Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

BALDWIN PARK - A hit and run suspect was arrested by police Tuesday afternoon, accused of fatal stabbing a family member of two teens who the suspect struck in a Baldwin Park neighborhood.

A 15-year-old girl and a 16-year-old boy were struck by a hit-and-run driver in the 3400 block of Cosbey Avenue. The driver fled the scene and crashed into a nearby parked vehicle. Family members chased after the suspect who fled on foot, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Information Bureau.

“Family members attempted to detain the suspect short distance away, at which time the suspect stabbed the victim, a male Hispanic 35 years old,” according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Information Bureau in a written statement.

The man who was stabbed was taken to a nearby hospital and later died. The teens struck in the collision suffered injuries considered not life-threatening.

Anyone with information on this incident is urged to call the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Homicide Bureau at 323-890-5500. Information can be provided anonymously by calling LA Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS(8477), through the P3Tips mobile app, or lacrimestoppers.org.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

BALDWIN PARK - A man died at the hospital Tuesday afternoon from apparent knife wounds after he was found in a Baldwin Park neighborhood.

The investigation is taking place in the 3400 block of Cosbey Avenue May 31. Baldwin Park Police officers responded to the scene around 1:30 p.m., according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Information Bureau.

Los Angeles County Fire Department dispatch records show that firefighters were dispatched at 1:39 p.m. to a traffic collision at the location. Images from the scene show officers seemingly focused on a dark-green-colored SUV.

Anyone with information on this incident is urged to call the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Homicide Bureau at 323-890-5500. Information can be provided anonymously by calling LA Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS(8477), through the P3Tips mobile app, or lacrimestoppers.org.

BALDWIN PARK – No one was injured after a man opened fire on his sister’s ex boyfriend May 2.

Arturo Angel Duran, 23, was charged with one count of attempted murder, one count of shooting at an inhabited dwelling or occupied vehicle, one count of negligent discharge of a firearm, three counts of child endangerment, one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm, and one count of unlawful possession of ammunition, according to Los Angeles County Superior Court information.

The shooting occurred in the 14200 block of Cloverside Street.

“During the investigation, officers learned the suspect, Arturo Duran (23 years), shot at his sister’s ex-boyfriend while his three daughters were seated in the back seat of the vehicle,” according to the Baldwin Park Police Department in a written statement.

May 12, Baldwin Park Police located Duran with the help of the U.S. Marshal Service Fugitive Task Force. Duran was residing in an area motel.

Two women were staying with Duran at the time of the arrest. Stephanie Mendez, 25, was on probation and arrested on suspicion of being a felon in possession of a handgun. Vanessa Funston, 25 years, was arrested for an outstanding warrant, according to the Baldwin Park Police Department.

Duran was arraigned on the charges May 16. He is being held in lieu of nearly $1.1 million bail at the North County Correctional Facility in Castaic ahead of a scheduled appearance at Rio Hondo Municipal Court June 2.

BALDWIN PARK – A 20-year-old athletic coach at Sierra Vista High School was arrested May 6, accused of misconduct.

Jase Puga, a Baldwin Park man, was booked on suspicion of meeting with a minor for lewd purpose, oral copulation with a minor, contacting a minor with intent to commit certain felonies and statutory rape, according to the Baldwin Park Police Department.

It is not quite clear in what capacity Puga served under as a coach.

Staff at Sierra Vista High School, 3600 Frazier St., contacted police after being made aware of misconduct by an athletic coach, later identified as Puga.

“An individual has been arrested, is no longer allowed on or near Baldwin Park Unified campuses and their employment has been terminated,” according to the Baldwin Park Police Department in a written statement.

District protocols were reportedly followed prior to Puga’s hiring as a coach, according to the Baldwin Park Police Department.

Puga was arrested at 9:20 a.m. May 6. He posted $175,000 bail and was released May 6 at 11:06 p.m., according to Los Angeles County booking records.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

BALDWIN PARK - Driver error likely led to an injury crash between two vehicles Friday evening.

One vehicle attempted a left-hand turn from northbound Downing Avenue to westbound Ramona Boulevard when it was struck by a vehicle east on Ramona just after 6 p.m. May 6, according to a preliminary investigation by the Baldwin Park Police Department.

One of the vehicles rolled over and the driver was ejected.

“Additionally, debris from the traffic collision struck an oncoming Foothill Transit bus. No injuries were sustained to the bus driver and passengers,” according to the Baldwin Park Police Department in a written statement.

Video from the scene showed a thoroughly-cracked windshield on the Foothill Transit bus.

Debris from the violent collision was strewn across westbound and eastbound lanes of Ramona Boulevard on both sides of railroad tracks, forcing the delay of several Metrolink trains until the scene could be cleaned enough for train traffic to move through.