Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

AZUSA - The Azusa Police Department recently revealed department computers were targeted in what was described as a sophisticated ransomware attack in March.

Police personnel discovered March 9 that certain aspects of the department’s computer system were inaccessible and that an unauthorized individual was able to infiltrate personal information, according to the Azusa Police Department.

An investigation by Azusa Police, law enforcement partners and third-party specialists determined April 27 that the personal information was compromised.

“Azusa Police refused to cooperate with the cybercriminal and did not pay any ransom,” according to the Azusa Police Department in a written statement.

On May 20, the investigation determined that possibly Social Security numbers, driver license numbers, California identification numbers, passport numbers, military identification numbers, financial account information, medical information, health insurance information and/or information or data collected through the use or operation of an automated license plate recognition system was accessed, according to the Azusa Police Department.

“Azusa Police continues to review its network security polices and take additional steps to further enhance its security, as it takes the privacy and security of all information very seriously,” according to the Azusa Police Department in a written statement.

Investigators have no evidence yet of actual or attempted misuse of information.

Those worried their personal information was compromised can call a dedicated assistance line to address questions individuals may have and to provide credit monitoring services to potentially impacted individuals: 855-535-1860. Calls can be made Monday through Friday, 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Pacific Time.

AZUSA - A woman is recovering from her wounds after a knife-wielding suspect attacked her in front of the woman’s children outside of a park May 11, police said.

The attack occurred before 8 p.m. after a woman and her two children left Edwards Park, 600 N. Azusa Ave. They left after a suspicious looking person, later identified as Phoenix resident Brianna Hallquist, began staring at her children uncomfortably, according to the Azusa Police Department.

“A female adult approached the children and began looking at them as they played.  The victim became nervous and immediately left the park with her children and began to walk southbound on Azusa Ave.,” according to the Azusa Police Department in a written statement.

The suspect then followed the woman and her two minor children as they left the park and walked south to the 500 block of North Azusa Avenue. The suspect then began demanding that the woman give her her daughter back.

The suspect then threatened to harm the woman if she did not surrender her daughter. The suspect then stabbed the woman in the upper torso, according to the Azusa Police Department.

Bystanders rushed to the woman’s aid. The suspect fled on foot but police quickly apprehended her.

The woman suffered injuries considered not life-threatening.

The children were on the injured and were released to the custody of their father at the scene, Azusa Police said.

Hallquist, 23, was booked on suspicion of attempted murder, assault with a deadly weapon and making criminal threats, the Azusa Police Department said.

Hallquist is being held in lieu of $1 million bail ahead of appearance in the West Covina courthouse May 13.​

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

AZUSA - An attempted murder suspect was tracked down to the City of Angels May 6 and was taken into custody just one week after police say she tried to shoot and kill another woman inside a motel.

32-year-old Patricia Gomez, a Los Angeles resident, is accused of pulling the trigger in an attempt to murder another woman inside the Stardust Motel, 666 East Foothill Blvd., April 29, according to the Azusa Police Department.

Police responded to the Stardust Motel to investigate a shooting and upon arrival, found a spent shell casing and damage to a motel room window.

Azusa police detectives with the help of the Los Angeles Police Department found Gomez in Los Angeles. She was booked on suspicion of attempted murder and is being held in lieu of $1 million bail.

Gomez was transferred to the Century Regional Detention Facility in Lynwood the morning of May 8. She has a scheduled appearance in the West Covina courthouse on Tuesday, May 11.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

AZUSA – A driver decided to flee police after they attempted to stop him inside a reported stolen vehicle May 4.

Azusa patrol officers located a silver Dodge Caravan at Citrus Avenue and Gladstone Street just after 7:30 a.m. Tuesday. The driver refused to stop and made his way to Covina, according to the Azusa Police Department.

The pursuit ended near Barranca Avenue and Tudor Street.

The lone occupant, 23-year-old Thomas Buckner, a Victorville resident, was arrested and a search of the stolen vehicle yielded a firearm inside the Caravan. The gun was also reportedly stolen, Azusa Police said.

Buckner was booked on suspicion of vehicle theft, evading police and other charges connected to the stolen firearm, Azusa Police said.

Buckner is scheduled for a court appearance today, May 6.