Written by AARON CASTREJON 
CityWatch Editor 

COVINA - A suspect was taken into custody Friday after a very brief pursuit and stand off, police said.

A replica firearm was recovered after the suspect tossed the weapon to officers while allegedly taunting them from behind a closed metal security door at a Covina apartment complex August 7. Less lethal rounds were used to subdue the suspect once officers pried open the gate to detain him, according to Sgt. Rodriguez of the Covina Police Department.

Witnesses reported a man brandishing a firearm and acting erratically in the parking lot of Big 5 in the 500 block of South Azusa Avenue, Friday. When officers arrived to investigate, they saw the suspect who then allegedly revealed the weapon tucked in his waistband, Rodriguez told SGV CityWatch.

The type of weapon the suspect had was a replica oozie, Rodriguez told SGV CityWatch.

The suspect escaped and led officers on a very brief pursuit to a nearby apartment complex in the 1300 block of West San Bernardino Road. 

A passerby recorded the entire incident as the suspect in a gray SUV pulled up to a closed gate. He exchanged words with officers as the gate opened. The suspect drove in and then attempted to escape on foot with armed officers giving chase.

“He points the gun [at our officers]. No shots were fired. Officers are converging on him and giving him orders. He’s got the gun still and he’s behind the door,” Rodriguez told SGV CityWatch. “He’s got a gun in his hand and he’s showing it to them.”

After the suspect briefly opened the door to toss the weapon away, he closed it again and reportedly taunted officers. An officer eventually used brute force to pry open the door, Rodriguez told SGV CityWatch.

Nathaniel Alexander Ceja, 27, was arrested.

Ceja was booked on suspicion of brandishing a firearm, resisting arrest, evading an officer and driving under the influence, Rodriguez told SGV CityWatch.

Ceja was additionally booked on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon on a peace officer. He allegedly drove at an officer during his initial escape and allegedly pointed the replica weapon at officers, Rodriguez told SGV CityWatch.

Ceja is being held in the Inmate Reception Center in Los Angeles in lieu of $50,000 ahead of a scheduled appearance in West Covina Superior Court Tuesday, August 11.

**********
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.

**********
Copyright 2026. All stories and original images published here are the exclusive property of SGV CityWatch and may not be republished in any form without the permission of this organization.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

COVINA - An alleged DUI driver and his passenger were arrested September 3, allegedly attempting to escape the long arm of the law.

Covina officers attempted a traffic stop on the driver of a 2019 Honda Accord near Arrow Highway and Bonnie Cove Avenue for traffic violations, according to Sgt. Gonzalez of the Covina Police Department.

The driver entered an apartment complex to ditch the fuzz. Then the pursuit initiated.

The driver fled at 20 miles per hour above the posted speed limit and used evasive maneuvers to evade arrest, Gonzalez told SGV CityWatch.

The pursuit ended with a suspect search in two neighborhoods near Superior Grocers at the dead ends of West Bygrove Street and West Gragmont Street.

Gabriel Espinoza, 38, was booked on suspicion of evading a peace officer, driving under the influence and delaying a peace officer. He was issued a citation and released, according to Los Angeles County booking records.

Also arrested was Melissa Calderon, 38, booked on suspicion of delaying an officer and public intoxication. She was also issued a citation and released, according to county booking records.

**********
The arrest records in this article are being redistributed by SGV CityWatch and are protected by constitutional, publishing and other legal rights. Arrest information is public record and was distributed by government sources. The persons named in this article have only been arrested on suspicion of the crime(s) listed and are presumed innocent.

Copyright 2025. All stories and original images published here are the exclusive property of SGV CityWatch and may not be republished in any form without the permission of this organization.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

COVINA - No injuries were reported after an alleged DUI driver in an RV drove through an active railroad crossing and struck a westbound Metrolink train after crashing at a nearby business, police said.

The railroad gates were down when the unnamed driver in the RV allegedly drove through them on southbound Grand Avenue. A Metrolink train was already through the intersection, according to Lt. Dan Regan of the Covina Police Department.

The RV struck the back of the train according to Paul Gonzales, public affairs manager for Metrolink.

The collision is considered only a misdemeanor offense. The driver was arrested on suspicion of DUI, issued a citation and released.

The collision happened around 6:41 p.m. July 11.

“The train continued to go westbound, stopping in Covina, Baldwin Park and ultimately El Monte,” Regan told SGV CityWatch.

The train’s engineer apparently did not known a collision happened. Covina Police informed Metrolink of the crash and Metrolink dispatchers ordered the train to stop so the train’s crew could inspect for damage, which was located towards the rear of the train, Gonzales told SGV CityWatch.

During the investigation, Covina officers were told that the RV’s driver collided with some property at a business in the 4700 block of N. Grand Ave., Reagan told SGV CityWatch.

The driver was hauling some sort of trailer behind his RV, but it jackknifed at the business and separated from the RV. It was left at the scene.

The first collision occurred in the county area of Covina. The California Highway Patrol responded to the abandoned trailer to write a report, Reagan told SGV CityWatch.

Metrolink workers repaired the broken gate arms.

The railroad tracks between the Pomona North Metrolink station and the Covina station we are temporarily closed while repairs are made and an investigation was conducted.

The Los Angeles bound train that was struck by the RV was canceled at the El Monte station, while a San Bernardino bound train was canceled, Metrolink said.

The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office could potentially additionally charge the driver with hit-and-run and for a potential issue regarding a suspended license, Reagan told SGV CityWatch.