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

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.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

AZUSA - The community is grappling with the shocking and senseless death of an aspiring 17-year-old athlete, artist and cheerleader who was murdered Friday night.

Angelina Gonzales was identified by school officials and family members in the hours after her death.

Gonzales was stabbed in the 300 block of North Soldano Avenue December 20. She died at a hospital. The 18-year-old suspect is in custody, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.

“Angelina was an exceptional young woman whose talents and energy touched the lives of so many around her,” according to a statement from the Azusa Unified School District. “Angelina was a bright light in the classroom and a dedicated member of the cheer squad and wrestling team, where she demonstrated incredible spirit and determination.”

In June, Gonzales earned first place recognition in the Congressional Art Competition. Her work is currently displayed in the U.S. Capitol. Her artwork also won the Judge’s Choice Award in 2022.

Angelina was headed for college after graduation. Her family and friends have the arduous task of grieving over her death while attempting to pick up the pieces and move forward with celebrating her life.

“Angelina was so much more than her achievements. She was a light in all our lives—a kind, loving, and vibrant soul who brought joy, laughter, and love wherever she went. Her smile lit up every room, and her determination inspired everyone around her. She had big dreams, a big heart, and an even bigger impact on her family, friends, and community,” according to a statement published on the family’s gofundme page.

>>DONATE HERE

The Azusa Unified School District is offering social-emotional support district families through Care Solace.

>>ACCESS RESOURCES HERE

The Suspected murderer, 18-year-old Daniel Rodriguez, was arrested December 21 and remains in custody in the Men’s Central Jail in Los Angeles. He is being held in lieu of $2 million bail ahead of a scheduled appearance in West Covina Superior Court December 24.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

AZUSA - Two suspects were arrested November 27 after a reported sighting of a man with a gun led to the discovery of loaded weapon.

Officers with the Azusa Police Department Gang Unit responded to the 1000 block of West Fourth Street around 7:18 p.m. to locate a man with a gun. A high-risk traffic stop was performed on a vehicle leaving the neighborhood. The occupants of the vehicle are documented gang members, according to the Azusa Police Department.

In addition to the loaded 9mm handgun, officers found a loaded gun clip, according to the Azusa Police Department.

Paul Medina and Dennis Robert Ayon were arrested. Probation holds were placed on both suspects.

Medina, 40, and Ayon, 44, are being held in the Men’s Central Jail in Los Angeles. Both men are scheduled to appear in West Covina Superior Court: Ayon on December 2, Medina on December 3, according to Los Angeles Superior Court records.

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

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

AZUSA - Police arrested a man November 1 and reportedly discovered a weapon and ammunition tucked into a backpack he allegedly discarded during an attempted escape on foot.

Officers performing gang suppression operations at 1151 W. Arrow Hwy. around 8:18 p.m. attempted to speak with David Daniel Delgado, 36, and three other males. All four fled on foot, according to the Azusa Police Department.

Officers recovered the backpack Delgado allegedly discarded during the foot pursuit.

“Upon recovering the backpack, officers discovered a loaded short-barreled rifle along with three loaded magazines concealed inside,” according to the Azusa Police Department in a written statement.

Delgado, an Azusa man, was arrested and booked on suspicion of multiple gun-related charges, including being a prior felon in possession of a firearm, according to the Azusa Police Department.

He is being held without bail in the Men’s Central Jail in Los Angeles ahead of a scheduled appearance in West Covina Superior Court Tuesday, November 5.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

AZUSA - A woman is facing multiple charges, accused of several burglaries and assaulting a Target employee October 24.

Christin Hill, 38, was booked on suspicion of burglary, attempted burglary and robbery.

Officers were called to a burglary in progress in the 100 block of East Ninth Street around 6:40 p.m. and discovered a door was kicked in at the residence. They then saw a suspect running from the location, according to the Azusa Police Department.

A drone was deployed to track the running suspect who was then found on the second-story balcony at a residence in the 800 block of North Dalton Avenue during a second break-in, according to the Azusa Police Department.

A ladder truck from the Los Angeles County Fire Department helped officers bring the suspect down.

During the burglary response, staff at a nearby Target store, 809 N. Azusa Ave., called to report a female suspect who stole merchandise and injured an employee by striking the employee with a chain, according to the Azusa Police Department.

The employee received minor injuries.

Hill, a Los Angeles woman, is being held in lieu of $100,000 bail at the Century Regional Detention Facility ahead of a scheduled appearance in West Covina Superior Court October 29.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

AZUSA - An Azusa resident was arrested October 18, accused of leading police on a pursuit and allegedly carrying methamphetamine, a gun and loaded gun clip.

The suspect, Anthony Amaya, allegedly refused to stop for police who attempted to pull him over in the 1000 block of North Vernon Avenue around 10:21 p.m. October 17. Amaya reportedly attempted to escape on foot also, but was quickly caught, according to the Azusa Police Department.

“During the arrest, officers found over 21 grams of methamphetamine in the driver’s pocket. Additionally, a firearm and loaded magazine were discovered nearby. The firearm was secured and booked into evidence,” according to the Azusa Police Department in a written statement.

Amaya, 48, made an initial appearance in West Covina Superior Court October 21 and was officially charged with one count each of being a felon in possession of a firearm, being a felon in possession of ammunition and evading a peace officer. He was additionally charge with two counts of prior felony convictions, according to Los Angeles Superior Court records.

Amaya pleaded not guilty. He is scheduled for an early disposition hearing November 8.

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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 - Two hours of negotiations led to the surrender of a man accused of domestic violence Thursday.

Isaiah Castro, 22, held officers at bay in an apartment complex in the 800 block of South Cerritos Avenue October 3. Officers originally responded to the domestic violence call at 7:51 a.m., according to the Azusa Police Department.

Azusa officers activated the East San Gabriel Valley SWAT Team, comprised of Azusa, Irwindale and Baldwin Park police officers.

Castro was booked on suspicion of resisting or delaying an officer with force, battery, false imprisonment, assault with a deadly weapon and attempting to damage a communication device to prevent help, according to the Azusa Police Department.

Castro is being held without bail at the Inmate Reception Center in Los Angeles ahead of a scheduled appearance in West Covina Superior Court October 7.

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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.