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.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

POMONA - An early morning shooting killed one man and left another hospitalized Saturday.

Officers responded to a call of gunfire in the 500 block of North Claremont Place around 2:30 a.m. January 20. One man was declared dead at the scene. A second victim was transported to a nearby hospital and is listed in critical condition, according to the Pomona Police Department.

Investigators with the Pomona Police Department Major Crimes Unit are still determining 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 - No one was injured after a knife-wielding suspect fought with officers who tried to detain him for allegedly threatening a woman who turned down his advances.

The suspect approached a woman Tuesday, January 16, in the area of Dudley Street and Arroyo Avenue around 9:22 p.m. He inquired about dating her, but she rejected his advances, according to the Pomona Police Department.

“When she rejected his advances, he escalated the situation by brandishing a knife and threatening her,” according to the Pomona Police Department in a written statement.

Police were called and they searched the area, but the suspect was already gone. Believing the suspect would return, officers stayed in the area and luckily enough, the suspect was found.

“Upon attempting to approach him, the man engaged in a physical altercation with officers and resisted arrest. Despite his resistance, officers successfully apprehended him,” according to the Pomona Police Department.

The suspect was booked on suspicion of brandishing a weapon, making criminal threats, battery on a peace officer, resisting arrest, and stalking.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

POMONA - A man hospitalized after being involved in a collision died from his wounds Friday.

First responders were sent to the intersection of Gary Avenue and Alvarado Street just after 7:30 p.m., January 12, to a three-vehicle collision. The injuries sustained by everyone ranged from moderate to severe, according to the Pomona Police Department.

Everyone was treated at the scene and then transported to a nearby hospital.

The Pomona Police Department Major Accident Investigation Team is handling this crash. It is unclear if investigators determine the cause.

Anyone with information that can help the investigation is urged to call the Pomona Police Traffic Services Bureau at 909-620-2048.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

POMONA - A 20-year-old woman was taken into custody, accused of killing a woman and fleeing the scene early New Year’s Day.

Isabella Pilar Ortega was arrested January 2. She is being held in lieu of $80,000 ahead of a scheduled appearance in Pomona Superior Court January 4.

Khailyn Garcia Sanchez, 23, was struck in the area of Garey Avenue and Center Street January 1. First responders were called around 1:37 a.m., according to the Pomona Police Department.

Sanchez was hospitalized and later died. She leaves behind a baby and her boyfriend.