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.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

BALDWIN PARK - Two suspects were tracked to Azusa and arrested March 4, accused of brandishing a firearm that turned out to be a replica, police said.

The crime occurred outside Baldwin Park High School, 3900 N. Puente Ave. The student reported being approached by a vehicle with two individuals who brandished a firearm in a threatening manner, according to the Baldwin Park Police Department.

The student safely walked back to the school for help.

A vehicle and suspects were identified and after searching several locations, officers found the suspects in Azusa.

Both the male and female suspects were followed and a high-risk traffic stop was made on Arrow Highway east of Azusa Canyon Road in Irwindale.

A replica firearm was recovered, according to the Baldwin Park Police Department.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

BALDWIN PARK - A man accused of defacing property at multiple churches in Baldwin Park is facing two felony counts of vandalism classified as a hate crime, police said.

Luis Armando Garcia, 24, was arrested February 22. Police seized items believed to have been used in the destruction at the churches, while video surveillance links Garcia to the crimes, according to the Baldwin Park Police Department.

The alleged crimes occurred February 21.

One of the targeted churches, St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, 3883 Baldwin Park Blvd, suffered damage estimated at $19,000, according to the Baldwin Park Police Department.

Proceedings were held at El Monte Superior Court February 25. A future date of March 13 has been set to determine Garcia’s Mental competency, according to Los Angeles Superior Court records.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

BALDWIN PARK - A flatbed tow truck was stolen overnight from a tow company yard February 10.

The tow truck from Mosca’s Towing was taken around 2 a.m. The tow truck was adorned with the number 4 on either side of the cab, according to the Baldwin Park Police Department.

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of the tow truck, or the suspect(s) who stole it is urged to call Baldwin Park Police Detective Detective R. Larivee at 626-960-1955, extension 418, or contact your local police department if you see it.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

BALDWIN PARK - A known gang banger was jailed after leading Baldwin Park and El Monte Police officers on a pursuit into Montebello.

The pursuit occurred January 24. The driver was allegedly driving recklessly through the streets of Baldwin Park and El Monte, according to the Baldwin Park Police Department.

Officers pursued the driver on the ground and in the air into Montebello where the driver fled the vehicle near Montebello Towne Center.

A brief foot pursuit ended with the arrest of Xavier Angel Mercado, 23. Mercado was booked on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, evading police while on the wrong side of the median, evading with wanton disregard for public safety, possession of nitrous oxide and revocation of probation.

Booking records appear to be incomplete for Mercado. Public information available suggests he posted bail February 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

BALDWIN PARK - The 23-year-old suspect accused of stabbing to death family members the day after Christmas was officially charged with three counts of murder.

Kyle Chester De Los Reyes Also faces special allegations of using a deadly weapon and committing multiple murders, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office.

Mia Chantelle Narvaez, 8, Paul Sebastian Manangan, 16, and Rona Nate, 44, were named by the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner.

Manangan died from multiple sharp force injuries. Exams have yet to be scheduled for Narvaez and Nate.

According to a gofundme fundraiser, Nate was the mother to Narvaez and Manangan.

The deaths were discovered in the 4700 block of Bogart Avenue around 6:48 p.m. December 26.

De Los Reyes is not only related to all three murder victims, but also resided at the location. He was detained after he crashed while allegedly fleeing the scene.

De Los Reyes is being held without bail ahead of a scheduled appearance in Pomona Superior Court January 15, 2025.