Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

BALDWIN PARK - One police officer was killed, another remains hospitalized after exchanging gunfire with a suspect Saturday evening.

Three sources reported to the Los Angeles Times newspaper of the officer’s death.

One other person was wounded in the shooting, and this person has since been taken into custody, according to Fox 11 news.

First responders were sent to the location on Filhurst Street south of Los Angeles Street in Baldwin Park around 7:16 p.m. Saturday, May 31.

One of the wounded officers Was flown by sheriffs helicopter to Los Angeles General Medical Center, the other was taken by a ground ambulance, according to the Los Angeles County Fire Department.

It is not yet clear why Baldwin Park Police officers first responded to the location.

The city has been plagued by an increase in gun violence lately, according to Baldwin Park News Online, a local news website which has closely followed the unfolding gun violence, including a shooting that occurred earlier Saturday.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

BALDWIN PARK - A suspect was arrested Tuesday by officers serving an arrest and search warrant, an operation that revealed explosive materials inside his residence.

Homes in the 4000 block of Walnut Street were evacuated as a precaution after the discovery of “explosive-type components and materials in the residence.” The suspect was taken into custody, according to the Baldwin Park Police Department.

The suspect was arrested, accused of possession of components to an explosive device.

The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Arson/Explosives Detail arrived to assist with securing and disposing of the explosive materials.

The suspect’s name was not publicly released.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

BALDWIN PARK - A juvenile bicyclist is recovering Wednesday, having been struck by a Baldwin Park Police officer vehicle.

The officer was stopped at a red light at Pacific Avenue and Vineland Avenue when the officer witnessed a speeding vehicle that was driven through the intersection against a red light. With the green light, the officer completed a left turn and struck the bicyclist who was in the crosswalk, according to the Baldwin Park Police Department.

The collision occurred just before 7 a.m. May 14.

“The officer immediately rendered and requested medical aid, and remained with the juvenile until the arrival of the Los Angeles County Fire Department,” according to the Baldwin Park Police Department in a written statement.

The speeding driver fled the scene.

The California Highway Patrol Baldwin Park Office is investigating the collision. Anyone who witnessed the collision is urgent to call 626-338-1164.

Baldwin Park police officers are attempting to identify the speeding driver. Any witnesses to the reckless driver or urged to call the Baldwin Park Police Department at 626-960-1955.

Remain anonymous 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 suspect wanted for grand theft was finally arrested Friday after a dangerous pursuit ended in Baldwin Park.

It is not immediately clear when the pursuit began, but El Monte Police officers took chase of a silver Honda Pilot on the I-10 freeway. They asked for assistance from the California Highway Patrol as the chase on the I-10 eastbound approached the 605 freeway around 9:12 p.m., according to CHP radio traffic.

Law enforcement confirmed that the silver Honda Pilot was a wanted vehicle out of the San Gabriel Police Department. The driver is reportedly a known gang member, according to the El Monte Police Department.

After the suspect went back westbound on the I-10 freeway, he transitioned to the southbound 605 freeway and often times drove in excess of 100 miles per hour. He grew bolder as the chase went on and somehow u-turned on the southbound 605 to travel northbound in southbound lanes near Whittier Boulevard.

The CHP followed the suspect from the sky with officers on the ground backing off after he righted himself and exited onto Telegraph Road In Santa Fe Springs. He snaked his way northbound through city streets until he entered the 605 freeway northbound. CHP officers attempted to chase him again, but decided to back off once more as the suspect drove at excessive speeds, according to CHP radio traffic.

The suspect exited onto surfer streets in Baldwin Park where he abandoned the Honda Pilot in the parking structure near Kaiser Permanente Baldwin Park Medical Center. A perimeter search was started and a CHP officer located and detained a suspect who was later identified by El Monte Police as Steven Anthony Amaya, 36.

Amaya was arrested by San Gabriel Police. He is being held without bail in the Inmate Reception Center in Los Angeles without bail ahead of a scheduled appearance in Alhambra Superior Court May 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

BALDWIN PARK - A trash dumpster provided a paltry hiding spot for a man who fled officers after allegedly brandishing a weapon May 1.

Multiple witnesses reported an armed man near the offramp to the I-10 freeway at Puente Avenue around 7:48 a.m. Thursday. The man fled from arriving California Highway Patrol officers and sought refuge inside of a dumpster, according to the CHP Baldwin Park office.

Officers from the CHP, Baldwin Park and West Covina Police departments surrounded the dumpster at a nearby McDonalds, 14530 Baldwin Park Towne Center. After more than one hour, the suspect surrendered, according to the CHP.

A replica handgun was recovered and the suspect was placed on a 72-hour psychiatric hold.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

BALDWIN PARK - The teacher accused of forcing a middle school to evacuate after causing a disturbance May 1 can expect to face criminal charges.

The teacher allegedly entered Olive Middle School, 13701, Olive St., around 9:45 a.m. Thursday and made threats inside the main office. Administrators evacuated all students and staff as a precaution, according to the Baldwin Park Police Department.

The teacher at one point was in communication with officers, but then barricaded herself in the office and refused commands to exit. It wasn’t until 9:30 p.m. that the teacher was removed from the class by officers when negotiators failed to have her peacefully exit.

“The investigation remains ongoing, and the individual will be criminally charged upon release from the hospital,” according to the Baldwin Park Police Department in a written statement.

The department did not specify what type of criminal charges the teacher would face. The type of threats she allegedly made is not publicly known.

A woman identifying herself as Veronica Renee Madere posted videos and images on Instagram of her ordeal. She appeared to be suffering a mental health crisis due to the nonsensical content of her videos.

Madere is a sixth grade teacher at Olive Middle School.

Madere took a picture of her handwritten resignation letter and asked that $20 million tax free be deposited into not only hers, but into the account of every classified and certificated employee, declaring everyone at the school officially retired. She also made claims that the school kills children and that her daughter was captive, but there are copies of her daughter and doesn’t know which is the real one.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

BALDWIN PARK - Crisis negotiators and Baldwin Park Police officers are attempting to bring a peaceful resolution to a barricade that began early Thursday morning.

Students and staff at Olive Middle School were evacuated and taken to a nearby campus where the students were released to their parents and guardians. Out of an abundance of caution, classes at Olive Middle School are canceled for Friday, May 2.

It is unclear if crisis negotiators or police have maintained contact with the woman barricaded inside the school.

Authorities described the woman as an employee of the school.

CityWatch readers provided this reporter an Instagram account from a woman who identifies herself as Veronica Madere, who is a sixth grade teacher at Olive Middle School.

The woman, appears to be suffering a mental health crisis. She very calmly said in her video:

“They have me hostage here at Olive Middle school and my daughter at Edgewood Middle School … if it really is her. I don’t know. They make copies here. They like to kill children over here. Because they’re assholes and they like to rip out your heart. I’m in Baldwin Park. I don’t even know if that’s my daughter.”

She went on to make multiple other posts throughout the day, including a picture of a resignation letter handwritten to the school district and asked for $20 million to be direct deposited into the accounts of every classified and certificated employee.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

BALDWIN PARK - A barricade continues at Olive Middle Thursday after someone entered school grounds, caused a disruption and took refuge in an office, police said.

“All students and staff have been safely evacuated from the premises to a nearby school campus (Walnut Elementary) where they are being safely, dismissed to parents/guardians,” according to the Baldwin Park Police Department in a written statement.

It is not publicly clear if this barricaded person is affiliated with the school, or has a child who is enrolled there.

There is apparently no threat to any students or school personnel, according to the Baldwin Park Police Department.

The public is encouraged to stay away from the area until the barricade is resolved, according to the Baldwin Park Police Department.