Written by AARON CASTREJON CityWatch Editor POMONA - A 20-year-old Pomona man is facing one count of murder in a shooting death that took place less than a year ago, the Pomona Police Department said.
Oscar Cruz was identified by detectives in the Pomona Police Major Crimes Unit who were investigating the murder of 43-year-old Alex Adorno of Pomona. Adorno was found suffering gunshot wounds in an alleyway June 4, 2023. Despite life-saving efforts, Adorno died at the scene. Cruz was located and arrested April 16. Cruz is being held in lieu of more than $2 million bail at the Inmate Reception Center in Los Angeles and was scheduled for a court appearance in Pomona Superior Court Thursday, April 18. Future court date information is not readily available. Written by AARON CASTREJON CityWatch Editor POMONA - A playground was incinerated April 7 and city officials are offering $10,000 leading to the arrest and conviction of the suspect.
Firefighters and police were called to Montvue Park, 1401 Cordova St., around 11:12 p.m. Sunday. By the time the fire was extinguished, the playground suffered extensive damage, according to the Pomona Police Department. Anyone with information related to this incident is encouraged to call Pomona PD at 909-622-1241 or email ppdmedia@pomonaca.gov. 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 - Investigators took 17 people into custody Thursday and confiscated evidence related to illegal gambling at two different locations in the city.
Numerous community complaints and anonymous tips led investigators to serve two search warrants, one at 825 East Mission Blvd., another at 1470 W. Holt Ave. During the searches, officers located slot-style and “fish game” table machines, a firearm and cash, according to the Pomona Police Department. Both locations were red-tagged by the Pomona code enforcement team. Any resident, or business owner who suspects illegal gambling is happening anywhere in the city 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 - Pomona police detectives arrested a man March 21 accusing him of murdering a woman in February.
First responders were sent to the 900 block of West Holt Avenue February 26 on what was initially described as a fentanyl overdose. A woman was found unconscious and with visible bodily injuries. Los Angeles County Firefighter paramedics attempted to revive the woman, but she was declared dead at the scene, according to the Pomona Police Department. Pomona police major crimes unit detectives eventually identified Tommy Ray Belin, 43, as a suspect in the murder of 25-year-old Andrea Bustillos. Bustillos died at a hotel/motel from blunt traumatic injuries. Her death was listed as homicide, according to the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner. Belin was tracked to the city of Upland where he was taken into custody. The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office charged Belin with murder, assault by means of force likely to produce great bodily injury, and failure to register as a transient after moving from a residence, according to the Pomona Police Department. In addition to the above-mentioned charges, prosecutors are attempting to get Belin’s parole revoked. He is scheduled to appear at a parole arraignment April 11, according to Los Angeles Superior Court records. Regarding the murder and other charges, Belin is being held in lieu of nearly $3.1 million bail and is scheduled to appear in court April 23, according to Los Angeles Superior Court records. 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 - 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. |
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