Written by AARON CASTREJON 
CityWatch Editor 

UPDATE, 5:11 p.m.: The vehicle was rendered safe. All mandatory evacuations and warnings are lifted. All residents can return to their homes, according to the Covina Police Department.​

COVINA - Firefighters continue to flood an electrical vehicle with water after it began burning in the parking structure of IKEA off of Barranca Street Saturday morning.

Employees of the IKEA, 848 N. Barranca St., were evacuated around 8:19 a.m. October 9. The store was not open to customers yet. Some businesses near the hazmat fire were also evacuated as a precaution.

“The fire does not pose any threat to safety or health at this time,” according Fire Captain Aaron Karin of the Los Angeles County Fire Department.

Hazmat technicians are continuing to monitor air quality, although as this reporter drove west along East Garvey Avenue North past the scene, a chemical smell was apparent.

“The vehicle is in the garage. It’s just a bunch of concrete. We’re throwing water on it consistently. It just keeps lighting back up as electric vehicle fires are want to do,” Katon told SGV CityWatch.

Some areas around the IKEA are under an evacuation WARNING. It is not immediately known when the mandatory evacuation will lift, even though this is a static incident, Katon told SGV CityWatch.

“It takes a while and a lot of water to put these batteries out,” Katon told SGV CityWatch.

Northbound and southbound Barranca between Rowland Street and Garvey Avenue North are blocked, as well as Workman Avenue east of Citrus Street and the Barranca off ramp from the east I-10 Freeway.

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Copyright 2026. All stories and original images published here are the exclusive property of SGV CityWatch and may not be republished in any form without the permission of this organization.

Written by AARON CASTREJON 
CityWatch Editor 

COVINA - The Covina Police Department released body cam recordings and surveillance video of a shootout between officers and a suspect.

Officers responded to a report of gunfire occurring in the 200 block of North Grandview Avenue May 22, 2026 around 11:30 a.m. Multiple callers, including a nearby school, reported hearing the gunfire. The school was placed on lockdown.

Surveillance video from an apartment complex showed 46-year-old suspect George Roman indiscriminately firing a handgun. Several apartment units were struck by gunfire.

Officers arrived and were fired upon. Police returned fire and established a containment to corral the suspect. He eventually surrendered.

The suspect was injured and bled heavily from his head. He was treated before being jailed.

No one else was injured.

Roman was officially charged with one count of assault on an officer with a firearm,  one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm and two counts of shooting at an inhabited dwelling. He is also facing special allegations of personal use of a firearm, personal and intentional discharge of a firearm and shooting at an inhabited dwelling, according to Los Angeles Superior Court records.

Roman has since appeared in Pomona Superior Court and is expected back November 5.

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The arrest record in this article is being redistributed by SGV CityWatch and is protected by constitutional, publishing and other legal rights. Arrest information is public record and was distributed by government sources. The person named in this article has only been arrested on suspicion of the crime(s) listed and is presumed innocent.

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Copyright 2026. All stories and original images published here are the exclusive property of SGV CityWatch and may not be republished in any form without the permission of this organization.

Written by AARON CASTREJON 
CityWatch Editor 

COVINA - A suspect was taken into custody Friday after a very brief pursuit and stand off, police said.

A replica firearm was recovered after the suspect tossed the weapon to officers while allegedly taunting them from behind a closed metal security door at a Covina apartment complex August 7. Less lethal rounds were used to subdue the suspect once officers pried open the gate to detain him, according to Sgt. Rodriguez of the Covina Police Department.

Witnesses reported a man brandishing a firearm and acting erratically in the parking lot of Big 5 in the 500 block of South Azusa Avenue, Friday. When officers arrived to investigate, they saw the suspect who then allegedly revealed the weapon tucked in his waistband, Rodriguez told SGV CityWatch.

The type of weapon the suspect had was a replica oozie, Rodriguez told SGV CityWatch.

The suspect escaped and led officers on a very brief pursuit to a nearby apartment complex in the 1300 block of West San Bernardino Road. 

A passerby recorded the entire incident as the suspect in a gray SUV pulled up to a closed gate. He exchanged words with officers as the gate opened. The suspect drove in and then attempted to escape on foot with armed officers giving chase.

“He points the gun [at our officers]. No shots were fired. Officers are converging on him and giving him orders. He’s got the gun still and he’s behind the door,” Rodriguez told SGV CityWatch. “He’s got a gun in his hand and he’s showing it to them.”

After the suspect briefly opened the door to toss the weapon away, he closed it again and reportedly taunted officers. An officer eventually used brute force to pry open the door, Rodriguez told SGV CityWatch.

Nathaniel Alexander Ceja, 27, was arrested.

Ceja was booked on suspicion of brandishing a firearm, resisting arrest, evading an officer and driving under the influence, Rodriguez told SGV CityWatch.

Ceja was additionally booked on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon on a peace officer. He allegedly drove at an officer during his initial escape and allegedly pointed the replica weapon at officers, Rodriguez told SGV CityWatch.

Ceja is being held in the Inmate Reception Center in Los Angeles in lieu of $50,000 ahead of a scheduled appearance in West Covina Superior Court Tuesday, August 11.

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The arrest record in this article is being redistributed by SGV CityWatch and is protected by constitutional, publishing and other legal rights. Arrest information is public record and was distributed by government sources. The person named in this article has only been arrested on suspicion of the crime(s) listed and is presumed innocent.

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Copyright 2026. All stories and original images published here are the exclusive property of SGV CityWatch and may not be republished in any form without the permission of this organization.

Written by AARON CASTREJON 
CityWatch Editor 

COVINA - Detectives tracked down and arrested a man accused of leaving a pedestrian to die after striking him with a truck Thursday.

Anton Schulz, 66, is being held in the Covina City Jail, booked on suspicion of hit and run causing death and vehicular manslaughter, according to the Covina Police Department.

The 81-year-old victim was in a marked crosswalk when he was struck on North Citrus Avenue near Covina Boulevard. First responders were called around 7 p.m. and found the publicly-unnamed victim laying in the roadway, according to the Covina Police Department.

The victim was taken to Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center where he died that same evening.

Officers learned a Chevrolet truck hit the victim and fled the scene.

“With the assistance of FLOCK (AI-powered automated license plate reader) cameras, investigators identified the vehicle involved and its driver,” according to the Covina Police Department in a written statement.

Schulz was arrested at his home. He awaits a scheduled appearance in West Covina Superior Court Tuesday, July 21.

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The arrest record in this article is being redistributed by SGV CityWatch and is protected by constitutional, publishing and other legal rights. Arrest information is public record and was distributed by government sources. The person named in this article has only been arrested on suspicion of the crime(s) listed and is presumed innocent.

Copyright 2026. All stories and original images published here are the exclusive property of SGV CityWatch and may not be republished in any form without the permission of this organization.

Written by AARON CASTREJON 
CityWatch Editor 

COVINA - A fireworks-driven blaze at a school district sports field resulted in unspecified damage July 9.

A group of seven teens accused of causing the damage were caught by Covina Police who tracked down the miscreants to a nearby apartment complex where they surrendered and were detained.

First responders were called to Covina District Field, 200 W. Puente St., around 6:45 p.m. Video from the scene, purportedly taken by one of the teens, shows fireworks being ignited near the bleachers. 

Minutes later, multiple callers reported flames and black smoke billowing from under the bleachers. One caller reported teens on bicycles fleeing east through a nearby shopping center.

Of the seven detained, four were arrested and booked on suspicion of unlawfully causing a fire to a structure or Forest land. All teens were later released to their parents.

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Copyright 2026. All stories and original images published here are the exclusive property of SGV CityWatch and may not be republished in any form without the permission of this organization.

Written by AARON CASTREJON 
CityWatch Editor 

COVINA - The tow truck driver who was shot multiple times by a driver on a freeway July 3 remains in critical condition. family and coworkers said.

Jorge Arias Mayen remains in critical condition. The West Covina man in the sole breadwinner for his family. His wife and 15-year-old son are struggling to afford medical bills. A gofundme campaign has been established.

Mayen, a driver for Azusa-based Jan’s Towing, was shot during a confrontation on the right shoulder of the eastbound 210 freeway before the Grand Avenue exit just before 3 a.m. Friday. For unknown reasons, the unidentified driver brandished a handgun and shot Mayen multiple times.

Mayen was on his last call of the night when he was shot, according to uncle Juan Hernandez.

There were passersby who witnessed the confrontation and called 9-1-1. At least one witness reported seeing a firearm brandished. The suspect in a white SUV fled the scene before the California Highway Patrol arrived. Officers found Mayen suffering multiple gunshot wounds, according to Lt. Keene of the CHP.

News stringer video showed CHP officers performing CPR on Mayen.

Additional officers soon located the suspect driving in the area and pursued him when he refused to stop.

The pursuit led to surface streets in the Covina area and it ultimately ended at the Fuel Club gas station, 110 W. Arrow Hwy. The suspect exited the white SUV and brandish a handgun. Officers shot and killed him, Keene said.

CHP officers treated the suspect at the scene until Los Angeles County Fire Department paramedics arrived to continue treatment. He was taken to an area hospital and pronounced deceased. He has yet to be identified.

“Our Jan’s Towing family continues to ask for your prayers for our teammate, Jorge, as he remains in critical condition and continues to receive medical treatment, according to Jan’s Towing in a social media statement.

“Over the past day, we’ve been overwhelmed by the incredible love, prayers and support from our customers, friends, fellow tow companies, first responders and our community. Thank you,” according to Jan’s Towing.

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Copyright 2026. All stories and original images published here are the exclusive property of SGV CityWatch and may not be republished in any form without the permission of this organization.

Written by AARON CASTREJON 
CityWatch Editor 

COVINA - One man is dead, another is booked on suspicion of murder after a child custody exchange ended in gunfire Tuesday.

Two couples arrived to the Covina Home Depot parking lot, 963 W. Badillo St., to perform the exchange. Two men began arguing. One man revealed and fired a gun, killing the other man, according to Sgt. Gonzalez of the Covina Police Department.

Despite life-saving efforts, the victim died from his wounds. 

The suspect remained at the scene where he was taken into custody, Gonzalez told SGV CityWatch.

No one else was injured. 

Detectives focused much of their attention on a dark gray Kia Sportage, which was parked in the lot closer to Starbucks. A newer-model white sedan was also parked in the crime scene.

Detectives questioning some children and two women at the scene.

Morris Hasan Lawrence, 31, was booked on suspicion of murder. He is being held in lieu of $2 million bail ahead of a scheduled appearance in West Covina Superior Court Thursday, June 11.

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The arrest record in this article is being redistributed by SGV CityWatch and is protected by constitutional, publishing and other legal rights. Arrest information is public record and was distributed by government sources. The person named in this article has only been arrested on suspicion of the crime(s) listed and is presumed innocent.

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Copyright 2026. All stories and original images published here are the exclusive property of SGV CityWatch and may not be republished in any form without the permission of this organization.

Written by AARON CASTREJON 
CityWatch Editor 

COVINA - Chaos unfolded in a neighborhood Friday when a man began unloading a handgun in a residential area.

Gunfire was reported May 22 in the 200 block of North Grandview Avenue, which is north of East Badillo Street. Officers arrived, confronted the suspect and a police shooting occurred, according to the Covina Police Department.

The incident occurred around 11:40 a.m.

The suspect was taken to a hospital. His condition is not immediately known. It is unclear what the man’s target was.

The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Homicide Bureau is investigating the shooting.

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Copyright 2026. All stories and original images published here are the exclusive property of SGV CityWatch and may not be republished in any form without the permission of this organization.

Written by AARON CASTREJON 
CityWatch Editor 

COVINA - A man wanted for burglarizing four restaurants was caught in Ontario.

Investigators tracked down the suspect’s vehicle through surveillance video and a license plate check revealed the vehicle was stolen, but later recovered in Ontario, according to the Arcadia Police Department.

The suspect was arrested while attempting to steal the vehicle a second time. Through collaboration with Ontario Police, investigators determined the Ontario arrestee wore the same clothing as the Covina burglar, according to the Covina Police Department.

The suspect is currently on probation for burglary. He was booked on suspicion of grand theft auto and for violating his parole. Burglary charges are pending, according to the Covina Police Department.

The suspect’s name was not released.

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Copyright 2026. All stories and original images published here are the exclusive property of SGV CityWatch and may not be republished in any form without the permission of this organization.

Written by AARON CASTREJON 
CityWatch Editor 

COVINA - Detectives are asking the public for help in identifying a burglary suspect who hit four restaurants overnight April 22.

Mauricio’s Mexican Food, 245 E. Rowland St., Sam’s Peruvian Restaurant, 235 E. Rowland St., The Spot Teriyaki and Burger, 422 N. Azusa Ave., and El Patito Panaderia, 326 N. Azusa Ave., were targeted, according to the Covina Police Department.

The front glass doors were smashed open with a rock. The suspect targeted the cash registers and tills, according to the Covina Police Department.

The burglar took off with an unspecified amount of cash from one or more of the restaurants.

Anyone with information on these burglaries is urged to call Covina Police Detective Vanessa Cardosa at 626-384-5615, or at vcardosa@covinaca-gov.

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Copyright 2026. All stories and original images published here are the exclusive property of SGV CityWatch and may not be republished in any form without the permission of this organization.