Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

COVINA - Investigators released a sketch of a suspect wanted for shooting and murdering a man in front of his wife and three children June 22.

The man was shot and wounded in front of his wife, 11 year-old daughter and two 9-year-old twin boys in the 1100 block of East Wanamaker Avenue. The man was taken to a hospital for treatment and later died, according to the Covina Police Department.

The 28-year-old man and his family were out walking around 9:35 p.m.

The suspect, only described as a Latino man age 20 to 25 years old, walked in between the man and his wife. A verbal confrontation and sued and the man was shot in the chest twice, according to the Covina Police Department.

The suspect fled the area on foot. He is further described as 5 feet 5 inches tall and having a thin build.

Anyone with information that may help identify the suspect is urged to call Detective Preciado at 626-384-5622. Remain anonymous by calling LA Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), through the P3Tips mobile app, or lacrimestoppers.org.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

LOS ANGELES - The ex seasonal coach accused of attempting to solicit sex with what turned out to be an undercover private investigator walked free June 24 after his case was rejected.

Stephen Cristopher Garcia, 34, was released and his arrest was converted into a detention only. The code in Los Angeles County booking records states “DA REJECT PER 849.5PC A DETENTION ONLY.” Garcia was freed at 2:36 p.m.

With it being Saturday, June 29, it may not be clear until Monday as to the precise reasons why the case was rejected. It is unclear if this is a done deal, or if investigators are being given time to collect and present more evidence to resubmit the case.

Covina Police detectives were called to Superior Grocers, 1375 N. Citrus Ave., at 4:45 p.m. June 20 about a man intending to meet a 14-year-old boy for a sexual encounter … except that teen does not exist: the whole ordeal was a sting, according to the Covina Police Department.

Garcia, 34, was contacted by Creep Catching Unit, a private group started to expose online predators, with the use of a fake social media profile. A meeting was arranged through text messaging and, upon contact, the encounter was streamed live on YouTube, according to the Covina Police Department.

The case’s rejection is even more puzzling, considering that the live YouTube broadcast from CC Unit has Garcia stating multiple times that he intended to meet a teen boy for sexual purposes. “Ghost”, the man who runs CC Unit, produced copied messages allegedly from Garcia’s text logs that the ex-coach admitted on camera to making.

Garcia is described as a former seasonal walk-on coach in the Covina-Valley Unified and is apparently no longer employed, according to a district statement.

Garcia allegedly was found in possession of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia, but it is unclear if he will face any related charges.

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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

COVINA - A now ex-seasonal coach from Covina High School was arrested Thursday, accused of attempting to solicit sex with a teen boy.

Covina Police detectives were called to Superior Grocers, 1375 N. Citrus Ave., at 4:45 p.m. June 20 about a man intending to meet a 14-year-old boy for a sexual encounter … except that teen does not exist: the whole ordeal was a sting, according to the Covina Police Department.

Stephen Cristopher Garcia, 34, a Baldwin Park man, was contacted by Creep Catching Unit, a group started to expose online predators, with the use of a fake social media profile.

Garcia was booked on suspicion of arranging a meeting with a minor for lewd purposes, possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia, according to Sgt. Keith Sutherland of the Covina Police Department.

A meeting was arranged through text messaging and upon contact the encounter was reportedly streamed live on YouTube, according to the Covina Police Department.

Garcia is described as a former seasonal walk-on coach in the Covina-Valley Unified and is no longer employed by the district.

Garcia was arrested at 6:26 p.m., according to Los Angeles County booking records. He is being held without bail at the Men’s Central Jail in Los Angeles.

Covina detectives are attempting to locate any other potential victims.

Any one with information or questions regarding this crime is urged to call Covina Police Sgt. Colburn at 626-384-5612, refer to Covina PD case # 24-13802. Remain anonymous by calling LA Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), through the P3Tips mobile app, or Crime Stoppers.org.

A court appearance is scheduled for Monday, June 24 at West Covina Superior Court.

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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

COVINA - A police officer put in a medically-induced coma while he recovered from injuries sustained in a pursuit crash is showing great signs of improvement.

Officer Jesse Gutierrez is now able to communicate with hospital staff and loved ones, according to Covina Police Chief David Povero in a weekend update on social media.

Speaking about Gutierrez’s recovery, Povero added “There were times when it was touch and go and we’re grateful for the steadfast support within our department, within our city staff, the city council, the community of Covina and our partners in law enforcement and also the support the medical teams that have been by the Gutierrez family’s side.”

Officer Jesse Gutierrez was dispatched around 4 a.m. May 6 to investigate a disturbance call in the 500 block of South Eremland Drive. Gutierrez located a vehicle connected to the disturbance and attempted to speak to the driver, but the driver refused to exit the vehicle and fled. Gutierrez gave chase, but crashed and was seriously injured at Rowland Street and Shoppers Lane, according to the Covina Police Department.

Officers providing back up, continued to pursue the driver until the pursuit ended on the I-10 Freeway at Vincent Avenue. Alexis Santiago Avila, 27, was arrested.

Gutierrez’s K9 partner was in the police vehicle during the crash. The K9 was examined and is doing fine while being cared for by other Covina officers, Povero said.

Gutierrez has been with the department for more than four years and is a newly-appointed K9 handler. He is married and has a 5-year-old son and 1-year-old son. He obtained the rank of sergeant while serving overseas with the Marine Corps, Povero said.

The Peace Officers Research Association of California, in association with the Covina Police officers Association, is collecting donations to aid Gutierrez’s wife Beverly and his sons. The effort has a $50,000 goal and has raised nearly $40,000 so far.

Donate at the following link: DONATE NOW

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

COVINA - The Covina Police Department is asking for donations to aid the family of an officer who remains hospitalized from injuries sustained in a pursuit crash.

While all of the medical costs for Jesse Gutierrez are being covered, there are still financial gaps that need addressing, which is why the Covina Police Department is reaching out to the community for donations, according to Covina Police Chief David Povero.

Gutierrez remains in a medically-induced coma. He has been with the department for more than four years and is a newly-appointed K9 handler. He is married and has a 5-year-old son and 1-year-old son. He obtained the rank of sergeant while serving overseas with the Marine Corps, Povero said.

Officer Jesse Gutierrez was dispatched around 4 a.m. May 6 to investigate a disturbance call in the 500 block of South Eremland Drive. Gutierrez located a vehicle connected to the disturbance and attempted to speak to the driver, but the driver refused to exit the vehicle and fled. Gutierrez gave chase, but crashed and was seriously injured at Rowland Street and Shoppers Lane, according to the Covina Police Department.

Officers providing back up, continued to pursue the driver until the pursuit ended on the I-10 Freeway at Vincent Avenue. Alexis Santiago Avila, 27, was arrested.

“You can tell he’s lived a life of service and has been a great team member here at the Covina Police Department,” Povero said of Gutierrez.

Gutierrez’s K9 partner was in the police vehicle during the crash. The K9 was examined and is doing fine while being cared for by other Covina officers, Povero said.

The Peace Officers Research Association of California, in association with the Covina Police officers Association, is collecting donations to aid Gutierrez’s wife Beverly and his sons. The effort has a $50,000 goal and has raised nearly $40,000 so far.

Donate at the following link: DONATE NOW

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

COVINA - Three people were transported to a trauma center Saturday morning after a shooting occurred at a bar.

The shooting occurred at Katie Jakes Bar and Grill, 750 Terrado Plaza, Saturday, May 11. First responders were sent to the bar around 2 a.m.

The Covina Police Department summoned firefighters to the bar to treat and transport patients, according to Los Angeles County Fire Department Dispatch Supervisor Bernard Peters.

It is unclear how many of the three people transported were wounded by gunfire. The extent of injuries is not immediately known.

A Covina Police supervisor has not yet returned a request for information on the shooting.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

COVINA - Precautionary patrols were performed Friday after authorities received a phoned threat to Gladstone Middle School.

The Azusa Police Department received a phoned threat to the school around 10:15 a.m. The Covina Police Department and school administrators were then notified, according to Sgt. Rodriguez of the Covina Police Department.

The school was locked down as a precaution as well.

The phone number was initially pinged to Gladstone Middle School and further investigation revealed the phone number belonged to a Covina resident reportedly unrelated to the threat, Rodriguez told SGV CityWatch.

Rodriguez was not sure of what exactly the threat was, nor was he sure of what the caller sounded like.

The caller was unidentified and no arrests were made, Rodriguez told SGV CityWatch.

Police patrolled the school until the end of the day.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

COVINA - A police officer and his K9 were transported and evaluated after crashing during an early-morning pursuit.

The officer was pursuing a disturbance suspect who fled from him and other officers in the 500 block of Eremland Drive May 6. The crash occurred at East Rowland Street and Shoppers Lane, according to the Covina Police Department.

Officers were dispatched to investigate a disturbance call on Eremland around 4 a.m.

The pursuit suspect stopped and surrendered on the I-10 Freeway at Vincent Avenue.

Alexis Santiago Avila, 27, was taken into custody. He was booked on suspicion of felony evading, driving under the influence and driving on a suspended license, according to the Covina Police Department.

The condition of the officer and K9 are not publicly known.
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The West Covina Police Department and California Highway Patrol are assisting with the investigation.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

COVINA - Firefighters have knocked down fire in one unit of an apartment complex Sunday afternoon.

The fire, which burned in the kitchen, bathroom and bedroom in one unit of the three-story apartment complex, has displaced 100 people. Firefighters are working to coordinate to get the families some assistance, according to Los Angeles County Fire Department radio traffic.

Five people were transported from the apartment, complex, 1159 Conwell Ave., with unspecified injuries, according to fire department radio traffic.

The Los Angeles County fire department was called to respond to the apartment complex at 2:16 p.m. April 7. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

COVINA - East and west traffic on Covina Boulevard remains closed between North Prospero Drive and North Barranca Avenue after a motorcyclist was killed in a crash with an SUV Tuesday.

Preliminarily the motorcyclist, a 63-year-old Glendora resident, was eastbound on Covina Boulevard and collided with an SUV driven by a 65-year-old San Gabriel resident who was westbound and turning south onto Grandview Avenue, according to Sgt. Marquez of the Covina Police Department.

First responders were sent to the scene around 6:38 p.m. February 27.

The motorcyclist was declared dead at the scene by Los Angeles County Fire Department paramedics.

The SUV driver remained at the scene and is speaking with investigators.

DUI is not expected to play a factor in the crash, Marquez told SGV CityWatch.