 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. ********** 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 - Multiple suspects were taken into custody recently and face felony vandalism charges after extensive damage was done to a war memorial and areas of Morgan Park. Two local gangs are accused of causing the damage over the past weekend at the park, 4100 Baldwin Park Blvd. The Baldwin Park Police Department Gang Unit were able to quickly identify suspects and they were taken into custody, according to the Baldwin Park Police Department. “The Baldwin Park Police Department is committed to preserving community spaces and honoring our veterans, while also sending a clear message that such destructive behavior will not be tolerated in Baldwin Park, the police department said in a written statement.  Written by AARON CASTREJON CityWatch Editor BALDWIN PARK - Two suspected gang members sought in connection with a Monrovia robbery were jailed last week after fleeing from Baldwin Park police.
Officers with the department’s Gang Activity Prevention unit attempted a traffic stop March 18 in the 3700 block of Baldwin Park Boulevard around 5 p.m. A passenger in the vehicle fled on foot, box in hand, and the driver sped away, according to the Baldwin Park Police Department. The passenger who fled on foot, 20-year-old Alfonso Maya, was caught and found in possession of two firearms. The brief vehicle pursuit ended in a solo crash at Live Oak Avenue and Baldwin Park Boulevard when the suspect struck a traffic light, according to Sgt. Mike Hemenway of the Baldwin Park Police Department. A gun clip and ammunition were reportedly recovered from the crashed vehicle. The driver, 20-year-old Izaac Velasco, and another passenger were taken to County/USC Medical Center for treatment. Velasco was eventually taken into custody and booked on suspicion of felony evading causing injury and evading in opposing lanes of traffic, Hemenway told SGV CityWatch. Maya was booked on suspicion of felony possession of a firearm, Hemenway told SGV CityWatch. Maya is being held without bail at the Men’s Central Jail ahead of a scheduled appearance in Rio Hondo Municipal Court March 22. Velasco apparently remains hospitalized. His bail is set at $75,000, according to Los Angeles County booking records.  Written by AARON CASTREJON CityWatch Editor LOS ANGELES - The man who orchestrated a series of attacks six years ago that left two dead and four wounded was sentenced recently. Ulises Jose Gutierrez, 26, was sentenced to life without parole. Gutierrez was convicted in September on two counts of first-degree murder and three counts of attempted murder, according to Paul Eakins, public information officer for the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office. Jurors found true special circumstance allegations of multiple murders and that he was an active participant in a criminal street gang as well as allegations that he used a firearm and a knife, caused great bodily injury and committed the crimes for the benefit of a gang, Eakins said. Three other men have already been sentenced and two others are awaiting sentencing in a series of attacks that terrorized Baldwin Park from May until October 2013. Under Gutierrez’s direction, Francisco Moran, Gustavo Cruz, Arturo Mendoza, Johnny Balbuena and Elton Bennett targeted people they believed to be associated with a rival gang or otherwise opposed to them, according to court testimony. According to court testimony, on May 24, Cruz and Mendoza drove to a house on Maine Avenue and confronted Raymond Vasquez, 22, who was outside. A second vehicle driven by Balbuena arrived moments later and Gutierrez got out and fatally shot Vasquez with an AK-47 rifle, Eakins said.
On July 19, Gutierrez and Moran drove to a bus stop at Los Angeles Street and Merced Avenue and confronted Maurio Sotelo, 20. Moran fatally shot the victim with a handgun. Earlier that night, Gutierrez and Moran approached a man walking on a sidewalk in a residential area and Gutierrez shot and wounded him, Eakins said. Gutierrez shot and wounded a teenage boy on June 21. The next night, Bennett shot and wounded a man who was an innocent bystander in front of his home. On Oct. 2, Gutierrez stabbed a woman with a knife, Eakins said. On July 19, 2018, 31-year-old Moran of Baldwin Park was sentenced to 82 years to life in prison after a jury found him guilty of one count each of first-degree murder and attempted murder with gun and gang allegations. On Oct. 10, 2019, 29-year-old Gustavo Cruz of El Monte was sentenced to 15 years to life in prison and waived six years of credit for time already served in jail after pleading no contest to one count of second-degree murder. On Oct. 16, 2019, 29-year-old Arturo Mendoza of Baldwin Park was sentenced to 21 years in prison and waived six years of credit for time served after pleading guilty to voluntary manslaughter. 24-year-old Johnny Balbuena of Baldwin Park was sentenced to 50 years to life in state prison November 5 after being convicted of one count of first-degree murder and found true gun and gang allegations. 26-year-old Elton Bennett of Baldwin Park faces up to 80 years to life in prison after a jury convicted him in April of two counts of attempted murder and found true gang and gun allegations. His sentencing is scheduled for December 12.  PHOTO/Baldwin Park Police. Written by AARON CASTREJON CityWatch Editor BALDWIN PARK - An observant resident alerted police to guns and drugs allegedly ditched by two men who tried to flee an officer September 16. The two unidentified men were arrested after a replica firearm, a real and loaded fire arm were found with drugs in a residential yard near Center Street and Los Angeles Street, Baldwin Park Police said.
An officer attempted to stop the two publicly-unidentified men around 4 a.m., but the two split up and left in different directions. The men were found after a brief search. “A records check also revealed both subjects were convicted felons with gang affiliations. Both subjects were arrested for weapon and drug violation charges,” Baldwin Park Police said. |
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