Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

AZUSA - As a weakening Hurricane Hilary continues its arrival into Southern California, a phase 3 alert will be issued for residents affected by the Ranch 2 Fire burn scar.

A voluntary evacuation advisory will go into effect Sunday at Noon for residence in Azusa’s Mountain Cove. The phase 3 alert indicates a potential for substantial, mud and debris flows, according to the Azusa Police Department.

The streets affected within Mountain Cove encompass the following: Highwood Court, Mountain Laurel Way, Moonridge Court, and Poppyglen Court, according to the Azusa Police Department.

The evacuation warning is expected to end Monday, August 21 at Noon.

“Should you choose to remain in place, we urge you to remain watchful, ensure you possess a sufficient 72-hour supply of food, medications, and provisions, and promptly report any instances of mud or debris flow in your vicinity. Your safety is our priority,” according to the Azusa Police Department in a written statement.

The first rains arrived early Sunday morning. Heavy rainfall is forecasted, with a high risk for extremely damaging road, creek and urban flooding risks in the Los Angeles County mountains and Antelope Valley.

At 7:40 a.m., radar showed rain coverage increased across eastern and central Los Angeles county, according to the National Weather Service.

The storm is expected to produce tropical-storm-force across SoCal with the strongest winds occurring daytime Sunday, according to the National Weather Service.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

AZUSA - A 17-year-old student was arrested, booked on suspicion of battery Friday after a fight broke out on campus between a group of students.

Further arrests are possible as officers and the Azusa Unified School District continue an investigation, according to the Azusa Police Department.

It is not readily known how many students were involved, or what level of injuries were sustained.

“Due to student privacy laws, we are unable to provide further information regarding disciplinary action that may have occurred as a result of the fight,” according to the Azusa Unified School District in a written statement.

A school resource officer was on campus when the fight occurred. The incident was quickly resolved with a rapid and massive police response, according to the Azusa Police Department.

“The Azusa Police Department has zero tolerance for any physical violence on any school campus within our jurisdiction. It is our goal to maintain a safe learning environment for our students at all times. To that end, we will continue to assign a full-time School Resource Officer to the AHS campus and will be providing increased patrols at the school throughout the school year,” according to the Azusa Police Department in a written statement.

The district outline security measures undertaken at the school, including increased security staffing, a full-time Azusa Police Student Resource Officer, additional security cameras and contracting with a security company for additional resources.

Anyone with additional information on this fight 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 - Police made quick work of an armed robbery suspect who was caught hours after a hold up at an Arco gas station.

Greg Dwayne Wright, 46, is accused of armed robbery the Arco station, 100 N. Azusa Ave., at midnight August 8. He fled in a vehicle in an unknown direction, according to the Azusa Police Department.

Patrol officers were able to identify Wright’s getaway vehicle. Later that day, he was located in Monrovia driving the same vehicle. Wright was found armed with a handgun believed to be the same one used in the Arco station robbery, according to the Azusa police department.

Authorities later learned that Wright is accused of a similar robbery in Barstow.

Wright is being held in lieu of nearly $1.3 million bail. His next appearance in the West Covina courthouse is scheduled for Monday, August 14.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
​CityWatch Editor

AZUSA - A driver from Colton was arrested Thursday after crashing a vehicle that narrowly missed a man watering a lawn on Sierra Madre Avenue.

The vehicle being driven at a high rate of speed blew past a stop sign at North Dalton Avenue and Sierra Madre Avenue, struck a curb, two parked vehicles and ultimately came to rest after destroying a backyard fence.

First responders were called to the crash at 7:20 p.m. Thursday, August 10. The driver and two passengers of the crashed vehicle fled, but were all found. The driver was arrested and cited in the field for misdemeanor hit and run, according to the Azusa Police Department.

Security camera video showed the resident’s fancy footwork dodging the collision and flying debris until the car came to a rest on the front lawn.

Jan’s Towing was called to lift the car off the property.