Written by AARON CASTREJON CityWatch Editor WEST COVINA - A deputy shy of 20 years with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department survived a shooting while waiting at a red light Monday afternoon.
A suspect believed to be driving a white sedan with tinted windows shot the uniformed 43-year-old deputy who sat on an LA County Sheriff’s motorcycle while perched at a red light on South Barranca Street at East Garvey Avenue North. The deputy remains hospitalized in stable condition, according to Sheriff Robert Luna. The shooting happened around 2:45 p.m. Monday, April 22. The white sedan fled westbound on the I-10 freeway. “He was sitting on a marked black and white police motorcycle in full uniform and he was shot in the back,” according to Sheriff Luna in an evening press conference. An examination of the deputy’s vest shows that he was struck once. The bulletproof vest saved the deputy’s life, Sheriff Luna said. It is not yet clear if this was a crime of opportunity, or if the suspect followed the deputy and waited for a time to strike, Sheriff Luna said. A license plate was obtained regarding a vehicle possibly tied to the shooting. Within the hour or so after the incident, deputies and California Highway Patrol officers surrounded a house in La Puente where several people were detained. These persons of interest will be released, if they haven’t already been released, since investigators cannot link them to this crime, Sheriff Luna said. “Right now there is somebody out there armed with a firearm who shot one of our deputies in the back and if he’s willing to do that, he’s willing to shoot at anybody,” Sheriff Luna said. Anyone who witnessed this shooting, or who may have information leading to a suspect, or suspects, is urged to call Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Homicide detectives at 323-890-5500. Remain anonymous by calling LA Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), through the P3Tips mobile app, or lacrimestoppers.org. Written by AARON CASTREJON CityWatch Editor WEST COVINA - A pedestrian was struck and killed while running in lanes of the westbound I-10 freeway at Vincent Avenue Monday night.
The California Highway Patrol received at least one report of what the caller described as a woman running across freeway lanes, causing vehicles to swerve. The pedestrian was struck by a red Ford Explorer, according to CHP traffic logs. First responders were notified of the collision at 10:14 p.m. Monday, April 15. The pedestrian, who has yet to be identified publicly, died at the scene, according to Officer Garcia of the California Highway Patrol. It appears the collision happened in the HOV lane. A Sig Alert was issued for the HOV and the No. 1, 2 and 3 lanes. By 2:16 a.m. the Sig Alert was canceled. Some officers still remain on scene for the investigation, Garcia told SGV CityWatch. Written by AARON CASTREJON CityWatch Editor WEST COVINA - Police and arson investigators are continuing to investigate a fire that ignited inside a boys bathroom at South Hills High School Friday afternoon.
As of Saturday morning, no arrests have been made. No one was detained the day of the fire, according to Lt. Matt Nelson of the West Covina Police Department. First responders were sent to the school, 645 S. Barranca St., around 1:50 p.m. Friday, April 12. West Covina firefighters remained on scene for a little more than two hours to determine the cause. “It was contained in the boys restroom, there was no structural damage. They were trying to figure out the cause of it, which is inconclusive at this point,” Nelson told SGV CityWatch. Students were evacuated as a precaution. Written by AARON CASTREJON CityWatch Editor WEST COVINA - A substitute teacher is under investigation after students allege he viewed porn on his phone while on campus.
The unnamed teacher was immediately removed from the premises of Cameron Elementary School, 1225 S. Cameron Ave. School administrators notified district officials who then notified police and child welfare services, according to the West Covina Unified School District. “We understand the concern this situation may cause our students and the community. The WCUSD is dedicated to maintaining a safe, respectful and nurturing environment for all our students,” according to the West Covina Unified School District in a written statement. The investigation remains open. Written by AARON CASTREJON CityWatch Editor WEST COVINA - A driver allegedly wanted for equipment violations led police on a pursuit and barricaded himself for several hours inside of his vehicle, police said.
Officers originally attempted to stop the driver, Marcelo Patricio Carrillo, 38, for allegedly driving without headlights in the area of Azusa Avenue and Vine Street February 6 just before 11:30 p.m. The pursuit took surface streets north into the city of Azusa. Carrillo allegedly struck a parked vehicle at the end of the pursuit and refused to exit his vehicle. West Covina officers, with assistance from the Covina and Azusa Police Departments, surrounded Carrillo’s vehicle and negotiated with him to surrender. Carrillo allegedly kept a firearm on his lap throughout the standoff, Rodgers told SGV CityWatch. Officers even used Carrillo’s mother who pleaded with him over a bull horn to surrender peacefully, but the suspect did not listen. Flash bang grenades and tear gas were used and Carrillo was flushed out and arrested. He was booked on suspicion of evading a peace officer, reckless evading and carrying a loaded firearm in public, Rodgers told SGV CityWatch. Carrillo was finally removed from the vehicle around 2:30 a.m. Carrillo is scheduled to appear in the West Covina courthouse February 8. Written by AARON CASTREJON CityWatch Editor WEST COVINA - An adult from Hesperia and a juvenile were arrested January 30, accused of two armed robberies at Eastland Center, police said.
A description of the suspect vehicle, an older-model red sedan, led police to make a traffic stop during increased patrols Tuesday around 9:20 p.m. and they found evidence connecting both driver and passenger to the crimes, according to Alexus Napoles of the West Covina Police Department. In the most recent robbery, an armed suspect took off with a Louie Vuitton satchel after he yanked it from his victim outside Hobby Lobby January 29. Police were called to the store, 2753 E. Eastland Center Dr., around 12:08 p.m. The victim told officers the suspect fled in a vehicle after taking the satchel, Napoles told SGV CityWatch. A robbery with similar circumstances occurred at Eastland Center closer to Target January 16. During the traffic stop, officers located a ski mask and replica firearm, as well as items officers said were taken during both armed robberies, Napoles told SGV CityWatch. Isaac Anderson, 18, was booked on suspicion of robbery, conspiracy to commit a crime and possession of stolen property. He is being held in lieu of $50,000. The juvenile was booked at a juvenile detention center. If anyone believes they are victims of the same duo seen driving an older-model red sedan, you are urged to call the West Covina Police Department at 626-939-8500. Written by AARON CASTREJON CityWatch Editor WEST COVINA - An accused convenience store robber is probably a little red in the face after a West Covina sergeant walks in on the robbery in progress January 17.
The suspect, Ramon Gonzales, a 48-year-old La Puente man, allegedly walked in to a 7-Eleven around 8:30 p.m. Wednesday to purchase cigarettes. Gonzales allegedly brandished a handgun tucked in his waistband while the cashier bagged his smokes, according to the West Covina Police Department. Gonzales allegedly demanded money from the register. After all the money was bagged, West Covina Police Sgt. Hernandez walked in during the crime in progress. The employee alerted Hernandez to the suspect as the latter fled the store. Hernandez gave chase and apprehended the suspect. Hernandez confiscated a loaded handgun and $400 in cash which was returned to the store, according to the West Covina Police Department. Gonzales was booked on suspicion of robbery, being a felon, in possession of a firearm and carrying a concealed weapon. Gonzales is being held in the Inmate Reception Center in Los Angeles ahead of a scheduled appearance in the West Covina courthouse January 19. Written by AARON CASTREJON CityWatch WEST COVINA - A 33-year-old woman was arrested December 14, booked on a number of charges stemming from an alleged inappropriate relationship with a 15-year-old male.
Sherry Bernal, a Glendora resident, was taken into custody by West Covina detectives with help from the Department of Homeland Security Child Exploitation Investigation Group. Bernal is also a preschool teacher in Glendora, according to the West Covina Police Department. Bernal was booked on suspicion of possession of obscene material involving a minor in a sexual act, use of underage person for obscene material, harmful matter of a minor sent with sexual intent, contact with a minor with an intent for sex and arranging to meet a minor for sexual purposes. Her bail was set at $180,000; however, she was released on bond pending a future court appearance. The West Covina Police Department urges anyone with information related to this case to call detectives at 626-939-8500. Written by AARON CASTREJON CityWatch Editor WEST COVINA - Detectives tracked down and arrested two additional suspects tied to the murder of a West Covina convenience, store clerk.
19-year-old Arturo Ornelas, a Monterey Park resident, and 18-year-old Ivan Ventura Vanegas, an Alhambra resident, were taken into custody and booked on suspicion of murder, robbery, being an accessory to a crime and conspiracy to commit a crime, according to the West Covina Police Department. Ornelas was arrested November 16. Vanegas was arrested December 7. Ornelas was released on bond. Vanegas remain behind bars and is being held without bail. All three suspects are believed to be members of the same criminal street gang, which detectives will not disclose, according to the West Covina Police Department. A 17-year-old suspect was the first to be arrested, taken into custody October 10 Karanvir Singh, a 34-year-old clerk of Big Bob’s Liquor was gunned down October 8. First responders found the clerk was wounded in the upper torso. He was hospitalized and later died, according to the West Covina Police department. “It appears two males entered the store and stole merchandise. The victim confronted the men at which time a shooting occurred,” according to the West Covina Police Department in a written statement. Written by AARON CASTREJON CityWatch Editor LOS ANGELES - The motorcyclist and his passenger who died in a crash Thanksgiving afternoon were identified recently.
Malerie Santos and Adrian Fuentes, both 20 years old, were identified by the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner. Both victims died at the scene of blunt trauma and there were no other contributing factors in their deaths which were ruled accidental. The crash occurred on Amar Road at Westport Street. First responders were called around 5:10 p.m. November 23, according to the West Covina Police Department. It is not immediately known what direction of travel each vehicle was in at the time of the crash, but it appears, given where the bodies were located, that the motorcycle was headed westbound on Amar Road. The occupants in the sedan and SUV involved in the crash sustained minor injuries. The West Covina Police Department Major Accident Investigation Team is determining what led to the crash. |
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