Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

POMONA - A Chino man lost control of the semi he allegedly stole and crashed into parked vehicles, a power pole, a cinder block wall and a house while fleeing Pomona officers Saturday.

The semi’s owner tracked down the stolen truck after it was taken from a Montclair tire shop. He called Pomona Police around 12:19 p.m. after finding it still being driven, according to the Pomona Police Department.

Officers attempted to stop the suspect in the area of Reservoir Street and Philadelphia Street, but the driver refused to yield and fled eastbound on Philadelphia, Pomona Police said.

The driver crashed the semi near Pipeline Avenue and Philadelphia Street in Chino. He was immediately taken into custody.

Matthew Paul Gonzalez, a 27-year-old Chino resident, was medically cleared at a local hospital and booked into the Pomona jail on suspicion of grand theft auto.

Several homes were left without power and the unoccupied home struck by the semi sustained major structural damage, Pomona Police said.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

POMONA – A barricaded stolen vehicle suspect finally surrendered to police after taking refuge inside an apartment unit January 16.

The incident began around 8:41 a.m. Saturday in the 1700 block of Trojan Way when officers were dispatched to investigate a report of a man suffering mental issues. Officers found a man inside a vehicle that they determined was stolen and the man ran from them, according to the Pomona Police Department.

The man, later identified as Leobardo Hernandez, 32, ran to an apartment complex in the 400 block of East Olive Street. Officers set up a perimeter and determined Hernandez fled into an apartment unit.

“The residents were not home, but were able to monitor his activities via surveillance cameras inside the residence,” according to the Pomona Police Department.

Hernandez allegedly destroyed property inside the apartment, changed into clothes belonging to the residents, shaved himself and used hygiene products to try and change his appearance to pass himself off as a resident of the location, Pomona Police said.

Smoke was seen coming from the unit. It was later discovered that the suspect burned tortillas.

Hernandez eventually surrendered without further incident. He was booked on suspicion of burglary, possessing a stolen vehicle, vandalism and attempted burglary.

POMONA - A stolen truck was recovered after a brief, reckless pursuit ended in a crash Wednesday.

The suspect, 28-year-old Fernando Lopez, admitted to knowing he was behind the wheel of a stolen vehicle. He was also in possession of shaved keys, according to the Pomona Police Department.