Written by AARON CASTREJON CityWatch Editor MONTEBELLO - The man accused of brutally attacking two people, leaving one in a weeks-long coma, at a Metrolink station was identified, authorities said. Thomas Ward, who is currently jailed by another agency on an unrelated burglary charge, was positively identified with the help of surveillance snapshots and several witnesses to the attack, according to the Montebello Police Department. Two men were attacked on the platform of the Montebello/Commerce Metrolink Station, 2000 Flotilla Ave., August 10, 2020 just after 10:30 a.m. A man, who police say is Ward, used a flashlight to assault the men who were waiting for an arriving bus, Montebello Police said.
“One of the victims fell to the ground at which time the suspect began to kick him in the head several times. As a result of the victim’s injuries, he was placed into a coma for several weeks in critical condition,” Montebello Police said in a written statement. Still images taken from security cameras, which recorded the attack, were used by Montebello detectives and Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office investigators to help identify Ward. Ward, a 29-year-old Los Angeles transient, will be charged with one count of assault with a deadly weapon and one count of attempted murder, Montebello Police said. A motive for the attack is unknown. Written by AARON CASTREJON CityWatch Editor MONTEBELLO - Police are searching for an attempted murder and assault with a deadly weapon suspect who violently attacked two people unprovoked August 10. The attack occurred at 10:35 a.m. at the Metrolink Bus Station, 2000 Flotilla St. The suspect used what is described as a metal flashlight to strike both victims. He additionally stomped on one victim’s head 10 times, leaving that victim in a coma, according to the Montebello Police Department. The suspect was caught on video supplied by a local public transit agency.
The suspect is a Black male, stands 6 feet tall, has a thin build, has black or brown hair and a black or dark brown beard. He wore a black sweatshirt, green pants, brown slip-on shoes or slippers, a pink face covering and a red beanie. Anyone with information on the suspect is urged to call the Montebello Police Department at 323-887-1313. Written by AARON CASTREJON CityWatch Editor MONTEBELLO – Police announced Monday the arrest of an East Los Angeles man accused of fatally hitting a pedestrian and refusing to stop to help. Christopher Artega, 27, was found in UplandJuly 29 driving the black Scion XB described by witnesses in the July 26 collision. He was stopped in Ontario and taken into custody, according to the Montebello Police Department. Detectives used “various investigative techniques” to track down Artega, Montebello Police said.
The fatal crash occurred around 2:52 p.m. July 26 at Garfield Avenue and Via Paseo. A woman in her early 20s was found in the roadway gravely injured. Paramedics provided lifesaving support, but she died at the scene. The victim was identified by coroner investigators as 22-year-old Angeles Palomino. She died from multiple blunt force traumatic injuries. Investigators obtained a filing of felony hit and run and vehicular manslaughter against Artega with the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office. Artega is being held in lieu of $85,000 bail. Written by AARON CASTREJON CityWatch Editor MONTEBELLO - A man was arrested after he confessed to lighting fireworks that sparked a small brush fire Monday. A Montebello Police officer saw illegal aerial fireworks being set off near Beverly Boulevard and Concourse Avenue around 9 p.m. June 29. The officer discovered a small brush fire burning nearby, according to the Montebello Police Department. From the 500 block of Concourse, the officer followed a suspicious vehicle fleeing the area. After being stopped by the officer, the unidentified suspect admitted to lighting the fireworks and to starting the brush fire, Montebello Police said.
Montebello firefighters extinguished the small fire. The suspect was arrested and booked on suspicion of illegal fireworks possession and for outstanding warrants, Montebello Police said. Written by AARON CASTREJON CityWatch Editor MONTEBELLO - Police announced two failed attempts to loot and feloniously burglarize stores at the Shops at Montebello during George Floyd protests. Montebello Police learned of the planned looting of the Shops at Montebello, 2134 Montebello Towne Center, June 1. Officers worked in conjunction with Los Angeles County Sheriff’s deputies and the California Highway Patrol to prevent looting from taking place, the Montebello Police Department said. The same was slated to take place June 2, but was thwarted by law enforcement again, Montebello Police said.
“The Montebello Police Department respects the rights of individuals to peacefully exercise their First Amendment rights. Our mission of protecting the community of Montebello and upholding the Constitution is our top priority and our sworn duty,” according to Montebello Police Chief Brad Keller. Written by AARON CASTREJON CityWatch Editor MONTEREY PARK - One person is dead and no CHP officers were injured after a police shooting Monday.
All eastbound lanes of the eastbound 60 freeway at East Markland Drive remain closed as well as the No. 1 and 2 lanes of the westbound 60 freeway at Paramount Boulevard, according to the California Highway Patrol. A Sig alert is in effect for an unknown duration. The CHP has yet to reveal the circumstances that led up to the officer shooting. Written by AARON CASTREJON CityWatch Editor MONTEBELLO – An 18-year-old man was arrested after allegedly making threats of violence against Montebello High School. Devin Anthony Harper was arrested February 29 just before 3 a.m., according to Los Angeles County booking records. A student of Montebello High School found an Instagram post from a male who threatened to take a gun to the campus and start a massacre March 2, Montebello Police said. “Officers were able to find out who the male subject was and made contact … the male subject denied posting the threats on his Instagram,” Montebello Police said in a written statement. “When the officers asked the male subject to go into his Instagram post, he told officers he was unable to access it.”
Harper was arrested and booked on suspicion of making criminal threats. Harper, a Montebello resident, was reportedly expelled from the high school two years ago for making similar threats. Harper is scheduled to appear in Los Angeles Municipal Court March 3.
Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor
MONTEBELLO - An armed gunman made off with Marlboro cigarettes and $40 in cash after threatening a donut shop clerk January 27.
The suspect caught clearly on camera robbed Sunshine Donuts, 201 E. Beverly Blvd., around 7 p.m. The suspect handed the clerk a note stating she had 10 seconds to to give him all the money, according to the Montebello Police Department. The suspect revealed the butt of a handgun tucked in a jacket pocket. The clerk gave him the cash and six boxes of cigarettes, the Montebello Police Department said.
The suspect ran towards Poplar Avenue.
The suspect is described as a Hispanic man, 20 to 30 years old, weighs 190 to 200 pounds and sported a mustache and goatee. He wore a black Dodgers hat with a white letter “D” on the front. He was wearing a blue jacket, blue shorts, a black t-shirt and black shoes and socks. It appeared his earlobes are stretched from wearing “plug style” ear rings. Anyone with information on the suspect is urged to call Detective Luis Martinez at 323-887-1200 ext. 242 or email him at lmartinez@cityofmontebello.com. Written by AARON CASTREJON CityWatch Editor MONTEBELLO – A suspect accused of accelerating towards officers was injured after they fired at him, Sheriff’s homicide detectives said Sunday. The shooting unfolded in the 100 block of South 10th Street around 1 p.m. January 12. Montebello officers located a vehicle of interest possibly tied to the recent fatal shooting and attempted to stop a man who entered and prepared to drive away. “Officers attempted to stop him and he accelerated the vehicle towards the officers. At this time, an officer-involved shooting occurred,” according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Information Bureau.
The suspect was hospitalized after being hit by gunfire in the lower torso, but later released and was detained pending further investigation, the Sheriff’s Information Bureau said. No officers were injured. Written by AARON CASTREJON CityWatch Editor MONTEBELLO - Police are investigating the circumstances after a man was found shot dead Saturday afternoon. The victim, not yet publicly identified, was found suffering from gunshot wounds in the 1000 block of South Bluff Road January 11 around 1 p.m., according to the Montebello Police Department. South Bluff Road was shut down between Washington Boulevard and Frankel Avenue during an investigation. Police have yet to provide any suspect description.
According to Montebello police radio traffic, one of the officers responding to investigate at least one report of gunfire discovered the victim down. A resident saw a vehicle reportedly fleeing the scene after gunfire rang out, but it is unclear if the vehicle is connected to the shooting. A resident near the scene reported one person fleeing on foot after gun fire was heard, according to police radio traffic. No other information is available. |
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