Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

UPDATE, 5:28 p.m.: The roadway has re-opened, according to the Azusa Police Department.

​MOUNTAINS - A portion of San Gabriel Canyon Road remains closed Thanksgiving Day as investigators continue to piece together details of a fatal motorcycle crash.

The crash occurred near 2025 North San Gabriel Canyon Road around 10:30 a.m. November 24.

Numerous callers reported the crash. The male adult who crashed died at the scene. Initially, this is believed to be a solo collision. The cause for the crash is still being investigated, according to Lt. Jorge Sandoval of the Azusa Police Department.

The road was closed from the southern bridge at Mountain Laurel Way to the northern bridge, Sandoval told SGV CityWatch.

Caltrans is assisting with the closure. Residents with identification are allowed in.

A CHP closure originally spanned further up to East Fork Road for separate reasons.

AZUSA – A teen was jailed September 23, accused of running during a traffic stop and dropping a handgun during his escape.

A traffic stop was made during a specialized crime suppression operation in the 300 block of North Citrus Avenue. The vehicle sought by officers stopped in a parking lot and the teen fled.

“A male juvenile ran from the vehicle as he tried to remove a handgun from his person. Officers chased the suspect and witnessed the handgun fall from the suspect’s person,” according to the Azusa Police Department in a written statement.

The teen was caught and arrested, the handgun recovered. No one was injured.

AZUSA – A multi-county operation targeting child sex offenders led to multiple arrests, including two arrests in Azusa.

Operation Protect the Innocent, which took place September 6 through September 12, netted 141 arrests across Los Angeles, Orange, Santa Barbara and Ventura counties. According to statistics provided by the Azusa Police Department.

12 probation compliance checks and parole compliance checks were made in Azusa. A residential search warrant was conducted and two men were arrested.

“A paroled sex offender was arrested for violating the conditions of his parole by having children’s undergarments and other clothing in his bedroom, as well as photographs of his prior victim,” according to the Azusa Police Department in a written statement.

A second arrest was made. A 25-year-old Azusa man is accused of contacting a female juvenile online with the intent of meeting her to commit sex offenses, according to the Azusa Police Department.

Working with county and state partners, Azusa police detectives focused on investigating those suspected of victimizing children online and making sure registered sex offenders were complaint with their court terms.

The operation was spearheaded by the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.

AZUSA - Authorities identified a man who died in a violent crash that ripped apart an automobile.

Robert Holloway, 39, was identified by the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner. He died from multiple traumatic injuries. His death was ruled accidental.

First responders were called to the crash at Cerritos Avenue and Gladstone Street around 2 a.m. August 16. For unknown reasons the driver, who was northbound on Cerritos Avenue, crashed just south of Gladstone Street. The vehicle possibly struck a palm tree and destroyed irrigation piping, according to Sgt. Bailey of the Azusa Police Department.

The vehicle appeared to be a Dodge Charger.

Public death records did not list any contributing factors in Holloway’s death.

AZUSA - Investigators are still determining what led to a man’s death August 18.

Luis Manuel Garcia, 27, was found dead after officers were called to a report of a person not breathing in the area of Newburgh Street and Azusa Avenue just before 7:30 p.m.

Officers initially believed Garcia died of a possible drug overdose, but the coroner has deferred the cause of death, pending additional investigation.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

AZUSA - A 61-year-old man accused of sexually assaulting a girl in Azusa August 1 was found and arrested in Simi Valley the day of the alleged crime.

Carl Eugene Kracher faces one count each of lewd and lascivious acts with a 14-year-old child and oral copulation with a minor. Kracher appeared in court August 3 and has pleaded not guilty, according Los Angeles County Superior Court records.

The girl called police to her location in the 100 block of North Azusa Avenue August 1 to report a crime.

Investigators somehow identified Kracher and located and arrested him in Simi Valley.

“The investigation led Azusa Police Department’s detectives to believe there may be other victims that Kracher assaulted,” according to the Azusa Police Department in a written statement.

The Azusa Police Department is asking members of the community and surrounding police agencies in locating and identifying additional victims. Anyone with information is urged to call Azusa Police Detective Avalos at 626-812-3223, or Detective Johnson at 626-812-3252. Remain anonymous by calling 626-812-3272.

Kracher is being held in lieu of $75,000 bail at the Pitchess Detention Center in Castaic ahead of a scheduled appearance in Pomona Superior Court September 16.

AZUSA – A man was discovered dead at a business complex near Azusa Avenue Thursday evening.

First responders were sent to the area of Azusa Avenue and Newburgh Street around 7:27 p.m. August 18 to a report of a person not breathing. The Hispanic man in his 20s was found at a business complex, according to Azusa Police Cpl. Martinez.

The man died of a possible overdose. At this time investigators do not suspect foul play, Martinez told SGV CityWatch.

AZUSA – Investigators are still trying to determine why a driver struck a tree and obliterated his vehicle, killing him in the process.

First responders were called to the crash at Cerritos Avenue and Gladstone Street around 2 a.m. August 16. For unknown reasons the driver, who was northbound on Cerritos Avenue, crashed just sound of Gladstone Street. The vehicle possibly struck a palm tree and destroyed irrigation piping, according to Sgt. Bailey of the Azusa Police Department.

“25 years and that definitely goes down as one of the top five worst that I’ve seen,” Bailey told SGV CityWatch.

The vehicle appeared to be a Dodge Charger.

It is not yet clear if alcohol or drugs factored into the crash.

​The intersection was closed down for roughly seven hours.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

AZUSA – Detectives are investigating what led to a male victim to suffer head trauma after being discovered by police July 26.

Officers responding a report of a person down in the 200 Block of North San Gabriel Avenue at 11:39 p.m. found the male suffering an unspecified head wound. The male was taken to a hospital, according to Jennifer Wu, emergency services coordinator with the Azusa Police Department.

The age and condition of the male were not disclosed. It was also undisclosed what specific injuries the male may have suffered and if the injuries lead detectives to believe he may have been assaulted.

The scene remained active through 6:30 a.m. A CityWatch reader on his way to work observed the scene taped off and what appeared to be animal control officers on scene.

Anyone with information on this incident is urged to call the Azusa Police Department at 626-812-3200.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

AZUSA - The cavalry was called in Friday as officers from nearby agencies assisted the Azusa Police Department in serving a multi-location search warrant.

The operation netted 13 arrests and the seizure of illegal handguns and other evidence related to various gang crimes. Those arrested face charges ranging from probation violations to conspiracy to commit murder, according to the Azusa Police Department.

“Names, locations, and evidence found are withheld due to an ongoing investigation by this department,” according to the Azusa Police Department in a written statement.

The Azusa Police Department’s Detective Bureau and Crime Suppression Team served the search warrant.

Assisting were police departments from El Monte, West Covina, Glendora, Pomona, La Verne, Covina, Glendale, Irwindale, Beverly Hills, Foothills Special Enforcement Team and County of Los Angeles Probation Department.

Anyone with information regarding illegal gang activity is urged to call the Azusa Police Department’s Detective Bureau or Crime Suppression Team at 626-812-3200.