Rowland Heights: March 2008 Archives

This letter comes from the mother of Ondrea Alvarez, who was killed in a fatal traffic accident on Pathfinder Road in Rowland Heights. The family, and police are still seeking answers in the case. THe top photo is from the family's Bellflower backyard. The bottom from a memorial at the site of the accident. Here's the letter:

 Thank you for following up on the story of our wonderful daughter/sister. We thought we would send you some pictures of Ondrea and of the memorial which is at the site of the accident and of the one at her home in Bellflower. If you could please post one or two of them with your "Trace" artical as well as any future updates we would be very greatful.

We know very little about what happend on the night of the accident and the CHP have said that no information would be available until they complete their investigation (which we were told could take up to 3 or more months) so we are thankful to you and the crimescene site for the comfort we have found in the information you have porvided us.

Thank you so very much!

Ondrea's Mother - Robin Hoskins

A trio of men suspected of being the WWF bandits have been captured by police in Orange County following a bank robbery, officials said.

Here's a snippet from Brian Day's story on the arrests:

The suspects are Gary Edward Caruthers, 50, of Los Angeles, Jay Chandler Flott, 51, of Los Angeles, and Andre Williamson, 50, of Inglewood, police said.

All of the alleged crimes were takeover-style robberies in which the masked suspects brandished shotguns, officials said.

When the crime spree began at banks in Rowland Heights and Industry, we took to calling these guys the Lucha Libre Bandits. The FBI, not realizing the WWF is now the WWE stuck with their moniker.

The arrests come just in time for this weekend's Wrestlemania festivities.where apparently there will be a "Money in the Bank Ladder Match"  No masked wrestlers have entered the event this year though there's still time.

The state's ABC TRACE team is investigating the traffic collision that killed 20-year-old Ondrea Alvarez of Bellflower in Rowland Heights on Pathfinder Road March 2.

The team does back track investigations whenever there is a major incident involving an underage drinker.

"They are going to find where the kid who was driving got the booze," says reporter Brian Day who is following this story.

There's been several blog comments on the case. There is also an Internet guest book for grieving friends of Ondrea to recall her life.

According to ace night cop reporter Brian Day, the Lucha Libre banditos, who the FBI likes to call the WWF Shotgun Bandits, have struck again. This time at a UCB on Colima in Rowland Heights. Friday afternoon to be exact.

No Melina wasn't there, but she's here as a reminder that Wrestlemania is just a few short days away.

Attention Aaron Proctor:

The tag team duo hitting area banks wearing luchador masks reminescent of Rey Mysterio have now been named by the FBI (they liked our suggestion, but chose to stick with something a little more English sounding).

Ladies and Gentlemen, meet the WWF Shotgun Bandits, whom the FBI describes as Black Males, Mid 20s to Late 30s, Robbed in City of Industry and Rowland Heights:

We're not sure why the FBI chose WWF as opposed to WWE, WCW or ECW, but they did.

BTW we're only 23 days away from Wrestlemania. This year it's in Vega$. I've got the Undertaker beating Edge.

 I also like Floyd Mayweather over the Big Show...

You know that word?

Sometimes it's a noun. Other times, it's an adjective. It's also definitely a verb.

Don't use it in South Pasadena this week.

Or any word remotely close. That's because the city has declared it's "Cuss Free Week."

The idea comes from 14-year-old McKay Hatch, who started a No Cussing Club at South Pasadena Middle School this past June, according to his father, Brent.

South Pas isn't the only place adopting McKay's program. He has a Web site, nocussing.com and branches of the club in all 50 states.

McKay's Web site explains the origins of his club.

"A lot of kids at my school, and some of my friends, would cuss and use dirty language all the time. They did it so much, they didn't even realize they were doing it. It bothered me so much that one day I challenged them to stop," Hatch wrote. "But some of the kids said they didn't know how to stop. That's when I started the No Cussing Club."

It wasn't easy at first. Kids at the middle school would say some pretty foul things to McKay, his dad recalled.

And, as for starting the club, Brent was sort of against it at first.

"When McKay came to us and said he wanted to this, I didn't want to do it all," Brent said.

That's probably because Brent, like most of the rest of us, doesn't scream a hearty Homer Simpson "d'oh" when he stubs his toe.

If he's like me, the language is likely more purple than the bruised toe. I slip up in the newsroom, too, so needless to say I really had to watch it Wednesday when a group of Cub Scouts from Foothill Christian School toured the plant at deadline.
A very dangerous time.

"I slip up every once in a while," Brent admitted. "I'm not perfect. I've always had a real bad habit, but I'm trying to curb it 100 percent."

Of course Brent's not alone in South Pasadena. Over at Ben's Barbershop, a blue word can be heard now and then.

Same thing at Carmine's on Fair Oaks.

"Most people here say what they are going to say," said a woman at the Italian restaurant who identified herself as Amy. "That's a high school thing. We're a business for adults - 21 and over."

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

A preliminary hearing for Man-Ling Williams has been postponed - again.

Williams, 27, is accused of suffocating her two young sons and stabbing her husband to death at the couple's Rowland Heights home in August.

Killed were Neal Williams, 27, and sons Ian, 3, and Devon, 7.

The case is moving pretty slowly through the system and it appears as if the District Attorney's Office is allowing the defense to drag their feet.

Appearing before a judge this week, the defense presented a sealed argument asking for another delay. And, it was granted. Because the argument was heard in chambers, we don't know how the prosecution responded.

Likely the argument contained evidence that the defense didn't want made public. What's interesting is that the DA's office has said nothing about the case since bringing the prosecution in August.

Back in January, Jan Williams, Neal's mother noted the defense delays were maddening to the family.

In an email she wrote, "I thought the judge was getting impatient with the delays, If only we could move ahead on one of these fronts, I think we would feel better.

Cops and FBI haven't named this guy yet, they dont' even say these two robberies are related...BUT they sure look alike (and there's a pump action shot gun in both pics)

Anyway the consensus in the newsroom is that this guy should be called the Lucha Libre Bandit...we'll stick with it.

We received this letter in the newsroom today regarding the accident that claimed the life of 20-year-old Ondrea Alvarez and seriously injured Elias Munoz.

The photo here shows a sign that was knocked down by Munoz's I35

Here's what the letter had to say. We have no way of verifying if it is the truth:

I seen Elias Munoz, and Ondrea.... I seen him like maybe an 1 1/2 before the accident... I can not believe that the restaurant where we were at....  would let a minor drink in there.  I heard a couple of them at the table ordering drinks.  I just thought maybe there was a couple of 21 year old in that table that was ordering... , But after reading this.... I know he drank there....
there would have been no time for him to drink somewhere else.  When he first came in... he was not intoxicated. it was around 9pm when he showed up... they were sitting at the next table from me.  I know there is no excuse for him to be drinking it, but I also think that the restaurant/waiter made a poor choice... I feel the pain for both parents.... Me being a parent myself.... just scares me when my daughters go out with their friends.... And if that happen to my kids... I would want to sue that restaurant.

I wouldn't want the restaurant to know I am the one that leak this out, I wouldn't want the waiter to come after me. because this is a serious offense on his part toooo. I just think that is a sad situation.... and I just don't think all this is fair for both of these teenagers.  I just wish Eli had more common sense and not get behind that wheel.... It hurts me to hear about this... I still can't believe this happen. it's soooo sad.  He is a very good boy... Just didn't think twice that day.  Im sure he realizes now...  like I said before... I feel the pain for both parents, and the pain that Eli will carry with him.

5) MAN DOWN: PASADENA - A 27-year-old man stabbed an unincorporatd Pasadena resident several times early Monday morning, police said.

4) TRAIN DOWN: INDUSTRY - A train narrowly missed striking a pedestrian Monday morning after the man jumped out of the way, officials said.

3) WOMAN DOWN: ROWLAND HEIGHTS - A 20-year-old woman was killed and a man was seriously injured in a car accident Sunday night.

2) TEEN DOWN: WHITTIER - A 17-year-old was shot and wounded Sunday in what was described as a gang-related shooting. The teen was riding a scooter near Norwalk Avenue and Balfour street at the time of the incident, officials said.

1) CRANK DOWN: MONROVIA - Three arrested Saturday in a car loaded with more that 6 ounces of crank. Two men and a woman were taken in to custody by the Monrovia police.