Written by AARON CASTREJON CityWatch Editor POMONA - A crash late Saturday night killed two people at the scene, a third died later at a hospital and alcohol is to blame, police said.
The accused DUI driver, Victor Siharath, a 36-year-old Pomona resident, was arrested at the scene after officers determined he was driving while impaired. He was booked on suspicion of felony DUI, according to the Pomona Police Department. First responders were sent to White Avenue at Phillips Boulevard just before 11 p.m. Saturday, March 2. Two other people injured in the crash remain hospitalized. Siharath was the sole occupant in his vehicle. The Pomona Police Department Major Accident Investigation Team is investigating. Anyone with information about this collision is urged to call the Pomona Police Department Traffic Services Bureau at 909-620-2048. 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 POMONA - A brief audio recording was released detailing a woman trying to escape a driver who was apparently following her around town January 15.
Once police caught up and located the suspect, he evaded officers for a brief time until crashing into another vehicle in Ontario. He failed to escape on foot after the crash and was taken into custody, according to the Pomona Police Department. Luis Puga, 31, was officially charged in court with stalking, felony evading, felony hit-and-run and attempting to remove a firearm from an officer, according to the Pomona Police Department, according to the Pomona Police Department. The female driver being followed kept a cool head and called Pomona dispatchers around 8:30 p.m. January 15. The driver reported that the man, identified by officers as Puga, was aggressively following her while driving. He insisted that she pull over and at one point he abruptly stopped his SUV in front of her to compel her to stop, according to the Pomona Police Department. “Officers located the suspect, and a pursuit ensued. The suspect crashed into a vehicle in the City of Ontario, and in an attempt to escape, he tried to run away. With the assistance of Ontario PD’s Air Unit, the suspect was located. During the apprehension, the suspect attempted to remove an officer’s firearm,” according to the Pomona Police Department in a written statement. Puga appears to have a extensive rap sheet. He was arrested twice in 24 hours in Claremont Christmas Eve 2024, accused of DUI. Puga also was arrested after allegedly burglarizing at home in Azusa in 2014. He apparently entered the home after knocking on the door. He received no answer. The residents arrived home and found him eating food at the kitchen table, according to the Azusa Police Department. Written by AARON CASTREJON CityWatch Editor POMONA - Police announced the arrest of two men accused of a fatal shooting in town January 29.
An investigation by the Pomona Police Major Crimes Unit led to the arrest of 29-year-old Armando Wardle and 28-year-old Mayan Ayala in connection to the murder of 35-year-old James Avila. Both men were arrested February 9. The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office formally filed charges against both suspects with one count each of murder. Wardle was additionally charged with two counts of a prior felony conviction enhancement, being felon in possession of a firearm and using a firearm during the commission of a crime, according to Los Angeles County Superior Court records. The Shooting Took place Monday, January 29 just before Midnight the 900 block of West Holt Avenue. Officers responding to a shots fired call arrived and found Avila suffering from a gunshot wound. Avila was treated at the scene and transported to a hospital where he died later. Wardle is being held without bail. Ayala is being held in lieu of $2 million bail. Both suspects have already made a court appearance and are scheduled again in Pomona Superior Court March 19. Written by AARON CASTREJON CityWatch Editor POMONA - Detectives are investigating a murder after a man was found unresponsive in an alleyway in the 900 block of East Holt Avenue on Valentine’s Day.
First responders were called around 11:54 p.m. after being told of a man down. Los Angeles County Fire Department paramedics treated the man at the scene and transported him to a hospital where he later died from his injuries, according to the Pomona Police Department. The Pomona Police Major Crimes unit is investigating this incident. The Pomona Police Department did not specify the type of injuries the man received. Anyone with information on this incident is urged to call Pomona Police Department at 909-620-2085. 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 POMONA - A man was struck and killed by a westbound Union Pacific train Monday afternoon.
The man was hit at the crossing at S. San Antonio Ave. and E. First St. January 29 around 3:45 p.m., according to Robynn Tysver, Spokeswoman for Union Pacific. Firefighters were dispatched 3:45 p.m. They were on scene within three minutes and cleared at 4:13 p.m., according to Christian Reynoso of the Los Angeles County Fire Department. The victim is identified as 64-year-old Ronnie Swafford, a Black man. He died from multiple blunt force traumatic injuries. The death was ruled accidental. Swafford has no city of residence listed, according to the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner. Union Pacific Police investigated the incident. Written by AARON CASTREJON CityWatch Editor POMONA - Police discovered a gunshot victim while investigating the source of gunfire on Holt Avenue Monday night.
Officers were sent to the 900 block of West Holt Avenue just before midnight January 29 to a report of gunfire. Officers found the victim, only described as a male adult. He was treated at the scene and transported to a nearby hospital where he later died from his injuries, according to the Pomona Police Department. Investigators from the Pomona Police Department Major Crimes Unit are trying to establish a motive. Anyone with information on this shooting is urged to call the Pomona Police Department at 909-620-2085. 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 POMONA - A $10,000 reward is up for grabs leading to the arrest and conviction of the gunman who shot six people, killing one of them last September.
City officials are offering the $10,000 reward to find the killer of 19-year-old Christian Ramirez who was shot along with five others at a warehouse party in the 1500 block of E. First Street September 22. The large party was attended by high schoolers, and students from both Cal Poly Pomona, and other local universities. Several students were injured, according to a previous statement, issued by Cal Poly Pomona officials. Anyone with information leading to the gunman is urged to call the Pomona Police Department at 909-622-1241. 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 POMONA - A man in his 40s was left for dead on a Pomona Street January 23 and investigators are still searching for the driver who apparently struck him.
The traffic collision occurred on Temple Avenue and Foley Way, Tuesday. The men’s body was discovered around 6:21 p.m. The man was transported to a hospital where he later died, according to the Pomona Police Department. “Evidence at the scene suggests the pedestrian was attempting to cross Temple Ave when he was struck by a passing vehicle,” according to the Pomona Police Department in a written statement. Anyone with information on this collision is urged to call the Pomona Police Department Traffic Services Bureau at 909-802-7741 or 909-620-2048. Remain anonymous by calling LA Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), through the P3Tips phone app, or lacrimestoppers.org. Written by AARON CASTREJON CityWatch Editor POMONA - A woman who allegedly lit a large fire at a Walmart Supercenter December 30 in revenge for getting caught stealing is facing a felony arson charge.
Francesca Ortiz-Garcia, 36, was found in Upland, and taken into custody January 12. She was identified after an investigation by the Los Angeles County Fire Department Arson Investigation Unit. The incident occurred December 30, 2023, around 4:32 p.m. when a Walmart loss prevention officer stopped Garcia for allegedly trying to leave the store with items she did not pay for. She left the store after surrendering the items, but returned and ignited a fire, according to the Pomona Police Department. “In response to the confrontation with loss prevention, the individual then lit paper products on fire. The fire triggered the store's sprinkler system, causing substantial damage to merchandise, shelving units, and the store ceiling,” according to the Pomona Police Department in a written statement. The fire caused a projected revenue loss of $1.2 million. No one was injured. The store located at 80 Rio Rancho Rd., had to be shut down for several days. Garcia is being held without bail at the Century Regional Detention Facility in Los Angeles. She has already appeared in Pomona Superior Court January 17 and is scheduled for an arraignment and plea February 1. |
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