Written by AARON CASTREJON CityWatch Editor IRWINDALE – 1,500 live marijuana plants were found and two men were arrested after police discovered a marijuana grow operation during a burglary investigation January 18. Officers discovered an industrial unit at a business complex was broken into and entrances were cut through two interior walls leading to the substantial marijuana grow. Both suspects were found and detained inside one of the burglarized units, according to the Irwindale Police Department. The crime scene was discovered in the 15500 block of Arrow Highway around 8:48 a.m. A search warrant was served, allowing officers to uncover and seize the plants after officers who initially responded to the burglary call developed information that a grow operation was taking place, Irwindale Police said.
The unit’s electrical system was impacted to serve the grow operation and became severely overloaded, creating a fire risk. A large amount of dangerous chemical and fertilizers were also found, according to the Irwindale Police Department. David Tang, 37, and Calvin Tran, 29, both El Monte residents, were booked on suspicion of felony narcotics-related charges. They were eventually released with citations due to COVID-19 jail restrictions, Irwindale Police said. Court dates for both suspects are pending. Written by AARON CASTREJON CityWatch Editor IRWINDALE – A man in his 40s was hospitalized Monday after being saved from a drug overdose near Santa Fe Dam Recreational Area. Police and firefighters responded to Irwindale Avenue and Gladstone Street around 5:28 p.m. June 29 for a drug overdose. With only being given the general location to work on, officers searched the area on foot until finally locating the victim, according to Sgt. Rudy Gatto of the Irwindale Police Department.
The camp and victim were located about 40 or 50 yards into the brush. The victim was breathing, but unconscious. Los Angeles County Firefighters responded and administered Nalaxone, Gatto told SGV CityWatch. Nalaxone, administered through the nose, is an opioid inhibitor manufactured to reverse drug overdoses. The victim was taken to an area hospital. Written by AARON CASTREJON CityWatch Editor IRWINDALE - A call of a burglary in progress April 24 led to the arrest of an armed suspect, police said. Joseph Edward Butkiewicz, a 30-year-old San Bernardino transient, was taken into custody after officers detained him at a self-storage facility on Central Avenue Friday. A storage unit was discovered broken and Butkiewicz was removing property within, according to Sgt. Rudy Gatto of the Irwindale Police Department. Officers also discovered a loaded and concealed handgun on Butkiewicz along with extra gun clips, methamphetamine and a security officer badge, Gatto said.
“It was also learned that the suspect was a convicted and wanted felon who had absconded from parole. He also had several additional warrants for his arrest from both Los Angeles and San Bernardino County,” Gatto said in a written statement. Detectives connected Butkiewicz to a burglary at the same self-storage facility in mid-March, Gatto said. Butkiewicz was booked on suspicion of commercial burglary, possession of a concealed firearm, being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, possession of a controlled substance, giving false identity information to a peace officer and for several outstanding warrants, including a no-bail warrant for being a parolee-at-large. Butkiewicz is being held in lieu of $50,000 bail ahead of a scheduled court appearance today, April 28. Written by AARON CASTREJON CityWatch Editor IRWINDALE - A Paramount resident was jailed Tuesday after a traffic stop for a vehicle code violation revealed narcotics and loaded weapons. A traffic stop was performed in the area of the 605 freeway and Los Angeles Street around 3:23 p.m. October 15. During a vehicle search, two loaded handguns, heroin and methamphetamine were located, Irwindale Police said. The driver of a red 2013 Chevy Camaro was initially stopped for a registration violation, but was found to be unlicensed, according to Sgt. Rudy Gatto of the Irwindale Police Department. The driver was cited for the registration violation and for driving unlicensed.
“During the vehicle impound, they discovered two guns concealed in the car. They were both loaded and both unregistered,” Gatto told SGV CityWatch. Officers also found extra gun clips, ammunition and about two pounds of meth and heroin, Gatto said. Renan Magaña-Meza, 37, was booked on suspicion of multiple felony charges, including possession of narcotics for sale and weapons violations. |
Archives
January 2024
Categories
All
|