Hacienda Heights: January 2012 Archives
HACIENDA HEIGHTS -- A man was held for psychiatric evaluation Tuesday following a standoff after he was seen firing a BB or airsoft gun in the neighborhood, shattering a neighbor's window, officials said.
The incident was first reported about 9:30 a.m. when a neighbor reported seeing a "man with a gun," in the 15000 of Cargreen Ave., Los Angeles County sheriff's Lt. Raymond Enriquez said.
Follow-up reports indicated that a window had been smashed, however the gun may be a BB or airsoft gun, and the alleged gunman was a possibly schizophrenic neighbor who was now in his backyard.
Police cautiously encircled the home and ordered the man out, Enriquez said. After about two hours, the man's father convinced him to come outside and surrender.
Deputies took the man for a psychological evaluation and wrote a vandalism report for the damaged window, Enriquez said.
HACIENDA HEIGHTS -- A 60-year-old man who interrupted two burglars breaking into his vehicle was kidnapped then later abandoned by his captors Friday night, deputies said.
The incident happened at 6:40 p.m. in the 16300 block of Rochlen Street.
Sheriff's Lt. Victor Sotelo said it looks like the resident walked out of the house and saw the car burglary.
"He started fighting, yelling," Sotelo said.
The yelling drew the attention of a neighbor who came out of his house. Sotelo said the suspects then shoved the 60-year-old into their van and took off.
"They dropped him off at Garfield Avenue and the 60 Freeway in Monterey Park," Sotelo said.
He added the victim used a payphone to call his family. Deputies were still at the Rochlen Street house when the man called relatives.
The only description given so far for the suspects are two Latinos in a tan van.
- Ruby Gonzales
HACIENDA HEIGHTS - A high-speed police pursuit of a motorcycle carrying a man and woman ended in a crash on the 60 Freeway late Tuesday, officials said.
Officers from the Los Angeles Police Department's Northeast Station began chasing the motorcycle, which had been reported stolen, about 9:45 p.m., LAPD Officer Rosario Herrera said.
The high-speed pursuit continued for about half an hour until it reached the eastbound 60 Freeway at 7th Avenue, officials said. The motorcycle rear-ended a car and tumbled end-over-end, throwing both riders into the roadway.
The riders, a man and woman, were reportedly in police custody as they were being treated at a hospital for serious injuries.
ROWLAND HEIGHTS -- A bank robbery Wednesday was the work of a serial robber connected to two other crimes dating back to July of last year, authorities said.
The "Stretch Bandit" paid a visit to the Bank of the West, 19005 E. Colima Road, about 10:30 a.m., according to FBI spokeswoman Laura Eimiller.
It was his second robbery at the same bank, which he also robbed on July 12 of last year, officials said.
The same man is also suspected in a July 6, 2011 robbery at a U.S. Bank Branch on Hacienda Boulevard in Hacienda Heights, Eimiller said.
The FBI calls him the "Stretch Bandit" because of his physical description, FBI officials said. He stands about 6 feet 3 inches tall and is of thin build -- about 190 pounds.
The bandit is 35 to 42 years old, and a white, 4-door Honda Accord with a tinted rear window and the first two license plate numbers of "3Z" has been spotted in connection with the crimes.
Sheriff's officials further described him as having blonde hair and blue eyes.
The robbers passes tellers notes demanding cash and claiming that he has a gun, FBI officials said, though no weapons have been seen during the robberies.
Anyone with information is asked to call the FBI's 24-hour line in Los
Angeles at 310-477-6565.
PHOTOS courtesy of the FBI
LA PUENTE -- Thieves with a penchant for copper wire have hit five schools in the Hacienda La Puente Unified School District since November.
In an effort to stop the copper culprits, the school district is offering a $2,000 reward and partnered with WeTip. The reward is for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the thief or thieves.
District officials think the thieves were hitting campuses after school hours.
Sergio Cazorla, coordinator of risk management for the district, said that typically, school employees would come to work and discover the theft.
He said the estimated damages per school ranged from $5,000 to $15,000. That includes labor, materials and the cost of replacing the copper wire.
"We're already strapped for cash and for these people to steal copper wire from a school. It's saddening," he said.
"We want to put an end to the thefts."
The unidentified suspects struck at Newton Middle School, 15616 Newton St. in Hacienda Heights, Los Robles Academy, 1530 Ridley Ave. in Hacienda Heights, Cedarlane Academy, 16333 Cedarlane Drive in Hacienda Heights, Sunset Elementary, 800 N. Tonopah Ave. in La Puente.
School Police Chief Anthony Argott said the most recent theft occurred at Orange Grove Middle School on Jan. 3. The school is at 14505 Orange Grove Ave. in Hacienda Heights.
Cazorla said they have no description of the thieves.
"We have no information so we really need (the public's) help. If they see anything, call WeTip. Help us please," he said.
Anyone with information is asked to call WeTip at 1-800-78-CRIME. Tips can also be left online at www.WeTip.com
- Ruby Gonzales
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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