Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

CITY OF INDUSTRY - A man wanted for reckless driving was taken into custody after recklessly fleeing deputies late Thursday night.

The driver, identified as 24-year-old Carlos Barrera, was booked on suspicion of DUI, felony evading and assault with a deadly weapon on a peace officer, according to Sgt. Molina of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Industry Station.

The pursuit began around 11:23 p.m. in the area of Hambeldon Avenue and Valley Boulevard, Molina told SGV CityWatch.

Barrera was reportedly weaving across all lanes and refused to stop, according to Sheriff’s radio traffic.

Barrera allegedly at first led deputies on an exceedingly slow pursuit, sometimes moving at 10 miles per hour.

A deputy successfully used the PIT maneuver on Barrera, who then allegedly rammed the deputy’s patrol vehicle at Hurley Street and South Shipman Avenue, wounding him, according to Sheriff’s radio traffic.

“He suffered swelling and pain to his left knee,” Molina said of the injured deputy.

When the crash occurred, the deputy wound up halfway outside his damaged patrol vehicle, Molina told SGV CityWatch.

As the pursuit progressed, Barrera allegedly increased his speed to around 60 miles per hour while slithering through residential and business areas.

The patrol vehicle allegedly struck by Barrera was still operational, despite spraying engine fluid on the windshield, according to Sheriff’s radio traffic.

After Barrera slowed down, deputies attempted two more PIT maneuvers, the third times the charm with the suspect’s vehicle becoming disabled at Temple Avenue and Greycliff.

Barrera allegedly refused to surrender.

Deputies fired pepper ball rounds to get Berrera to flee, Molina told SGV CityWatch.

Barrera finally did surrender.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

INDUSTRY - Detectives are investigating two robberies that occurred March 8 in which a group of men took smartphones from their victims at gunpoint.

In both robberies, at least one suspect was armed with a handgun.

The first robbery occurred in La Puente in the 400 block of Mayland Avenue at 8:47 p.m. Possibly four to five males took a smartphone at gunpoint. The suspects fled in what was described as a dark colored vehicle. The smartphone was being tracked, but the suspects knew how to turn off the tracking feature, according to Lt. James Long of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Industry Station.

A second armed robbery occurred in Hacienda Heights at 9:17 p.m. The victim who was punched by at least one suspect, sought help at a nearby fire station, 2691 S. Turnbull Canyon Rd. One of the three suspects seen was armed. The suspects fled and a light-colored sedan, Long told SGV CityWatch.

Long was not entirely sure if a cell phone has been taken in the second robbery, but a Sheriff’s crime broadcast stated that a smartphone had been stolen.

It was not immediately clear if these two crimes were committed by the same group of men, Long told SGV CityWatch.

Written by AARON CASTREJON | CityWatch Editor

INDUSTRY - A driver was carjacked of their red Hyundai 4-door after a man simulated a handgun Sunday afternoon, deputies said.

The carjacking occurred in the area of Azusa Avenue and Temple Avenue around 12:29 p.m. June 17. The suspect approached the victim, pretended to have a weapon and took the car, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Industry Station.

About 30 minutes later, the vehicle was located parked near Rowland and Glendora Avenue in La Puente, Sheriff’s deputies said.

The suspect fled deputies who located the vehicle, forcing the deputies to set a containment search aided by a helicopter, according to Sheriff's radio traffic.

At least one eyewitness reported seeing a man fleeing through an apartment complex.

The suspect was only described as a Hispanic man.

Written by AARON CASTREJON | CityWatch Editor

LA PUENTE - 60 firefighters knocked down a fire that tore through a building Friday afternoon.

The cause of the commercial fire at 151 S. 9th. Ave., is still under investigation. The second-alarm blaze was contained to the affected building, according to the Los Angeles County Fire Department.

Firefighters were dispatched at 2:45 p.m.

It was unclear if the building was occupied or vacant.