Recently in La Puente Category
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
LA PUENTE -- Detectives in La Puente are investigating the second reported sexual assault this month, though the attacks are not related, authorities said Wednesday.
The most recent crime took place between 2 a.m. and 4 a.m. Saturday, though it was not reported until Tuesday, Los Angeles County sheriff's Lt. Victor Sotelo said.
A 20-year-old woman was raped by an acquaintance at a home in the 200 block of Common Avenue, investigators said. The suspect was described only as a man in his early 30s, and no further details were released.
In an unrelated case, sheriff's officials Friday released a suspect sketch and asked the public's help in finding a man who raped a 14-year-old girl about 8 p.m. Jan. 2 near the dumpsters of an apartment complex in the 17000 block of Main Street.
The man was known to residence of the apartment complex only as "Michael," officials said.
He was described as a Latino or Guatemalan man between 18 and 22 years old. He stood about 5 feet 6 inches tall and weighed 150-160 pounds, and wore his black hair in a distinctive "faux hawk" style.
Anyone with information is asked to call the sheriff's Industry Station.
LA PUENTE -- A 20-year-old La Puente man crossing the street was struck and seriously injured Friday night.
The collision happened at 6:25 p.m. on Hacienda Boulevard and Glendora Avenue.
Sheriff's Lt. Victor Sotelo said the vehicle was northbound on Hacienda Boulevard and tried to get through the intersection on a yellow light.
The pedestrian walked eastbound to westbound Glendora Avenue before the light turned green, Sotelo said.
He said the driver tried to avoid hitting the man but couldn't.
The pedestrian was taken to a local hospital where he is in critical condition, Sotelo said.
The driver wasn't cited Friday night. The investigation is still ongoing.
- Ruby Gonzales
A kitten rescued from an abusive home in La Puente has been placed with a new family, while the 18-year-old man convicted of beating the animal has begun serving a 6-month jail sentence, authorities announced Wednesday.
Willis So, 18, of La Puente, was sentenced Dec. 20 in El Monte Superior Court to 180 days in jail, as well as three years of probation, 300 hours of community service, and $1,100 and restitution and fines, Los Angeles County Animal Care and Control officials said in a written statement. He took a plea deal at at pre-trial hearing.
Officials arrested him on suspicion of animal cruelty and seized injured animal Dec. 7, according to officials and booking records.
The cat has since recuperated and been placed with a family in Tujunga, animal control officials said.
"Lily, now re-named Pepper by her new owner, is acclimating nicely and recovering on schedule according to their family veterinarian," animal control Director Marcia Mayeda said.
Despite a traumatic history, the 8-month-old short-haired cat maintains a friendly disposition, officials added.
"My staff was amazed at how loving and carefree (Pepper) was when she was in our care, considering what she went through," Mayeda said.
So was accused of beating the cat when he would argue with his mother, animal control Deputy Director Aaron Reyes said.
"Whenever the suspect would argue with his mom, he would take out his frustrations on the cat," Reyes said.
Investigators discovered an old fracture in the kitten's leg, as well as other injuries such as a broken tooth and swelling of the cheek and eye socket, officials said.
But Pepper is now well on her way to a full recovery, Reyes added. "She's in great spirits, and over all, a tough little girl."
Several people expressed interest in adopting Pepper, Reyes said, and she was placed with her new home just before Christmas.
"This is quite the holiday present for not only the new owner, but for her as well," he added.
In addition to the pain cruelty can cause to animals, it can be a sign of dangerously violent tendencies, officials said.
"Cruelty to animals is a precursor to violence toward human beings," Mayeda said.
Anyone who believed they've witnessed animal cruelty is asked to call local animal control officials. If an animals life is in danger, officials advise calling 911.
PHOTO of Pepper the cat courtesy of Los Angeles County Animal Care and Control.
LA PUENTE -- Deputies arrested a man on suspicion of wounding his neighbor in the leg Saturday after an what was believed to be an ongoing dispute escalated into a shooting, authorities said.
Robert Evans, 41, was booked on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon, Los Angeles County sheriff's Sgt. Ernie Barbosa said.
The incident was reported about 12:30 at Loukelton Street and Lanny Avenue, he said.
A man, who had been involved in an ongoing dispute with Evans, crossed the street and entered his neighbor's yard, the sergeant said. The man began speaking with his neighbor's father.
Evans armed himself with a gun and came outside, Barbosa said.
Evans told investigators he saw an object in the neighbor's hand and feared for his safety when he shot his neighbor, the sergeant said. Deputies recovered no weapons from the shooting victim.
The wounded man, 43, was taken by a private car to an area hospital with injuries not believed to be life-threatening, Barbosa said.
Deputies arrested Evans without a struggle and seized the .357-caliber revolver believed to have been used in the shooting.
The dispute stemmed from Evans accusing his neighbor of taking his car without permission in recent months, officials added. The alleged victim had gone to his neighbor's house to "further discuss" the issue when the shooting took place.
The investigation was ongoing.
LA PUENTE -- Two masked attackers bound a husband and wife and locked them in the trunk of their car during a home-invasion robbery early Wednesday, authorities said.
A man in his 50s was leaving his home in the 17000 block of Main Street about 1:50 a.m. when he was confronted outside his garage by two robbers described only as black men wearing ski masks, Los Angeles County sheriff's officials said in a written statement.
The attackers ordered the man back into the home and demanded $200,000, Lt. Joe Chavez said. The victim told them he did not have that kind of money.
"The victim was hit on the head with a handgun, causing the gun to discharge into the ceiling of the residence. The victim was tied up with electrical cords and ordered to the ground," Chavez said.
"The victim's wife, who was also inside the residence, was tied up and both victims were locked in the trunk of their car inside the garage," he said.
The robbers then ransacked the couple's home, helping themselves to about $2,400, officials said.
After the attackers fled, the couple was able to free themselves by using a trunk release mechanism inside the trunk and call for help, Sgt. Tom Wilson said. The husband was treated for non-life-threatening injuries.
The investigation was ongoing early Wednesday, he said. It was unclear if the attack was random or targeted, or why the robbers seemed to believe the couple had hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash.
There was no initial indication the crime was linked to other recent home-invasions. A couple in their 60s were the victims of a home invasion Monday in Sherman Oaks, police said, and a father of three was shot to death a Dec. 12 in Arcadia during a home-invasion.
Anyone with information is asked to call the sheriff's Industry Station at 626-330-3322.
INDUSTRY - A man was struck and killed by a train Sunday afternoon, authorities said Monday.
Sgt. Russell Boucher of the sheriff's Industry station said deputies received a call reporting that a man had been hit by an eastbound Amtrak train about 4 p.m. near the 16100 block of Old Valley Boulevard.
Boucher said the man was pronounced dead at the scene.
Ed Winter, assistant chief of operations for the Los Angeles County coroner's office, identified the man as 47-year-old Tony Sois Rodriguez of La Puente.
The sheriff's Homicide Bureau and Union Pacific railroad police are investigating the incident, Boucher said.
- From staff reports
LA PUENTE -- Coroner's officials Friday released the names of three people killed in what investigators have described as a double-murder and suicide earlier this week.
Rosa Chavez, 55, of La Puente and her boyfriend Luis Fraustro, 66, of La Puente were shot to death by 52-year-old Francisco Sanchez of La Puente, who was believed to be Chavez's ex-boyfriend, about 10:25 a.m. Wednesday at a house in the 700 block of Sierra Vista Court, Los Angeles County sheriff's and coroner's officials said.
After fatally shooting Chavez and Fraustro with a rifle, Sanchez turned the gun on himself, authorities said.
Chavez cared for three young grandchildren, neighbors said.
No children were at the home when the shooting took place, sheriff's officials said.
The investigation remains ongoing.
Rosa Chavez, 55, of La Puente and her boyfriend Luis Fraustro, 66, of La Puente were shot to death by 52-year-old Francisco Sanchez of La Puente, who was believed to be Chavez's ex-boyfriend, about 10:25 a.m. Wednesday at a house in the 700 block of Sierra Vista Court, Los Angeles County sheriff's and coroner's officials said.
After fatally shooting Chavez and Fraustro with a rifle, Sanchez turned the gun on himself, authorities said.
Chavez cared for three young grandchildren, neighbors said.
No children were at the home when the shooting took place, sheriff's officials said.
The investigation remains ongoing.
LA PUENTE - Deputies arrested a man for allegedly stabbing his wife in the thigh Friday night.
Alfredo Garcia, 50, was booked on suspicion of attempted murder, officials said. He was being held without bail due to an immigration hold.
The stabbing was reported at 10:04 p.m. in the 13900 block of Moccasin Street. Authorities don't yet know what led to the attack.
Sgt. Mark Stonich said the woman was taken to a hospital. Deputies found the husband at a nearby gas station and arrested him on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon, according to Stonich.
He said deputies didn't find a knife.
According to county booking records, Garcia was due to be arraigned Tuesday in El Monte Superior Court.
Alfredo Garcia, 50, was booked on suspicion of attempted murder, officials said. He was being held without bail due to an immigration hold.
The stabbing was reported at 10:04 p.m. in the 13900 block of Moccasin Street. Authorities don't yet know what led to the attack.
Sgt. Mark Stonich said the woman was taken to a hospital. Deputies found the husband at a nearby gas station and arrested him on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon, according to Stonich.
He said deputies didn't find a knife.
According to county booking records, Garcia was due to be arraigned Tuesday in El Monte Superior Court.
LA PUENTE -- A Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department checkpoint planned for Friday in La Puente has been cancelled, authorities said.
Deputies announced plans Wednesday to hold a sobriety and driver's license checkpoint at an undisclosed time and place within the city.
"At the direction of the city manager for the City of La Puente, the checkpoint for Friday, 8-12-11, has been cancelled," Deputy Michael Lang said Thursday in a written statement.
In a 2-1 vote at a July 7 special city council meeting, council members chose to place a 30-day hold on checkpoints in La Puente, citing concerns over the department's exclusive use of a single tow company for the operations. The suspension expired Sunday.
But Interim City Manager Raul Romero said Thursday he did not know if the council members had resolved their concerns with sheriff's officials, so he decided to cancel the planned checkpoint until the matter could be discussed at the upcoming Aug. 23 council meeting.
There was no time to add the item to the agenda for this past Tuesday's meeting, he added.
"I want to make sure their concerns have been addressed," Romero said. "I'd rather pull (the checkpoint) off for now and bring it back to the council."
Mayor John Solis and Councilman David Argudo supported suspending the checkpoints in the July meeting, while Councilman Dan Holloway voted against it.
Solis and Argudo said they had safety concerns about the checkpoints because sometimes there were not enough tow trucks, currently provided by Haddick's Autobody and Tow, to tow away all necessary vehicles.
They also said they were concerned about the perception of a business monopoly using only one tow company may create, and believed that adding another tow company would provide the city with improved service.
In a letter to the council, sheriff's Chief Thomas Laing said the checkpoints and the service being provided to them by Haddick's was more than adequate, and in line with all applicable standards.
Critics have claimed that Solis merely wants to force the sheriff's department to give some of the city's towing business to another company, Bob's Towing, which he had previously lobbied the council to enter into an exclusive contract with.
Solis denied the allegation, saying that his only motivation is to do what's best for the city.
Officials also expressed concerns that cancelling checkpoints could cost the city tens of thousands of dollars in revenue from tow fees that had already been factored into the budget.
Deputies announced plans Wednesday to hold a sobriety and driver's license checkpoint at an undisclosed time and place within the city.
"At the direction of the city manager for the City of La Puente, the checkpoint for Friday, 8-12-11, has been cancelled," Deputy Michael Lang said Thursday in a written statement.
In a 2-1 vote at a July 7 special city council meeting, council members chose to place a 30-day hold on checkpoints in La Puente, citing concerns over the department's exclusive use of a single tow company for the operations. The suspension expired Sunday.
But Interim City Manager Raul Romero said Thursday he did not know if the council members had resolved their concerns with sheriff's officials, so he decided to cancel the planned checkpoint until the matter could be discussed at the upcoming Aug. 23 council meeting.
There was no time to add the item to the agenda for this past Tuesday's meeting, he added.
"I want to make sure their concerns have been addressed," Romero said. "I'd rather pull (the checkpoint) off for now and bring it back to the council."
Mayor John Solis and Councilman David Argudo supported suspending the checkpoints in the July meeting, while Councilman Dan Holloway voted against it.
Solis and Argudo said they had safety concerns about the checkpoints because sometimes there were not enough tow trucks, currently provided by Haddick's Autobody and Tow, to tow away all necessary vehicles.
They also said they were concerned about the perception of a business monopoly using only one tow company may create, and believed that adding another tow company would provide the city with improved service.
In a letter to the council, sheriff's Chief Thomas Laing said the checkpoints and the service being provided to them by Haddick's was more than adequate, and in line with all applicable standards.
Critics have claimed that Solis merely wants to force the sheriff's department to give some of the city's towing business to another company, Bob's Towing, which he had previously lobbied the council to enter into an exclusive contract with.
Solis denied the allegation, saying that his only motivation is to do what's best for the city.
Officials also expressed concerns that cancelling checkpoints could cost the city tens of thousands of dollars in revenue from tow fees that had already been factored into the budget.
LA PUENTE -- A man was shot and wounded late Friday in a shooting investigators suspect was gang-related, officials said.
Deputies were on patrol when he heard about 10 gunshots ring out from the 900 block of Clintwood Avenue, Los Angeles County sheriff's Lt. Vic Sotelo said.
While driving toward the sound of the gunfire, deputies spotted a man running down the street with gunshot wounds to his abdomen and leg, the lieutenant said.
The wounded man -- later identified as a 28-year-old La Puente resident -- was taken to a hospital where he was listed in stable condition Saturday, Sotelo said.
The victim said he was shot by someone inside a passing white compact car, but did not provide any description of the shooter, Sotelo said. He did not appear to be fully cooperating with investigators.
Deputies found bullet casings and several parked cars that had been shot at the scene of the attack, officials added.
Sheriff's gang detectives were assigned to investigate the shooting.
Deputies were on patrol when he heard about 10 gunshots ring out from the 900 block of Clintwood Avenue, Los Angeles County sheriff's Lt. Vic Sotelo said.
While driving toward the sound of the gunfire, deputies spotted a man running down the street with gunshot wounds to his abdomen and leg, the lieutenant said.
The wounded man -- later identified as a 28-year-old La Puente resident -- was taken to a hospital where he was listed in stable condition Saturday, Sotelo said.
The victim said he was shot by someone inside a passing white compact car, but did not provide any description of the shooter, Sotelo said. He did not appear to be fully cooperating with investigators.
Deputies found bullet casings and several parked cars that had been shot at the scene of the attack, officials added.
Sheriff's gang detectives were assigned to investigate the shooting.
LA PUENTE -- Two La Puente gang members received 25-year prison sentences this week for shooting at a good Samaritan who spotted them scrawling graffiti and tried to call 9-1-1, authorities announced Saturday.Raul Montes De Oca, 26, and Edmond Gail, 22, pleaded guilty Monday in Pomona Superior Court to attempted murder and illegally firing a gun, along with the special allegation that the crimes were done for the benefit of a criminal street gang, according to Los Angeles County sheriff's officials and booking records. They are both known "East Side Puente" gang members.
A man was driving about 8:30 p.m. on Nov. 14 of last year at Azusa Avenue and Main Street when he spotted two gang members -- later identified as Montes De Oca and Gail -- spray-painting graffiti on the wall of a strip mall, sheriff's officials said in a written statement.
The good Samaritan pulled over in order to call 9-1-1 on his cell phone, but Montes De Oca and Gail spotted him, jumped in their car and drove toward him before he completed the call, Sgt. Luis Trejo said.
The two vehicles met at the mouth of the strip malls parking lot."The gang members, peering at the good Samaritan like wolves to a sheep, waived him past them," he said.
The man stopped at a stop sign nearby and again began to call 9-1-1 when he saw in his rear view mirror one of the gang members pointing a gun at him, officials said. A shot was fired, and the good Samaritan's rear windshield shattered.
The assailants then got back in their car and drove past the victim, Trejo said, again opening fire from their moving vehicle before fleeing the area. The victim was not shot, but his arm was "riddled with glass fragments" from his shattering car windows.
Deputies spotted Montes De Oca and Gail driving erratically in the area, recognized them as possible suspects in the shooting and arrested them, authorities said. Montes De Oca was detained in the vehicle, while Gail ran from the car and was found hiding nearby.
Gail eventually admitted to Gang Investigator Glen Eads that he threw the .38-caliber revolver used in the shooting in a bush as he fled from deputies and led them to the area where it was later recovered, officials said.
Investigators found that during the shooting, a bullet had gone through the window of a nearby home and lodged in a wall, Trejo said. No one inside the home was hurt.
According to booking records, both Montes De Oca and Gail were sent to serve their sentences at the North County Correctional Facility in Castaic.
PHOTOS of Raul Montes De Oca (top) and Edmond Gail (bottom) courtesy of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.
LA PUENTE -- An admitted gang was sentenced to a year in jail this week for spray-painting graffiti on three cars parked in front of La Puente homes, authorities said.
Eduardo Escobar, 18, of La Puente -- an admitted "Puente 13" gang member -- pleaded guilty Monday to three counts of felony vandalism in connection with the June 15 vandalism spree in the 15600 block of Loukelton Street, Los Angeles County sheriff's Sgt. Luis Trejo said.
The value of the damage was estimated at up to $1,000 per car, he added.
"Graffiti's just such an ugly thing (anywhere,)" Trejo said. "But when you walk out of your house and you see it on your car, and you have to drive around...I would just hate for that to happen to me."
"(Escobar) spray-painted in large letters: "Downer" and "PX3" on the three cars," sheriff's officials said in a written statement. "PX3" represents the Puente 13 street gang.
After several weeks of investigation headed by Detective Robert Chism, deputies ran across Escobar while on patrol, identified him as a Puente 13 gang member and began the process of serving him with the local gang injunction, officials said.
During interviews with Valinda Town Sheriff Deputy Jaime Moran, Escobar said he used the moniker of "Downer," officials said.
Recalling conversations with Chism regarding the "Downer" graffiti, Moran passed the information along, officials said. Chism then secured an arrest warrant for Escobar and a search warrant for his home.
Evidence of Puente 13 gang membership was found at his home, including the use of his moniker, "Downer," according to the written statement.
Once in custody, Escobar admitted
scrawling the graffiti on the cars out of boredom, Trejo said.
In addition to the jail sentence, officials said, Escobar will be on formal probation for three years upon his release.
PHOTOS courtesy of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department
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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