Written by AARON CASTREJON | CityWatch Editor

AZUSA - A resident was named as the victim found suffering from at least one gunshot wound out on an Azusa street.

William Perez, 21, was gunned down last night, discovered by responding Azusa officers who were dispatched to a shots fired call in the 600 block of North Glennfinan Avenue around 9:55 p.m.

Perez was identified by Lt. David Smith of the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner.

Police found Perez suffering from at least one gunshot wound, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Homicide Bureau.

The weapon has not been recovered and a suspect is outstanding.

It is unclear if the shooting is gang related.

Anyone with information on the shooting is urged to call the Sheriff’s Homicide Bureau at 323-890-5500. Information can be provided anonymously by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).

Written by AARON CASTREJON | CityWatch Editor

AZUSA - A man was was found shot to death near an apartment complex Friday night.

The victim was discovered by Azusa Police who were dispatched to a call of shots fired in the 600 block of North Glenfinnan Avenue around 9:55 p.m. Police found the man suffering from at least one gunshot wound, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Homicide Bureau.

The weapon has not been recovered and a suspect is outstanding.

It is unclear if the shooting is gang related.

Anyone with information on the shooting is urged to call the Sheriff’s Homicide Bureau at 323-890-5500. Information can be provided anonymously by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).

Written by AARON CASTREJON | CityWatch Editor

AZUSA - A 66-year-old victim hit by gunfire during the 2016 Election Day shooting has died, Azusa Police announced.
 
Elida Dominguez died April 25. Her exact cause of death will be determined after an autopsy, the Azusa Police Department announced in a written statement.
 
Dominguez sustained a gunshot wound to her upper torso during the shooting which occurred in the 400 block of West Fourth Street November 8, 2016.
 
The gunman, Carlos Mendez, began opening fire on random people in his neighborhood, killing 77-year-old Francis Varney and critically wounding to women. Mendez opened fire on responding Police officers who returned fire, ultimately killing Mendez, Azusa Police said.
 
“Elida was hospitalized and had since been in long-term recovery from the wound she sustained,” Azusa Police said. “Several members of the Azusa Police Department had the opportunity to celebrate Elida's birthday last year and were happy to see her and meet her family. We are now saddened at her loss and our condolences go out to her family and loved ones.”
 
A gofundme page was established to help pay for funeral expenses.

Written by AARON CASTREJON | CityWatch Editor

AZUSA - Sheriff’s Homicide detectives are searching the San Gabriel Riverbed in their quest to find the remains of a man missing since 2005.
 
Acting on information received in the last few months, Sheriff’s Homicide detectives are combing the riverbed to find the remains of Beau Garrett Heller, which may be in the section of the riverbed near Duarte’s Encanto Park, said Lt. Je Mendoza of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Homicide Bureau.
 
No remains have yet been found.
 
“We’re doing our due diligence to see if there’s anything there,” Mendoza told SGV CityWatch, acknowledging that it is a wide area to search.
 
A cadaver search took place March 8 with the assistance of cadaver dogs in the same area. The search began around 10 a.m. and ended about 5 hours later with nothing found.
 
Recent searches in this case have been initiated from a community tip that Heller’s remains may be in the riverbed.
 
Heller disappeared after leaving his Duarte home January 20, 2005.
 
In a broadcast news interview in 2014, Sheriff’s Homicide Detective Louie Aguilera stated information was developed that Heller may have been killed.
 
Heller was last seen in the 200 block of Opal Canyon Road in Duarte around 6 p.m. in 2005. He was riding a blue makeshift bicycle, possibly en route for a ride on the San Gabriel River Bike Path.
 
Heller was a student of Citrus College, having briefly worked alongside this reporter at the Citrus College Clarion student newspaper in 2005 just before his disappearance.
 
Anyone with information on Beau’s disappearance is urged to call Sheriff’s Homicide at 323-890-5500. Information can be provided anonymously by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).

Written by AARON CASTREJON | CityWatch Editor

AZUSA - When the Azusa National Little League president arrived to the field Sunday morning, it was Déjà vu all over again.
 
The equipment and snack bar for the ANLL’s equipment was found vandalized for the umpteenth time. The scoreboard was heavily damaged, snacks and drinks stolen, gang graffiti litter the interior of the snack bar, which appeared to have a door kicked in to gain entry.
 
The damage this time, was much greater, according to the Azusa National Little League in an email.
 
League President Anthony Rodriguez discovered the damage April 22.
 
“We had just restocked all of the food for the snack bar which included drinks, food & chips and candy, and all of that was taken,” the ANLL said. “Our cash register which had over $200 in change, our lock box safe was also among the stolen items. They stole our easy-up canopy, paper shedder, and cans of paint.”
 
Stolen items and vandalism combined is costing the ANLL $3,220.

Vandalism occurs at the field almost every year. The scoreboard had to be fixed at the beginning of the season. The snack bar had to be repainted due to vandalism, the ANLL said.
 
The chain link fence on the north side of the field that borders the apartments on the corner of Rockvale Avenue and East Sixth Street had openings cut into it, possibly allowing the vandals entry, the ANLL said.
 
“It's really hard for us to understand why anyone would do this to a Little League Organization. We are all volunteers here at Azusa National and we work really hard to have a positive impact on the community of Azusa,” the ANLL said. 
 
“Unfortunately, the area surrounding our organization is an area that is known for youth gang activity. I guess when people are surrounded with negativity and bad influences, they choose to do things of this nature because they have nothing better to do than to cause trouble for others.”
 
No one has come forward with information on any suspects and there are no cameras at the field, the ANLL said.
 
“They had tagged their names all over the bottles that were thrown onto the outfield, but the police mentioned that it was all circumstantial evidence,” the ANLL said.
 
Community members have come to the aid of the ANLL and donated soda, water, Gatorade and other snacks stolen Sunday, while others have helped cleanup and paint over the tagging in and around the snack bar.
 
ANLL members show up to the field, 551 N. Rockvale Ave., almost every day at 3 p.m. to work. Community members seeking to provide help can show up and volunteer their time or resources. 

A gofundme page is collecting donations to help pay for the damage and has so far raised $495 of the $2,500 sought.
 
“It's truly amazing all the comments and messages that we have received. We are really grateful for all the support and donations that we have received,” the ANLL said.
​

Written by AARON CASTREJON | CityWatch Editor

AZUSA - An unknown number of vandals destroyed a score board and stole inventory from the snack bar at the Azusa National Little League field over the weekend.
 
More than $2,500 in damage was done to equipment, while all the inventory to the snack bar was taken, according to a statement released by the Azusa National Little League.
 
Police were called to investigate the vandalism at the field, 551 N. Rockvale Ave., just before 10:30 a.m.

“We are overwhelmed and appreciate the outpour of support that we have received from everyone and we hope that we can continue to make Azusa National Little League a fun and safe place for the community,” The ANLL said in a written statement issued on the organization’s Facebook page.
 
It was unclear exactly when the vandalism and burglary occurred.

A gofundme account has been established to help pay for the damage.

Written by AARON CASTREJON | CityWatch Editor

LOS ANGELES - A motorcycle rider died from multiple traumatic injuries after crashing on Azusa Avenue Wednesday.

Geovanni Rivera, 21, was taken to Foothill Presbyterian Hospital where he later died of his injuries. Rivera crashed his motorcycle in the 100 block of North Azusa Avenue near the Super 8 Azusa Motel just before 1 a.m. April 18.

Rivera was identified by Lt. David Smith of the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner.

“Based on witness statements and evidence at the scene of the collision, it appears the driver lost control of his motorcycle, and struck a curb. The exact cause of the collision is not yet known,” Azusa Police said in a written statement.

Written by AARON CASTREJON | CityWatch Editor

AZUSA - A man attempted to steal property right out of his victim’s hands in broad daylight near 85˚ on Alosta Avenue April 18.
 
A man in his mid-30s approached two people walking westbound outside of 85˚, 1119 E. Alosta Ave., around 12:23 p.m. and became verbally combative with them and attempted to pull property out of one of the victim’s hands, according to an Azusa Pacific Timely Warning notice.
 
The victim was able to pull away from the suspect and call Azusa Police.
 
The suspect was described as a white man in his mid-30s, with greyish/blond hair and beard and has a medium build. He wore a grey shirt and black pants.

Written by AARON CASTREJON | CityWatch Editor

AZUSA - A motorcyclist lost control of his ride and later died of his injuries early Wednesday morning.
 
The unidentified rider sustained serious injuries in the crash and was taken to an area hospital where he later died, Azusa Police said.
 
“Based on witness statements and evidence at the scene of the collision, it appears the driver lost control of his motorcycle, and struck a curb. The exact cause of the collision is not yet known,” Azusa Police said in a written statement.
 
The collision occurred just before 1 a.m. near the Super 8 Azusa motel, 117 N. Azusa Ave., according to Vanessa Lozano of the Los Angeles County Fire Department.
 
All traffic is blocked at 3rd Street as the investigation continues.

Written by AARON CASTREJON | CityWatch Editor