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 - A man accused of flashing a fake badge to pull other motorists over was identified and arrested October 23.

Manuel Joe Hance, a 28-year-old San Gabriel man, was located in El Monte and was taken into custody, booked on suspicion of impersonating a police officer and false imprisonment, Alhambra Police said.

Hance is accused of stopping three drivers on October 20 and October 22. He attempted to extort cash from two of his victims to have alleged driving violations dismissed, but the two victims refused. Hance drove away from each victim, Alhambra Police said. 

A third victim did pay Hance $20, Alhambra Police said.