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.

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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.

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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

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 - A man was found dead Wednesday under the 210 freeway in the northern portion of Irwindale.

First responders were called around 1:44 p.m. regarding a man found unresponsive on a dirt access road near the Bradbury flood control channel under the 210 freeway in the 2300 block of Central Avenue. Los Angeles County Fire Department paramedics declared the man dead at the scene, according to the Irwindale Police Department.

Irwindale detectives are determining what led up to the man’s death, while investigators with the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner are determining the cause.

The man’s identity has not been publicly revealed.

Anyone with information on this incident is urged to call Irwindale Police Detective Lucy Aguilar at 626-430-2239, or by email at [email protected]. Remain anonymous by calling LA Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), through the P3Tips mobile app, or lacrimestoppers.org.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

IRWINDALE - The destructive warehouse fire that burned near Arrow Highway and the 605 freeway October 9 killed four people, the Irwindale Police Department said.

Investigators believe an illegal butane honey oil extraction lab was being operated inside the warehouse At 1418 E. Arrow Highway. Witnesses reported that at least one individual fully-engulfed in flames was seen running from the building. After the fire was extinguished, the charred remains of three males were found, according to the Irwindale Police Department.

The person seen running from the building was found nearby. He was taken to a hospital for treatment, but later died.

“Due to the suspicious nature of the fire, an outside law enforcement task force was requested, responded to the scene and took over the investigation. The investigation as to the cause of the fire is ongoing,” according to the Irwindale Police Department in a written statement.

Anyone with information on this incident is urged to call Irwindale Police Detective Nicholas Lopez at 626-430-2239, or by email at [email protected]. Remain anonymous by calling LA Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), through the P3Tips mobile app, or lacrimestoppers.org.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

IRWINDALE - A man was rescued after attempting to jump onto the 210 freeway Wednesday afternoon.

First responders were called to the Irwindale Avenue overpass at the 210 freeway just after 4 p.m., Wednesday, October 4. Callers reported that the man had scaled the fence on the northbound side of Irwindale Avenue and was dangling over the westbound side of the 210 freeway, according to the Irwindale Police Department.

Officers begin speaking with the subject, who said he intended to jump from the overpass. During negotiations, officers were able to grab a hold of the man’s fingers and clothing through the chain link fence until Los Angeles County firefighters arrived and used a ladder truck to take the man down, according to the Irwindale Police Department.

All of Irwindale Avenue at the overpass, as well as westbound and eastbound lanes of the 210 freeway were closed for an hour. Traffic was diverted during the rescue.

The man was hospitalized and given a psychiatric evaluation.