Search continues for San Gabriel teen who vanished a year ago

Posted on December 7, 2016 by Brian Day

SAN GABRIEL >> The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children on Wednesday renewed its call for help in finding a 15-year-old San Gabriel girl who disappeared a year ago.
Lisa Duran was last seen on Dec. 7, 2015, in San Gabriel, according to the NCMEC.
“(She) has been missing for a year and the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children is asking for your help to bring her home,” NCMEC officials said in a written statement.
“She may be in the local area or she may have travelled to San Bernardino County,” the statement said.
Duran is described as 5 feet 5 inches tall and about 125 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes.
Anyone with information about Lisa is urged to contact the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children at 800-843-5678, or the San Gabriel Police Department at 626-308-2828.

UPDATED: Deputies rescue elderly couple from burning home in North San Gabriel

Posted on October 16, 2016 by Brian Day

NORTH SAN GABRIEL >> Two sheriff’s deputies rescued an elderly couple from their burning home in the unincorporated county area of North San Gabriel over the weekend, authorities said.
Both deputies and the two elderly residents of the home were treated for smoke inhalation following the incident, which unfolded about 2 p.m. on Saturday at a home in the 8800 block of Broadway, just west of Rosemead Boulevard, Los Angeles County sheriff’s Lt. Frank Ruiz said.
Deputy Jaqueline Morales and Deputy Orlando “Chuey” Macias were on patrol when they happened to come across a house with smoke emanating from within, the lietenant said.
The deputies immediately went into the home to search for anyone who might be inside, Ruiz said. The move proved potentially life-saving.
As the deputies crawled through the home, beneath the smoke, they encountered an 89-year-old woman with a walker inside, as well as her 87-year-old husband, Ruiz said. Deputies Morales and Macias managed to get the seemingly disoriented residents out of the home.
Both deputies and both resident were taken to hospitals for treatment of smoke inhalation, officials said. The deputies were treated and promptly released. An update on the conditions of the elderly couple was not available Sunday, however their injuries were not initially believed to be life-threatening.
It was determined the blaze ignited as a grease fire in the kitchen, which spread into the wall, Ruiz said. The fire caused an estimated $10,000 worth of damage to the home.
Sheriff’s officials commended the deputies in a written statement.
“The quick actions of Deputy Morales and Deputy Macias, while placing themselves in harms way, undoubtedly saved the lives of this couple,” according to the statement. “ The deputies’ heroism is a reflection of their dedication to the communities served by Temple Station, and the representation of the core values of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department to the highest degree.”

PHOTOS courtesy of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.

UPDATED: Suspect in Altadena machete attack arrested near San Gabriel

Posted on September 29, 2016 by Brian Day

SAN GABRIEL >> Deputies arrested a man sought in connection with a machete attack on a woman in Altadena after an hour-long neighborhood search near San Gabriel late Wednesday, authorities said.
Authorities had been seeking 45-year-old Gaines Ashley Boyd since late Wednesday morning, when he allegedly struck his roommate in the head with a machete in Altadena and fled the scene, Los Angeles County sheriff’s officials said.
Deputies and Pasadena police spotted Boyd about 9:20 p.m., driving in the 1900 block of East Colorado Boulevard, Pasadena police Lt. John Luna said.
Deputies followed on the ground and via helicopter as Boyd drove a silver Porsche Carrera at high speeds to the 9100 block of Duarte Road in unincorporated East San Gabriel, sheriff’s officials said.
He then exited the car and ran through a nearby apartment complex, prompting deputies to launch a neighborhood search, sheriff’s Lt. Ronald Daily said.
Boyd was found and arrested without a struggle in a residential garage about 10:30 p.m., he said.
He was accused of assault with a deadly weapon in connection with the Altadena machete attack, which unfolded at his home in the 1500 block of East Altadena Drive, sheriff’s Lt. Daniel Stanley said.
The suspect’s roommate, a 45-year-old woman, suffered a serious but not life-threatening head wound in the attack, he said.
The motive was unclear.
According to county booking records, Boyd was being held in lieu of $75,000 bail pending his initial court appearance.

San Marino police jail San Gabriel man in large-scale mail, ID theft bust

Posted on September 17, 2016 by Brian Day

SAN MARINO >> San Marino police jailed a San Gabriel man this on suspicion of identity theft, mail theft and other crimes after catching him with a car filled with hundreds of pieces of stolen mail, checks, identification cards, credit cards, and other identity-theft related materials, police said.
Joseph Kamel, 40, was being held in lieu of $250,000 bail Saturday following his arrest on Thursday evening, according to San Marino police officials and Los Angeles County booking records.
Investigators had been seeking Kamel after he and his car were seen in connection with at least two mail or package thefts in the city dating back to May,San Marino police Sgt. Robert Matthews said.
After spotting Kamel driving through the city, an officers summoned backup and followed him into the 1500 block of Oak Knoll Avenue in Pasadena, where they pulled the car over and detained Kamel without a struggle, police said. He was alone in the black, 2011 Chevrolet Camaro.
“A subsequent investigation revealed Kamel to be in possession of a U.S. Postal service master key, hundreds of pieces of mail addressed to individual persons and businesses across Los Angeles County, over 100 checks that were addressed to other victims, banking statements, U.S. Passports, California Identification cards and Driver Licenses, credit card encoding and skimming devices, and ledgers containing personal and banking information of many other potential victims,” Sgt. Timothy Tebbetts said in a written statement.
Some of the people whose information was recovered from Kamel’s car had already been the victims of identity theft, Matthews said.
It was yet to be determined whether the case would be turned over to federal officials for prosecution, though it appeared likely, Matthews said. Mail theft is a federal crime.
Thursday’s arrest was the latest in series of arrests by area police for alleged large-scale mail and identity theft schemes.
Police in South Pasadena arrested a Highland Park woman on Sept. 3 after finding her driving through town with a treasure trove of stolen mail, documents, mail keys and other theft-related items. Marisa Rae Delgado, 27, is facing federal charges in the case.
And San Marino police in May arrested a mother and daughter for allegedly driving around with stolen mail, a U.S. Postal Service master key and methamphetamine, police said at the time. Estela Castaneda, 48, of Huntington Park and Elizabeth Castaneda, 22, of Rosemead, also face federal charges.
The two San Marino cases appear to be linked, officials said. Kamel posted bail for Elizabeth Castaneda following her arrest in May, officials said. Their relationship was unclear Saturday.
Kamel is scheduled to make his first appearance Tuesday in the Alhambra branch of Los Angeles County Superior Court, records show.

PHOTOS courtesy of the

Suspect jailed after break-in at San Gabriel nursery; $34,000 worth of bonsai trees stolen in burglary last month

Posted on September 4, 2016 by Brian Day

SAN GABRIEL >> Police arrested a convicted arsonist on suspicion of breaking into a San Gabriel plant nursery early Sunday, less than a month after the same nursery lost $34,000 worth of rare bonsai trees in another burglary, officials said.
Alonzo Delgadillo, 38, of Commerce was arrested in connection with this weekend’s burglary as detectives continued investigating his possible connection to the earlier break-in, San Gabriel police Lt. Riki Nakamura said.
A burglary alarm triggered just before 4 a.m. first brought police to the San Gabriel Nursery & Florist, 632 S. San Gabriel Blvd., according to the lieutenant. The owner also notified police that an intruder was visible remotely on the businesses’ surveillance cameras.
The suspect ran into the surrounding neighborhood as officers arrived, Nakamura said.
San Gabriel officers set up a search perimeter with help from Alhambra, Monterey Park, San Marino and South Pasadena police, he said. Officers and ultimately found Delgadillo hiding in a residential backyard, Nakamura said. They were about to send in a K-9 to apprehend him when he elected to surrender.
It appeared the burglary was interrupted before the suspect managed to steal anything, Nakamura added.
The same nursery was the victim of another break-in on Aug. 8.
“The suspect cut a hole in a chain link fence of the nursery and stole about $34,000 worth of bonsai trees,” Nakamura said.
The nine trees stolen in last months heist were valued between $950 and $5,000 each. The stolen trees have not been recovered.
Detectives had yet to establish a concrete link between the two break-ins, but were looking into the possibility they were releated, Nakamura said.
Delgadillo is already on probation due to a previous arson conviction, officials said.

Two wounded, suspect jailed following stabbing at San Gabriel boarding house

Posted on August 11, 2016 by Brian Day

SAN GABRIEL >> A man cut a woman’s neck and also stabbed her boyfriend when he defended her in an unprovoked attack at a San Gabriel boarding house early Thursday morning, police said.
Qiznyi Wang, 35, was jailed on suspicion of attempted murder and assault with a deadly weapon following the bloody attack, which unfolded about 2:20 a.m. in the 1900 block of South Twin Avenue, San Gabriel police Lt. Brian Kott said.
“On arrival, officers found a 56-year-old female near the front of the residence near the street in front of the residence who was bleeding profusely from her neck,” Kott said.
The nine or so other residents of the home also came outside when officers arrived, the lieutenant said. They didn’t speak English, but directed police toward the inside of the house.
Inside, officers encountered a 53-year-old man suffering from stab wounds, as well as Wang, police said.
“Both males were covered in blood and it appeared they were involved in some type of struggle, Kott said.
The injured woman was hospitalized in critical condition, he said. Doctors were optimistic she would survive her wounds.
The male victim, described as her boyfriend, suffered less-severe slashed to his head and arm, Kott said. He had been treated and released from a hospital Thursday afternoon.
Wang had moved into the house, which was operating as an unpermitted boarding house, just a day or two before, Kott said. Both victims were serving as managers.
Prior to the stabbing, other residents of the home had complained about excessive noise related to Wang, Kott said. But there was no physical fight or heated argument when Wang suddenly, and without provocation, grabbed a large kitchen knife and stabbed the woman in the neck.
The woman’s boyfriend tackled Wang and struggled with him before the knife was knocked free from his grasp, Kott said. Other residents of the home then helped hold Wang down prior to the arrival of police.
Wang was treated for minor injuries before being booked into jail, officials said.
According to Los Angeles County booking records, Wang was being held in lieu of $1 million bail at the Alhambra Police Department’s jail pending his initial court appearance, scheduled Monday in the Alhambra branch of Los Angeles County Superior Court.

Police plan *Saturday night checkpoint in San Gabriel

Posted on July 9, 2016 by Brian Day

SAN GABRIEL >> Police in San Gabriel are planning a checkpoint Saturday night to screen drivers for sobriety and valid licenses, officials said.
The checkpoint will be held from 7 p.m. Saturday to 3 a.m. Sunday at an undisclosed location within the city, San Gabriel police officials said in a written statement.
San Gabriel officers have investigated 69 DUI-related collisions, claiming one life and resulting in another 38 injuries, over the past three years, officials said.
Funding fro the checkpoint is being provided by a grant from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, through the California Office of Traffic Safety.

Rosemead man fatally shot in South San Gabriel identified; Bell Gardens man accused of murder

Posted on June 9, 2016 by Brian Day

SAN GABRIEL >> Coroner’s officials have identified a 38-year-old Rosemead man who was fatally shot in the back during a gang-related dispute in South San Gabriel last week.
John Daniel Pollerana died at a hospital about 45 minutes after Thursday’s 11:47 p.m. shooting in the 1600 block of Del Mar Avenue, in the unincorporated county area, Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner officials said.
He was among three men who became involved in an altercation with fourth other men in the parking lot of a motel, Lt. Jose Mendoza of the Los Angeles County sheriff’s Homicide Bureau said. The dispute was believed to be gang-related.
One of the four men pulled a handgun and shot the victim in the back, according to sheriff’s and coroner’s officials.
One of the attackers drove away from the shooting scene in a white, four-door sedan, Mendoza said. The other three suspects fled the area on foot.
Deputies quickly found one suspect — later identified as 31-year-old Juan Luis Colin of Bell Gardens — on foot in the area and detained him, officials said.
Juan Luis Colin, 31, of Bell Gardens, was treated for cuts to his arms he suffered while fleeing from deputies through backyards before being booked on suspicion of murder, Mendoza said.
Investigators determined Pollerana was staying at the motel along with two friends, Mendoza said. The group had ties to a local street gang.
The four suspects, who are tied to an East Los Angeles street gang, had been staying in another room at the motel, he said.
The groups encountered one another in the parking lot and an argument ensued before “at least one” of the suspects pulled a handgun and opened fire.
Pollerana was mortally wounded. Another man who was with him suffered a grazing wound, it was later determined.
The three additional suspects remained at large Wednesday.
According to county booking records, Colin was scheduled to appear in the El Monte branch of Los Angeles County Superior Court on Monday for an arraignment hearing. He was being held in lieu of $2 million bail.
Anyone with information was asked to contact the sheriff’s Homicide Bureau at 323-890-5500. Tips may also be submitted anonymously to L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477.

Police: Long Beach brothers busted with kilo of cocaine in San Gabriel

Posted on May 28, 2016 by Brian Day

SAN GABRIEL >> Two brothers from Long Beach were behind bars Friday after San Gabriel police found them driving through town with a kilogram of cocaine stowed in a shoe box, officials said.
Manuel Eugenio Salazar, 23, and brother Jorge Eugenio Salazar, 22, were both booked on suspicion of transportation of narcotics following their arrests shortly before noon Thursday, according to San Gabriel police officials and Los Angeles County booking records.
The bust stemmed from a “routine traffic stop” about 10:25 a.m. in the 1300 block of South San Gabriel Boulevard, Lt. Riki Nakamura said.
An officers topped a Nissan being driven by Manuel Salazar, with his brother riding as a passenger, for having no license plates, the lieutenant said. It was also soon determined that the driver had no license.
Police prepared to tow the car, Nakamura said. While conducting an “inventory search,” police found a 2.2-pound brick of cocaine stashed inside a shoebox within the car.
A drug-sniffing dog examined the car but found no additional drugs, he said.
Manuel and Jorge Salazar were being held in lieu of $30,000 bail each at the Alhambra Police Department’s jail pending their initial court appearances, scheduled Tuesday in Alhambra Superior Court, records show.

Trial ongoing in 2005 mistaken-ID slaying of Gabrielino High School student

Posted on April 27, 2016 by Brian Day

This is Ryan Dasalla, 17, of Rosemead. Gabriel Guerrero, 24, of Rosemead is charged with the murder of Dasalla after a fight a block from Dasalla's school, Gabrielino High School in San Gabriel. Guerrero is also charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. He was convicted of armed robbery in 2000, according to a criminal complaint.

Ryan Dasalla, 17, of Rosemead (left) was shot to death near Gabrielino High School in San Gabriel on April 27, 2005. Daniel Guerrero, 29, of Rosemead (right) is on trial for the allegedly gang-related, mistaken-identity shooting. (Courtesy) Two other defendants, including Guerrero’s brother, have already been convicted and sentenced in the case.

PASADENA >> Trial is ongoing in Pasadena for a Rosemead gang member accused of murder in the mistaken-identity murder of a 17-year-old Gabrielino High School student in San Gabriel, which occurred 11 years ago today, authorities said.
Prosecutors made their case and continued calling witnesses Wednesday in Pasadena Superior Court in the trial of Daniel Guerrero, 29, in connection with the April 27, 2005, slaying of Ryan Dasalla, court officials said.
Guerrero, who was 18 at the time of the killing, along with then-23-year-old brother Daniel Guerrero and accomplice and fellow Varrio Nueva Estrada street gang member Sarah Toledo, then 17, shot and killed Ryan Dasalla in a case of mistaken identity, prosecutors said.
Toledo helped the brothers target Dasalla under the wrong belief that he was part of a tagging crew that had beaten up the Guerreros younger brother the night before, according to prosecutors and Los Angeles County sheriff’s homicide detectives. Dasalla was shot in the back.

*** STAFF FILE PHOTO *** Friends of Gabrielino High student Ryan Dasalla mourn after school April 28, 2005 at a makeshift memorial on Gladys Avenue where he was murdered about a block from the school's San Gabriel campus. (sgv news group staff photo by Leo Jarzomb, SXCITY.)

Friends of Gabrielino High student Ryan Dasalla mourn after school on April 28, 2005 at a makeshift memorial on Gladys Avenue, where he was fatally shot, about a block from the high school. (Staff photo by Leo Jarzomb)

Gabriel Guerrero and Toledo were arrested shortly after the fatal shooting, which took place about a block away from Gabrielino High School.
But the alleged triggerman, Daniel Guerrero fled and remained a fugitive until late-2013, when he was reportedly found and captured in Tijuana, Mexico, where he was living under an assumed identity.
He now faces charges of murder and conspiracy to commit murder, district attorney’s office spokesman Greg Risling said.
Records show jury selection in the case began April 4, and opening statement began April 20th, he said.
The other two defendants have since been convicted and begun serving lengthy prison terms.
Gabriel Guerrero received a sentence of 84 years to life in prison after a jury convicted him in 2010 of first-degree murder, and found true allegations the crime was gang-related and involved a gun.
Toledo received 50 years to life in prison in late 2011 after being convicted of murder and conspiracy to commit murder, along with gang and gun enhancements.

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