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 - A Baldwin Park High School student said she was approached and followed by a strange man Thursday morning.

The man ran up to the girl from behind and scared her. He then asked random questions about where she went to school. Fearing for her safety, the student walked away and the man fled the area, according to the Baldwin ParkPolice Department.

The incident occurred around 7:50 a.m. May 16.

The man is described as Latino and in his 20s. He wore a black T-shirt, khaki pants, had hair in a bun and a mustache.

Anyone with information on this incident, or who can identify the suspect is urged to call the Baldwin Park Police Department at 626-960-1955.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

BALDWIN PARK - Students, parents and authorities are on alert after a driver approached students at several schools.

The alert was sent out Wednesday, January 31. Students of Sierra Vista High School, Sierra Vista Middle School and Tracy Elementary report being approached as they walked to school. The vehicle is a gray four-door Honda Accord with license plate 5VXV977, according to the Baldwin Park Unified School District.

A suspect description was not provided. It is unclear if students were able to obtain a description of the driver.

“The District strongly encourages students and their families to take extra caution as they are going to and from school and be on the lookout. As a reminder, if you see something, say something,” according to the Baldwin Park Unified School District in a written statement.

Anyone who has information on the suspect, or who may have been approached by the Honda Accord is urged to call the Baldwin Park Police Department at 626-960-1955, or dial 911.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

BALDWIN PARK - A vehicle was recovered Friday afternoon, but they reported armed suspect and a weapon are still outstanding after a lengthy search.

Baldwin Park police responded to the area of Los Angeles Street and Merced Avenue December 16 around 2:40 p.m. The suspect was seen fleeing a wanted vehicle, forcing officers to conduct a perimeter search to find him, according to Sgt. M. Balzano of the Baldwin Park Police Department.

The suspect search was called off around 5 p.m. Although a suspect vehicle was recovered, the reported armed man was never located, neither was a weapon, Balzano told SGV CityWatch.

Nearby Charles Bursch Elementary School, 4245 Merced Avenue was placed on lockdown during the search.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

BALDWIN PARK - A student of Sierra Vista High School was arrested May 31 after he continually sent threats against his school, threatening that explosive devices were planted on campus.

The FBI assisted Baldwin Park Police detectives and identifying the suspect. He was arrested May 31, the same day he sent more threats to Sierra Vista Staff, and evidence was seized from his home, according to the Baldwin Park Police Department.

13 initially sent an email thread May 25. It was that day he threatened explosive devices were planted on campus. The message was sent after classes ended that day.

“A large police response was initiated including explosives detection canine teams from many local area police agencies. No devices were found or detonated,” according to the Baldwin Park Police Department.

Detectives will seek criminal prosecution for these threats. Anyone with information I can help the investigation is urged to call Alden Park police detective Andres Villalobos at 626-960-1955, extension 418.

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.