Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

POMONA - A Montclair man is facing a slew of charges, including two counts of murder, resulting from an October 4 pursuit in which he crashed and killed two of his passengers.

Erick Bolanos, 30, allegedly committed several vehicle code violations while driving in the area of White Avenue and Mission Boulevard October 4 around 4:30 p.m. Bolanos allegedly refused to stop for officers and a pursuit was initiated, according to the Pomona Police Department.

Bolanos chucked a handgun out the window while evading officers at high speed. Officers made multiple attempts to stop him using the Pursuit Intervention Technique, but failed , according to the Pomona Police Department.

Bolanos reportedly lost control of his vehicle and crashed, killing his two occupants. No other vehicles were involved, according to the Pomona Police Department.

The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office filed two counts of murder, one count of felony evading causing serious bodily injury and one count of possessing a concealed firearm in a vehicle, according to the Pomona Police Department.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

POMONA - Police are investigating a homicide that took place Saturday morning.

First responders were sent to the 900 block of West Holt Avenue on a report of a female down around 6:41 a.m. September 14. Los Angeles County Fire Department paramedics pronounced the victim deceased at the scene, according to the Pomona Police Department.

The Pomona Police Department did not elaborate on the apparent cause of death.

The Pomona Police Major Crimes Unit is investigating.

Anyone with information on this investigation 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 man found suffering from gunshot wounds died after being taken to a hospital Saturday.

First responders found the man down in the 2100 block of North Towne Avenue around 10:55 p.m. August 24. He was treated at the scene and transported by Los Angeles County Fire Department paramedics.

Homicide Investigators from the Pomona Police Department’s Major Crimes Unit are investigating. It is not publicly clear if any suspects or a motive have been discovered.

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 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 - 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 - 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.

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.