COVINA – A bullet that fell from the lap of a Hesperia man led to the discovery of weapons, ammunition and narcotics during a traffic stop July 14.

Mario Navarette, a 32-year-old Hesperia man, was stopped as he drove away from the Vanllee Hotel and Suites, 1211 E. Garvey St., around 12:08 a.m. The officer believed Navarrete displayed signs of driving under the influence, according to the Covina Police Department.

“As Navarrete stepped out of the vehicle, a live round of ammunition fell from his lap. A firearm was later located in his backpack inside the vehicle,” according to the Covina Police Department in a written statement.

A records check of 33-year-old passenger Salvador Ramirez revealed he was released July 8 following a conviction for being a felon in possession of a firearm. He served four days in jail and was sentenced to one year of probation, according to the Covina Police Department.

Ramirez, a Baldwin Park man, has five previous convictions for weapons possession while being a felon, according to the Covina Police Department.

Police searched Ramirez and allegedly found a methamphetamine pipe and a semi-automatic handgun strapped with a hook and loop band around his waist, according to the Covina Police Department.

A spent shell casing was found in the vehicle.

Navarrete was booked on suspicion of carrying a loaded firearm in a public place and possessing a concealed firearm, Ramirez was booked on suspicion of being a felon in possession of a firearm, possession of a controlled substance while armed, possession of a concealed firearm and unlawful possession of ammunition, according to the Covina Police Department.

Anyone with information on these suspects possibly being involved in a shooting is urged to call Covina Police Detective Preciado at 626-384-5622, reference case #21-19391.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

COVINA – A concerned citizen mustered the courage to confront a man armed with a machete reportedly hitting a Chihuahua July 2.

Police responded to Azusa Avenue at the Metrolink railroad tracks to investigate the report. Officers were told that the suspect, identified as Manuel Marquez-Ramirez, turned the machete towards the citizen when confronted, according to the Covina Police Department.

The concerned citizen was able to flee and call 9-1-1.

“Covina PD officers located Marquez-Ramirez a short distance away carrying a deceased Chihuahua dog and a machete,” according to the Covina Police Department in a written statement.

Arrested was Manuel Marquez-Ramirez, a 34-year-old La Puente man. He was booked on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon other than a firearm, animal cruelty and trespassing on railroad property.

“Marquez-Ramirez was cited out from the Covina PD Jail due to Los Angeles County Bail Reform procedures,” according to the Covina Police Department.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

COVINA - Crashing into a fence and disabling his vehicle did not stop a hit and run suspect from fleeing police until officers had to stop him July 8.

The suspect, a parolee-at-large, crashed into a fence at East Italia Street and Prospero Drive around 6:22 p.m. Officers located him and pursued the driver when he refused to stop, according to Lt. Tony Zavala of the Covina Police Department.

During the chase, the driver got into multiple crashes, Zavala told SGV CityWatch.

During the slow-speed chase, the driver, identified as Covina man Raymundo Duran circled the area of Ruddock Street, North Prospero Drive, Vecino Drive and San Bernardino Road.

The above-mentioned roads encompass Duran’s home where family members also went out to greet him, Zavala told SGV CityWatch.

Covina officers further disabled Duran’s vehicle with spike strips. A PIT maneuver caused Duran to crash onto a sidewalk at East San Bernardino Road and North Grand Avenue.

Duran fled on foot before being tackled by Covina officers.

“He also had some narcotics paraphernalia in the car and he admitted to using heroin prior to the pursuit,” Zavala told SGV CityWatch.

Duran was booked on misdemeanor hit and run, felony evading, resisting arrest and for a no-bail parole warrant, Zavala told SGV CityWatch.

Duran is being held at the Inmate Reception Center in Los Angeles ahead of a scheduled appearance in the West Covina courthouse Tuesday, July 13.