionally jumped from the SUV, CHP Sgt. Steve Licon said.
“We’re not considering it an accident, because the door, the door latch, was functioning properly,” he said.
But officials were still looking into exactly what Gonzalez’s intentions were, Licon added.
“There’s no suicide note or anything like that,” he said. “We don’t know what he was thinking.”
The circumstances that led up to the incident remained under investigation, however Gonzalez was not believed to have said or done anything unusual prior to leaping from the SUV, Licon said.
It was not clear Sunday whether Gonzalez had a history of mental illness.
The SUV was being driven by Gonzalez’s aunt, a 43-year-old Ontario woman, Licon said, and another male relative was also riding in the vehicle.
Officials shut down the three left lanes of eastbound traffic as they investigated the scene, and briefly closed all traffic on the westbound side of the 10 Freeway as a helicopter landed to rush the severely wounded man to a hospital. All lanes were reopened by 5 p.m.
The incident is being investigated by the Baldwin Park office of the CHP.

Three arrested in San Dimas after woman spots her own car driving on freeway

Posted on by
Reply
SAN DIMAS — Sheriff’s deputies arrested a man and two women on suspicion of auto theft Wednesday after a woman spotted her own car, which had been stolen earlier in the day, driving on the 10 Freeway, authorities said.
A woman had her Mazda Miata stolen Wednesday morning in Montclair, Los Angeles County sheriff’s Sgt. Kirk Smith said.
As she was on her way to school on the 10 Freeway in another vehicle about 9:45 a.m., “She spotted her car driving down the freeway,” Smith said.
The woman called deputies as she followed the car until it headed south on the 57 Freeway, exited at Arrow Highway and pulled into a gas station, Smith said.
The car and three suspects were still at the gas station when deputies arrived, he added. The suspects were arrested without a struggle.
The names of the suspects, who were turned over to Montclair police for booking, were not immediately available.

Car damaged by booby trap in San Dimas; series of similar incidents reported in same area

Posted on by
Reply
SAN DIMAS – Deputies are looking for whoever placed a booby trap in the middle of a street Friday that sent a rock crashing into a passing car.
The 30-year-old San Dimas man driving the car wasn’t injured in the 7:50 p.m. incident, according to sheriff’s Sgt. David Buckner.
But he said a rock, spray-painted black, smashed the windshield of the 2006 Audi and hit the right rear passenger door.
The device left in the 500 block of West Gladstone Street consisted of a rock placed on top of a 4-foot tall traffic delineator post. Both were painted black.
Buckner said the paint was still sticky and that the device was placed in the middle of the lane in a dark area.
Since the delineator post was four feet tall, he said the rock was positioned to hit a windshield.
It’s not the first time this has happened on Gladstone Street, east of Amelia Avenue.
The sergeant said there have been three or four similar incidents in the past year where a painted rock and even a piece of plastic embedded with nails and drill bits were placed on the road.
“All in the same area,” Buckner said.
While there have been no injuries, he said vehicles have been damaged including one driven by a reserve deputy.
Deputies don’t know if the same person is behind all incidents.
Under the law, it is illegal to put oil, glass, nails or any substance on the street that will injure a person or an animal or damage a vehicle. It becomes a felony charge if the suspect does it with the intent to cause great bodily injury to anyone using the street.
Anyone with information on the case is asked to call the sheriff’s San Dimas station at 909-450-2700.
- Ruby Gonzales

Dreier announced nominees to military academies

Posted on by
Reply
SAN DIMAS — Congressman David Dreier Wednesday announced his nominees for the U.S. Air Force, Military, Naval and Merchant Marine academies.
“This is an outstanding group of young people,” Dreier, R-San Dimas, said in a written statement. “They would all provide exemplary service as military officers and make our country, state, and communities proud.”
Dreier’s nominees for the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado are: Adrian Castillo of San Dimas; Paul Dean of La Crescenta; Kelly Dualan of San Dimas; Alex Wei Lee of Arcadia; Evan Luckey of La Crescenta; Gregory Mak of Arcadia; Alexander Pumerantz of Claremont; Melanie Sanchez of Alta Loma; Jaron Swinburn of Rancho Cucamonga; and Ian Taylor of La Crescenta.
Nominees for the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, New York, are: Andrew Borer of Alta Loma, David Choe of La Caada Flintridge; One Sik “Michael” Choi of La Canada Flintridge; Floyd Sie-Obadiah Clark II of Rancho Cucamonga; Desirae Grumbine of Alta Loma; Koa LaBonta of Rancho Cucamonga; Steven Liu of San Marino; Joanne Oh of Walnut; Austin Serrano of Rancho Cucamonga; and Bryan Wolak of San Dimas.
Dreier’s nominees for the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland are: Steven Backofen of Upland; James Baluyut of Rancho Cucamonga; Adrian Castillo of San Dimas; Patrick Chen of Arcadia; Ryker Convento of Rancho Cucamonga; John Diskin of Upland; Amy Epperson of Upland; Robert Grizzle of Glendora; Austin Grow of Alta Loma, Desirae Grumbine of Alta Loma; Albert Jagels of San Marino; Phillip Juarez of Arcadia; Alexis Kelm of Rancho Cucamonga; Alex Wei Lee of Arcadia; Taylor Mooers of Covina; Kevin O’Toole of a Caada Flintridge; Alexander Pumerantz of Claremont; Alisha Sako of Rancho Cucamonga; Austin Serrano of Rancho Cucamonga; and Casey Thompson of Arcadia.
U.S. Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, New York, nominees are: Steven Backofen of Upland; John Diskin of Upland; Albert Jagels of San Marino; Kenneth Moore of Arcadia; Brandon Muoz of San Dimas; Samy Oubeid of Upland; Alisha Sako of Rancho Cucamonga; Alexandra Santrach of Rancho Cucamonga; and Austin Serrano of Rancho Cucamonga.
“The nominees will compete with other applicants from around the nation for the available positions in the classes that will enter in July of 2012,” according to the statement from Dreier’s office.

Elderly transient injured in brush fire; three hurt in related crash

Posted on by
Reply

SAN DIMAS — A 66-year-old transient sustained burns to 15 percent of her body when a campfire started a brush fire Wednesday night, officials said.
Two deputies and a driver were also injured when a patrol car heading to the fire collided with a van.
The fire broke out at 8:24 p.m. in an area southeast of San Dimas Avenue and Puddingstone Drive.
Eddie Pickett, a Los Angeles County Fire supervising dispatcher, said 25 firefighters knocked down the blaze at 8:43 p.m.
Firefighters estimated it burned about 200 feet of brush.
Deputies couldn’t confirm reports that an explosion was heard before the fire.
Sheriff’s Lt. Andy Berg said the 66-year-old woman was taken to a hospital.
The crash happened within minutes of the fire being reported.
A van heading east on Arrow Highway pulled over to yield to a fire truck.
The driver, a 54-year-old woman, also saw two patrol cars with their lights and sirens pass, according to Berg. The deputies went from westbound Arrow Highway to southbound San Dimas Avenue.
Berg said all other traffic was stopped. The van proceeded through the intersection and collided with a patrol car.
He said the van’s driver injured her left wrist, the deputy driving the patrol car complained of pain to her wrist and the deputy sitting in the front passenger seat complained of neck and back pain. All three were taken to hospital.
The deputies were expected to be released later from the hospital.
- From Staff Writer Ruby Gonzales

Man ordered to stand trial for 1985 slaying of Covina woman

Posted on by
Reply

POMONA — A judge Wednesday ordered a former San Dimas man arrested in Las Vegas earlier this year in connection with the murder of a Covina woman 26 years ago to stand trial Wednesday.
Stafford Joel Spicer, 55, is charged with the death of aspiring model and travel agency employee Jo Anne Marie, 23, of Covina, who went missing after leaving her boyfriend’s condo in Long Beach on April 28, 1985.
Her body was discovered off of East Fork Road, near highway 39, in the Angeles National Forest more than a month later.
After a three-day preliminary hearing in Pomona Superior Court, Judge Bruce Marrs ruled that there was sufficient evidence to hold Spicer for a trial, court officials said.
He’s scheduled to return to court Jan. 24 for an arraignment.
Prosecutors allege the killing occurred as Spicer was trying to kidnap, rob and rape Jones.
He was found driving Jones 1978 Chevrolet Camaro and initially arrested three days after Jones went missing, but more than a month before her body was found, authorities said. He was ultimately released due to a lack of evidence.
In 2009, Los Angeles County sheriff’s homicide detectives learned new information and obtained new DNA evidence that caused them to take another look at the 26-year-old investigation, authorities said. Recent advances in DNA technology also made the arrest possible.
He was taken into custody in Las Vegas, where he had since moved.
According to county booking records, Spicer is being held without bail at the Men’s Central Jail in Los Angeles pending trial.

Horse dies after falling from cliff on Antonivich trail near San Dimas

Posted on by
Reply

SAN DIMAS — Firefighter and animal control officials were summoned to the Michael D. Antonovich Trail Saturday after horse apparently fell over a cliff and died, authorities said.
The incident was reported about 11:10 a.m. on the trail, which is just west of San Dimas, Los Angeles County Fire Department Dispatch Supervisor Melanie Flores said.
The horse was about 35-feet over the side of a cliff, she said, however the circumstances of what happened were not immediately available.
No human injuries were reported, and it was not clear if the horse carried a rider when it fell.

Victims identified, investigation continues in Puddingstone Reservoir watercraft crash

Posted on by
Reply
SAN DIMAS – An extensive investigation continued Sunday into the cause of a crash between a personal watercraft and a powerboat in Puddingstone Reservoir that left three women dead.
Mari-Con C. Yeso, 34, Anesia Barba Bautista, 59, of Glendora, and Aurora Cadiz Yeso, 59, whose city of residency wasn’t clear Sunday, died in Saturday’s 4:20 p.m. crash at Frank G. Bonelli Regional Park Los Angeles County Department of Coroner’s Lt. Joe Bale said.
 ”Detectives have learned that three women on a personal water craft were killed after colliding with a 21-foot boat,” Los Angeles County sheriff’s Deputy Tony Moore said in a written statement. “The cause of the accident is still under investigation, but investigators have determined that the driver of the boat was not intoxicated.”
It was not yet known if the women on the personal watercraft had been drinking.
“Homicide detectives, working in conjunction with an Accident Recreation Specialist from the Los Angeles County Parks and Recreation, will attempt to recreate the accident to determine the cause,” Moore said.
Anyone with information was asked to call sheriff’s homicide detectives at 323-890-5500.
The reservoir will be closed to boating and water activities Monday due to the ongoing investigation, Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation Officials said. Frank G. Bonelli Park will be open to the public.