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 - 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 - 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 - An accused speedster is facing more than just a traffic violation after allegedly leading police on a pursuit and brief standoff.

An officer attempted to stop a high-speed driver in the 200 block of North Cerritos Avenue just after 11 p.m. September 11, but the driver allegedly refused to stop. A pursuit was initiated on surface streets and then to the east 210 freeway, according to the Azusa Police Department.

The pursuit exited onto Grand Avenue in Glendora where the driver stopped and barricaded himself inside the truck. After a few minutes of negotiations, the driver continued the pursuit, according to the Azusa Police Department.

An officer successfully employed the Pursuit Intervention Technique and disabled the truck.

The pursuit ended in Citrus Avenue north of Gladstone Street. A CityWatch reader documented the pursuit aftermath.

“During a search of the vehicle, a loaded handgun with an extended magazine was located inside of the glove compartment,” according to the Azusa Police Department in a written statement.

John West Spradley, 36, was booked on suspicion of felony evading, possession of a high-capacity magazine, possession of an undetectable firearm, carrying a loaded firearm and obstructing or delaying a police officer.

Spradley is being held without bail at the Inmate Reception Center in Los Angeles ahead of a scheduled appearance in appearance Friday, September 13.

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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 - A man accused of brandishing a handgun at a train operator was located and arrested July 19.

The incident unfolded on the Metro A-Line tracks between Irwindale and Azusa. The train operator saw the suspect and a companion on the tracks. The operator sounded the horn at the duo.

“When the operator activated the train horn to alert the suspect to move, the suspect pulled a handgun from his waistband and pointed it at the operator,” according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Transit Services Bureau.

The suspect fled the area, but was later located, identified and arrested, according to the Transit Services Bureau.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

AZUSA - Is that a rifle in your pocket or are you just happy to see me? A parole was caught with his pants down, so to speak, and arrested on suspicion of weapons possession Tuesday.

Police were called to the 200 block of South Murray Avenue around 6:50 p.m. June 3 to investigate a report of a man concealing a rifle in his pants, according to the Azusa Police Department.

Officers spoke to three people at nearby Gladstone Park, 340 S. Pasadena Ave. Two of those people were determined to be on parole.

“During the investigation, Officers located the rifle in the restroom at Gladstone Park and the magazine for the rifle was in one of the subject’s possession,” according to the Azusa Police Department in a written statement.

Joseph Lucero, a 24-year-old El Monte man, was booked on suspicion of being a felon in possession of a firearm among other firearm related violations.

Arturo Esquivel, a 29-year-old West Covina man, was arrested for violation of his parole.

Anyone with additional information is urged to call the Azusa Police Department at 626-812-3200. Remain anonymous by calling LA Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-888-222-TIPS (8477), through the P3Tips mobile app, or lacrimestoppers.org.

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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 - A teen gang banger is facing a slew of charges after attempting to ditch his firearm while running from police March 27.

The teen gangbanger ran from a vehicle which refused to initially stop for police who sought the driver for a vehicle code violation near Arrow Highway and Citrus Avenue around 7:50 p.m. Monday, according to the Azusa Police Department.

The vehicle stopped outside of 717 E. Arrow Hwy. before the teen ran.

“A male passenger fled from the front passenger seat and ran from officers while visibly holding a firearm in his hands. As an Azusa Police Officer gave chase, the suspect threw the firearm nearby and he was safely detained,” according to the Azusa Police Department in a written statement.

The teen was booked on suspicion of firearms related charges, including resisting delaying, or obstructing a peace officer.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

AZUSA - An anonymous tipster notified Azusa High School staff and Azusa police about a student armed with a handgun on campus Friday.

The anonymous tipster notified Azusa High School staff to report a student in possession of a handgun on the campus, 240 N. Cerritos Ave., March 3. An investigation by the Azusa Police Department and school administrators led to two students being arrested.

“AUSD policy, and state law, consider the possession of a gun on a school campus to be a serious disciplinary matter as well as a criminal matter, and the situation is being handled as such,” according to the Azusa Unified School District in written statement.

The district is unwilling to share further details due to privacy laws and the ongoing investigation.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

SACRAMENTO - A substantial cache of weapons and ammunition were seized from a Azusa man’s home January 25.

The unidentified man is prohibited from possessing firearms under the state’s Armed and Prohibited Persons System database. Seized were four machine guns, seven assault weapons, a short-barreled rifle, four suppressors/silencers, six handguns, one shotgun, four rifles, 54 lower receivers/frames, 41 standard capacity magazines, 87 large-capacity magazines, and approximately 35,000 rounds of miscellaneous ammunition, according to the DOJ’s office.

Agents initially intended to seize one weapon in question from the suspect, but then discovered the large cache of additional weapons and ammunition after serving a search warrant, according to the DOJ’s office.

The DOJ arrested the man and brought felony charges against him.

The man initially refused to allow agents from the DOJ’s Bureau of Firearms into his home, but agents obtained a search warrant.

The suspect was charged by DOJ’s Criminal Law Division with multiple felonies, including unlawful possession of a firearm, unlawful possession of an assault weapon, intentional conversion of a firearm into a machine gun, possession of a machine gun, unlawful assault weapon activity, unlawful manufacture or possession of a short-barreled rifle or shotgun, unlawful possession of ammunition, and possession of a silencer. He was arraigned February 17 in Los Angeles County Superior Court, Pomona, according to the DOJ.

“This arrest demonstrates exactly why the Armed and Prohibited Persons system is vital for the safety of our communities,” said Attorney General Bonta. “In our efforts to retrieve just one gun from a prohibited individual, we found dozens of illegal weapons and thousands of rounds of ammunition. I am grateful for our Bureau of Firearms agents’ work in getting these illegal weapons out of the hands of this prohibited individual.”