Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

LOS ANGELES - A jury convicted a man July 1 in the fentanyl death of a victim who died minutes after being sold the drug on a Metro train.

Shane Christopher Brown, 37, a Los Angeles County man, was found guilty after a five-day of one count of distribution of fentanyl, resulting in death, according to the Drug Enforcement Administration.

Security cameras caught the entire incident on the evening of January 16, 2023. Brown distributed the highly potent synthetic opioid while riding the Metro A Line train in Azusa. The victim died within 10 minutes of ingesting the drug. He collapsed at the Azusa downtown station.

Brown was tracked down and arrested in the city of Glendora in March 2023.

“Toxicology results revealed that fentanyl was the only illicit substance in the victim’s blood and his death was subsequently attributed to the effects of fentanyl, according to court documents,” according to the DEA in a written statement.

A sentencing hearing date has yet to be announced. Brown faces 20 years to life in federal prison.

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.

AZUSA – A man was discovered dead at a business complex near Azusa Avenue Thursday evening.

First responders were sent to the area of Azusa Avenue and Newburgh Street around 7:27 p.m. August 18 to a report of a person not breathing. The Hispanic man in his 20s was found at a business complex, according to Azusa Police Cpl. Martinez.

The man died of a possible overdose. At this time investigators do not suspect foul play, Martinez told SGV CityWatch.

AZUSA – Officers checking a suspicious vehicle discovered nine pounds of methamphetamine and a concealed loaded handgun, the Azusa Police Department said.

The suspicious vehicle was found in the 1200 block of West Foothill Boulevard at 4:57 p.m. May 19. The vehicle’s passenger was armed with the loaded handgun, according to the Azusa Police Department.

​Two Los Angeles men were arrested.

Driver, Roberto Romero, 41, and passenger Jesus Quiroz, 31, were arrested and booked on suspicion of possession of methamphetamine for sale and transporting methamphetamine for sale. Quiroz was additionally booked on suspicion of possessing a loaded handgun while in possession of methamphetamine, according to the Azusa Police Department.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

AZUSA - 26 packages of methamphetamine were discovered after police pulled over a vehicle March 25.

The Thursday traffic stop in the area of Orange Avenue and Foothill Boulevard yielded the large quantity of meth, which police believe appeared to be ready for a bulk sale, according to the Azusa Police Department.

56-year-old Madera resident and driver Carlos Lopez, and 44-year-old Jesse Resendez, from Chowchilla, were arrested without incident, Azusa Police said.

“This incident highlights the fact that illegal narcotics continue to flow into our communities, and the Azusa Police Department remains committed to finding and stopping this flow where possible,” Azusa Police said in a written statement.

Both men were issued citations and released, according to Los Angeles County booking records.

AZUSA - Police recovered a loaded handgun and narcotics after a gang member tried to flee Saturday.

21-year-old Alvaro Ruben Gomez was booked on suspicion of being a felon in possession of a loaded firearm, possession of narcotics and delaying, obstructing and resisting an officer, according to the Azusa Police Department.

Gomez allegedly walked across the street against a red light at Soldano Avenue and Foothill Boulevard just after 8 p.m. An officer reportedly witnessed Gomez creating a traffic hazard and recognized him as a gang member, according to the Azusa Police Department.

“During the foot pursuit, the male suspect discarded a loaded firearm from his person, as well as illegal narcotics prior to being detained,” Azusa Police said.

Gomez also had a warrant for a parole violation.

Gomez, a Rancho Cucamonga man, has a history with Azusa Police.

On December 26, 2020 and January 9, 2021, Gomez was arrested by Azusa Police on suspicion of illegally possessing a firearm.

“During that investigation [January 9], suspect Gomez told officers, any time he is in the City of Azusa, he will be armed,” according to the Azusa Police Department.

Gomez is being held without bail ahead of a scheduled appearance in the West Covina courthouse Tuesday, February 9.

AZUSA - Two were arrested after police raided a marijuana dispensary in Downtown Azusa Thursday.

The search warrant was served at the location in the 300 block of North Azusa Avenue December 19. Two women in the location were arrested and two others were issued citations, according to the Azusa Police Department.

AZUSA - Police chased the passenger of a vehicle on foot during a traffic stop and later found a loaded handgun, ammunition and weed in his possession.

The suspect, 20-year-old Daniel Garcia-Zermeno, an Azusa resident, fled from officers in the 100 block of South Azusa Avenue, December 19. A passing motorist witnessed a foot pursuit and intervened to help police stop him, according to the Azusa police department in a written statement.