AZUSA – A teen was jailed September 23, accused of running during a traffic stop and dropping a handgun during his escape.

A traffic stop was made during a specialized crime suppression operation in the 300 block of North Citrus Avenue. The vehicle sought by officers stopped in a parking lot and the teen fled.

“A male juvenile ran from the vehicle as he tried to remove a handgun from his person. Officers chased the suspect and witnessed the handgun fall from the suspect’s person,” according to the Azusa Police Department in a written statement.

The teen was caught and arrested, the handgun recovered. No one was injured.

AZUSA – A multi-county operation targeting child sex offenders led to multiple arrests, including two arrests in Azusa.

Operation Protect the Innocent, which took place September 6 through September 12, netted 141 arrests across Los Angeles, Orange, Santa Barbara and Ventura counties. According to statistics provided by the Azusa Police Department.

12 probation compliance checks and parole compliance checks were made in Azusa. A residential search warrant was conducted and two men were arrested.

“A paroled sex offender was arrested for violating the conditions of his parole by having children’s undergarments and other clothing in his bedroom, as well as photographs of his prior victim,” according to the Azusa Police Department in a written statement.

A second arrest was made. A 25-year-old Azusa man is accused of contacting a female juvenile online with the intent of meeting her to commit sex offenses, according to the Azusa Police Department.

Working with county and state partners, Azusa police detectives focused on investigating those suspected of victimizing children online and making sure registered sex offenders were complaint with their court terms.

The operation was spearheaded by the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.

AZUSA - Authorities identified a man who died in a violent crash that ripped apart an automobile.

Robert Holloway, 39, was identified by the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner. He died from multiple traumatic injuries. His death was ruled accidental.

First responders were called to the crash at Cerritos Avenue and Gladstone Street around 2 a.m. August 16. For unknown reasons the driver, who was northbound on Cerritos Avenue, crashed just south of Gladstone Street. The vehicle possibly struck a palm tree and destroyed irrigation piping, according to Sgt. Bailey of the Azusa Police Department.

The vehicle appeared to be a Dodge Charger.

Public death records did not list any contributing factors in Holloway’s death.

AZUSA - Investigators are still determining what led to a man’s death August 18.

Luis Manuel Garcia, 27, was found dead after officers were called to a report of a person not breathing in the area of Newburgh Street and Azusa Avenue just before 7:30 p.m.

Officers initially believed Garcia died of a possible drug overdose, but the coroner has deferred the cause of death, pending additional investigation.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

AZUSA - A 61-year-old man accused of sexually assaulting a girl in Azusa August 1 was found and arrested in Simi Valley the day of the alleged crime.

Carl Eugene Kracher faces one count each of lewd and lascivious acts with a 14-year-old child and oral copulation with a minor. Kracher appeared in court August 3 and has pleaded not guilty, according Los Angeles County Superior Court records.

The girl called police to her location in the 100 block of North Azusa Avenue August 1 to report a crime.

Investigators somehow identified Kracher and located and arrested him in Simi Valley.

“The investigation led Azusa Police Department’s detectives to believe there may be other victims that Kracher assaulted,” according to the Azusa Police Department in a written statement.

The Azusa Police Department is asking members of the community and surrounding police agencies in locating and identifying additional victims. Anyone with information is urged to call Azusa Police Detective Avalos at 626-812-3223, or Detective Johnson at 626-812-3252. Remain anonymous by calling 626-812-3272.

Kracher is being held in lieu of $75,000 bail at the Pitchess Detention Center in Castaic ahead of a scheduled appearance in Pomona Superior Court September 16.