Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

AZUSA - A stolen vehicle was recovered Friday and its driver was arrested after a destructive pursuit, police said.

Driver Jose Antonio Hernandez Fitoria sideswiped a semi while fleeing officers along the southbound 605 Freeway at Lower Azusa Road in the early morning hours of April 25. The driver crashed while exiting the freeway and try to run down the on-ramp, according to the Azusa Police Department.

Officers received a report of a stolen vehicle and attempted to stop Hernandez while he was driving in the area of Foothill Boulevard and Virginia Avenue just before 2:30 a.m.

The vehicle was reported stolen out of Anaheim, according to the Azusa Police Department.

It is not immediately clear if Hernandez, or anyone else, suffered injuries in the crash.

Hernandez was booked on suspicion of multiple charges, including vehicle theft, felony evading, and driving under the influence, according to the Azusa Police Department.

Hernandez is being held in lieu of $100,000 bail at the Inmate Reception Center in Los Angeles ahead of a scheduled appearance in West Covina Superior Court April 29.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

AZUSA - A convicted felon and gang member was taken into custody without incident March 28, accused of being armed while allegedly igniting a fire inside the Azusa Downtown Metro Station parking structure.

Van Nuys resident Mauricio Sanchez, 33, faces one count each of being a felon in possession of a firearm, being a felon in possession of ammunition and two counts of felony prior convictions under the California “Three Strikes Law,” according to Los Angeles Superior Court records.

A caller reported a man lighting an unknown object on fire inside the parking structure, 801 N. Alameda Ave., around 1 p.m. After he was detained and searched, a loaded handgun was found in a bag being carried by Sanchez, according to the Azusa Police Department in a written statement.

“Further investigation revealed that the firearm was a ghost gun, an untraceable weapon that is often assembled from parts. In addition to the firearm, officers also found narcotics paraphernalia in Sanchez’s possession,” according to the Azusa Police Department in a written statement.

Sanchez is being held in lieu of more than $1 million bail ahead of a scheduled appearance in West Covina Superior Court April 2.

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The arrest record in this article is being redistributed by SGV CityWatch and is protected by constitutional, publishing and other legal rights. Arrest information is public record and was distributed by government sources. The person named in this article has only been arrested on suspicion of the crime(s) listed and is presumed innocent.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

AZUSA - Homicide detectives announced the arrest of a man accused of murdering his parents inside their Azusa home.

Gabriel Contreras, a 29-year-old Azusa man, allegedly committed the March 15 murder of parents Linda Rodriguez and Arthur Contreras.

Gabriel Contreras was arrested March 19 and booked at the Azusa Police Department jail.

The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office officially filed two counts each of murder and assault with a firearm, according to the Sheriff’s Department, although the cause of death for both parents was the result of “multiple sharp force injuries,” according to the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner.

Contreras is being held in lieu of $2 million bail at the Twin Towers Correctional Facility in Los Angeles ahead of a scheduled appearance in Pomona Superior Court Friday, March 21.

A gofundme was established to help with funeral costs and living expenses for those left behind.

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The arrest record in this article is being redistributed by SGV CityWatch and is protected by constitutional, publishing and other legal rights. Arrest information is public record and was distributed by government sources. The person named in this article has only been arrested on suspicion of the crime(s) listed and is presumed innocent.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

UPDATE, 9:02 p.m.: One person remains hospitalized in critical condition suffering from apparent knife wounds after emerging from a home, the scene of a double homicide Saturday.

Police initially responded to the home in the 300 block of North Twintree Avenue around 2 p.m. Police dispatchers were told of a possible domestic fight and the sound of screaming.

“Officers made entry to the location and discovered a male adult and female adult suffering from numerous apparent knife wounds. Los Angeles County Fire Department personnel responded and pronounced the individuals in the home deceased,” according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department in a written statement.

A suspect was identified, investigators said, but haven’t clearly stated if the suspect was the man currently hospitalized.

Anyone with information on this incident 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.


PREVIOUS - A man and woman were killed at a residence Saturday.

The deaths occurred in the 300 block of North Twintree Avenue March 15. First responders were sent to the scene around 2 p.m.

While the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s homicide detectives haven’t revealed much else, this was potentially also a barricade situation.

One person, potentially the suspect, may have been transported from the scene.

A dramatic photo sent to SGV CityWatch showing Azusa Police officers with weapons aimed at the home.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

AZUSA - A man in a gold pickup truck shot and wounded another driver on the 210 freeway March 9.

The shooting occurred in westbound lanes of the 210 east of Citrus Avenue just after 5 a.m. The victim was driving his 1998 Ford F-150 in the No. 2 lane and saw behind him a gold pickup, possibly a Chevrolet Colorado, in the No. 4 lane with the headlights off.

As the suspect came alongside the victim, the latter rolled down his front passenger window to inform the suspect his headlights were off, according to the California Highway Patrol.

Both vehicles approached Citrus Avenue. The suspect exited and slowed down on the on ramp.

While on the on-ramp, the suspect slowed down. The victim heard a loud noise. When the victim arrived home, he saw damage from two paintball rounds on his vehicle. When he noticed paint on his right forearm, he removed his jacket and saw a large bleeding welt, according to the CHP.

The victim had no details about the suspect driver.

Anyone with information on this shooting is urged to contact CHP Officer L. Del Rosario at 626-517-8500.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

AZUSA - A pedestrian was struck by a vehicle on a rain-slicked road Thursday evening.

The crash occurred on Arrow Highway near Armel Drive February 13. The pedestrian was taken to Los Angeles General Medical Center for treatment, according to Sgt. Johnson of the Azusa Police Department.

The pedestrian is in critical condition, Johnson told SGV CityWatch.

The driver remained at the scene. Arrow Highway remains closed between Azusa Avenue and Cerritos Avenue.

It is unclear what, if any, factors contributed to the crash. Although, this stretch of road is notorious for these crashes.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

AZUSA - Detectives are determining the motive for a late-night shooting that caused minor damage to a vehicle and a carport structure Saturday.

Callers reported gunfire around 10:53 p.m. in the 800 block of North Pasadena Avenue February 8. No gunshot victims were located, according to the Azusa Police Department.

Officers located evidence of a shooting. A nearby carport wall was hit by gunfire, as well as a vehicle bumper. There was apparently no suspect or vehicle description.

It is not publicly clear if a motive for the shooting was found.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

AZUSA - Two people were hospitalized after a shooting occurred in a residential area Tuesday night.

First responders were sent to East Newburgh Street and North Donna Beth Avenue around 8:19 p.m. January 21 to a report of a shooting with a victim down, according to the Azusa Police Department.

Details are few at the time this story launched. It is unclear if the second transported victim was hit by gunfire, or perhaps suffered some other medical emergency.

Several vehicles were witnessed fleeing the area. It is not publicly clear if investigators have identified a motive or identified any suspects.

No one was in custody at the time this interview was conducted (5:19 a.m.).

This area of town is the scene of frequent gang violence.

A man died in a shooting June of 2023.

A teen survived being shot in May 2023.

A teen was shot and wounded in the leg in February 2023.

Multiple teens were arrested in a December 2022 murder.

A wanted 18-year-old man was shot and killed while driving December 2022.

A victim survived a shooting in November 2021.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

SACRAMENTO - The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation apprehended an inmate who escaped an Azusa conservation camp January 6.

Santiago Duran, 35, walked away from the Julius Klein Conservation Camp, 2367 E. Fork Rd. Staff at the camp were notified around 3 p.m. of the missing inmate. An emergency count was conducted and Duran was confirmed missing.

At 5:15 p.m., January 7 Duran surrendered to the special service unit of the department of corrections in Sacramento.

Duran was received from Tulare County on July 7, 2023, to serve 10 years for criminal threats with enhancements of using a firearm. He is also charged with corporal injury, second striker, possessing a firearm as a felon, second striker, according to the Department of Corrections.

“Duran will be rehoused at a prison and his case will be referred to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office for consideration of escape charges,” according to the Department of Corrections in a written statement.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

LOS ANGELES - A man who reportedly confessed to lighting a fire at a park near the base of the San Gabriel Mountains in Azusa will have charges officially filed against him Monday.

Jose Carranza-Escobar reportedly admitted to igniting a fire at Pioneer Park, 1360 N. Dalton Ave., January 10. A vigilant resident witnessed the fire and called first responders, according to the Azusa Police Department.

The incident happened around 11:37 p.m. Friday.

“During the investigation, Carranza admitted to starting the fire and was arrested for Arson. He was subsequently booked at the Azusa Police Department Jail and is currently being held in custody,” according to the Azusa Police Department in a written statement.

Newly-elected Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman will announce charges against Carranza in a Monday press conference. He will also announce charges against those accused of looting homes affected by the Palisades and Eaton fires.

City of Azusa Public Works along with Azusa Light and Water assessed the damage caused by the fire, but police did not specify what was damaged.

Carranza is being held in the Azusa jail ahead of an appearance in West Covina Superior Court.

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The arrest record in this article is being redistributed by SGV CityWatch and is protected by constitutional, publishing and other legal rights. Arrest information is public record and was distributed by government sources. The person named in this article has only been arrested on suspicion of the crime(s) listed and is presumed innocent.