Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

AZUSA - The suspect identified in the robbery of two 7-11 convenience stores between late December and early January was arrested.

Byron Quinton Cruz, a 24-year-old Azusa man, was arrested after officers learned the suspect description in all three robberies was similar, according to the Azusa Police Department.

The robbery method was also similar, but police did not describe how the stores were robbed.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

AZUSA - A man considered armed and dangerous was sought by police after he reportedly trespassed at a school district office Thursday, an Azusa Police sergeant said.

The suspect was seen trespassing at the Azusa Unified School District, 546 S. Citrus Ave., around 1:47 p.m. The suspect saw officers and he fled from yard to yard before officers could contact him, according to Sgt. Jason Poulos of the Azusa Police Department.

​The school district offices, Sierra High School and Magnolia Think Together were all placed on lockdown, which was lifted roughly around 4:30 p.m.

A Los Angeles County Sheriff’s helicopter assisted with a search, but the wanted suspect could not be found. He has an outstanding warrant for his arrest, Poulos said.

The suspect is Hispanic, is in his mid-30s, has a shaved head and wore all black clothing, Poulos said.

AZUSA - A motorist crashed into a fire hydrant and sheared it off Wednesday morning, an Azusa Police sergeant said.

The collision occurred around 5:20 a.m. January 8 at South Vernon Avenue and West Paramount Street.

The unidentified driver later died, according to Sgt. Bailey of the Azusa Police Department.

Bailey could not provide more details. A collision report has yet to be finished.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

LOS ANGELES - The coroner recently revealed the cause of death for one victim who died in a fire that claimed a father and son.

Alberto Panganiban, 26, died from inhalation of products of combustion. The death was ruled accidental, according to the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Exminer-Coroner.

The cause of death for Alberto’s father, 63-year-old Angelito Panganiban, is still deferred pending additional investigation, the coroner said.

A fire burned in a two-story apartment complex in the 800 block of West 13th Street October 24, 2019. Firefighters were dispatched at 9:12 p.m. and extinguished the flames at 9:46 p.m., according to Dispatch Supervisor Martin Rangel of the Los Angeles County Fire Department.

Cause investigators with the Los Angeles County Fire Department were called to examine the fire, Rangel said. One other person was hospitalized with unspecified injuries.

The cause has not been publicly revealed.

​An adjacent unit has smoke damage and the occupants were displaced, according to Los Angeles County Firefighters on scene.

AZUSA - A man was shot to death by a suspect in a vehicle, homicide detectives said Wednesday.

The victim was 22-year-old Andrew Andalon of La Puente, Jerry McKibben, investigator with the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner, told SGV CityWatch.

Andalon was in a carport in the 1100 block of East Hollyvale Street just before 4:30 a.m. December 25 when a suspect pulled up and fired multiple rounds, striking Andalon at least once, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Information Bureau.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

AZUSA - Police and Sheriff’s homicide investigators are trying to learn The circumstances surrounding the death of a man found with at least one gunshot wound Wednesday morning.

Police responded to an apartment complex in the 1100 block of East Hollyvale Street before 4:30 a.m. December 25 and discovered the wounded man, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Information Bureau.

Firefighters were called to the scene at 4:27 a.m. to a gunshot victim but did not transport a victim, according to dispatch supervisor Michael Pitman of the Los Angeles county fire department.

The victim died at the scene, the Sheriff’s Information Bureau said.

Detectives with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Homicide Bureau are in route to assist Azusa Police with an investigation.

The victim is only described as a Hispanic man.

Anyone with information on the shooting is urged to call the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Homicide Bureau at 323-890-5500. Information can be provided anonymously by calling L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), or with the P3 Tips mobile app.

AZUSA - Two were arrested after police raided a marijuana dispensary in Downtown Azusa Thursday.

The search warrant was served at the location in the 300 block of North Azusa Avenue December 19. Two women in the location were arrested and two others were issued citations, according to the Azusa Police Department.

AZUSA - Police chased the passenger of a vehicle on foot during a traffic stop and later found a loaded handgun, ammunition and weed in his possession.

The suspect, 20-year-old Daniel Garcia-Zermeno, an Azusa resident, fled from officers in the 100 block of South Azusa Avenue, December 19. A passing motorist witnessed a foot pursuit and intervened to help police stop him, according to the Azusa police department in a written statement.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

A vehicle search led to the seizure of drug paraphernalia and a semi-automatic Luger 9mm handgun, Azusa Police said.

Arrested were a 49-year-old man from Pomona and a 29-year-old Covina man.

Police still do not know a motive for the suspects being in the neighborhood.