Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

ALHAMBRA - A stolen vehicle suspect was followed on the I-10 freeway into El Monte early Tuesday and arrested.

Officers identified the stolen vehicle around the I-10 freeway and Garfield Avenue around 3:30 a.m. November 22. The driver entered the freeway east into El Monte. The vehicle was spotted in the 3300 block of Meeker Avenue, according to Lt. Fuentes of the Alhambra Police Department.

Fuentes described the stolen vehicle as a Mercedes-Benz.

The suspect walked away from the vehicle when officers arrived. He was found and taken into custody, Fuentes told SGV CityWatch.

A Los Angeles County Sheriff’s helicopter was called and searched the surrounding area for any other suspects, but no one suspicious was found.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

ALHAMBRA – A man suspected of driving under the influence was pulled from his burning vehicle after a crash October 20.

First responders arrived to the 700 block of North Atlantic Avenue around 2 a.m. Thursday and found the vehicle already on fire. Officers pulled the driver out of the vehicle and walked him to safety, according to the Alhambra Police Department.

“The driver of the vehicle showed symptoms of being under the influence of alcohol. He was transported to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. A blood sample was obtained from the driver and this case will ultimately be presented to the LA District Attorney’s Office for review of DUI charges,” according to the Alhambra Police Department in a written statement.

One officer was treated and released for smoke inhalation.

ALHAMBRA - The driver remained at the scene of a crash that killed a pedestrian July 30.

The crash occurred at Hidalgo Avenue and Main Street just before 9 p.m. The pedestrian, described as an older woman, died after being taken to Huntington Memorial Hospital, according to the Alhambra Police Department.

The pedestrian was in a crosswalk when the crash occurred. There is no evidence the driver was impaired, according to the Alhambra Police Department.

Anyone who witnessed the crash is urged to call the Alhambra Police Department Traffic Section at 626-570-5119.

ALHAMBRA – Police announced the arrest of the suspect wanted for allegedly stealing an estimated $10,000 to $15,000 in Yu-Gi-Oh! Trading cards.

The unidentified suspect was arrested May 25, nearly one month to the day he allegedly robbed Toy-Zilla, 43 E. Main St., according to the Alhambra Police Department.

Two requests for Alhambra Police to identify the suspect have been unsuccessful.

A request for the public’s help was shared on Alhambra Police social media channels five days ago to help find the suspect. It is unclear if a community tip led to an arrest, or if the suspect surrendered himself.

The suspect allegedly pointed pepper spray at an employee of Toy-Zilla during the crime. The employee chased the suspect and suffered extensive injuries during the chase, according to the Alhambra Police Department.

ALHAMBRA – A masked suspect made off with an estimated $10,000 to $15,000 in Yu-Gi-Oh! Trading cards from an Alhambra toy shop April 26.
 
The suspect pointed pepper spray at an employee of Toy-Zilla, 43 E. Main St., during the crime. The employee chased the suspect and suffered extensive injuries during the chase, according to the Alhambra Police Department.
 
The crime occurred April 26. The suspect fled in a green-colored, older-model vehicle.
 
The suspect is described as white, standing 5 feet 8 inches tall, weighs 200 pounds and he wore a blue t-shirt, black beanie, black shorts and white shoes.
 
Anyone who can identify the suspect is urged to call the Alhambra Police Department at 626-570-5159. Information can be provided anonymously by calling LA Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), through the P3Tips mobile app, or lacrimestoppers.org. Reference police report 22-14152.

ALHAMBRA – Two men burglarized a business April 9 and the suspects were caught on camera.

The burglary was recorded in the early morning hours of April 9 at an undisclosed business in the 400 block of South Palm Avenue. The timestamp on the surveillance video showed the crime occurring around 1:37 a.m.

Both men occupied a older maroon or red Honda CRV.

Both suspects are men, possibly Hispanic, sporting goatees and are possibly between 25 and 30 years old. One suspect has a light complexion. The second suspect has a dark complexion and one tattoo each on his left and right calves.

Anyone with information on this burglary is urged to call Alhambra Police Detective Alvarez at (626) 570-5187. Information can be provided anonymously by calling LA Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), through the P3Tips mobile app, or lacrimestoppers.org. Reference report number 22-12503.

ALHAMBRA – A suspect sought for a February 26 shooting was arrested after fleeing deputies while armed Monday.

Alhambra officers were called to a reported shooting at Edgewood Avenue and Valley Boulevard around 7:30 a.m. Saturday and found evidence a vehicle-to-vehicle shooting occurred. An unoccupied vehicle struck by gunfire was found at Marengo Avenue and Valley Boulevard, according to the Alhambra Police Department.

“Subsequently, a victim was located at a nearby residence. The victim was not struck by the gunfire. After reviewing video surveillance in the area of both shootings, a suspect vehicle was identified. APD Detectives placed a ‘want’ on the suspect vehicle while the investigation continued,” according to the Alhambra Police Department in a written statement.

Around Noon February 28, Deputies with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Lakewood Station pursued the suspect after he was found in Bellflower. 

The pursuit ended in Costa Mesa near Victoria Street and Newport Boulevard with a brief foot chase with the armed suspect who allegedly attempted to carjack a driver before being arrested.

Alhambra detectives continue to investigate the shootings. Anyone with information is urged to call the Alhambra Police Department Investigations Division at 626-570-5157.

ALHAMBRA - A man whom police said was undressed fled a home early Thursday after residents fought him off, according to the Alhambra Police Department.

John Anthony Patterson is accused of breaking into the home in the 200 block of North Olive Avenue February 24. Officers were called around 2:40 a.m., according to the Alhambra Police Department.

“The homeowners reported that a male subject entered the residence, undressed, and entered their bedroom. The victims physically warded off the suspect by kicking him in the groin. The suspect fled the location on foot,” according to the Alhambra Police Department in a written statement.

The female victims in the home were uninjured. 

Officers identified Patterson as the suspect.

About eight hours later, officers were called to a home in the 300 block of North Curtis Avenue after a resident spotted a suspect in her rear yard.

Officers allegedly recognized Patterson as they arrived and he ran.

Multiple agencies assisted with finding Patterson: police departments from Monterey Park, San Gabriel, San Marino, an El Monte K9, Pasadena K9, Glendale K9, Pasadena Police helicopter and multiple unmanned aircraft systems, according to the Alhambra Police Department.

Patterson could not be found during the multi-agency search, but Alhambra detectives remained to search the area and Patterson eventually emerged. He was arrested without further incident, according to the Alhambra Police Department.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is urged to call the Alhambra Police Department Investigations Division at 626-570-5157.

ALHAMBRA – Theft suspects from an Alhambra Target store could not outrun a helicopter tracking them as they fled on the I-10 freeway and as they fled on foot Monday.

The unnamed trio are accused of thieving $1,000 in goods from Target, 2120 W. Main St. January 4. Police were called at 9:30 p.m. to find the thieves who were already fleeing in a vehicle, according to the Alhambra Police Department.

Patrol officers located the fleeing vehicle at Fremont Street and Poplar Boulevard. The driver refused to stop, according to the Alhambra Police Department.

A pursuit took to Los Angeles and nearby freeways. Alhambra officers pursued the suspects on the I-10 freeway as far as Santa Anita Avenue until they decided to allow a Los Angeles County Sheriff’s helicopter to safely track the suspects from the air.

The suspects fled east at high speed as far as Hacienda Heights after merging onto the 60 freeway. They quickly fled back west.

The driver stopped after exiting the westbound 60 freeway at Potrero Grande Drive in Monterey Park. All three suspects began their escape on foot, but surrendered as the helicopter and Monterey Park Police officers descended on them.

A 21-year-old man from Los Angeles, a 24-year-old man from Long Beach and a 22-year-old woman from Los Angeles were booked on suspicion of robbery, felony evading and for outstanding warrants on previous crimes committed, according to the Alhambra Police Department.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

ALHAMBRA - Six patrons inside an Alhambra restaurant were injured after a driver crashed through the front of a restaurant Thursday.

Police and firefighters responded to Chengu Taste, 828 W. Valley Blvd., around 1:26 p.m. November 18. Three victims were transported to a local trauma center with serious injuries and three other victims were transported to local hospitals with minor injuries, according to the Alhambra Police Department.

The driver, who remained at the scene and is speaking to investigators, allegedly attempted a left turn onto eastbound Valley Boulevard and mistook the gas pedal for the breaks, according to the Alhambra Police Department.

Valley Boulevard between Atlantic Boulevard and South Seventh Street will be closed for several hours, according to the Alhambra Police Department.