Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

AZUSA - No one was injured after an attempted kidnapping suspect fired a handgun during an altercation at an Azusa apartment complex.

Kidnapping suspect Ignacio Christopher Inda, 25, approached a lone mother and her child at her apartment unit at 222 S. Azusa Ave. January 6. Inda, armed with a semi-automatic handgun loaded with an extended clip tucked into his sweatshirt pocket, picked up the child, Azusa Police said.

A second man, 26-year-old Brandon Kirk, confronted and fought Inda, who fired one shot from his gun during the altercation. No one was injured, Azusa Police said.

Both men, who live in the same complex, fled to their apartment units and barricades themselves.

“Upon attempting to negotiate with Inda, he attempted to flee out the rear second story apartment window. Inda leapt from the window with an unregistered “ghost” semi-automatic handgun in his hand,” according to the Azusa Police Department in a written statement.

Officers were able to take Inda into custody. The handgun taken from his person was loaded, Azusa Police said.

Kirk was taken into custody after briefly stepping outside his apartment. Officers located an AR-15 short barrel rifle and a semi-automatic handgun; both weapons are considered as “ghost guns,” Azusa Police said.

Inda was booked on suspicion of a weapons violation, kidnapping and assault with a deadly weapon.

The child was not injured and was released to the mother once the suspect was confronted, Azusa Police said.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

AZUSA - Police tracked down an irate ex-boyfriend after he allegedly brandished a handgun at his former beau, pistol whipped her new man and allegedly took off with his ex’s 3-year-old son, police said.

25-year-old Robert Brown was sought by officers after he allegedly committed the assault around 6:40 p.m. January 1 in the 500 block of East Third Street, according to the Azusa Police Department.

Azusa Police detectives immediately began searching for Brown, a Carson resident.

Detectives learned Brown was in Muscoy and he was detained during a traffic stop at 12:45 a.m. January 2. The child was recovered unharmed, Azusa Police said.

Brown was arrested and booked on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon, domestic battery and burglary.

Anyone with information regarding this case is urged the call the Azusa Police Department at 626-812-3200.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

AZUSA - A driver was dead after his vehicle slammed into a parked vehicle occupied by two people on Azusa Avenue Friday afternoon.

The crash occurred around 3:37 p.m. January 1 near 142 N. Azusa Ave.

It appears the driver was northbound on Azusa Avenue and crashed into the occupied vehicle that was parked along the west curb line, according to Sgt. Brandon Bailey of the Azusa Police Department.

“The other two people in a parked car have a minor injuries,” Bailey told SGV CityWatch.

It is too early to tell what led to the crash, Bailey told SGV CityWatch.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

AZUSA - And armed security guard detained two men who broke their way into a closed business December 28 until police officers were able to arrive and arrest the suspects.

42-year-old Daniel Mossberg, a Baldwin Park man, and Christopher Vandehey, a 37-year-old Covina man, were arrested and booked on suspicion of burglary and possessing burglary tools, according to the Azusa Police Department.

Police were called just after 7:32 p.m.

Both men allegedly cut open a gate to the front of the business at 415 S. Motor Ave. a rear door was forced open allowing the suspects access to the business where they were stripping copper wire from inside, according to the Azusa Police Department.

Both suspects were released on a citation, according to Los Angeles County booking records.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

AZUSA - A man in a reported stolen vehicle led Azusa officers on a chase into Ontario where the suspect barricaded himself briefly on the 15 freeway, police said.

Daniel Phillip Cruz, 39, whose last known address was in Azusa, allegedly attempted to strike officers while fleeing a traffic stop at Target, 809 N. Azusa Ave., around 12:20 p.m. December 24, according to the Azusa Police Department.

Officers pursued Cruz through several neighboring cities, Azusa Police said.

Cruz at one point fled eastbound on Arrow Highway with a helicopter and officers on the ground trailing him into the La Verne and Pomona areas. He eventually made his way into Ontario.

Cruz eventually stopped on the 15 freeway near Fourth Street.

“The suspect refused to comply with officers demands to exit the stolen vehicle, causing a traffic hazard for motorists,” according to Sgt. Brandon Bailey of the Azusa Police Department in written statement.

A K9 was deployed and famously was seen on television leaping into the driver side window of the stolen vehicle. The K9 bit down on Cruz’s left arm and the suspect struck the K9 multiple times before officers forcefully removed from the vehicle.

Assisting were the California Highway Patrol and the Ontario Police Department.

“The suspect sustained injuries during the arrest and he was transported to a local hospital for further treatment, prior to booking,” Bailey said.

Cruz will be charged with felony evading, assault on a peace officer and willful injury to a peace officer’s animal, Bailey said.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

AZUSA - A man and woman were arrested in Monrovia after the victims were able to provide investigators with descriptions of the suspects and getaway vehicle, police said.

Maximilian Delgado, 28, and Iztel Tostado, 26, were both taken into custody December 17. Both were booked on suspicion of robbery. Both victims were held at gunpoint, according to the Azusa Police Department.

Officers responded to the scene at a parking lot at 1240 W. Foothill Blvd. around 10:30 a.m.

“Azusa Police Detectives, with assistance from Monrovia Police Department Detectives, were able to identify the alleged suspects from the robbery,” according to the Azusa Police Department in a written statement.

Both suspects were arrested after a search warrant was served at the home where Delgado and Tostado live, Azusa Police said.

Delgado is being held without bail in the Twin Towers Correctional Facility in Los Angeles, according to Los Angeles County booking records.

Tostado was eventually released with a citation.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

AZUSA - No motive was discovered after two likely-related shootings occurred Monday night.

Police dispatchers received reports of gunfire on Gladstone Street and Azusa Avenue at 8:30 p.m. December 7 involving as many as two different drivers, according to Sgt. Jason Poulos of the Azusa Police Department.

Within minutes, police received calls of a shooting near Vernon Avenue and the 210 freeway, according to Azusa Police radio traffic.

No one was found injured and no homes, other buildings, or vehicles were found damaged, Poulos told SGV CityWatch.

Officers determined the first shooting likely occurred in the Edgewood Center Parking lot, Poulos told SGV CityWatch.

Callers initially told dispatchers the shooting occurred on Gladstone Street. Bullet casings were found in the parking lot, according to Azusa Police radio traffic.

Azusa officers also located shell casings on Vernon Avenue near the 210 freeway.

Witnesses reported the two vehicles possibly involved in the shootings, a dark-colored Honda Acura and a white Mercedes-Benz, fled onto the 210 freeway. Poulos did not immediately know what direction the drivers fled.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

AZUSA - A male was struck by gunfire and was hospitalized with injuries considered not life-threatening, an Azusa Police sergeant said.

The shooting occurred around 4:45 p.m. Friday, November 27 at West Paramount Street and South Azusa Avenue. The victim was found wounded outside, according to Sgt. Nick Covarrubias of the Azusa Police Department.

Covarrubias had no information on a suspect description, vehicle description or possible motive.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

AZUSA - A clerk was reportedly punch several times by a liquor store robber Thursday morning, Azusa Police said.

The robbery occurred at Diana’s Liquor, 200 W. Foothill Blvd., around 8:52 a.m. November 19. The suspect stole merchandise and attempted to flee. The clerk attempted to get payment from the suspect, according to the Azusa Police Department.

“The victim stated he attempted to receive payment from the suspect at which point the suspect punched him several times on the face,” according to the Azusa Police Department in a written statement.

Arriving officers located 18-year-old Covina man Roger Sapien in the west alley in the 500 block of North San Gabriel Avenue.

The clerk identified Sapien as the suspect, Azusa Police said.

The clerk said he was uninjured and refused medical help.

Sapien was booked on suspicion of robbery and was held in lieu of $50,000 bail.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

AZUSA - Police announced the October 30 arrest of a sex offender for allegedly failing to register.

West Covina man Santiago Acuna, 43, was taken into custody with the assistance of West Covina police officers. He was booked on suspicion of failing to register as a sex offender, according to the Azusa Police Department.

Acuna was arrested just before 9:30 a.m., but was issued a citation and released just before Noon the same day, according to Los Angeles County booking records.

“He was subsequently cited and released from custody due to the State’s “zero-bail” requirement,” according to the Azusa Police Department.

There is no court date information available publicly.