 Written by AARON CASTREJON CityWatch Editor REGION - An internal Montebello Police investigation is underway after one of the department’s lieutenants crashed while allegedly driving under the influence in Montclair. Christopher Cervantes, 47, reportedly crashed into the rear of another vehicle August 21 at San Bernardino Street an Monte Vista Avenue around 8:10 a.m., according to the Montclair Police Department. No one was injured. The lieutenant was placed on administrative leave. Cervantes, who is no stranger to run-ins with law enforcement, was booked on suspicion of driving under the influence of drugs. He was released later that Wednesday.
In 2015, Cervantes was investigated for crashing into a tree in Diamond Bar. An investigation revealed acetaminophen/butalbital/codeine and morphine in his system. Cervantes reportedly had valid reasons for the prescriptions. The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office declined to file charges in the Diamond Bar crash, later stating that the office lacked the expertise to prosecute the specifics of the case. Cervantes was arrested by San Diego Police, accused of public drunkenness and resisting arrest in 2011. The incident resulted in Cervantes not being charged.  PHOTOS/Courtesy of Montebello Police. Written by AARON CASTREJON CityWatch Editor MONTEBELLO - Two Montebello men and a man from Commerce were arrested August 12 and 13 after a lengthy investigation identified them as suspects in the theft of a police SUV. The suspects were identified by detectives and were believed to possess stolen police weapons and other equipment. Montebello men Hunter Crist, 21, Eddy Saldivar, 22, and Commerce man Matthew Moran, 21, were booked on suspicion of grand theft auto and possession of stolen property. Each man allegedly had police-type equipment installed in their personal vehicles, including property stripped from the stolen police SUV, Montebello Police said. The investigation took a leap forward June 18 after detectives received a tip to the location of the Montebello police SUV. It was found dumped over an access road from Angeles Crest Highway in an area not visible from the road, Montebello police said. “The vehicle was stripped of various vehicle parts and police equipment. A portion of the police rifle that was taken with the vehicle was recovered with the vehicle. The vehicle was badly damaged as a result of being pushed over the embankment,” Montebello Police said in a written statement. Search warrants were obtained for the suspects’ homes and vehicles. Wit the help of the Task Force for Regional Auto Theft and Prevention and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, detectives recovered a stolen Montebello Police Remington shotgun, the red and blue lightbar and parts of a rifle believed to be stolen from the SUV, Montebello Police said. Also found was one radio taken from a decommissioned Montebello Unified School District Police vehicle. It was one of approximately $26,000 in police radios stolen from other district police vehicles February 2019, Montebello Police said. The Montebello Police SUV was taken from the parking lot of the Montebello Police Station May 17. The SUV was caught on camera as it was driven away, but a suspect could not be identified at the time. Crist posted bail August 13, according to Los Angeles County booking records. Saldivar is being held in lieu of $25,000 bail ahead of a scheduled August 15 court appearance. Moran is also being held in lieu of $25,000 bail ahead of a scheduled August 14 court appearance. PHOTOS/Courtesy of Montebello Police. The Suspect Had Other Stolen Police Items. CLICK TO READ MORE Search warrants were obtained for the suspects’ homes and vehicles.
Wit the help of the Task Force for Regional Auto Theft and Prevention and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, detectives recovered a stolen Montebello Police Remington shotgun, the red and blue lightbar and parts of a rifle believed to be stolen from the SUV, Montebello Police said. Also found was one radio taken from a decommissioned Montebello Unified School District Police vehicle. It was one of approximately $26,000 in police radios stolen from other district police vehicles February 2019, Montebello Police said. The Montebello Police SUV was taken from the parking lot of the Montebello Police Station May 17. The SUV was caught on camera as it was driven away, but a suspect could not be identified at the time. Crist posted bail August 13, according to Los Angeles County booking records. Saldivar is being held in lieu of $25,000 bail ahead of a scheduled August 15 court appearance. Moran is also being held in lieu of $25,000 bail ahead of a scheduled August 14 court appearance.  Written by AARON CASTREJON CityWatch Editor MONTEBELLO - Police are investigating a shooting after a victim was found with a leg wound Sunday. Police responded to a report of a gunshot victim in the 800 block of North Garfield Avenue July 7. The victim is very uncooperative with investigators, providing little to no information on the circumstances, according to Lt. David Kim of the Montebello Police Department. Kim did not have the age of the male shot.
“We have an uncooperative victim who does not want to get involved,” Kim said. Police were dispatched sometime around 4:30 a.m. Anyone who has information on the shooting is urged to speak with Montebello detectives at 323-887-1200 ext. 262.  PHOTO/Montebello Police. Written by AARON CASTREJON CityWatch Editor MONTEBELLO - A 2018 Ford Explorer police SUV was discovered missing from its designated parking stall at the Montebello Police Department Tuesday. The discovery was made around 3 p.m. May 21. During the investigation, detectives learned the vehicle was taken May 17 at 2:23 a.m. A suspect was caught on camera driving away with the police SUV within 10 seconds of entering it, according to the Montebello Police Department. A loaded AR-15 rifle, a loaded shotgun and less lethal shotgun were inside the stolen police SUV, Montebello Police said. All keys for the SUV are accounted for.
The 2018 Ford Explorer police SUV is painted black and features a white roof and white doors. The SUV is designated as Unit 9 and has a California Exempt license plate number of 1429238. The words “Montebello Police” are featured on both sides of the vehicle and on the rear. The number 9 is located on the roof with the letters “MTB” and on the front fenders and the rear of the vehicle. The vehicle is also equipped with an overhead light bar, Montebello Police said. Detectives are attempting to use GPS and other methods to locate the vehicle. Local repair shops and other vendors were contacted in an effort to find the SUV, which has been entered into the stolen vehicle registry, Montebello Police said. Anyone who locates the stolen SUV is urged to call Montebello Police at 323-887-1313, or dial 9-1-1. Information can be provided anonymously by calling L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).  Written by AARON CASTREJON CityWatch Editor MONTEBELLO - The man injured with a fatal gunshot wound in an officer-involved shooting Thursday was identified. Eddie Herrera was named by the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner. He is listed as a 49-year-old transient. Herrera was confronted by officers near 2nd Street and Victoria Avenue around 1:30 p.m. May 9 who were looking for suspects possibly smoking marijuana and drinking. The first Montebello officer on scene saw a man carrying a weapon. As backup was called, the officer-involved shooting occurred, Montebello Police said.
“Officers responded to the location regarding a disturbance call. When they arrived, they encountered the suspect, a male Hispanic adult, 49 years old holding a shot gun,” according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Homicide Bureau. “It appears at this time, that the suspect discharged the shotgun at least one time, and the Officers returned fire striking the suspect at least one time in the upper torso.” No officers were injured. BREAKING NEWS: Man Allegedly Armed with Shotgun Dies in Montebello Officer-Involved Shooting5/9/2019  Written by AARON CASTREJON CityWatch Editor MONTEBELLO - A man hospitalized after suffering at least one gunshot wound in an officer-involved shooting died Thursday. The man was confronted by officers near 2nd Street and Victoria Avenue around 1:30 p.m. May 9. Officers were called to a report of suspects possibly smoking marijuana and drinking. The first Montebello officer on scene saw a man carrying a weapon. As backup was called, the officer-involved shooting occurred, Montebello Police said.
It is unclear if the suspect shot is one of the suspects sought for public intoxication. Victoria will be blocked from 1st Street to 3rd Avenue. The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department will be handling the investigation.  Written by AARON CASTREJON CityWatch Editor MONTEBELLO - A burglary suspect was taken into custody with the help of a four-legged friend Wednesday afternoon. A Montebello Police K9 assisted with the suspect’s arrest at a residence in the 700 block of Bradshawe Street May 8. Police sent a public alert to residents around 10:40 a.m. warning them of police activity in the area.
The suspect reportedly barricaded inside the residence and refused to exit. It was unclear if the suspect was armed, Montebello Police said. The suspect apparently was taken into custody around 1 p.m. Los Angeles County Sheriff's deputies assisted Montebello.  PHOTO/Montebello Police. Written by AARON CASTREJON CityWatch Editor MONTEBELLO - One day after released surveillance footage showing a man randomly beating his victim after exiting a bus, the suspect was identified by police. Vincent Eric Ramirez, 32, was identified by several people who recognized him from the surveillance footage and witnesses helped to positively identify him as the suspect in the March 13 beating. He was already in custody stemming from a separate case, Montebello Police said. Ramirez was already in custody in a Los Angeles County jail and booked on suspicion of domestic violence stemming from an April 3 incident, Montebello Police said.
A man was brutally beaten by a fellow rider after exiting a bus March 12, police said Thursday. The 50-year-old victim was punched in the head after exiting a bus near South 4th Street and Whittier Boulevard around 8:20 p.m. March 13. The suspect followed the victim off the bus before attacking him, Montebello Police said. While unconscious on the ground, the victim is kicked three times. No property was taken from the victim, Montebello Police said. The assault case will be presented to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office for filing consideration. 
VIDEO/Montebello Police.
Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor
MONTEBELLO - A man was brutally beaten by a fellow rider after exiting a bus March 12, police said Thursday.
The 50-year-old victim was punched in the head after exiting a bus near South 4th Street and Whittier Boulevard around 8:20 p.m. The suspect followed the victim off the bus before attacking him, Montebello Police said.
While unconscious on the ground, the victim is kicked three times. No property was taken from him, Montebello Police said.
The suspect fled east on South 4th Street and out of sight. The suspect appears to be in his mid to late 20s, has a medium build, sports a goatee and was last seen wearing a grey hooded sweatshirt, blue khaki pants and carried a black backpack. Anyone who can identify the suspect is urged to call Montebello Police Detective Antista at 323-887-1200, ext. 249. Refer to case number 19-1587. 
VIDEO/Montebello Police
Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor
MONTEBELLO - Police released surveillance video of three suspects sought in the robbery of Jack Daniels and the attack of a store manager who confronted them.
The robbery occurred March 9 at Walgreens, 1501 W. Whittier Blvd., just before 5:30 p.m. The suspects, who appear to be in their early 20s, took two bottles of Jack Daniels, according to the Montebello Police Department.
The suspects ran towards the front exit with the manager in tow. The manager stopped by the doorway as the suspects ran past him. One of the suspects proceeded to hit the manager in the face with one of the liquor bottles. Another suspect hit him with a fist, Montebello Police said.
All three suspects fled through the alley south of Walgreens. Anyone with information on the suspects is urged to call Montebello Police Detective Antista at 323-887-1200, ext. 249. Refer to case number 19-1523. |
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