Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

AZUSA - A suspect was arrested June 15 and is facing hate crime and assault with a deadly weapon charges stemming from a seemingly-unprovoked beating during a league basketball game.

Sebastian Espinosa, 27, is accused of assaulting an Asian male playing in a league game at Memorial Park, 340 N. Orange Ave, on December 23, 2022. After being knocked to the ground, the Asian male was continually punched in the head and face and put up no self defense, according to the Azusa Police Department.

“As the suspect was being pulled away from the victim he delivered on final attack by kicking the victim’s head and face before yelling a racially derogatory slur at the victim,” according to the Azusa Police Department in a written statement.

The beating was captured on the park’s court side video system.

Despite being given false identifying information by witnesses, detectives identified Espinosa as a suspect.

Espinosa is being held in lieu of $30,000 bail in the Azusa jail ahead of a scheduled appearance in the West Covina Courthouse Tuesday, June 20.

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.