Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

AZUSA - Police made quick work of an armed robbery suspect who was caught hours after a hold up at an Arco gas station.

Greg Dwayne Wright, 46, is accused of armed robbery the Arco station, 100 N. Azusa Ave., at midnight August 8. He fled in a vehicle in an unknown direction, according to the Azusa Police Department.

Patrol officers were able to identify Wright’s getaway vehicle. Later that day, he was located in Monrovia driving the same vehicle. Wright was found armed with a handgun believed to be the same one used in the Arco station robbery, according to the Azusa police department.

Authorities later learned that Wright is accused of a similar robbery in Barstow.

Wright is being held in lieu of nearly $1.3 million bail. His next appearance in the West Covina courthouse is scheduled for Monday, August 14.

AZUSA – Police located an assault with a deadly weapon and robbery suspect in Pomona three days after he allegedly committed the crimes at an Azusa motel.

Richard Gonzalez, a Covina man, is accused of the mentioned crimes reportedly committed at the Super 8 Motel January 24. Officers were called to the scene around 9:46 a.m., according to the Azusa Police Department.

During Gonzalez’s arrest, three other suspects were taken into custody, although police did not elaborate on their potential involvement.

Gonzalez was held in lieu of $50,000 ahead of a scheduled appearance in the West Covina courthouse Monday, January 31.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

AZUSA - A man and woman were arrested in Monrovia after the victims were able to provide investigators with descriptions of the suspects and getaway vehicle, police said.

Maximilian Delgado, 28, and Iztel Tostado, 26, were both taken into custody December 17. Both were booked on suspicion of robbery. Both victims were held at gunpoint, according to the Azusa Police Department.

Officers responded to the scene at a parking lot at 1240 W. Foothill Blvd. around 10:30 a.m.

“Azusa Police Detectives, with assistance from Monrovia Police Department Detectives, were able to identify the alleged suspects from the robbery,” according to the Azusa Police Department in a written statement.

Both suspects were arrested after a search warrant was served at the home where Delgado and Tostado live, Azusa Police said.

Delgado is being held without bail in the Twin Towers Correctional Facility in Los Angeles, according to Los Angeles County booking records.

Tostado was eventually released with a citation.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

AZUSA - A clerk was reportedly punch several times by a liquor store robber Thursday morning, Azusa Police said.

The robbery occurred at Diana’s Liquor, 200 W. Foothill Blvd., around 8:52 a.m. November 19. The suspect stole merchandise and attempted to flee. The clerk attempted to get payment from the suspect, according to the Azusa Police Department.

“The victim stated he attempted to receive payment from the suspect at which point the suspect punched him several times on the face,” according to the Azusa Police Department in a written statement.

Arriving officers located 18-year-old Covina man Roger Sapien in the west alley in the 500 block of North San Gabriel Avenue.

The clerk identified Sapien as the suspect, Azusa Police said.

The clerk said he was uninjured and refused medical help.

Sapien was booked on suspicion of robbery and was held in lieu of $50,000 bail.

AZUSA - The suspect identified in the robbery of two 7-11 convenience stores between late December and early January was arrested.

Byron Quinton Cruz, a 24-year-old Azusa man, was arrested after officers learned the suspect description in all three robberies was similar, according to the Azusa Police Department.

The robbery method was also similar, but police did not describe how the stores were robbed.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
​CityWatch Editor

AZUSA - Sheriff’s homicide detectives are searching for those involved in a deadly shooting that left a male dead.

The shooting occurred in the 100 block of East Payson Street November 1. Azusa Police officers responding to a shots fired call found the victim wounded at least once in the upper torso.

The unidentified victim, who was shot inside a vehicle, was pronounced dead after being taken to the hospital, according to Deputy Erin Lou of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Information Bureau.

Firefighters were called to the scene at 5:59 p.m.

A suspect in another vehicle reportedly pulled the trigger, Liu said.

The victim was taken to Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center. He remains unidentified until next of kin have been notified, according to Kristy McCracken of the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner-Coroner.

It is unclear if detectives have a suspect description, or have even identified a suspect.

Anyone with information on the shooting is urged to call the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Homicide Bureau at 323-890-5500. Information can be provided anonymously by calling L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).

Written by AARON CASTREJON | CityWatch Editor

AZUSA - Police continue to search for the gunman who opened fire on two intended robbery targets almost one week ago.

Police, arriving to reports of a shooting at East Bagnall Street and North Orangecrest Avenue, discovered the shooting resulted from an attempted robbery, according to Lt. Chris Grant of the Azusa Police Department.

The victims exited the vehicle and the suspect fired at least four rounds, some of which struck the vehicle, Grant said.

The suspect fled on foot.

Anyone with information on the suspect, or who witnessed the shooting is urged to call the Azusa Police Department and speak with Lt. Grant at 626-812-3200.

Written by AARON CASTREJON | CityWatch Editor

AZUSA - A man attempted to steal property right out of his victim’s hands in broad daylight near 85˚ on Alosta Avenue April 18.
 
A man in his mid-30s approached two people walking westbound outside of 85˚, 1119 E. Alosta Ave., around 12:23 p.m. and became verbally combative with them and attempted to pull property out of one of the victim’s hands, according to an Azusa Pacific Timely Warning notice.
 
The victim was able to pull away from the suspect and call Azusa Police.
 
The suspect was described as a white man in his mid-30s, with greyish/blond hair and beard and has a medium build. He wore a grey shirt and black pants.

Written by AARON CASTREJON | CityWatch Editor

AZUSA - Police are investigating an armed robbery that occurred during a street purchase of undisclosed property arranged through a popular selling app.

The victim met the suspect in the 200 block of South Vernon Avenue to sell the property through OfferUp. The suspect took the property. During the crime, a handgun was displayed and a physical altercation occurred, said Sgt. John Madaloni of the Azusa Police Department.

Police responded to the robbery at 3:45 p.m.

Madaloni was reluctant to disclose a suspect description and the property that was taken during the robbery, citing the ongoing investigation.

The suspect fled on foot.

No injuries were reported.

Written by AARON CASTREJON | CityWatch Editor

AZUSA - A 64-year-old woman was uninjured after being pushed to the ground and robbed of her purse Sunday night.

The robbery took place in the 600 block of East Alosta Avenue. The suspect approached the woman and wrestled her purse away. A Good Samaritan witnessed the robbery and chased the suspect, said Sgt. John Madaloni of the Azusa Police Department.

The Good Samaritan convinced the suspect to drop the purse, which he did. The suspect continued running east, Madaloni said.

Madaloni declined to give a description of the suspect, but in a Timely Warning issued to Citrus College students, the suspect was only described as a Hispanic man in his mid-20s.

Anyone with information on the suspect is urged to call the Azusa Police detective bureau at 626-812-3200.