Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

AZUSA - A Hispanic man in his 20s died near the on ramp to the eastbound 210 freeway Thursday afternoon, CHP and coroner officials said.

The man was found just before 3:18 p.m. April 9. He was declared dead on arrival, according to Dispatch Supervisor Troy of the Los Angeles County Fire Department.

A Sig Alert for the on ramp from Vernon Avenue to the eastbound 210 freeway was initiated at 3:53 p.m. Thursday. The Sig Alert was canceled at 1:14 a.m. Friday, according to Officer Patrick Kimball of the California Highway Patrol Traffic Management Center.

The victim’s name has not been publicly revealed. Next of kin have yet to be notified, according to Lt. Nani Cholakians of the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner.

Confusion persists as to which agency is actually handling the investigation. In interviews conducted Thursday night, the California Highway Patrol stated the death was an Azusa Police matter. An Azusa Police supervisor soon after stated that the death was a CHP matter.

In a brief interview Friday morning, Kimball stated that the CHP is investigating the death.

The cause of death has yet to be revealed.

Wednesday night, police were called to a reported shooting victim at that same location after 10 p.m. No victim had been found. It is unclear if Wednesday night’s call and Thursday‘s discovery of a dead man are connected.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

AZUSA - A man died inside a room at the Arrow Inn Tuesday afternoon, an Azusa Police sergeant said.

Police and firefighters responded to the Arrow Inn, 469 E. Arrow Hwy., at 12:14 p.m. April 7.

​The male likely did not wake up after going to bed the night before, according to Sgt. Bailey of the Azusa Police Department.

“To my knowledge, there’s nothing suspicious about it,” Bailey told SGV CityWatch, adding that the death was likely natural

The man was identified as 57-year-old David Alan Vanderloop by the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner. His city of residence was not immediately known.

An autopsy has yet to be scheduled.

AZUSA - A man accused of setting a series of fires throughout Azusa and Covina was detained Saturday after allegedly setting two dumpster fires in Azusa, police said.

A lot of what burned included trash, bulk property and dumpster contents throughout the two cities. No injuries were reported.

The incidents begin in Covina the afternoon of April 4, where police and firefighters investigated two outside fires in the area of Azusa Avenue and Covina Boulevard, two fires in an abandoned building At 1060 W. San Bernardino Rd., one incident near a Walmart and two more incidents in the 1400 block of N. Azusa Ave., according to Lieutenant Daniel Reagan of the Covina Police Department.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

AZUSA - A man allegedly brandishing a replica weapon at an Azusa park was arrested Sunday afternoon after he crashed during a pursuit and briefly struggled with officers.

The unnamed suspect was witnessed carrying around what an eyewitness described as an assault rifle at Pioneer Park, 1300 N. Dutton Ave., Just after 1:30 p.m. April 5, According to the Azusa Police Department.

The suspect drove away from the park, but officers obtained a description of the suspect vehicle and he was located in the area of foothill Boulevard and Vernon Avenue in Azusa.

The suspect refused to stop for officers and fled into Duarte where he eventually crashed Into a fence after losing control near Huntington Drive and Las Lomas Avenue, Azusa police said.

“He was quickly apprehended by pursuing officers after a brief struggle, which included The suspect resisting and spitting on officers,” according to the Azusa police department in a written statement.

Several replica assault rifles and handguns were located in the suspect’s vehicle. A motive for the suspect’s possession of these replica weapons is not known.

The 22-year-old suspect from Rosemead was booked on suspicion of felony evading, brandishing a replica firearm, Resisting arrest and hit-and-run, Azusa police said.

No police officers, or civilians were injured during the pursuit.

​UPDATE, April 7, 4:36 a.m.: A brief update to the story on the Azusa house fire from Saturday, April 4. Sgt. Bailey of the Azusa police department said Sunday night that the man originally detained after the suspicious fire ignited was not arrested.

At that time, evidence could not be found linking the detainee to the fire that destroyed a bedroom and part of a bathroom in the 600 block of West Third Street, Bailey said.

AZUSA - A suspect has been detained after a fire burned inside a bedroom and bathroom inside a home Saturday morning.

The fire burned in the 600 block of West Third Street. Police have detained a person after the fire was extinguished, according to the Los Angeles County Fire Department. There is a possible burn victim, but the extent of injuries has not been disclosed.

Firefighters were dispatched around 10:10 a.m.

Cause investigators with the Los Angeles County Fire Department were called to the scene.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

AZUSA - A domestic violence suspect was arrested Thursday afternoon, accused of assault with a deadly weapon on a police officer before initiating a short pursuit.

Paul Martinez, a 62-year-old Azusa man, was arrested after crashing in the 5400 block of Rockvale Avenue. Martinez is accused of assault with a deadly weapon against an officer after fleeing police when they tried to contact him, according to the Azusa Police Department.

Police were sent to the 600 block of South Azusa Avenue just after 4 p.m. April 2 for a domestic violence investigation when they encountered Martinez who fled to a nearby vehicle.

“As officers attempted to apprehend the suspect, an officer involved shooting occurred,” according to Azusa police in a written statement.

Martinez crashed into a fence according to the California Highway Patrol.

Martinez was not struck by gunfire. He was evaluated at the scene of the crash by Los Angeles County firefighter paramedics before being booked in Azusa police jail.

Martinez was booked on suspicion of several felony charges, including assault with a deadly weapon against a police officer and attempted murder, Azusa police said.

The female victim of the report of domestic battery was evaluated at the scene of the initial crime for moderate injuries. She was taken to a nearby hospital for further treatment.

No officers were injured.

County booking records for Martinez were not readily available.