Azusa Gang Bangers, Woman Jailed After High-Speed Chase Friday

PHOTO/Stock image.

Written by AARON CASTREJON | CityWatch Editor

---

AZUSA - Three people were taken into custody at the end of a pursuit that spanned  several San Gabriel Valley cities Friday.

Two of the suspects are documented Azusa gang members. Two small children were rescued from the suspect sedan at the end of the chase. A weapon was recovered from the scene of where officers attempted to initiate a traffic stop in the 600 block of North Alameda Avenue, Azusa Police said.

The driver of the sedan, 21-year-old Jose Magdaleno of Glendora, refused to stop for police after they tried to pull over two suspicious vehicles around 10:36 p.m.

Azusa Police began pursuing one vehicle when a passenger, 26-year-old Manuel Jimenez of Azusa, jumped out and ran on foot. He was quickly caught and a firearm was recovered, Azusa Police said.

Officers continued pursuing the sedan through Azusa and onto the 210 and 605 freeways. From there, the pursuit entered the west 60 freeway and continued on surface streets in South El Monte.

The pursuit found its way back to the 210 freeway where it sped eastbound and exited south on Irwindale Avenue. The chase moved east on Arrow Highway in Irwindale, through Azusa and north on Citrus Avenue before turning west onto Gladstone Street.

The driver found his way back to Azusa where the driver’s companion, 43-year-old Lupita Torres of Glendora, drove recklessly around pursuing officers to interfere with the pursuit, Azusa Police said.

Both Magdaleno and Torres were arrested at the pursuit termination at Ninth Street and Alameda Avenue.

The children were recovered after Magdaleno, the only other occupant of the sedan was taken into custody.

Magdaleno was wanted on a federal arrest warrant. He was also booked on felony evading and was additionally charged with child endangerment. He is being held in lieu of $100,000 bail.

Jimenez was booked on suspicion of evading police and a weapons-related charge connected to the recovered firearm. His bail is set at $35,000.

Torres was booked on suspicion of obstructing/delaying peace officers and will later be released on a citation, Azusa Police said.