Recently in Covina Category
COVINA -- Two robbers stole a man's cell phone and iPod at knifepoint Wednesday afternoon in an unincorporated county area near Covina, authorities said.
The robbery was reported just before 1 p.m. at a Via Verde off-ramp of the 10 Freeway, Los Angeles County sheriff's Sgt. Richard Ramirez said.
The victim was approached by two men described as Latino men between 20 and 25 years old, the sergeant said.
One of them was about 5 feet 8 inches tall, about 140 pounds, wore a black shirt and jeans and carried a switchblade-style knife, Ramirez said. The other robber was about 6 feet 1 inch tall, about 150 pounds, wearing a blue t-shirt.
A gray vehicle may have been used as a getaway car, he added.
The robbery was reported just before 1 p.m. at a Via Verde off-ramp of the 10 Freeway, Los Angeles County sheriff's Sgt. Richard Ramirez said.
The victim was approached by two men described as Latino men between 20 and 25 years old, the sergeant said.
One of them was about 5 feet 8 inches tall, about 140 pounds, wore a black shirt and jeans and carried a switchblade-style knife, Ramirez said. The other robber was about 6 feet 1 inch tall, about 150 pounds, wearing a blue t-shirt.
A gray vehicle may have been used as a getaway car, he added.
COVINA -- A man was flown to the hospital by helicopter Friday after crashing his motorcycle on Covina Boulevard, authorities said.
The crash occurred about 3:55 p.m. on Covina Boulevard, just east of Sunflower Avenue, in an unincorporated county area near Covina, California Highway Patrol Officer Francisco Villalobos said.
The injured man, who was estimated to be in his early 40s, suffered "severe injuries" to his chest and was flown by helicopter to Los Angeles County-USC Medical Center, Los Angeles County Fire Department Capt. Steve Dochterman said.
The cause of the crash was being investigated by the Baldwin Park office of the CHP.
The crash occurred about 3:55 p.m. on Covina Boulevard, just east of Sunflower Avenue, in an unincorporated county area near Covina, California Highway Patrol Officer Francisco Villalobos said.
The injured man, who was estimated to be in his early 40s, suffered "severe injuries" to his chest and was flown by helicopter to Los Angeles County-USC Medical Center, Los Angeles County Fire Department Capt. Steve Dochterman said.
The cause of the crash was being investigated by the Baldwin Park office of the CHP.
COVINA -- Two good Samaritans captured a teenage robbery suspect Wednesday and held them for police, authorities said.
The incident began about 2:30 p.m. when three roommates came home to find their apartment in the 1400 block of North Grand Avenue had been broken into, Covina police Sgt. Trevor Gaumer said.
The building maintenance man spotted a teen who appeared to be acting suspiciously at a restaurant across the street and went over to check it out, the sergeant said. He found the boy had apparently dropped a backpack filled with a computer and video games taken from the apartment in a trash can.
The maintenance man chased the boy, and with the help of another bystander, caught him and held him until police arrived, Gaumer said.
He added that the teen, who is from Covina, was booked on suspicion of burglary and taken to Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall in Downey.
The incident began about 2:30 p.m. when three roommates came home to find their apartment in the 1400 block of North Grand Avenue had been broken into, Covina police Sgt. Trevor Gaumer said.
The building maintenance man spotted a teen who appeared to be acting suspiciously at a restaurant across the street and went over to check it out, the sergeant said. He found the boy had apparently dropped a backpack filled with a computer and video games taken from the apartment in a trash can.
The maintenance man chased the boy, and with the help of another bystander, caught him and held him until police arrived, Gaumer said.
He added that the teen, who is from Covina, was booked on suspicion of burglary and taken to Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall in Downey.
COVINA -- Police arrested a man they suspect of using the Myspace networking Web site to lure and molest a 14-year-old Covina boy.
Achilles Dartgnan Corelleone, 47, also known as Arlan Reynoldson, was charged Wednesday with five counts of child molestation.
Police released a picture of the suspected child sex predator in hopes of tracking down additional victims.
"Our chief concern here is that this guy is a predator," Covina police Sgt. Dave Foster said. "We feel very strongly that this is not his first victim or his only victim. If there's any other victims or people who were being set up to be victims, we want to contact them."
The boy's father had begun to suspect something inappropriate was going on between Corelleone and his son and called police when he spotted Corelleone on Monday at Kahler Russell Park in Covina, Foster said.
Officers then jailed Corelleone without incident, he added.
Corelleone originally contacted the boy on Myspace in March and then met with him a few days later, according to police.
"Corelleone gave the 14-year-old gifts as a means of further developing trust with him, and the relationship eventually led to him being sexually assaulted," according to a statement from police.
Foster said Corelleone and the boy continued meeting until shortly before the arrest.
Corelleone had no criminal history of sex crimes but had committed crimes of burglary in Texas and Wyoming, Foster said.
Police were seeking warrants Wednesday to get access to Corelleone's computer and cell phone, the sergeant added.
"This is very early in the investigation," Foster said. "There's still many things that we need to do."
Corelleone told police he was from Salton Sea, however the address he provided was false, Foster said. His true residence was not known Wednesday.
According to sheriff's booking records, Corelleone is being held in lieu of $100,000 bail and is due in West Covina Superior Court for arraignment Thursday.
Anyone with information is asked to call Covina police at (626) 384-5808 and ask to speak to Detective Bobkiewicz or the on-duty watch commander.
PHOTO courtesy of the Covina Police Department.
COVINA -- A previously deported felon was arrested Friday on suspicion of breaking into a Covina camera shop, police said.
Salvador Madrigal, 36, of Compton was booked on suspicion of burglary and was being held without bail, Covina police said in a written statement. An immigration hold was also issued by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
Covina police Officer Staci Franco was patrolling downtown Covina about 5:30 a.m. when he spotted two men removing merchandise from Powell Camera, 160 W. Badillo Street, according to the statement.
Both men ran when they saw the officer, but Madrigal was found hiding in the area, police said. The second suspect remained at large.
About $16,500 worth of camera equipment was recovered from the men and returned to the store, officials added.
Madrigal is due in West Covina Superior Court Tuesday for arraignment, police said.
Salvador Madrigal, 36, of Compton was booked on suspicion of burglary and was being held without bail, Covina police said in a written statement. An immigration hold was also issued by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
Covina police Officer Staci Franco was patrolling downtown Covina about 5:30 a.m. when he spotted two men removing merchandise from Powell Camera, 160 W. Badillo Street, according to the statement.
Both men ran when they saw the officer, but Madrigal was found hiding in the area, police said. The second suspect remained at large.
About $16,500 worth of camera equipment was recovered from the men and returned to the store, officials added.
Madrigal is due in West Covina Superior Court Tuesday for arraignment, police said.
COVINA -- A man used a handgun to rob a video game store Sunday, authorities said.
The crime occurred just before 4:40 p.m. at Gamestop, 984 E. Badillo Street, Unit C, Covina police Officer Brandon Avila said.
The robber was described as a black man in his mid-20s, about 5 feet 9 inches tall and 160 pounds, the officer said. He wore a black hooded sweat shirt and black, baggy pants, and carried a black revolver.
The gunman held two employees at gunpoint while he demanded money from the store's cash registers, Avila said.
He stole about $300 and was last seeing running southeast through the parking lot, Avila added.
Officials were reviewing store surveillance tape to see if they captured useful images of the robber, he said.
The crime occurred just before 4:40 p.m. at Gamestop, 984 E. Badillo Street, Unit C, Covina police Officer Brandon Avila said.
The robber was described as a black man in his mid-20s, about 5 feet 9 inches tall and 160 pounds, the officer said. He wore a black hooded sweat shirt and black, baggy pants, and carried a black revolver.
The gunman held two employees at gunpoint while he demanded money from the store's cash registers, Avila said.
He stole about $300 and was last seeing running southeast through the parking lot, Avila added.
Officials were reviewing store surveillance tape to see if they captured useful images of the robber, he said.
COVINA -- Two men used a knife Saturday to carjack a man and steal his cell phone in a convenience store parking lot, police said.
The crime occurred about 4:30 p.m. at a 7-Eleven store at 1085 N. Citrus Ave., Covina police Sgt. Gregg Peterson said.
A man left the store and approached his car when two carjackers initially described only as Latino men with shaved heads approached him and brandished a knife, the sergeant said.
The carjackers ordered the man out of his car, and also stole his cell phone, Peterson said.
The suspects drove the car away west on Covina Boulevard, he added.
The car was found within half an hour abandoned in the 1100 block of North Conwell Avenue, Peterson said, less than a mile away from the 7-Eleven.
Authorities were reviewing surveillance tapes from the store late Saturday in hopes of finding clues, he said.
The crime occurred about 4:30 p.m. at a 7-Eleven store at 1085 N. Citrus Ave., Covina police Sgt. Gregg Peterson said.
A man left the store and approached his car when two carjackers initially described only as Latino men with shaved heads approached him and brandished a knife, the sergeant said.
The carjackers ordered the man out of his car, and also stole his cell phone, Peterson said.
The suspects drove the car away west on Covina Boulevard, he added.
The car was found within half an hour abandoned in the 1100 block of North Conwell Avenue, Peterson said, less than a mile away from the 7-Eleven.
Authorities were reviewing surveillance tapes from the store late Saturday in hopes of finding clues, he said.
COVINA -- A car crashed into a vacant laundry business Wednesday, though no injuries were reported, police said.
The crash occurred just after 5 p.m. in the 1400 block of N. Citrus Avenue, Covina police Sgt. Trevor Gaumer said.
The female driver in her 30s was uninjured, and her 11-year-old daughter, who was a passenger in the Nissan Maxima, was treated at the scene for a minor cut to her hand, Los Angeles County Fire Department Capt. Tom Jones said.
The cause of the crash remained under investigation, Gaumer said, however there did not initially appear to be any criminal behavior involved.
No arrests or citations were made, he said.
The crash occurred just after 5 p.m. in the 1400 block of N. Citrus Avenue, Covina police Sgt. Trevor Gaumer said.
The female driver in her 30s was uninjured, and her 11-year-old daughter, who was a passenger in the Nissan Maxima, was treated at the scene for a minor cut to her hand, Los Angeles County Fire Department Capt. Tom Jones said.
The cause of the crash remained under investigation, Gaumer said, however there did not initially appear to be any criminal behavior involved.
No arrests or citations were made, he said.
COVINA -- A taxi driver died Tuesday after being found unconscious in his cab, authorities said.
The dead man identified Wednesday as 63-year-old Gholamreza Mohammadkani of Covina, Los Angeles County Department of Coroner Lt. Larry Dietz said.
An autopsy determined he died from natural causes, Dietz said.
According to Covina police Sgt. Trevor Gaumer, someone called officials to report seeing the man "unresponsive" in his taxi shortly before 6:20 a.m. in the parking lot of 7-Eleven, 1085 N. Citrus Ave.
Authorities performed first-aid on the man, but he was pronounced dead, the sergeant said.
The dead man identified Wednesday as 63-year-old Gholamreza Mohammadkani of Covina, Los Angeles County Department of Coroner Lt. Larry Dietz said.
An autopsy determined he died from natural causes, Dietz said.
According to Covina police Sgt. Trevor Gaumer, someone called officials to report seeing the man "unresponsive" in his taxi shortly before 6:20 a.m. in the parking lot of 7-Eleven, 1085 N. Citrus Ave.
Authorities performed first-aid on the man, but he was pronounced dead, the sergeant said.
COVINA -- Police sought the public's help Sunday in finding a missing 82-year-old man who suffers from dementia and requires medication for medical problems.
Pedro Cortez was last seen walking the the area of Hollenbeck Avenue and Rowland Street about 11 a.m. after walking away from his home in the 400 block of West Idahome Street, Covina police Sgt. John Zumwalt said.
Shortly before 3 p.m., family members became concerned and called the police.He is described as 5 feet, 1 inch tall, and about 160 pounds, police said. He has white hair and brown eyes.
Cortez was last seen wearing a white shirt, beige pants and white shoes.
Officials used an automatic phone-dialing system with a recorded message to notify about 18,000 Covina residents of the missing person, Zumwalt said.
"If you should see someone matching this description, stay with the person and please call the Covina Police Department at 626-384-5808," he said.
PHOTO courtesy of the Covina Police Department
ALHAMBRA -- Police jailed a Covina man Saturday after he allegedly pistol-whipped his step-father, officials said.
Brian Herrera, 32, was booked on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon and making terrorist threats, Alhambra police officials said.
Herrera and his step-father were arguing about 8 a.m. in the 400 block of North Vega Avenue when Herrera struck his step-father in the head with a handgun, Alhambra police Lt. Jennifer Wiese said in a written statement.
Herrera was arrested at his home in Covina, she added, where police allegedly found two handguns in his possession.
The step-father was treated for his injuries at the scene by paramedics, police said.
The incident likely stemmed from an ongoing family dispute, which police responded to the night before, authorities said.
Herrera was being held in lieu of $500,000 bail, officials said. No information on his initial court date was available.
Brian Herrera, 32, was booked on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon and making terrorist threats, Alhambra police officials said.
Herrera and his step-father were arguing about 8 a.m. in the 400 block of North Vega Avenue when Herrera struck his step-father in the head with a handgun, Alhambra police Lt. Jennifer Wiese said in a written statement.
Herrera was arrested at his home in Covina, she added, where police allegedly found two handguns in his possession.
The step-father was treated for his injuries at the scene by paramedics, police said.
The incident likely stemmed from an ongoing family dispute, which police responded to the night before, authorities said.
Herrera was being held in lieu of $500,000 bail, officials said. No information on his initial court date was available.
COVINA -- Firefighters made quick work of a 1-acre brush fire Friday reported in an unincorporated county area known as Covina Hills, authorities said.
The blaze was reported about 2:30 p.m. along the westbound 10 Freeway near Via Verde, Los Angeles County Fire Department Inspector Frederic Stowers said.
Five fire engines and a helicopter were able to extinguish the flames in about 20 minutes, he said.
The fire was initially reported as a quarter-acre of brush burning uphill through light brush, Stowers said.
No injuries were reported and the fire did not appear to have threatened any structured, he added.
The cause remained under investigation.
The blaze was reported about 2:30 p.m. along the westbound 10 Freeway near Via Verde, Los Angeles County Fire Department Inspector Frederic Stowers said.
Five fire engines and a helicopter were able to extinguish the flames in about 20 minutes, he said.
The fire was initially reported as a quarter-acre of brush burning uphill through light brush, Stowers said.
No injuries were reported and the fire did not appear to have threatened any structured, he added.
The cause remained under investigation.
COVINA -- A man stabbed and wounded a teenage boy on Azusa Avenue Wednesday, authorities said.
The incident occurred about 3:45 p.m. in the 1000 block of N. Azusa Avenue, Covina police Lt. John Curley said.
The teen was approached by a man and words were exchanged before the man pulled a knife and stabbed the teen in the back, the lieutenant said.
The wounded boy was taken to a hospital where he is expected to survive, Curley said.
Officials described the attacker as a Latino man of about 19 or 20 years old. He wore a black t-shirt.
The attack was likely gang-related, Curley said.
The incident occurred about 3:45 p.m. in the 1000 block of N. Azusa Avenue, Covina police Lt. John Curley said.
The teen was approached by a man and words were exchanged before the man pulled a knife and stabbed the teen in the back, the lieutenant said.
The wounded boy was taken to a hospital where he is expected to survive, Curley said.
Officials described the attacker as a Latino man of about 19 or 20 years old. He wore a black t-shirt.
The attack was likely gang-related, Curley said.
Received an interesting DOJ press release this afternoon that talks about the arrest of four local men involved in running guns and drugs for a Mexican drug cartel, right here in the San Gabriel Valley.
Here's some of what is says:
An investigation into guns being trafficked from Arizona to California has led to the arrest of four individuals, one of whom sold several machine guns to a undercover operative and claimed to be tied to a Mexican drug cartel.The four defendants were arrested early this morning by special agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and investigators with the Los Angeles Police Department. During the course of the 10-month investigation, authorities purchased or seized 50 firearms, including 17 guns that were discovered during the execution of search warrants this morning.
During the investigation, an undercover operative made a series of gun purchases from three of the defendants. The purchases included guns similar to AK-47s, Uzis and AR-15s, some of which were fully automatic weapons.
Those arrested today are:
- Edgardo Prado Casteneda, aka "Primo," 26, of Azusa, who claimed to be a Southern California operative of the La Familia drug cartel based in Michoacan, Mexico;
- Vicente Garcia Jr., aka "Chevy," 38, of Azusa;
- Steven Scott Blanks, 47, of Norco; and
- Victor Velasquez, aka "Fingers," 34, of El Monte, who is accused of delivering a quarter-pound of methamphetamine that was purchased by the undercover operative.
The four defendants are scheduled to make their initial appearances this afternoon in United States District Court in Los Angeles.
<snip>
The arrests were made today as Prado apparently made plans to collect a "debt" and possibly kidnap a man he said owed money to La Familia. Over the past several weeks, Prado allegedly had a series of conversations with the undercover operative about helping collect a large "debt" that a man owed to La Familia. According to the affidavit, Prado told the informant that a boss in the cartel that he called "Cuete" had sent a courier to Mexico to transport narcotics, but the courier was arrested and provided information to Mexican authorities that led to the arrest of another high-ranking cartel member in Mexico City. As a result of this, "Cuete" owed the Cartel $3 million. If the informant participated in the collection of the "debt," Prado promised him a share of money that would be paid by the cartel.
A criminal complaint filed in United States District Court in Los Angeles charges Prado with selling firearms without a license and distributing methamphetamine.
Garcia is charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm.
Blanks is charged with possession of a machine gun.
Velasquez is charged with distribution of methamphetamine.
If convicted of the crimes alleged in the criminal complaint, the defendants would face maximum potential sentences of at least 10 years in prison.
CONTRIBUTORS
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| Frank Girardot, Metro Editor for the San Gabriel Valley Newspapers, brings you behind the yellow tape with takes on true crime, cold cases and more. This is also your forum to discuss crime, its impact on your neighborhood and how we cover it. Have any questions or tips? You can leave a comment here or e-mail Frank. |
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Brian Day is the crime reporter for the San Gabriel Valley Newspaper group. E-mail Brian. |
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