Recently in Pomona Category
POMONA -- Authorities have identified a man whose body was found inside a burning car along the 10 Freeway in Pomona last week, though how the man died remained under investigation.
Christopher Michael Cercone, 33, of Ontario was pronounced dead after firefighters extinguished a burning Chevrolet Impala along the the South Campus Drive onramp to the westbound 10 Freeway, Los Angeles County Department of Coroner's Assistant Chief of Operations Ed Winter said.
The body was found in the driver's seat of the car, which was reported as a car fire by passers-by about 10 p.m. Jan. 26, according to Pomona police investigators.
Once firefighters extinguished the flames and discovered the body, they determined the fire was suspicious in nature and notified Pomona police, authorities said.
The car displayed no body damage consisted with a major crash.
An autopsy had been carried out on Cercone's body, Winter said, however an officials cause of death was deferred pending further examination.
Pomona police homicide detectives continued investigating.
POMONA -- The investigation continued Saturday into the discovery of a body inside a flaming car on the side of an onramp to the 10 Freeway.
The grisly find was made about 10 p.m. Thursday on the South Campus Drive onramp to the westbound 10 Freeway after passing motorist reported seeing the newer-model Chevrolet Impala on fire.
While the charred condition of the body still prevented identification, investigators believed it to be that of a man in his mid-30s, Los Angeles County Department of Coroner's Lt. Larry Dietz said.
Identification would likely have to be made through dental records or x-rays, he added.
Once firefighters extinguished the blaze, they found the body in the driver's seat, Pomona police officials said. Arson investigators ruled the fire to be suspicious, and Pomona police homicide detectives launched and investigation.
An autopsy was planned to determine how the man died.
The car did not show signs of being involved in a major traffic accident.
POMONA -- Authorities extinguished a car fire on a freeway onramp late Thursday and discovered a badly burned body inside.
The car fire was first reported to the California Highway Patrol at 10:01 p.m. on the South Campus Drive onramp to the eastbound 10 Freeway, according to CHP logs.
Because of the condition of the body, it was not immediately apparent if the dead person was male or female, Los Angeles County Department of Coroner Assistant Chief of Operations Ed Winter said.
"(The) Pomona Police Department responded to the scene due to suspicious circumstances determined by LA County Arson investigators," Pomona police Sgt. Patrick O'Malley said. "The vehicle fire and the deceased person are currently being investigated by the Pomona Police Department's detective bureau."
The burning car, a newer-model Chevrolet Impala, was found along the left side of the onramp, with its rear end shifted off the road and resting on a grass hillside.
A CHP log entry at 10:08 p.m. indicated a witness who called 9-1-1, "saw a jacket in the car but doesn't know if someone was inside," as the car was becoming engulfed in flames.
hile it was severely scorched, it did not show damage indicating a major traffic accident.
The onramp remained shut down Friday morning as officials investigated the scene, removed the car and made sure the roadway was safe for traffic.
Anyone with information is asked to call Pomona police homicide detectives Shope or Uribe at 909-620-2095. Tips can also be left anonymously by calling 800-782-7463.
UPLAND -- Detectives jailed a Pomona parolee Tuesday they believe to be the "Puffy Coat Bandit" -- responsible for a spree of seven bank robberies in three counties over the past three weeks.
Steven Dwayne Paulson, 46, was expected to appear in court to be charged in connection with the bank robberies today, FBI spokeswoman Laura Eimiller said.
Paulson is suspected in a string of seven bank heists reported between Dec. 20 and Jan. 9, officials said.
They include robberies in Glendora, Chino, Rancho Cucamonga, Cerritos, Corona and Lake Elsinore, officials said.
The "Puffy Coat Bandit" earned his name because of bulky jackets he was seen wearing during some of the crimes, according to the FBI.
A break in the case came Tuesday afternoon in Upland, Eimiller said.
"A detective with the Upland Police Department detained a driver matching the description of the suspect, who was driving a suspected vehicle," she said. "Further investigation by the Upland PD and the FBI resulted in the arrest of the suspect."
Authorities have previously said an accomplice may have acted as a getaway driver in the robberies.
"With regard to theory that a second suspect/getaway driver may have been involved, an investigation will continue to determine whether an accomplice was knowingly involved in the bank robberies," Eimiller said.
POMONA -- A driver suspected of fleeing the scene after fatally striking a bicyclist with his SUV has turned himself in, police said Friday.
Rodger Allen Karcher, 67, of Chino showed up at the Pomona Police Station about 8 p.m. Thursday to turn himself in, Pomona police Sgt. Christian Hsu said in a written statement.
"His vehicle was also located and the damage to it matched the physical evidence located at the collision scene," he added.
He was booked on suspicion of hit-and-run causing death in connection with Wednesday's 5:30 p.m. crash at Towne Avenue and Sixth Street, the sergeant said.
The bicyclist was initially described only as a Pomona man in his 40s pending notification of his family members, Los Angeles County Department of Coroner's Assistant Chief of Operations Craig Harvey said.
"The large amount of media coverage played a positive role in this investigation," Hsu said. "Investigators concluded that Karcher turned himself in after watching numerous news stories about the collision."
According to police and county booking records, Karcher was being held in lieu of $50,000 bail at the Pomona Police Department's jail pending his arraignment Tuesday in Pomona Superior Court.
POMONA -- A hit-and-run driver struck and killed a bicyclist in Pomona late Wednesday.
The victim, whose name was not released because his family hadn't been notified, was pronounced dead near the corner of Towne Avenue and Sixth Street, Pomona police Sgt. Iain Miller said in a written statement.
A driver in a green Dodge or Chrysler sport-utility vehicle struck the rider while heading north on Towne just before 5:30 p.m., he said. The vehicle dragged the bicyclist about half a block.
The driver kept driving north on Towne, then turned east onto Mission Boulevard.
Police say the crash occurred during rush hour on a heavily traveled street, so investigators are encouraging any witnesses to call them at 909-620-2081.
The hit-and-run vehicle should have moderate to major front-end damage. Anyone who spots the vehicle may call Pomona police, 909-622-1241.
-Staff report
POMONA -- A SWAT team raided a medical marijuana dispensary Thursday and arrested a Rialto man on suspicion of possession of marijuana for sales, authorities said.
Javier Sarabia, 33, was booked at the Pomona Police Department's jail and released later in the day after posting $20,000 bail, according to county booking records.
SWAT team members and detectives served a search warrant about 10:45 a.m. at "Natural Remedies," 162 E. First Street, Pomona police Sgt. Duane Leonard said in a written statement.
"The search warrant was obtained as the result of a month-long investigation into the illegal sales of marijuana from the location," Leonard said. "The investigation was prompted by complaints from citizens regarding the illegal activity."
About a pound of marijuana, cash and weapons were seized during the operation, officials said.
"This location is among many other store front marijuana sales locations that have been closed in recent months," Leonard said.
POMONA -- A 6-year-old boy remained in critical condition a day after he was accidentally shot by a relative, police said.
The incident happened about 5:50 p.m. Tuesday at the boy's home in the 1400 block of W. 10th Street, Pomona police Lt. Michael Olivieri said.
Officials believe the boy was shot by a relative, who was handling a firearm.
"It looks like the child will survive," Olivieri said Tuesday regarding the boys condition.
Officials said the boy was still in critical condition on Wednesday.
Hospital staff contacted police after family members brought the wounded boy to a local medical facility, according to a police news release.
Officials conducted interviews at the hospital before going to the residence, where they questioned other family members.
Police detained two of the boy's relatives Tuesday night. The teenagers thought to be involved in the shooting were questioned and released, police said.
After conducting several interviews, police determined the shooting was an an accident.
The investigation is ongoing.
- From our counterparts at the Inland Valley Daily Bulletin
The incident happened about 5:50 p.m. Tuesday at the boy's home in the 1400 block of W. 10th Street, Pomona police Lt. Michael Olivieri said.
Officials believe the boy was shot by a relative, who was handling a firearm.
"It looks like the child will survive," Olivieri said Tuesday regarding the boys condition.
Officials said the boy was still in critical condition on Wednesday.
Hospital staff contacted police after family members brought the wounded boy to a local medical facility, according to a police news release.
Officials conducted interviews at the hospital before going to the residence, where they questioned other family members.
Police detained two of the boy's relatives Tuesday night. The teenagers thought to be involved in the shooting were questioned and released, police said.
After conducting several interviews, police determined the shooting was an an accident.
The investigation is ongoing.
- From our counterparts at the Inland Valley Daily Bulletin
Coroner's officials Tuesday confirmed the identity of a 65-year-old Pasadena attorney killed Friday when his single-engine airplane crashed at the Pomona Fairplex.
Norman Francis Boxley was pronounced dead at the scene of Friday's 2:15 p.m. crash on the horse-racing track of the Fairplex, just southeast of his intended destination of Brackett Airfield.
It has been known since the afternoon of the crash that the Mooney M20M airplane was registered to Boxley's Pasadena law firm, and family members have said they knew the victim to be him.
Coroner's investigators announced Tuesday that they had confirmed the victim to be him through fingerprints.
The cause of the crash is being investigated by the National Transportation Safety Board.
A memorial service for Boxley is planned 2 p.m. Saturday at Holy Family Catholic Church, 1527 Fremont Ave. in South Pasadena.
Norman Francis Boxley was pronounced dead at the scene of Friday's 2:15 p.m. crash on the horse-racing track of the Fairplex, just southeast of his intended destination of Brackett Airfield.
It has been known since the afternoon of the crash that the Mooney M20M airplane was registered to Boxley's Pasadena law firm, and family members have said they knew the victim to be him.
Coroner's investigators announced Tuesday that they had confirmed the victim to be him through fingerprints.
The cause of the crash is being investigated by the National Transportation Safety Board.
A memorial service for Boxley is planned 2 p.m. Saturday at Holy Family Catholic Church, 1527 Fremont Ave. in South Pasadena.
POMONA -- A woman was arrested after she struck a 9-year-old female pedestrian Friday afternoon, authorities said.
Pomona police responded at 3:08 p.m. to an injury traffic collision in the area of Garey Avenue and Phillips Boulevard, according to a police statement.
Arriving officers learned that the suspect, Tanya Bernal, 24 of Pomona, had initially struck a vehicle in the area and driven away.
As she drove south on Garey, she struck another vehicle, jumped a curb and hit a 9-year-old girl walking on the sidewalk, police said. The girl was dragged briefly under Bernal's 1997 Honda Accord until the suspect hit a parked car.
The child was airlifted to a hospital as a precaution with injuries that appear to be minor.
Police arrested Bernal on suspicion of felony hit-and-run and driving without a license. She was booked into Pomona Jail in lieu of $50,000 bail.
- From staff reports
Pomona police responded at 3:08 p.m. to an injury traffic collision in the area of Garey Avenue and Phillips Boulevard, according to a police statement.
Arriving officers learned that the suspect, Tanya Bernal, 24 of Pomona, had initially struck a vehicle in the area and driven away.
As she drove south on Garey, she struck another vehicle, jumped a curb and hit a 9-year-old girl walking on the sidewalk, police said. The girl was dragged briefly under Bernal's 1997 Honda Accord until the suspect hit a parked car.
The child was airlifted to a hospital as a precaution with injuries that appear to be minor.
Police arrested Bernal on suspicion of felony hit-and-run and driving without a license. She was booked into Pomona Jail in lieu of $50,000 bail.
- From staff reports
POMONA -- A single-engine airplane en route to Brackett Field in La Verne crashed at the Pomona Fairplex Friday, killing the pilot, authorities said.
The airplane, identified by Federal Aviation Administration officials as a Mooney M20M, "crashed under unknown circumstances around 2:15 p.m. approximately 1 mile southeast of Brackett Field, near the Pomona Fairgrounds," FAA spokesman Ian Gregor said in a written statement.
One person was pronounced dead at the scene, Los Angeles County Fire Department officials said. No other injuries were reported.
The airplane crashed near the southeast corner of the grandstands at the Fairplex's racetrack, officials added. The crash did not ignite a fire.
The aircraft's marking indicated it was registered to a Pasadena law firm.
Friday's incident was the second fatal small plane crash near Brackett Field in recent years.
Husband and wife Charles and Renee Shaffer of La Verne died March 14, 2009, when their Piper Dakota suddenly lost altitude and went down in Pomona shortly after take-off from Brackett Field.
The couple's plane crashed into a hillside near the 2600 block of Pomona Boulevard, about 2 miles from the scene of Friday's crash.
The airplane, identified by Federal Aviation Administration officials as a Mooney M20M, "crashed under unknown circumstances around 2:15 p.m. approximately 1 mile southeast of Brackett Field, near the Pomona Fairgrounds," FAA spokesman Ian Gregor said in a written statement.
One person was pronounced dead at the scene, Los Angeles County Fire Department officials said. No other injuries were reported.
The airplane crashed near the southeast corner of the grandstands at the Fairplex's racetrack, officials added. The crash did not ignite a fire.
The aircraft's marking indicated it was registered to a Pasadena law firm.
Friday's incident was the second fatal small plane crash near Brackett Field in recent years.
Husband and wife Charles and Renee Shaffer of La Verne died March 14, 2009, when their Piper Dakota suddenly lost altitude and went down in Pomona shortly after take-off from Brackett Field.
The couple's plane crashed into a hillside near the 2600 block of Pomona Boulevard, about 2 miles from the scene of Friday's crash.
POMONA -- Small skirmishes broke out during dueling demonstrations between neo-Nazi members of the National Socialist Movement and about six times as many counter-protestors in front of Pomona City Hall on Saturday, however no arrests or injuries were reported.
About 60 members of the white supremacist group marched into the Civic Center about 2 p.m. for a planned rally against illegal immigration and promote their ultra-right- wing agenda.
Many wore military-style uniforms and carried flags bearing swastikas as they were escorted into the area by dozens of police officers.
They shouted chants of "sieg heil," "immigrants go home," and "illegals out."
Counter-protestors responded with their own chants of "Nazis go home," and "What do we want? Dead Nazis. When do we want them? Now."
The need for a police escort became immediately apparent as soon as the NSM demonstrators arrived.
Counter-protestors immediately rushed across police lines and began hurling parking cones, water bottles, horse feces and other items at the neo-Nazis.
Some of the more than 100 police officers and sheriff's deputies assigned to the event from law enforcement agencies throughout the San Gabriel Valley quickly separated the groups and maintained a line of officers in riot gear between them.
Clad in a business suit, NSM Commander Jeff Schoep and others addressed the angry onlookers.
"This country is heading down the toilet because of all the illegal immigrants flooding over our border," he said, before giving a Nazi salute and leading his group in a chant of "sieg heil."
Freddie Baca, 27, of Pomona took part in the counter-protest. He said he also protested the NSM when they held another rally in Claremont earlier this year.
"They're not going to accomplish anything by coming here," he said. "They're just trying to rile people up."
Nick Faz, 31, of Pomona said while he was disgusted by the message of the neo-Nazis, he respected their right to rally.
"It's freedom of speech," he said. "I feel sorry for the officers who have to protect them."
Walnut resident Henrietta Palma, 72, also said she was offended by the white supremacists' rally.
"I think this is silly," she said. "This world is like a garden to the one who created it, with flowers of all different colors. We're all God's children. We're not supposed to be prejudice."
Furious words were exchanged from both sides, however the event remained largely peaceful until the NSM protestors made their exit about 3:30 p.m.
Hundreds of counter-demonstrators rushed around the corner in an effort to confront the neo-Nazis at their vehicles. Some began throwing items at deputies and police officers who blocked their way. One man was struck with a baton from a horse-mounted deputy after pelting her in the face with an object.
At times, counter-protestors directed their anger at the officials keeping the peace at the event.
Many counter-protestors cursed and made obscene gestures at officials who protected the NSM demonstrators from violence.
Within minutes of the NSM's dispersal, however, counter- demonstrators heeded police orders to leave the area.
No injuries and no arrests were reported, Pomona Assistant City Manager Mark Gluba said.
"I think the response was appropriate for the size of the event," he said.
He added that all the involved police agencies demonstrated professionalism.
"Everything went peacefully," he said.
About 60 members of the white supremacist group marched into the Civic Center about 2 p.m. for a planned rally against illegal immigration and promote their ultra-right- wing agenda.
Many wore military-style uniforms and carried flags bearing swastikas as they were escorted into the area by dozens of police officers.
They shouted chants of "sieg heil," "immigrants go home," and "illegals out."
Counter-protestors responded with their own chants of "Nazis go home," and "What do we want? Dead Nazis. When do we want them? Now."
The need for a police escort became immediately apparent as soon as the NSM demonstrators arrived.
Counter-protestors immediately rushed across police lines and began hurling parking cones, water bottles, horse feces and other items at the neo-Nazis.
Some of the more than 100 police officers and sheriff's deputies assigned to the event from law enforcement agencies throughout the San Gabriel Valley quickly separated the groups and maintained a line of officers in riot gear between them.
Clad in a business suit, NSM Commander Jeff Schoep and others addressed the angry onlookers.
"This country is heading down the toilet because of all the illegal immigrants flooding over our border," he said, before giving a Nazi salute and leading his group in a chant of "sieg heil."
Freddie Baca, 27, of Pomona took part in the counter-protest. He said he also protested the NSM when they held another rally in Claremont earlier this year.
"They're not going to accomplish anything by coming here," he said. "They're just trying to rile people up."
Nick Faz, 31, of Pomona said while he was disgusted by the message of the neo-Nazis, he respected their right to rally.
"It's freedom of speech," he said. "I feel sorry for the officers who have to protect them."
Walnut resident Henrietta Palma, 72, also said she was offended by the white supremacists' rally.
"I think this is silly," she said. "This world is like a garden to the one who created it, with flowers of all different colors. We're all God's children. We're not supposed to be prejudice."
Furious words were exchanged from both sides, however the event remained largely peaceful until the NSM protestors made their exit about 3:30 p.m.
Hundreds of counter-demonstrators rushed around the corner in an effort to confront the neo-Nazis at their vehicles. Some began throwing items at deputies and police officers who blocked their way. One man was struck with a baton from a horse-mounted deputy after pelting her in the face with an object.
At times, counter-protestors directed their anger at the officials keeping the peace at the event.
Many counter-protestors cursed and made obscene gestures at officials who protected the NSM demonstrators from violence.
Within minutes of the NSM's dispersal, however, counter- demonstrators heeded police orders to leave the area.
No injuries and no arrests were reported, Pomona Assistant City Manager Mark Gluba said.
"I think the response was appropriate for the size of the event," he said.
He added that all the involved police agencies demonstrated professionalism.
"Everything went peacefully," he said.
POMONA -- Police officers from throughout the San Gabriel Valley will help Pomona police keep the peace next week as a planned neo-Nazi rally unfolds in front of Pomona City Hall, officials said.
The National Socialist Movement, based in Detroit, Michigan, is planning the rally for 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 5 in front of the City Hall, 505 S. Garey Ave., according to El Monte police and rally organizers.
The white supremacists plan to demonstrate against illegal immigration and promote the interests of "White America," NSM organizers said in a written statement.
The group chose Pomona for it's demonstration because, according to the statement, "Pomona is a unique gathering place of continuing tension between ethnic minorities."
To prepare for any potential disturbances associated with the highly controversial rally, police from departments including West Covina, El Monte, Covina, Baldwin Park, Azusa, Glendora and others, will send officers to help the Pomona Police Department keep and eye on the situation, West Covina police Lt. Tommy Garcia said.
The National Socialist Movement, based in Detroit, Michigan, is planning the rally for 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 5 in front of the City Hall, 505 S. Garey Ave., according to El Monte police and rally organizers.
The white supremacists plan to demonstrate against illegal immigration and promote the interests of "White America," NSM organizers said in a written statement.
The group chose Pomona for it's demonstration because, according to the statement, "Pomona is a unique gathering place of continuing tension between ethnic minorities."
To prepare for any potential disturbances associated with the highly controversial rally, police from departments including West Covina, El Monte, Covina, Baldwin Park, Azusa, Glendora and others, will send officers to help the Pomona Police Department keep and eye on the situation, West Covina police Lt. Tommy Garcia said.
POMONA -- We-Tip information led police to a large-scale marijuana grow operation in Pomona.
Police officers received anonymous information that two men were cultivating marijuana inside a business at 2720 Pomona Blvd., which is in an industrial area of the city.
When officers arrived on Monday they talked to Van Quang Nguyen, 50, of Westminster who said he was the renter of the property and in charge of what was inside the building, Pomona police Sgt. Jaime Gutierrez said in a written statement.
More than 2,800 plants in various stages of growth were found inside, he said.
Follow-up searches at the Westminster homes of the suspects yielded an additional 30 pounds of harvested marijuana, police said. The estimated street value of the pot was more than $1.5 million.
Nguyen, along with Thanh Van Lee, 40, of Westminster were arrested and booked at Pomona City Jail on suspicion of possessing and cultivating marijuana for sale, officials said. Their bail was set at $100,000.
Police said the suspects also stole electricity from Southern California Edison to set up the operation.
LA IMPACT, a regional narcotics unit, was called to the scene for assistance.
Police officers received anonymous information that two men were cultivating marijuana inside a business at 2720 Pomona Blvd., which is in an industrial area of the city.
When officers arrived on Monday they talked to Van Quang Nguyen, 50, of Westminster who said he was the renter of the property and in charge of what was inside the building, Pomona police Sgt. Jaime Gutierrez said in a written statement.
More than 2,800 plants in various stages of growth were found inside, he said.
Follow-up searches at the Westminster homes of the suspects yielded an additional 30 pounds of harvested marijuana, police said. The estimated street value of the pot was more than $1.5 million.
Nguyen, along with Thanh Van Lee, 40, of Westminster were arrested and booked at Pomona City Jail on suspicion of possessing and cultivating marijuana for sale, officials said. Their bail was set at $100,000.
Police said the suspects also stole electricity from Southern California Edison to set up the operation.
LA IMPACT, a regional narcotics unit, was called to the scene for assistance.
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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