Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

ALHAMBRA - A teller’s intuition led to the arrest of a man accused of stealing $25,000 from his victim’s bank account.

Curtis Graham, a 51-year-old New Jersey man, allegedly used fraudulent identification and ATM card to withdraw the cash from a Bank of America, 444 E. Valley Blvd. Graham then allegedly attempted to withdraw even more money from a savings account June 28, according to the Alhambra Police Department.

“The teller grew suspicious of the unusually large withdrawal and asked some questions to verify the account. The suspect became nervous and left in a panic,” according to the Alhambra Police Department in a written statement.

Things allegedly got physical between the teller and Graham when the suspect was followed outside the bank. Officers arrived and took Graham into custody.

Graham was officially charged with second-degree robbery, assault with a deadly weapon, theft from an elder/dependent adult, identity theft, false personation and possessing a false or altered driver license.

Graham pleaded not guilty July 7.

He is being held in the North County Correctional Facility in Castaic and is scheduled to return to Alhambra Superior Court July 29.

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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.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

ALHAMBRA - A woman was seriously injured January 18 after her ex emerged from her vehicle with a handgun and allegedly kidnapped her, forcing her to drive from Pasadena to Alhambra.

A concerned friend received a call from the woman who was heard arguing with a man. After the call dropped, the friend notified Alhambra Police Dispatch around 6:30 a.m. During a search for the woman’s vehicle near her residence, the woman’s son notified officers about a call he received from her, according to the Alhambra Police Department.

The son said his mother was still with the ex, identified as 43-year-old Alhambra resident Clemente Enrique Contreras.

Clemente allegedly followed the victim to Pasadena and was waiting in the back seat of her vehicle. He also allegedly forced her to drive to Alhambra, hitting her several times in the head, according to the Alhambra Police Department.

Officers located the woman’s vehicle at Almansor Street and Ross Avenue where the suspect exited, allegedly still armed with a handgun. The woman drove away. Contreras allegedly refused to surrender.

“Officers secured the scene and attempted to de-escalate the situation. After almost an hour of negotiation, Clemente Contreras of Alhambra, CA, dropped his weapon and was taken into custody,” according to the Alhambra Police Department in a written statement.

Contreras was booked on suspicion of domestic violence, kidnapping, assault with a deadly weapon, criminal threats and false imprisonment, according to Lt. Grant Spencer of the Alhambra Police Department.

Contreras is being held in lieu $1.25 million at the Twin Towers Correctional Facility ahead of a scheduled appearance in the Alhambra Courthouse January 22.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

ALHAMBRA - Two suspects are facing a long list of charges, accused of recklessly leading police on a chase after allegedly robbing a restaurant at gunpoint.

Just after 11:30 p.m. December 20, officers attempted to stop a high-speed driver in the 2400 block of West Valley Boulevard. Minutes after the pursuit began, Alhambra police dispatchers were told that an armed takeover robbery occurred at a restaurant in the 1700 block of West Valley Boulevard, according to the Alhambra Police Department.

During the pursuit, the driver lost control of his vehicle and spun 180 degrees. The driver allegedly accelerated, rammed an Alhambra Police patrol vehicle and then continued to flee, according to the Alhambra Police Department.

The pursuit ended in Los Angeles in the area of Valley Boulevard and Cavanaugh Road where the driver spun out. Both the driver and passenger fled onto some nearby railroad tracks. With the help of a Los Angeles Police Department helicopter, both suspects were arrested without further incident.

An employee of the restaurant that was robbed told police that two suspects entered, ordered all employees down to the ground at gunpoint. Money was taken from the restaurant and from the employees, according to the Alhambra Police Department.

Property located in the suspect’s vehicle, including a loaded firearm, allegedly tied both driver and passenger to the restaurant robbery.

Lancaster man David Saravia, 23, and Maywood man Tomas Marcos, 22, were arrested. Amongst the charges are robbery, assault with a deadly on a peace officer, kidnapping and undisclosed weapons violations.

Saravia is being held without bail on a California Department of Corrections hold. Marcos is being held in lieu of $100,000 bail. Both men are scheduled for a December 23 appearance in Alhambra Municipal Court.

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.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

ALHAMBRA - No injuries were reported after a gunman opened fire at a man attempting to sell a motorcycle on an Alhambra street Sunday.

The shooting occurred in the 1400 block of South Atlantic Boulevard around 1:47 p.m. August 23. No victims or witnesses were found, but spent shell casings were discovered, according to Lt. Tai Seki of the Alhambra Police Department.

A patron at a nearby taco stand reportedly witnessed either the victim or a suspect fleeing the scene after hearing gunfire, according to Alhambra Police radio traffic.

As the investigation continued, the intended victim returned to the scene and identified himself as the man shot at, Seki told SGV CityWatch.

“The victim stated he was at the location trying to sell a motorcycle to an unknown suspect when they opened fire on him,” Seki told SGV CityWatch.

A male suspect fled the scene in a dark-colored SUV.

Anyone with information on the shooting is urged to call the Alhambra Police Department at 626-570-5151.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

ALHAMBRA - A suspect is still on the loose after two people were stabbed late Saturday night, Alhambra Police said.

Alhambra police dispatchers received 9-1-1 calls in the 2200 block of Orange Grove Avenue. Officers learned of the two stabbing victims while one was already hospitalized and while one was being transported, according to Lt. Eddie Elezalde of the Alhambra Police Department.

The assault occurred around 11 p.m. Both victims are in stable condition, Elezalde said.

Anyone with information on a suspect is urged to call Alhambra Police at 626-570-5151. Information can be provided anonymously by calling the Alhambra Police Tip Line at 626-308-4875.