Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

AZUSA - Investigators are trying to determine the cause of death of a man found near a footbridge and the 210 freeway Tuesday.

First responders were sent to the footbridge in the 5900 block of Rockvale Avenue around 4:22 p.m. Tuesday, August 27. The body appears to be away from the actual footbridge walkway and amongst the trees and bushes.

A Los Angeles County fire department paramedic declared the man dead at 4:34 p.m. The man is only described as being white, and between 50 to 60 years old, according to the California Highway Patrol.

The man was found laying on what was described as a makeshift mattress. Preliminarily, there does not appear to be any foul play, according to the CHP.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

AZUSA - Citizens are being asked to remain vigilant and report suspicious activity after multiple fire hydrants were stolen in Azusa recently.

While police failed to specify where, when and how many hydrants were stolen, as many as five hydrants were reported stolen by a resident in the Rosedale planned community in the north end of the city.

The thefts occurred at the end of July on Monrovia Place between Palm Drive and Citrus Avenue, a neighborhood just north of the APU/Citrus College A Line Station. Residents reportedly heard the commotion of the hydrants being removed, only to see a black pickup truck fleeing down Palm Drive.

This reporter walked along that stretch of Monrovia Place August 4. Gaping holes in the ground where hydrants were once anchored only remained, flanked by Azusa Light and Water signs.

Calls for additional details were made to Azusa Police watch commanders, the property crimes detective phone line and detective lieutenant in the last two weeks, but the calls have gone unreturned.

The department issued a statement August 2:

“The Azusa Light & Water Department would like to remind residents that only Azusa Light & Water employees in uniform work on fire hydrants throughout the city. If you see any suspicious activity near a fire hydrant, please call the Azusa Police Department at (626) 812-3200.”

The statement went on to add that each fire hydrant costs approximately $4000 to replace.

Anyone with information on fire hydrant thefts in the city is urged to call the Azusa Police Department Detective Bureau 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 - A man accused of brandishing a handgun at a train operator was located and arrested July 19.

The incident unfolded on the Metro A-Line tracks between Irwindale and Azusa. The train operator saw the suspect and a companion on the tracks. The operator sounded the horn at the duo.

“When the operator activated the train horn to alert the suspect to move, the suspect pulled a handgun from his waistband and pointed it at the operator,” according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Transit Services Bureau.

The suspect fled the area, but was later located, identified and arrested, according to the Transit Services Bureau.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

AZUSA - Homicide detectives are on scene of a fatal shooting Friday.

First responders were sent to the 200 block of North San Gabriel Avenue around 5:30 a.m. August 9. The victim was taken to a hospital where they later died, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.

It is unclear if investigators identified a suspect or motive.

San Gabriel Avenue between West Third Street and West Second Street remains closed.

Anyone with information on this shooting is urged to call the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Homicide Bureau at 323-890-5500. Remain anonymous by calling LA Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), through the P3Tips mobile app, or lacrimestoppers.org.