Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

ALHAMBRA - Two juveniles were arrested, a replica gun seized and stolen items were recovered during a traffic stop, police announced.

Officers were in the area of Atlantic Avenue and the I-10 freeway and intercepted a vehicle that was stolen in Victorville.

“During a vehicle search, a black replica handgun, black gloves, a ski mask, and a wallet with various cards belonging to the victim were found,” according to the Alhambra Police Department in a written statement.

The juveniles were booked on multiple charges.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

ALHAMBRA - A fake funeral and pleas for donations led to the arrest of a father and his child February 18.

Patrol officers spotted the juvenile flashing a funeral donation sign at Valley Boulevard and Fremont Avenue. When pressed with questions from the officers, the juvenile cracked.

“When questioned, he admitted to collecting money and said his dad had dropped him off with the sign, making this a family affair,” according to the Alhambra Police Department in a written statement.

Police located the father, 40-year-old Gheorghe Romana Gilica, a La Habra resident, and took him into custody, along with the juvenile.

Gilica was booked on suspicion of contributing to the delinquency of a minor. He was issued a citation and released the same day, according to Los Angeles County booking records.

The child’s fate is not immediately known, although the child was likely released to a parent or guardian.

Gilica is no stranger to this type of grift, according to arrest records obtained by SGV CityWatch. He was arrested November 18, 2024 in Oak Hills along Highway 395 and Main Street by the San Bernardino Sheriff’s Office. He was booked on suspicion of theft by false pretenses.

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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 man and woman were arrested October 22, allegedly found occupying a stolen ride.

Deshawn Lamar Dafney and Mary Johnson were stopped in the area of Mission Road and Meridian Avenue. During a search after a high-risk traffic stop, officers reportedly discovered narcotics and stolen identification in Dafney’s possession.

Dafney, a Lancaster man, was booked on suspicion of possessing narcotics, possessing stolen identification and had a warrant for a parole violation.

Johnson, a Long Beach woman, was arrested for two outstanding warrants, according to the Alhambra Police Department.

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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 theft suspect arrested in Alhambra probably has a better chance of stealing home plate than stealing clothes after getting caught allegedly stealing merchandise from a store.

The alleged theft took place at Kohl’s, 1201 S. Fremont Ave.

Jonathan Sanchez, a Huntington Park resident, is accused of stuffing two Dodgers jerseys into his waistband and taking two shirts up to the checkout aisle. Sanchez then allegedly left the shirts behind and walked out with the hidden jerseys. Officers located Sanchez and detained him near a gas station, according to the Alhambra Police Department.

Sanchez was also found with allegedly stolen fragrances. Officers discovered he has an outstanding warrant, according to the Alhambra Police Department.

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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 - More than $1600 in merchandise was stolen from Kohl’s October 18.

The thefts were caught on surveillance camera. Three males and one female took 18 pairs of Levi's jeans, 11 Dodger T-shirts, and 5 Champion hooded sweatshirts, according to the Alhambra Police Department.

All four suspects fled in a gray Nissan Rogue with license plate 8AYM950.

One suspect is a Latino man who stands 5 feet 7 inches tall. He has a thin build, short brown hair and wore a black face mask, orange/black/gray jacket and black pants.

A second suspect is a Latino male who stands 6 feet tall, weighs 230 pounds, has facial hair, tattoos and wore a gray Jordan baseball hat, a gray shirt and dark pants.

A third suspect is a Latino male who stands 5 feet 6 inches, has a medium build, tattoos on both arms and wore a black baseball hat, black shirt and dark shorts.

The fourth suspect, a Latino female, stands 5 feet 4 inches tall, weighs 150 pounds, has black hair and wore all black clothing.

Anyone with information on this incident is urged to call the Alhambra Police Investigations Tip Line at (626) 308-4875, reference report number 23-39025. Callers can remain anonymous.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

ALHAMBRA - Narcotics and stolen items were reportedly found inside a stolen vehicle allegedly driven by a man who led officers on a pursuit October 18.

Los Angeles resident Jose Luis Vargas refused to stop for officers in the area of Garfield Avenue and Glendon way. Officers pursued the suspect and located the abandoned vehicle in a cul-de-sac at Irving Street and Sixth Street. The suspect was seen running towards the Atherton senior living complex, according to the Alhambra Police Department.

During a perimeter search, Vargas was found hiding next to a water heater and was taken into custody.

“During a vehicle search, several baggies of methamphetamine, oxycodone, and heroin were found along with several checks payable and ID cards belonging to different individuals. Additionally, the vehicle Vargas was driving was discovered to be stolen,” according to the Alhambra Police Department in a written statement.

Vargas, 37, was charged in Alhambra Superior Court with misdemeanor hit and run, driving a stolen vehicle and felony reckless evading. He pleaded not guilty to all three charges, according to Los Angeles County Superior Court records.

ALHAMBRA - A high-speed chase and foot pursuit yielded stolen catalytic converters and burglary tools August 31, according to the Alhambra Police Department.

Officers attempted to stop a vehicle traveling at high speed near Valley Boulevard and Grandview Drive, but the driver refused to stop, according to the Alhambra Police Department.

Once the driver stopped, the suspects fled on foot on Walnut Grove Avenue when officers approached the vehicle, but were soon caught.

“During a vehicle search, several catalytic converters, cordless saws, saw blades, and other burglary tools were discovered inside,” according to the Alhambra Police Department in a written statement.

Jonathan Rosas, a Fontana resident, and a juvenile passenger were arrested.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

ALHAMBRA - Police caught a theft suspect Thursday who apparently had merchandise taken from a Harbor Freight Tools.

Johnny Longoria, a Whittier resident, was caught in possession of the stolen tools and was driving with a suspended license, according to the Alhambra Police Department.

Officers were conducting a surveillance operation near Valley Boulevard and Curtis Avenue due to a rise thefts, according to the Alhambra Police Department.

“During the investigation, it was discovered that Longoria was also connected to a previous grand theft incident in July. Merchandise from another Harbor Freight store in Whittier was found in his vehicle,” according to the Alhambra Police Department in a written statement.

Longoria, 24, is being held in lieu of $100,000 bail at the Inmate Reception Center in Los Angeles. His next scheduled court appearance is October 5 in Alhambra Municipal Court.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

ALHAMBRA - Surveillance cameras caught a man and a woman in the act of stealing tires from a vehicle July 27.

The theft of tires from a silver Kia sedan occurred in the 2400 block of Avondale Drive, according to the Alhambra Police Department.

The man is described as a Latino in his 30s. He wore a red shirt, brown pants and black and white shoes.

The woman is described as a Latina in her 30s. She wore a red tank top with black shorts.

Anyone with information on this theft is urged to call the Alhambra Police Department investigations tip line at 626-308-4875. Callers can remain anonymous.

ALHAMBRA - A man and woman escaped into the night after abandoning a vehicle reported stolen in Santa Ana Tuesday night.

Deputies near the I-10 freeway and Fremont Avenue attempted to stop the vehicle around 7:44 p.m. after learning it was stolen. The driver led police on a chase along surface streets into Alhambra, according to Lt. Hernandez of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Temple Station.

Deputies ended the chase after losing sight of the vehicle. Deputies were soon notified that a man and woman were seen running in the area of North Bushnell Avenue and Larch Street, but a perimeter search was fruitless.

The stolen vehicle information revealed whoever took the ride was considered armed and dangerous, Hernandez told SGV CityWatch.