Recently in La Puente Category

I thought Wednesday would be a good day to fire off some rounds at the La Puente shooting range.

After all, its been widely reported that when President-elect Barack Obama takes office, the Second Amendment will be crumpled up and tossed in a round file somewhere.

That means now is the time to stock up on supplies.

At the La Puente shooting range on Valley Boulevard, a guy (or girl) with a similar interest can blow off rounds to his (or her) heart's content - daily.

My plan was to rent a handgun, get a lane and fire away.

First problem was choosing a gun.

There were plenty of semiautomatic handguns: Glocks, SIGs, Rugers, Smith & Wessons. And, the guns varied in size. You could rent a .40, a .380 or a 9 mm.

Personally it had been so long since I fired a handgun, I found the selection a little intimidating.

So, I gravitated toward the revolvers. .38s .357s and the most powerful handgun of all, the .44 magnum. As Dirty Harry said, "It will blow your head clean off."

I figured a gun that powerful has got to be on somebody's list for removal from general circulation. So, I asked for some rounds of ammo and a hour's rental.

Guy behind the counter said, "no way."

"Why?"

"Sheriff's Department rules," he explained. "There's got to be two of you."

"What?"

"You've got to bring a friend in before you can rent it," counter guy said.

I explained my

situation.

"I'm a reporter. I'm doing a story on gun rights, and I thought firing one off on my lunch hour might give the story some cachet."

"Nope. You got to bring a friend," he answered.

"OK," I said. "How about I call the office and have a guy come down with a video camera. Would that be all right?

He could shoot me, while I shoot the .44 magnum."

"You could do that," he explained. "But you can't take video of anyone else shooting a gun; no video of anyone that works here and no shots of the rental counter either."

I thought to myself that might work. But, in the middle of my daydreaming, counter guy had another caveat.

"My boss doesn't like the news media in here," he said. "So I doubt you would be able to do anything here, including using the range when your friend shows up."

Bang.

A glass partition separates the showroom floor from the firing range. I turned and watched a young woman clank off rounds at a menacing silhouette.

Another bang. I see a cartridge fly out. It lands on the floor.

Trigger squeeze. Bang. Another cartridge.

Four or five times the scene repeated itself.

My eyes slowly moved from the gun to the target itself, about 10 feet in front of her. It didn't look like she had hit it.

I obviously wasn't going to hit anything either, so I left the showroom as counter guy was explaining the rules to a couple of young guys who I thought said they wanted to fire off a .40 SIG Sauer.

In the parking lot, I hoped to encounter some NRA types. They weren't around.

There was only a tiny American flag on a small pole waving in the warm breeze.

What more could I ask for?

Frank Girardot is metro editor of the San Gabriel Valley Newspaper Group.

According to the West Covina PD, James Westly Essix, 18, of La Puente is wanted in connection with as many as five local residential burglaries.

A juvenile crime partner in West Covina custody apparently gave up Essix during interogation.

 

Sheriff Lee Baca responded to a series of articles that have appeared in this paper over the past week. Here's the top of our story:

LOS ANGELES - The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department is reexamining how it collects towing fees in response to allegations a former traffic sergeant took nearly $500,000 from the city of La Puente in impound revenues, officials said.

"We are doing that now," Sheriff's spokesman Steve Whitmore said. "We are probably going to go to a cashless system. Using something like an ATM card to make it more difficult for theft to occur."

Whitmore also said the department is reviewing several other internal policies and will consult with the Board of Supervisors.

Former Sgt. Joe Dyer, who used to work out of the Industry sheriff's station until he retired in May, has been under investigation since the beginning of the year.

I just finished reading your article in today's SGVT in regard to the "Tow fee controversy."  It is certainly sad that a "model law-enforcement agency" has been tarnished by the act of one individual and or others who failed to oversee the procedure of collecting tow fees. I would like to refer you to the comment made by John Stites, president of the Los Angeles County Professional Peace Officers Association who stated in the article published on Friday, October 17th:  "The higher-ups in the department bear responsibility for the missing money" He goes on to say: "We're not money men, Oftentimes they put us in positions we are not trained to handle and it ends up going bad.  I've seen it happen more than once." 
 
Of course this does not mean that someone is not responsible for his or her own lack of honesty, nor does it mean that all the blame should be given to the current higher-up's.  If my information is correct, and perhaps you would be interested in looking for the facts regarding the policy of where and how money was collected for city tow fees that was instigated years ago during Sherman Block's term as Sheriff of L. A. County.   It was and is a poorly thought out policy. 
 
Now, for the main reason I am taking the time to write to you personally.  As I continued to read your article, I was disappointed in you and your comments regarding the "Joe Six-Packs" of the world and the "greasy paws of a tow monkey."  I don't think you considered that everyone who gets their vehicle towed does not fall into the category that you so cutely labeled "Joe Six-Packs" .  People get their vehicles towed for many reasons,  Often, it may be because their vehicle was stolen, recovered and impounded.  They are innocent victims of a crime committed against them. I won't take the time to go into the other various reasons that vehicles are towed, stored or impounded, but I assure you that most of the time it is not for drunken driving as you insinuated.  As for the comment:  "No doubt it would be a helluva lot easier than putting the cash in the hands of a greasy paws of a tow monkey" .....What where you thinking? 
 
First of all, money collected by towing companies are generally collected at a office counter staffed by reputable employees. Secondly, for you to demean the men and women who perform a service for individuals, the community and the police agencies shows me that you are not in touch with reality.  Have you ever noticed a tow truck on the freeway assisting in the removal of a disabled or wrecked vehicle. Would you not agree that the driver is putting him or herself in danger?  If you should ever have the misfortune to be stranded in your vehicle, would you consider the person who is coming to your aid a...."greasy tow monkey?"
 
I don't know anything about you, other than the fact that according to your column you have the title of Metro Editor.  Therefore, even though I might disagree with your published comments, I would never put a derogatory label on you.  I suggest that in the future you might want to refrain from labeling people with inflammatory character references.
 
Sincerely,
Andria Welch

The quarterly report on the Sheriff's department filed by the County Office of Independent Review is a detailed list of investigations into a variety of miscounduct by employees of the Sheriff's Department. Much of it never gets reported in the MSM.

There are stories of domestic violence, theft, beatings and sex with inmates at the county jail.

Interestingly enough there appears to be no mention of Industry Sgt. Joe Dyer, accused of embezzling something like $500,000 worth of towing fees from the City of La Puente. The case is under investigation by the Sheriff's Internal Criminal Investigations Bureau, and reportedly has been refered to the OIR. *

* An anonymous caller points out that a similar incident is mentioned on page 8 of the report. It also says that it was turned over for prosecution but that the DA's office rejected the case.

Here's the text from that entry:

Subject allegedly removed money that the station had collected for traffic impound fees, and failed to follow protocols for collection and documentation of these funds. Investigation is complete; final resolution is pending. Criminal investigation failed to establish a basis for prosecution; Case rejected in July of '07.

**Officials now say that was a separate case from another station. Apparently the problem is widespread in the sheriff's department. Anyone want to bet that the policies for handling tow money is about to change? How many other cities have been shortchaged?

Tania Chatila pieced this story together from a variety of sources who indicated something fishy was happening in La Puente after Industry Capt. Mike Smith was transferred on a Sunday afternoon.

Here's the top of the story, and a link:

LOS ANGELES - A sheriff's deputy is suspected of embezzling nearly half a million dollars in towing fees from the city of La Puente, officials said Thursday.

Sheriff Lee Baca said the department's Internal Criminal Investigations Bureau is investigating allegations that former traffic Sgt. Joe Dyer stole nearly $500,000.

"My belief is that no one is above the law and I think that the criminal justice system will act appropriately in this case," Baca said Thursday.

Dyer, who could not be reached for comment, retired in May after detectives "established a need for an investigation regarding funds at the Industry station that were missing," Baca said.

Dyer's supervisor, Capt. Michael Smith, was reassigned to the sheriff's headquarters in Monterey Park effective Sunday, officials said.

The District Attorney is aware of the case, Baca said. He expected it would be submitted for review by the end of the year.

"We've done as much as we can to build a good strong case," Baca said.

The investigation was launched in January.

 

Not much detail yet, but reports from the overnight police logs indicate there was a stabbing in La Puente near Nogales High School just before 10 p.m.

Sheriff's homicide is handling the investigation into the case. The slaying happened near the intersection of La Puente Road and Nogales Avenue.

Here's the latest on our Web site. I've also posted a map of the area below.

 

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More cutting and pasting. This time there's three sources. First, Kate Kealy, night editor, reports:

 Whit: NORWALK -- The sentencing for a gang member convicted of killing a rival during a car-to-car shooting in Pico Rivera was continued to Sept. 22.

This story added to Trib A4:

POMONA -- A man who repeatedly called Rep. David Dreier's district office in San Dimas and threatened to kill the congressman has pleaded no contest to a felony charge of threatening a government official.

Brian Day, night cops reporter, was following these stories:

Hacienda Heights: There may have been a "borderline" home invasion robbery Thursday.

La Puente: The 76 station at Sunset and Temple was robbed about 2:30 p.m. A silver semi-automatic handgun was used.

Walnut: An armed robbery was reported about 4:20 p.m. near 130 Avenida Alipaz. (near Lemon creek park)

Finally, from CA Breaking News on Twitter:

 Perp* Area of Graystone@Grand;Monrovia; MPD searching area for subject fleeing from Police ....

Guess What? Monrovia PD denies it happened this morning ....

Same stuff different day! 

 

 

Marcelino Corniel lost his life in the Iraq war. IndyMac then lost between $71,000 and $36,000 of the $370,000 life insurance policy Corniel purchased to ensure the livelihood of his family.

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I can't say that I was shocked so much as I was disappointed when I viewed reader responses on our website. Some comments blamed Corniel's mother, Elaine Lopez, for investing poorly, while others seemed to equate losing a son in war with winning the lottery.

I don't dispute that Lopez could have invested her money more wisely, but at the same time it's not like she went out and bought a Cadillac. Lopez placed $70,000 in a money market checking account and the remaining $300,000 in a CD, from which she used the $1450 a month interest yield to sustain her family.

I believe Lopez, when she says that IndyMac Bank managers persuaded her not to withdraw the money by claiming the addition of a third beneficiary would insure the entire sum.

The Monday after the news of Indy Mac's financial trouble broke, I went to Indy Mac and spoke with patrons. My questions were met by belligerent customers who informed me that bank representatives warned them against speaking with the press, and cited the media as a cause for Indy Mac's problems. Funny, I don't remember receiving a check from Indy Mac for managing their stocks to 23 cents a share, what they were prior to any article running.

Despite my Ivy League education, the hours I spent reading regulations, the two interviews I conducted with securities lawyers, and numerous calls to the Federal Deposit Insurance Company, I still fail to understand how the FDIC is not returning somewhere between $36,000 and $71,000 of Lopez's money.

Sure, Lopez was naïve for taking the word of a bank manager. But I bet she wasn't the only one to lose money because of promises made by IndyMac representatives. It's possible that IndyMac's employee's weren't intentionally deceiving Lopez. Maybe bank officials just didn't comprehend the same regulations that two securities lawyers, and a financial adviser failed to understand well enough to answers my questions.  But should incompetence excuse so-called officials from accountability?

When did regulations start to cloud our understanding of right and wrong? After all regulations are created by men, frequently flawed, and certainly subject to change.

Some have argued that Lopez should feel lucky to still have $300,000. Why? Because her son went to great lengths to protect his family? The $370,000 wasn't a gift from the government or a death benefit, but something that Corniel payed for with both his money and life.

Despite promises that he would be a recruiter, and by the spring of 2005 Corniel was back in Iraq, stationed with the 184^th Infantry out of Fullerton, CA..The 184^th was sustaining heavy causalities when Corniel decided to purchase the additional $170,000 in life insurance.

As an Iraq veteran, I knew a lot of servicemen who declined to pay the $40 a month for the  $250,000 in Serviceman's Group Life Insurance. At the same time I was never aware of anyone who sought additional life insurance. But Corniel, who was the patriarch of his family, wanted to ensure that his two younger sisters and mother were taken care of in the event of his death.

On New Years Eve  of 2005, most 23-year-old-Americans were drinking themselves into stupors while Corniel was defending their freedom to do so. As a former Marine attached to "Killer" company, Corniel had already seen a good deal of combat. But unlike some men, he didn't try to get a family hardship discharge and avoid his second tour. Corniel sacrificed his life for our freedom, with the knowledge his family would be able survive in his absence.

Corniel's legacy was intended to send his sisters to college, and support his illmother, not pad the bank accounts of rich men, as some would argue his service did. I urge Americans to remember Corniel as they drive their yellow ribbon adorned sport utility vehicles. And think about the regulations that qualify the loss of his legacy, while justifying the outlandish incomes of IndyMac's executives.  In the end you can blame Lopez for mismanaging the money, but don't think it couldn't happen to you.

A couple of weeks ago we reported on a rumor circulating Pasadena that a Panty Bandit was targeting nice neighborhoods and stealing lacy underwear. That story didn't pan out.

But, reporter Brian Day discovered similarities in a pair of lingere thefts from Victoria's Secrets stores in La Puente and Arcadia. Police won't make the link yet, but suspect descriptions are similar.

We've reported on the La Puente case:

LA PUENTE -- Police are investigating a lingerie heist that occurred Monday at the Puente Hills Mall.

Three youngsters made off with $2,000-worth of high-end underwear from a Victoria's Secret store Monday afternoon, authorities said.

Industry Sheriff's Sgt. Paul Puchalski said a male Hispanic and two female Hispanics, all in their 20s, entered the store at about 4:45 p.m. Two of the culprits distracted a salesclerk as the third, a female, stuffed merchandize into a bag, authorities said.

The three then ran out of the store, going in different directions, authorities said.

The Arcadia theft is noted on the police department's incident log. There's apparently soem gender confusion in the police reports.

A similar ring was reportedly working in Philly. Actually Chester County.

Reporter Brian Day shot some dramatic photos while covering a homicide in La Puente Sunday. He shared the photos with me and I'm posting one here. I've altered it slightly to conceal the body of the victim.

The victim, Gabriel Martinez, 19, was left uncovered at the scene for much of the investigation.

Brian's story from Tuesday's paper is here.

Brian Day reports on another shooting in the Valinda-La Puente corridor. Killed Monday morning was a 43-year-old man standing in a driveway in the 700 block of Foxworth Avenue.

From Brian's story:

LA PUENTE - Authorities had few leads Monday in the shooting death of a man in a residential neighborhood, authorities said.

Alex Trejo, 43, of Valinda was pronounced dead at the hospital after being shot numerous times, sheriff's and coroner's officials said.

Deputies responded to 9-1-1 calls reporting a gunshot victim just after 5 a.m. and found a 43-year-old man with multiple gunshot wounds in front of a house in the 700 block of Foxworth Avenue in an unincorporated county area near La Puente, said Los Angeles County sheriff's Sgt. Gerard Velona.

While several witnesses reported hearing gunshots shortly before the body was found, no witnesses reported seeing the shooting, said Detective Steven Blagg of the sheriff's Homicide Bureau.

The man was found lying in the driveway of a single-story home with numerous gunshot wounds from a handgun, Blagg said.

 

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THe Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors voted to extend the amount of time a reward would be offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the killer or killers of Robert Whitehead, a good samaritan who was shot to death outside his parents home when he confronted a group of taggers.

Arrests have been made in the case and at least one man suspected of involvement, Paul "Malo" Salazar, a onetime Bishop Amat student who was an alleged member of Puente 13, is dead.

Salazar was killed outside his home last summer.

 

Official counts indicate three murders county-wide during the 40-hour "Murder Moratorium."

The moratorium was planned as a way of honoring the death 40 years ago of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King. THe LA City Council rejected the idea initally, but did issue a proclamation against violence. No one's checked weekend violence stats yet, but undoubtedly they are typical for an average weekend in Los Angeles County.

One of those killed over the weekend was a 23-year-old La Puente man, shot to death in the 400 block of Edgley Drive in Monterey Park.

Alfred Richard Chavez, 23, was shot about 1:20 a.m. Sunday, according to a spokeswoman for the Los Angeles County Department of Coroner. Sheriff's Homicide is investigating the case.