Written by AARON CASTREJON 
CityWatch Editor 

AZUSA - Investigators named the man who was found dead inside an out-of-service police vehicle parked outside the Azusa Police Department.

The man was identified Friday as Eric Valencia, 37. His cause of death has been deferred, pending additional investigation, according to the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner.

Valencia was discovered around 4:51 a.m. March 26 in the back seat of the vehicle.

The patrol vehicle was left unlocked and parked outside the Azusa Police Station as it was scheduled for maintenance, according to the Azusa Police Department.

Valencia was arrested Friday, March 20 at 10:09 p.m. He was held until his release Monday, March 23 at 12:38 p.m., according to Los Angeles County booking records.

His arrest was considered a detention only. He was originally arrested and booked on suspicion of driving under the influence and child endangerment.

“Azusa Police personnel were not aware that the individual had entered the vehicle, and he was not in the custody of the Azusa Police Department at the time he gained access,” according to Azusa Police Chief Rocky Wenrick in a written statement.

Wenrick noted that the patrol vehicle was unlocked, but should have been secured.

Investigative firm JL Group has been hired for an independent review of the death, which would include why the vehicle was not secured, Wenrick said.

The Azusa Police Detective Bureau is conducting the initial criminal investigation, while the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office, Justice System Integrity Division, has been notified and will receive full access to all evidence, security camera footage, and investigative reports, Wenrick said.

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Copyright 2025. All stories and original images published here are the exclusive property of SGV CityWatch and may not be republished in any form without the permission of this organization.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor 

AZUSA - A police vehicle parked outside the Azusa Police Department was the focus of an investigation after a man was found dead inside Thursday.

The dead man was discovered inside the vehicle around 4:51 a.m. March 26. Life-saving measures were implemented, but the man was declared dead, according to the Azusa Police Department.

“The vehicle was pending mandatory maintenance and was not in active use by department personnel at the time of discovery,” according to the Azusa Police Department in a written statement.

It is unclear how long the man was dead before being discovered inside. He was declared dead at 4:59 a.m.

The police station is located at 725 N. Alameda Ave.

The county medical examiner will determine cause and manner of death.

The Azusa Police Department Detective Bureau is also investigating. 

The investigation will be submitted to the Justice System Integrity Division of the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office for review, according to the Azusa Police Department.

Anyone with information on this incident is urged to call Azusa Police Detective Lieutenant Steve Sears at 626-812-3200.

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Copyright 2025. All stories and original images published here are the exclusive property of SGV CityWatch and may not be republished in any form without the permission of this organization.