Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

MONTEBELLO - A neighborly dispute turned dangerous September 12 after a man reportedly brandished a rifle, authorities said.

The incident unfolded in the 300 block of North Garfield Avenue just after 8 p.m.

The suspect, only described as an older man, refused to surrender to authorities, and barricaded himself inside a residence for several hours, according to Darrol Hunt, public information officer for the City of Montebello.

A perimeter was established with the assistance of Monterey Park police officers. Crisis negotiators were on scene to convince the suspect to peacefully surrender, which he did around 12:40 a.m. September 13, Hunt told SGV CityWatch.

The suspect was booked on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon. Investigators declined to identify the suspect, citing the ongoing investigation, Hunt told SGV CityWatch.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

MONTEBELLO - Homicide detectives continue their search for a suspect who shot and killed a man who was found dying in a riverbed July 18.

Montebello police officers were called to the river bed just behind the Grant Rea Park, 600 Rea Dr., around 5:17 p.m. July 18 on a report of gunfire. First responders located the man who was taken to a hospital where he died, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.

It is unclear if homicide detectives have learned a motive or a suspect description.

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.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

MONTEBELLO - An eastbound Union Pacific railroad train struck a pedestrian early Thursday morning.

The pedestrian was transported from the scene, according to Alex Gilman, City of Montebello public information officer.

A current update on the pedestrian’s condition is not immediately known.

Southbound Greenwood Avenue remains closed during an investigation and is scheduled to be reopened by 8 a.m.. Drivers can use Garfield Avenue or Bluff Road as alternate routes.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

MONTEBELLO - The 13 year old girl missing from Pico Rivera who set off a frenzied search for nearly three days was found exiting a garage in Montebello Saturday.

Annahi Tejada What is seeing leaving a detached converted garage at a residence in the 500 block of North Fourth Street. Montebello Police officers were dispatched to the area at 2 p.m. Tejada was detained and transported through the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Pico Rivera station.

“A male Hispanic adult was taken into custody at the location without incident. There were no other people inside the location. The suspect was arrested and booked on unrelated charges,” according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Station in a written statement.

​”Pending the outcome of our investigation, we will then know what additional charges will be added. For this brief, his identity will not be released nor will the circumstances around which Annahi came into contact with,” according to Cpt. Jodi Hutak of the Sheriff’s Pico Rivera Station.

​Tejada originally left her home after an argument with her mother over a cell phone. Triads was seen on security video leaving home around 11:51 p.m.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

MONTEBELLO - Meteorologists confirmed that a tornado caused considerable damage Wednesday morning.

Analysis was needed to determine whether the phenomenon that caused considerable damage to more than 10 buildings was either a land spout or a tornado, with meteorologists choosing the latter.

There is no EF, ore strength rating, yet for the tornado that struck in the around 11:20 a.m. March 22. Meteorologists need further analysis of the damage before determining the tornado’s strength, according to the National Weather Service.

The more than 10 buildings affected by the tornado have reportedly been redtagged, according Mike Rogers, KCAL 9 assignment editor.

Heavy traffic along Washington Blvd near Vail and Maple street intersections due to power outage caused by tornado. Drivers are being asked to avoid Washington Boulevard between Greenwood Avenue and Vail Avenue, according to the Montebello Police Department.

One of the first reports of the tornado occurred around Washington Boulevard near South Maple Avenue.

A more detailed report is expected this evening.
​

What is A Land Spout?

While all land spouts are technically tornadoes, there are unique features that separate the two phenomenon.

Traditional tornadoes form from supercell thunderstorms with wind rotation emanating from the thunderstorm itself. Wind speeds can reach 200 miles per hour.

Land spout rotation occurs much closer to the ground, usually along what is known as a boundary, which is a separation between differing air masses. The boundary can create unstable weather.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

MONTEBELLO - Officers are investigating a shooting between two suspects in a Montebello neighborhood Monday night that injured two bystanders.

The shooting occurred around 7:30 p.m. in the 1400 block of South Greenwood Avenue. Officers responding located two adult victims with gunshot wounds on scene. One victim was transported for medical care and one refused treatment. However both are stable as of this time, according to Michael Chee, Deputy Director of Public Affairs for the City of Montebello.

“I have no details about possible suspects at this time. Those questions should be addressed by the LA County Sheriffs office,” Chee told SGV CityWatch.

In a crime broadcast made by Montebello Police officers, one suspect opened fire at a man standing outside of a residence. The second man was armed with a black semi-automatic handgun and returned gunfire.

The two bystanders were occupants inside a nearby vehicle. The vehicle was struck by gunfire at the front and the rear, according to the crime broadcast.

The Hispanic male suspect who first opened fire was accompanied by another Hispanic man. Both wore blue face coverings and fled in a white vehicle, according to the crime broadcast.

MONTEBELLO – A man was found suffering multiple gunshot wounds to the back Monday afternoon.

Montebello officers were called to investigate a gunshot victim in the 8100 block of Slauson Avenue around 3:12 p.m. August 22. The victim, only described as a Hispanic man, was found wounded between two motorhomes. He was transported to a hospital and pronounced dead, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Information Bureau.

The murder weapon remains outstanding. Investigators claim a suspect is unknown.

Anyone with information on this homicide is urged to call the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Homicide Bureau at 323-890-5500. Provide information anonymously by calling LA Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), through the P3Tips mobile app, or lacrimestoppers.org.

MONTEBELLO – A man seen unresponsive in a vehicle likely died by suicide, the Montebello Police Department said.

Officers were called to check the welfare of a man around 8:08 a.m. July 28 at 802 W. Beverly Blvd. The vehicle was stationed in a parking lot.

“Officers arrived and observed a deceased male adult inside of a vehicle. Further investigation revealed that the death appeared to be a suicide. Montebello Police Detectives are handling the investigation,” according to the Montebello Police Department in a written statement.

The man has not been publicly identified yet.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

MONTEBELLO - Two men exchanged words before unloading handguns, completely missing each other and fortunately missing store patrons and an employee during an April 30 gun battle.

The shooting was all caught on surveillance video at the 7-Eleven, 800 S. Greenwood Ave, around 9:50 p.m. Everything appeared to be business as usual inside the store until two men passed each other. Words and expletives were exchanged, including bullets.

As bullets destroyed glass panes and random objects, the patrons and employee desperately ducked to avoid being hit.

No one was injured, according to the Montebello Police Department.

Both men escaped. Police did not elaborate on descriptions of possible getaway vehicles.

Anyone with information on this shooting is urged to call Montebello Police Detective Fivecoat at 323-887-1247, or email afivecoat@cityofmontebello.com. Information can be provided anonymously 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

MONTEBELLO - A suspect accused of a brutally beating his girlfriend and attempting to shoot her multiple times was recently sentenced to eight years in state prison, the Montebello Police department announced.

Sean Abeyta, 29, reportedly took a plea deal and copped to an assault with a deadly weapon charge that sent him behind bars for the crime that occurred on December 20, 2020, the Montebello Police Department said.

Abeyta was sentenced in January. He has since been moved to Wasco State Prison, according to county and state booking records.

Abeyta’s estranged girlfriend fled the 3000 block of Via Breve after Abeyta threatened her with a handgun and punched her while the two were seated in a vehicle. As the estranged girlfriend ran, Abeyta shot at her, according to the Montebello Police Department.

Abeyta ran from his vehicle to ditch evidence and clothing, giving his estranged girlfriend time to retreat back into the vehicle. She fled to the El Monte Police Department and notified authorities.

The estranged girlfriend was wounded with a laceration to her right eyelid and a swollen lip, according to the Montebello Police Department.

Montebello investigators obtained surveillance video showing Abeyta ditching evidence in a trash can at the Quiet Cannon, 901 Via San Clemente.

He also ran to where he was residing at the nearby Home 2 Suites, 988 Via San Clemente, where video surveillance caught him ditching clothing on multiple floors of the hotel.

The victim provided a detailed statement and after Abeyta was detained as he left his room, a search warrant helped officers find methamphetamine and ammunition within, according to the Montebello Police Department.

Investigators also recovered the discarded clothing at the hotel and recovered a discarded backpack at the Quiet Cannon, the latter contained a loaded handgun, methamphetamine and cocaine, according to the Montebello Police Department.