Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

AZUSA - And armed security guard detained two men who broke their way into a closed business December 28 until police officers were able to arrive and arrest the suspects.

42-year-old Daniel Mossberg, a Baldwin Park man, and Christopher Vandehey, a 37-year-old Covina man, were arrested and booked on suspicion of burglary and possessing burglary tools, according to the Azusa Police Department.

Police were called just after 7:32 p.m.

Both men allegedly cut open a gate to the front of the business at 415 S. Motor Ave. a rear door was forced open allowing the suspects access to the business where they were stripping copper wire from inside, according to the Azusa Police Department.

Both suspects were released on a citation, according to Los Angeles County booking records.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

AZUSA - A man in a reported stolen vehicle led Azusa officers on a chase into Ontario where the suspect barricaded himself briefly on the 15 freeway, police said.

Daniel Phillip Cruz, 39, whose last known address was in Azusa, allegedly attempted to strike officers while fleeing a traffic stop at Target, 809 N. Azusa Ave., around 12:20 p.m. December 24, according to the Azusa Police Department.

Officers pursued Cruz through several neighboring cities, Azusa Police said.

Cruz at one point fled eastbound on Arrow Highway with a helicopter and officers on the ground trailing him into the La Verne and Pomona areas. He eventually made his way into Ontario.

Cruz eventually stopped on the 15 freeway near Fourth Street.

“The suspect refused to comply with officers demands to exit the stolen vehicle, causing a traffic hazard for motorists,” according to Sgt. Brandon Bailey of the Azusa Police Department in written statement.

A K9 was deployed and famously was seen on television leaping into the driver side window of the stolen vehicle. The K9 bit down on Cruz’s left arm and the suspect struck the K9 multiple times before officers forcefully removed from the vehicle.

Assisting were the California Highway Patrol and the Ontario Police Department.

“The suspect sustained injuries during the arrest and he was transported to a local hospital for further treatment, prior to booking,” Bailey said.

Cruz will be charged with felony evading, assault on a peace officer and willful injury to a peace officer’s animal, Bailey said.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

AZUSA - A man and woman were arrested in Monrovia after the victims were able to provide investigators with descriptions of the suspects and getaway vehicle, police said.

Maximilian Delgado, 28, and Iztel Tostado, 26, were both taken into custody December 17. Both were booked on suspicion of robbery. Both victims were held at gunpoint, according to the Azusa Police Department.

Officers responded to the scene at a parking lot at 1240 W. Foothill Blvd. around 10:30 a.m.

“Azusa Police Detectives, with assistance from Monrovia Police Department Detectives, were able to identify the alleged suspects from the robbery,” according to the Azusa Police Department in a written statement.

Both suspects were arrested after a search warrant was served at the home where Delgado and Tostado live, Azusa Police said.

Delgado is being held without bail in the Twin Towers Correctional Facility in Los Angeles, according to Los Angeles County booking records.

Tostado was eventually released with a citation.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

AZUSA - No motive was discovered after two likely-related shootings occurred Monday night.

Police dispatchers received reports of gunfire on Gladstone Street and Azusa Avenue at 8:30 p.m. December 7 involving as many as two different drivers, according to Sgt. Jason Poulos of the Azusa Police Department.

Within minutes, police received calls of a shooting near Vernon Avenue and the 210 freeway, according to Azusa Police radio traffic.

No one was found injured and no homes, other buildings, or vehicles were found damaged, Poulos told SGV CityWatch.

Officers determined the first shooting likely occurred in the Edgewood Center Parking lot, Poulos told SGV CityWatch.

Callers initially told dispatchers the shooting occurred on Gladstone Street. Bullet casings were found in the parking lot, according to Azusa Police radio traffic.

Azusa officers also located shell casings on Vernon Avenue near the 210 freeway.

Witnesses reported the two vehicles possibly involved in the shootings, a dark-colored Honda Acura and a white Mercedes-Benz, fled onto the 210 freeway. Poulos did not immediately know what direction the drivers fled.