Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

IRWINDALE - Azusa, Baldwin Park, Duarte and Irwindale announced their opposition to a plan by the EPA to dump debris left by the Eaton Fire in an open field near the San Gabriel River and are working to shut down the operation.

The Environmental Protection Agency has already prepped and set up operations at the Lario Staging Area, 15701 E. Foothill Blvd. The above-mentioned cities alleged they did not receive advanced notification about the debris processing site, nor were the cities given the opportunity to register concerns about potential soil, water and air contamination.

The site is slated to open early this week for the collection and processing of hazardous household debris, including lithium electric vehicle batteries.

“While the Cities are completely in solidarity with our neighboring communities, we are extremely disappointed with the lack of respect to our local residents for not being notified of the EPA’s clean up efforts and having toxic materials transported to our backyards,” according to the City of Duarte in a written statement, adding “the Cities will work to formally oppose this site, as well as mobilize efforts to shut down the site as soon as possible.”

Eric Nold, on-scene coordinator with the EPA, is working at the Lario processing site and said “We don’t want to do any of this type of activity out there in the middle of the community.”

Debris is slated to be brought in daily via backroads to avoid the freeways.

The Lario Staging Area is adjacent to the San Gabriel River Bikepath, frequented by bicyclists. To the north are the San Gabriel Canyon spreading grounds and Santa Fe Dam Recreational Area to the south.

The EPA has outlined measures to minimize the impact of the debris to be processed at the site, including spill control measures, continuous perimeter, air monitoring, water trucks to reduce visible, dust emissions and plastic lining to be applied to all material processing areas.

Debris will be sorted into appropriate waste streams and packaged for proper shipment and disposal.

Duarte officials are working with Senator Rubio’s Office to host a town hall in Duarte and allow residents to voice their concerns. More information about this forum is underway, according to Duarte officials.

In the meantime, residents concerned about the processing site are urged to express concerns by calling the USEPA at 1-833-798-7372.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

IRWINDALE - Police jailed another arson suspect, the second to reportedly ignite a fire in less than a week.

The suspect, Maninder Singh, a 33-year-old Baldwin Park resident, allegedly ignited a fire in a flood control channel that runs under Arrow Highway just east of the 605 freeway January 17. First responders were sent to the fire around 7 a.m., according to the Irwindale Police Department.

Los Angeles County Firefighters doused the blaze.

Singh was booked on suspicion of arson and possession of drug paraphernalia. Los Angeles County Fire Department Arson Investigators later joined the investigation, according to the Irwindale Police Department.

“This marks the second arson-related arrest in Irwindale this week. With ongoing fires and a state of emergency in Los Angeles County, we urge all residents to avoid using flammable materials in riverbeds and surrounding areas to ensure the safety of our community,” according to the Irwindale Police Department in a written statement.

Anyone with information on this incident is urged to call Irwindale Police Detective Leonard Garza at 626-430-2290.

**********
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

IRWINDALE - A Toyota Corolla crashed, killing the front passenger and injuring the driver early Monday morning.

The crash occurred in southbound lanes of Irwindale Avenue just north of Ornelas Street just before 12:30 a.m. January 13. The Corolla struck the western curb and rolled over in front of a business in the 5400 block of Irwindale Avenue, according to the Irwindale Police Department.

Los Angeles County Fire Department paramedics declared the passenger dead at the scene. The driver was taken to a hospital.

The driver and passenger were the only people inside the crashed car. No other vehicles were involved.

It is unclear what caused the driver to crash.

Anyone with information regarding this crash is urged to contact Irwindale Police Traffic Investigator Officer Shawn Cory at 626-430-2244 or by email at [email protected].

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

IRWINDALE - A Baldwin Park man is accused of lighting multiple fires near the 605 freeway Sunday afternoon.

The suspect, 29-year-old Ruben Montes, was witnessed by firefighters as he was lighting flames along Rivergrade Road and the 605 Freeway January 12. Firefighters were originally called to the area around 12:30 p.m., according to the Irwindale Police Department.

It is unclear if the fires Montes allegedly lit caused any damage.

**********
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


IRWINDALE - Traffic is jammed on the west 210 freeway just east of Irwindale Avenue after a pedestrian was struck and killed Tuesday.


The driver of a green SUV reportedly struck and killed the pedestrian who, according to initial reports, was running across lanes of the westbound 210 freeway Near Irwindale Ave.October 1.


A Sig Alert, closing down the HOV and No. 1 lane of the westbound side of the 210, is expected to last until around 5 p.m., according to the California Highway Patrol.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

IRWINDALE - A Palmdale man is facing grand theft charges, accused of attempting to steal diesel fuel from a Arco fuel pump Wednesday morning.

Officers responded to Arco, 15875 E. Arrow Hwy., just after 9:30 a.m. September 4 to investigate suspicious activity involving a white cargo van. After detaining a suspect, officers determine he was attempting to steal diesel fuel from a pump and was arrested, according to the Irwindale Police Department.

An investigation of the scene led officers to believe that the van posed a threat to public safety. The gas station and convenience store were taped off and the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Arson/Explosives Detail was called to render the van safe.

A bomb squad robot inspected the van.

The area was determined safe. The gas station reopened around 1:15 p.m., according to the Irwindale Police Department.

Sargis Kocharyan, a 30-year-old Palmdale man, was arrested and booked at the West Covina Police Department jail.

Kocharyan is being held without bail ahead of a scheduled appearance in West Covina Superior Court Friday, September 6.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

UPDATE, 7:27 p.m.: Firefighters have stopped forward progress of the Gabriel Fire at 30 acres. The Fire is at least 60 percent contained.

IRWINDALE - A reported 10-acre brush fire is burning inside Santa Fe Dam Recreational Area.

The fire is reportedly burning in a northerly direction and is potentially threatening structures.

The Los Angeles County Fire Department has sent a full brush fire assignment along with two helicopters.

A second alarm has been requested, which would double resources at the scene.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

IRWINDALE - A 29-year-old stolen vehicle suspect was booked on suspicion of murder July 9, accused of crashing into and killing a bicyclist on Arrow Highway near Santa Fe Dam Recreational Area.

Jonathan Del Carmen Calixto, a Hanford resident, was allegedly driving the stolen white Land Rover eastbound on Arrow Highway when he collided with the bicyclist near the spillway to Santa Fe Dam around 8:31 p.m. Tuesday, according to the Irwindale Police Department.

after crashing, Calixto fled the vehicle, but was caught and taken into custody.

The bicyclist was identified as 50-year-old Raul Castaneda, a San Gabriel resident.

Castaneda was in the marked pedestrian crosswalk when struck, according to the Irwindale Police Department.

The marked crosswalk is controlled with traffic signals and further marked by flashing yellow lights warning drivers of the approaching crosswalk.

The Land Rover was originally pursued by El Monte Police after the El Monte Police Department received a call of a vehicle theft in progress at a dealership on nearby Peck Road. Officers stopped their pursuit due to the high-speed danger.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

IRWINDALE - Police arrested an Irwindale council member June 8 and booked him on suspicion of DUI.

Mark Anthony Breceda, 64, was stopped in the area of Arrow Highway and Irwindale Avenue. Officers responded to a call of an erratic driver around 9:39 p.m. Officers located a vehicle matching the description of the one provided by the caller and conducted a traffic stop. Breceda was arrested and booked on suspicion of driving under the influence, according to the Irwindale Police Department.

Breceda was arrested at 10:09 p.m., according to Los Angeles County booking records. He was cited and released.

Breceda was first elected to the Irwindale City Council March 1999. He was reelected in 2003, 2007, 2011, 2015 and 2020. She has served as mayor a record nine times, according to his bio on the city of Irwindale website.

Breceda is no stranger to controversy.

In 2013, Breceda and several other city officials were charged by Los Angeles County District Attorney prosecutors with embezzlement, misappropriation of public funds and conflict of interest in allegedly using $200,000 of city money and spending the cash on ritzy trips to New York that occurred between 2001 and 2005. The trips lasted for up to six days at a time and were made under the premise of seeking a higher bond rating for the city, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office.

The alleged adventures in the Big Apple included trips to baseball games, musicals, a stay at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel and $12,000 in limo rides.

The prosecution’s case imploded after a series of legal setbacks, which included an appellate court’s rejection of an early round of charges. A judge five years later put the final nail in the coffin and ruled the statute of limitations was exceeded in filing criminal charges.

The charges against Breceda and three other city officials were dropped.

On Christmas morning 2021, a large and noisy party was being hosted at Breceda’s home complete with a mariachi band. At some point an argument allegedly broke out with some members of the band and people within the home. A band member fired off a handgun into the air.

A large number of bullet casings were recovered from the ground outside of Breceda’s home. The alleged gunman was arrested.

During Irwindale City Council meetings held in January 2022, members of the council and the public denounced Breceda for the incident, for which he reportedly claimed ignorance and stated he barely hear the gunshots, that his party was already over and the incident unfolded in the street and not on his property.

Breceda’s term as city council member expires November 5, 2024.

**********
​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

IRWINDALE - Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Homicide Detectives are assisting the Irwindale Police Department with a shooting death Sunday.

The incident unfolded near the 605 freeway south of the 210 freeway around 10:30 a.m. May 26. The victim, only described as a male adult, was declared dead at the scene, according to the Sheriff’s Homicide Bureau.

The exact circumstances surrounding the homicide are not publicly known.

The California Highway Patrol has intermittently shut down the transition roads from the east 210 and west 210 freeway to the southbound 605, as well as the Arrow Highway on ramp to the north 605 freeway and Mt. Olive on ramp to the southbound 605 freeway during the operation.

SGV CityWatch readers who traversed the freeway closures witnessed police in tactical gear, guns trained on an unspecified target. A vehicle may also be involved off the side of the freeway.