 Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor EL MONTE - Officers uncovered a treasure trove of tools common in catalytic converter thefts after four suspects attempted to escape police Wednesday. The driver took off after officers attempted to stop him for a vehicle code violation at Garvey and Durfee avenues around 1:18 a.m. August 5. The pursuit lasted roughly five miles before the suspect crashed in Pico Rivera near Peck Road and Rooks Road, according to Lt. Snook of the El Monte Police Department. All four suspects were found relatively quickly, with one reportedly attempting to hide from a Los Angeles County Sheriff’s helicopter by seeking refuge under a bush near a pipeline, Snook told SGV CityWatch. Not only did the vehicle display false license plates, officers reportedly found inside a floor jack, reciprocating saw, saw blades, gloves and ski masks, according to the El Monte Police Department. The adults arrested were:
The charges include felony evading, conspiracy, possession of burglary tools and resisting arrest, according to the El Monte Police Department. ********** 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 EL MONTE - Los Angeles County Sheriff’s homicide investigators arrested a suspect in the July 10 murder of a teenager. South El Monte man Jonathan Alberto Castelan, 18, was arrested Monday, July 20. He was booked at the Sheriff’s Industry Station. The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office officially charged Castelan with one count of murder in the stabbing death of 15-year-old Aziel Zacapala. Castelan was additionally charged with one count each of attempted murder and assault with a deadly weapon. He was additionally charged with the special allegation of causing great bodily injury. Castelan pleaded not guilty to the charges July 22, according to Los Angeles Superior Court records. El Monte Police officers were called by hospital staff July 10 and informed of three stabbing victims, two adults and Castelan; the latter died at the hospital. The adults were admitted in stable condition. It is unclear if investigators learned a motive for the attack. Castelan is scheduled to next appear in Pomona Superior Court August 24. ********** 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 EL MONTE - Detectives are determining why someone stabbed to death a juvenile Friday. First responders were called to the 2600 block of Potrero Avenue near Fern Street. The juvenile was taken to a hospital and was later pronounced dead, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. The incident was reported at 1 p.m. July 10. It is unclear if detectives discovered a motive, or identified a suspect. Anyone with information on this shooting is urged to call the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Homicide Bureau at 323-890-5500. Remain anonymous by calling LA Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), through the P3Tips mobile app, or lacrimestoppers.org. ********** 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 EL MONTE - The county medical examiner identified a man who turned a gun on himself while in a Yoshinoya drive thru June 23. Tommy Yip, 38, died of suicide from a gunshot wound to the head, according to the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner. First responders were called to Yoshinoya, 3538 Peck Rd., around 7:17 p.m. Tuesday. Yip, who was alone in a vehicle, died at the scene. Officers recovered a handgun, according to Lt. Snook of the El Monte Police Department. Yip’s wife and brother arrived to the scene afterwards. He was alone in the vehicle, Snook told SGV CityWatch. Help is just 3 digits away. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline provides confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, across the United States. 9-8-8 is available via call or text, and online chat. ********** The death record in this article is being redistributed by SGV CityWatch and is protected by constitutional, publishing and other legal rights. Information about the decedent(s), including cause and manner of death, is public record and was distributed by government sources. ********** 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 EL MONTE - A man suffering stab wounds was found dead in a Walgreens parking lot early Sunday morning. The death was reported in the 3600 block of Peck Road just after 7:30 a.m. April 12, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. The death of 59-year-old Anthony Leyva was ruled a homicide, according to the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner. It is unclear if detectives have identified a suspect. Anyone with information on this incident is urged to call the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Homicide Bureau at 323-890-5500. Remain anonymous by calling LA Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), through the P3Tips mobile app, or lacrimestoppers.org. ********** The death record in this article is being redistributed by SGV CityWatch and is protected by constitutional, publishing and other legal rights. Information about the decedent(s), including cause and manner of death, is public record and was distributed by government sources. 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 EL MONTE - A man was treated and given an evaluation after attempting to end his life Friday. The incident unfolded on the I-10 freeway over Santa Anita Avenue April 10 around 10:19 a.m. First responders were told the man already suffered injuries to his neck and wrist, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. Los Angeles County firefighters, the El Monte Police Department and deputies with the Sheriff’s Transit Services Bureau worked to pull the man from the overpass. The Sheriff’s Department Mental Evaluation Team also provided assistance. “This incident highlights the importance of coordinated response and mental health intervention during crisis situations,” according to the Sheriff’s Department in a social media statement. ********** Help is just 3 digits away. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline provides confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, across the United States. 9-8-8 is available via call or text, and online chat. ********** 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 EL MONTE - Two men were arrested March 5, accused of being involved in a Los Angeles robbery. The robbery occurred in the Los Angeles Police Department Pacific Division March 4. LAPD investigators identified the suspects and the case led to an El Monte home, according to Lt. Mark Snook of the El Monte Police Department. Around 3 p.m., LAPD requested assistance from El Monte Police officers with a containment near Lambert Avenue and Richwood Avenue, Snook told SGV CityWatch. During the operation, two suspects attempted to escape on foot, but were eventually caught nearby. No other suspects are at-large, Snook told SGV CityWatch. The containment was ended sometime around midnight. ********** 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 EL MONTE - Two people were arrested November 15 after an assault with a deadly weapon occurred with at least one suspect armed with a knife. The assault stemmed from a traffic collision at Valley Boulevard and Arden Drive around 1 p.m., according to Lt. Gutierrez of the El Monte Police Department. People were treated at the scene by medics. Injuries were not considered serious, Gutierrez told SGV CityWatch. It was not immediately known what charges the suspects would face. Booking information for the suspects was not readily available. ********** 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 EL MONTE - Traffic remains diverted while investigators piece together the events of a fatal vehicle versus pedestrian Monday morning. A man was struck near the intersection of Garvey Avenue and Central Avenue around 5:52 a.m. September 15, according to Sgt. Saenz of the El Monte Police Department. The driver of the blue Kia sedan that hit the man remained at the scene and is cooperating with investigators, Saenz told SGV CityWatch. Saenz did not immediately know if the pedestrian was in or outside of a marked crosswalk. ********** 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 EL MONTE - No arrests have been made yet after a stolen plane was found parked at the San Gabriel Valley Airport in El Monte Monday. The plane was stolen out of Brackett Field in La Verne late Sunday night or early Monday morning, according to Lt. Aram Choe of the El Monte Police Department. An alert was sent to the surrounding police agencies that cover cities with airports. El Monte Police did a check at the San Gabriel Valley airport, 4233 Santa Anita Ave., and located the plane, Choe told SGV CityWatch. The plane was flown out of Brackett Field and landed in La Verne, Choe told SGV CityWatch. The plane is a Cessna 172 Skyhawk fixed wing aircraft. It is registered to a Yorba Linda man, according to Federal Aviation Administration data. It is not immediately known if airport personnel cleared the Cessna for takeoff, or if it was taken without clearance. ********** Copyright 2025. All stories and original images published here are the exclusive property of SGV CityWatch and may not republished in any form without the permission of this organization. |
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