La Puente: January 2012 Archives

Copper thieves targeting school in Hacienda La Puente Unified School District

By Brian Day on January 12, 2012 10:46 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) |

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

Officials investigate report of rape in La Puente

By Brian Day on January 11, 2012 10:46 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) |

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.