Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

IRWINDALE – A woman was arrested April 24 after the owner of an RV witnessed the suspect’s break-in at his business, police said.

The RV owner watched remotely as the suspect, later identified as 23-year-old Crystal Herrell, broke into his recreational vehicle just before 10 p.m. The RV was parked at the owner’s business in the 15700 block of Ornelas Street, according to the Irwindale Police Department.

Through the business’ security camera, the owner was able to obtain the suspect description, which was provided to responding officers. Police found the RV was forced open, but the suspect was nowhere to be found.

“Other officers checked the surrounding area and located a subject at Ornelas Street and Irwindale Avenue who matched the description of the suspect as provided by the caller,” Irwindale Police said in a written statement. “The RV’s owner arrived at the scene and positively identified the subject as the one he saw on the security camera breaking into his RV.”

Herrell was found with stolen property, Irwindale Police said.

Herrell, a resident of Cave Junction, Oregon, was booked on suspicion of felony burglary and possession of stolen property. She was issued a citation and released due to Covid-19 jail restrictions, Irwindale Police said.

Officers also discovered Herrell is connected to one other burglary in the area and she is being investigated for possible involvement other burglaries and vandalisms, Irwindale Police said.

IRWINDALE – A convicted felon and parolee from El Monte turned himself in after fleeing a solo collision, police said.

Officers responded to the crash at Live Oak Avenue and Arrow Highway at 3:08 p.m. April 10 and found a blue Honda Accord collided with a palm tree in the center divider. Two 15-year-old girls were found injured inside, according to the Irwindale Police Department.

One girl was critically injured.

One teen told investigators that she was driving, but after being re-interviewed at the hospital, the girl recanted her story, Irwindale Police said.

“…She recanted her story, admitting that her stepfather was driving the vehicle at the time of the collision and that he fled the location on foot before the police arrived, leaving the two injured juveniles alone at the scene,” according to the Irwindale Police Department in a written statement.

Investigators identified the actual driver as Alexander Ramos, a 41-year-old convicted felon and parolee. An arrest warrant was obtained and with the help of Ramos’ parole agent, his surrender was negotiated on the warrant, Irwindale Police said.

Ramos surrendered April 12. He was booked on suspicion of felony hit and run causing injury or death, felony child endangerment and violating the terms of his parole.

The other teen wounded is related to Ramos, but the exact relation was not immediately known.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

IRWINDALE - Three amigos from Los Angeles accused of stealing a catalytic converter were arrested April 11 and caught with the goods, police said.

The trio are accused of cutting the pricey device from a vehicle parked at a business in the 15700 block of Arrow Highway at 10:50 p.m. The victim was able to describe the 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee to officers, who located and stopped the driver, according to the Irwindale Police Department.

“Our officers located a Jeep matching the description provided by the victim in the area of Irwindale Avenue and 4th Street and initiated a traffic stop. After pulling to the curb, the Jeep suddenly fled as the officers approached the vehicle,” according to the Irwindale Police Department in a written statement.

A pursuit led officers south from Irwindale Avenue and into West Covina where the Jeep Grand Cherokee collided with three other vehicles at Sunset Avenue and West Covina Parkway, Irwindale Police said.

Two suspects were detained at the crash scene and a third fled to the West Covina Civic Center where West Covina officers detained him.

“Officers located the victim’s catalytic converter inside the Jeep, along with various hand tools, power saws, saw blades and a rolling car jack,” Irwindale Police said.

Arrested were Alfredo Paredes Ramirez, 35; Herbert Tecero, 38; and Lejoi Louise Mims, 38. The suspects face charges, including grand theft, possession of burglary tools and possession of stolen property. Driver Alfredo Ramirez was additionally charged with felony evading and traffic related violations.

“Due to COVID-19 booking restrictions, all three suspects were later released with citations to appear in court on a future date,” Irwindale Police said in a written statement.

IRWINDALE - A large amounts of drugs, paraphernalia and some airsoft guns were seized from two men April 4, police said.

The suspects, both from Azusa, were stopped by a patrol officer in the 15700 block of Gladstone Street. More than 330 grams of marijuana, several grams of methamphetamine, multiple vials of liquid narcotics, several items of drug paraphernalia and 82 hypodermic needles were discovered, according to the Irwindale Police Department.

Also seized were brass knuckles and realistic airsoft guns.

Arrested were Royer Ruiz, 22, and Clemente Bentura Mariano, 38, booked on various drug and weapons charges, including outstanding arrest warrants. Both men were later released in citations due to the COVID-19 jail housing restrictions, Irwindale police said.