Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

AZUSA - Two suspects were arrested recently in connection with the theft of two fire hydrants that took place on September 11.

The recent theft of fire hydrants in Azusa occurred at Azusa Veterans Way and Sierra Madre Avenue around 10:45 p.m. September 11. The Azusa Police Directed Enforcement Unit and Detective Bureau worked to identify and arrest two suspects, according to the Azusa Police Department.

Multiple search warrants in and outside of Los Angeles County were served, including in Riverside County. Two stolen fire hydrants from the September 11 theft were recovered, along with other hydrants unrelated to this investigation, according to the Azusa Police Department.

It is unclear if these two suspects are tied to the hydrant thefts that occurred at the end of July, or if detectives have made any headway with that investigation.

Anyone with information on this incident is urged to call the Azusa Police Department at 626-812-3200. Remain anonymous by calling LA Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), through the P3Tips mobile app, or lacrimestoppers.org.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

AZUSA - An accused speedster is facing more than just a traffic violation after allegedly leading police on a pursuit and brief standoff.

An officer attempted to stop a high-speed driver in the 200 block of North Cerritos Avenue just after 11 p.m. September 11, but the driver allegedly refused to stop. A pursuit was initiated on surface streets and then to the east 210 freeway, according to the Azusa Police Department.

The pursuit exited onto Grand Avenue in Glendora where the driver stopped and barricaded himself inside the truck. After a few minutes of negotiations, the driver continued the pursuit, according to the Azusa Police Department.

An officer successfully employed the Pursuit Intervention Technique and disabled the truck.

The pursuit ended in Citrus Avenue north of Gladstone Street. A CityWatch reader documented the pursuit aftermath.

“During a search of the vehicle, a loaded handgun with an extended magazine was located inside of the glove compartment,” according to the Azusa Police Department in a written statement.

John West Spradley, 36, was booked on suspicion of felony evading, possession of a high-capacity magazine, possession of an undetectable firearm, carrying a loaded firearm and obstructing or delaying a police officer.

Spradley is being held without bail at the Inmate Reception Center in Los Angeles ahead of a scheduled appearance in appearance Friday, September 13.

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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

AZUSA - Four students were arrested Friday, September 6, after a series of fights broke out on the Azusa high school campus.

Law enforcement was called to the high school, 240 N. Cerritos Ave., just before noon. Officers arrived and observed numerous fights occurring simultaneously.

“Officers, with the assistance of campus security and school officials were able to calm the situation and send students back to class,” according to the Azusa Police Department in a written statement.

Charges include resisting/delaying a peace officer, bringing weapons onto school grounds(Brass Knuckles) and battery.

Because the students are minors, their names will not be released.

Anyone with information on this incident is urged to call the Azusa Police Department Detective Bureau at 626-812-3200. Remain anonymous by calling LA Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), through the P3Tips mobile app, or lacrimestoppers.org.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

AZUSA - A man is facing kidnapping and other charges related to the assault of a female Azusa Pacific University September 6.

The suspect, 32 year old Chima Njoku, who also goes by Jake Christopher, found his victim while she was sitting in her vehicle in the Citrus College parking lot, 1000 W. Foothill Blvd., around 6 p.m. He reportedly asked her about the weather and while she was distracted by her phone, entered through an unlocked passenger door, according to the Azusa Police Department.

The victim ordered the suspect out, but he allegedly refused and told her to drive to nearby Azusa Pacific University. Out of fear for her life, she complied.

The victim was told to stop on Shire Lane at the university, where she once again told the suspect to exit. He allegedly then attacked her and attempted to sexually assault her, according to the Azusa Police Department.

The suspect fled before officers arrived.

The victim then directed officers to Alosta Avenue and Calera Avenue, where the suspect was found hiding under a vehicle. The suspect fled, but was caught after a brief foot chase, according to the Azusa Police Department.

The suspect allegedly attempted to assault officers before his arrest.

Njoku, a View Park resident, was booked on suspicion of kidnapping, false imprisonment, attempted rape by force or violence knowingly resisting an officer by use of force or violence.

Njoku is being held in lieu of $1 million bail ahead of a scheduled appearance in West Covina Superior Court September 10.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

AZUSA - Investigators are trying to determine the cause of death of a man found near a footbridge and the 210 freeway Tuesday.

First responders were sent to the footbridge in the 5900 block of Rockvale Avenue around 4:22 p.m. Tuesday, August 27. The body appears to be away from the actual footbridge walkway and amongst the trees and bushes.

A Los Angeles County fire department paramedic declared the man dead at 4:34 p.m. The man is only described as being white, and between 50 to 60 years old, according to the California Highway Patrol.

The man was found laying on what was described as a makeshift mattress. Preliminarily, there does not appear to be any foul play, according to the CHP.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

AZUSA - Citizens are being asked to remain vigilant and report suspicious activity after multiple fire hydrants were stolen in Azusa recently.

While police failed to specify where, when and how many hydrants were stolen, as many as five hydrants were reported stolen by a resident in the Rosedale planned community in the north end of the city.

The thefts occurred at the end of July on Monrovia Place between Palm Drive and Citrus Avenue, a neighborhood just north of the APU/Citrus College A Line Station. Residents reportedly heard the commotion of the hydrants being removed, only to see a black pickup truck fleeing down Palm Drive.

This reporter walked along that stretch of Monrovia Place August 4. Gaping holes in the ground where hydrants were once anchored only remained, flanked by Azusa Light and Water signs.

Calls for additional details were made to Azusa Police watch commanders, the property crimes detective phone line and detective lieutenant in the last two weeks, but the calls have gone unreturned.

The department issued a statement August 2:

“The Azusa Light & Water Department would like to remind residents that only Azusa Light & Water employees in uniform work on fire hydrants throughout the city. If you see any suspicious activity near a fire hydrant, please call the Azusa Police Department at (626) 812-3200.”

The statement went on to add that each fire hydrant costs approximately $4000 to replace.

Anyone with information on fire hydrant thefts in the city is urged to call the Azusa Police Department Detective Bureau at 626-812-3200. Remain anonymous by calling LA Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), through the P3Tips mobile app, or lacrimestoppers.org.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

AZUSA - A man accused of brandishing a handgun at a train operator was located and arrested July 19.

The incident unfolded on the Metro A-Line tracks between Irwindale and Azusa. The train operator saw the suspect and a companion on the tracks. The operator sounded the horn at the duo.

“When the operator activated the train horn to alert the suspect to move, the suspect pulled a handgun from his waistband and pointed it at the operator,” according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Transit Services Bureau.

The suspect fled the area, but was later located, identified and arrested, according to the Transit Services Bureau.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

AZUSA - Homicide detectives are on scene of a fatal shooting Friday.

First responders were sent to the 200 block of North San Gabriel Avenue around 5:30 a.m. August 9. The victim was taken to a hospital where they later died, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.

It is unclear if investigators identified a suspect or motive.

San Gabriel Avenue between West Third Street and West Second Street remains closed.

Anyone with information on this shooting is urged to call the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Homicide Bureau at 323-890-5500. Remain anonymous by calling LA Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), through the P3Tips mobile app, or lacrimestoppers.org.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

AZUSA - Two burglary suspects were taken into custody July 16, allegedly found with iPads and random construction equipment taken from Duarte High School.

Both suspects were tracked through the stolen iPads to a vacant business in Azusa, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Temple Station.

Entry was forced into a storage container at Duarte High School, 1565 Central Ave., between 4 p.m. July 15 and 6 a.m. July 16, according to the Sheriff’s Temple Station.

The Azusa Police Department was notified at 6:44 a.m. July 16 that the signal from the stolen iPads was tracked to a vacant business in the city.

“The suspects refused to allow Officers entry into the business and a search warrant was served. Azusa PD Officers recovered the stolen property,” according to the Azusa Police Department in a written statement.

Talia Martinez and William Avetyan of North Hollywood were both arrested.

Los Angeles county booking information is not available for either suspect.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

AZUSA - Two juveniles and an adult were arrested, accused of being involved in the shooting death of a 62-year-old man January 31.

Jiovanni Ruiz, a 21-year-old Covina man, and one of the juveniles were officially charged by the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office with one count each of murder.

Ruiz was arrested May 9. It is not publicly clear when the other juveniles, a resident of Covina and the other, a resident of Azusa, were arrested.

First responders were sent to a mobile gas station, 145 N. Azusa Ave., on a report of a shooting victim around 9 PM January 31.

The 62-year-old victim was found down and unconscious. He was treated by paramedics at the scene and transported to a hospital, where he later died, according to the Azusa Police Department.

It is not publicly clear if detectives have determined a motive for the shooting.

Anyone with information on this shooting is urged to call the Azusa Police Department at 626-812-3200. Remain anonymous by calling LA Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), through the P3Tips mobile app, or lacrimestoppers.org.