NORWALK - The suspect caught by employees as he assaulted a girl in a supermarket restroom pleaded no contest October 17.

Steven Magdaleno, 39, entered his plea, which is the same as a guilty plea, to one count of assault with further intent to commit a serious sex crime, according to Los Angeles County booking records.

Magdaleno also faced one count of false imprisonment, escape from home detention and providing false identification to police, according to Los Angeles County booking records.

Magdaleno faces eight years in state prison if convicted as charged.

The incident unfolded inside a Stater Bros., 14212 Mullberry Dr., around 2 p.m. Sunday, September 18. The suspect followed the girl into a bathroom, locked the door and attempted to sexually assault her. The girl screamed, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.

“Store employees accessed the bathroom and subsequently detained the suspect pending the arrival of deputies. The victim was medically treated at a local hospital. The suspect was arrested and booked at Norwalk Sheriff’s Station,” according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.

“Based on the nature of the offense, detectives believe there may be additional unidentified victims. Detectives are seeking the public’s help in identifying any such victims,” according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.

Anyone with information on this incident is urged to call the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, Special Victims Bureau toll free tip line at 877-710-5273 or by email at specialvictimsbureau@lasd.org. Remain anonymous by calling LA Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222 TIPS (8477), through the P3Tips mobile app, or lacrimestoppers.org.

Magdaleno is scheduled to appear in court October 28 for sentencing.

ONTARIO – A second suspected shooter was arrested in connection with a shooting that unfolded in the parking lot of Colony High School, the Ontario Police Department said.

The second suspect, 25-year-old Everett Johnson, was found in Covina and taken into custody October 14. Two days prior, Lawrence Langston was found and arrested in Pasadena, according to the Ontario Police Department.

Both suspects are from Pasadena. The victim was treated for life-threatening injuries.

A handgun was seized during Johnson’s arrest. Two handguns were seized during Langston’s arrest. Both suspects were booked on suspicion of murder and taken to the West Valley Detention Center, according to the Ontario Police Department.

The shooting occurred October 1 just after 10:45 a.m.

None of the suspects, nor the victim, have any connection to Ontario or Colony High School, according to the Ontario Police Department.

Anyone with information that can help the investigation is urged to call the Ontario Police Department at 909-986-6711, Ontario Police Officer Jordan Bell at 909-408-1019. Remain anonymous by calling We-TIP at 78-CRIME, or online at www.wetip.com.

SANTA FE SPRINGS – Authorities announced September 30 charges against a driver accused of fleeing the scene of a crash from last year.

The driver fled the November 26, 2021 crash at Colima Road and Lambert Road in unincorporated South Whittier, but was caught. Darrell Maurice Jewett, 34, was detained, but later released pending additional investigation, according to the California Highway Patrol, Santa Fe Springs Office.

The Santa Fe Springs Area Criminal Investigations Unit filed charges of murder, felony driving under the influence, felony hit and run and gross vehicular manslaughter, according to the CHP.

The driver of a 2012 maroon Nissan Altima struck a blue 2020 Honda Accord after allegedly running a red light around 5:30 a.m. The collision caused both vehicles to strike a nearby business.

Jewett was arraigned at the Bellflower Courthouse September 30 and is being held without bail. He is scheduled for an appearance in the Norwalk Courthouse October 25, according to Los Angeles County booking information.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

UPDATE, 11 a.m.: Firefighters have knocked down the OakWilde Fire and have held it to 1 acre, according to the US Forest Service.

UPDATE, 9:40 a.m.: A woman was extracted from the burning vehicle that ignited the Oakwide Fire burning along Angeles Crest Highway. It is unclear if any other occupants were in the vehicle.

MOUNTAINS - An estimated 1-acre brushfire is currently burning deep in the mountains above La Cañada Flintridge after a reported vehicle crash.

The vehicle crashed along Angeles Crest Highway near mile marker 30.15. The US Forest Service has responded, along with Los Angeles County Fire Department which is sending a full brushfire response including the Canadian-built Super Scoopers.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

WHITTIER - Stater Bros. employees and customers rushed to save a 16-year-old girl after a man locked himself inside a bathroom with her and tried to assault her.

The incident unfolded inside a Stater Bros., 14212 Mullberry Dr., around 2 p.m. Sunday, September 18. The suspect followed the girl into a bathroom, locked the door and attempted to sexually assault her. The girl screamed, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.

“Store employees accessed the bathroom and subsequently detained the suspect pending the arrival of deputies. The victim was medically treated at a local hospital. The suspect was arrested and booked at Norwalk Sheriff’s Station,” according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.

Steven Daniel Magdaleno, 39, is being held without bail, according to Los Angeles County booking records.

He is facing one felony count each of assault to commit rape, attempting to escape custody and false imprisonment by violence, as well as a misdemeanor count of providing false identification to a peace officer, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office.

“Based on the nature of the offense, detectives believe there may be additional unidentified victims. Detectives are seeking the public’s help in identifying any such victims,” according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.

Anyone with information on this incident is urged to call the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, Special Victims Bureau toll free tip line at 877-710-5273 or by email at specialvictimsbureau@lasd.org. Remain anonymous by calling LA Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222 TIPS (8477), through the P3Tips mobile app, or lacrimestoppers.org.

REGION – A potential loss of engine power is believed to have contributed to a crash of a medical copter south of Mt. Baldy September 4, according to the National Transportation Safety Board.

A Bell 407 helicopter was being used to shuttle water and equipment in support of a local charity event. Four successful shuttle flights were performed and during a fifth flight to the off-airport landing zone the low RPM warning sounded, according to the preliminary NTSB report.

The pilot aborted the approach and attempted unsuccessfully to increase engine power.

“The engine power did not recover, and the pilot performed an autorotation to a nearby road. The helicopter rolled upon landing, which resulted in substantial damage,” according to the NTSB preliminary report.

The pilot was seriously injured and the helicopter was substantially damaged.

The Bell helicopter is registered to Air Methods Corporation in Greenwood Village, Colorado and is part of an air medical transport fleet for Mercy Air.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

REGION - The National Weather Service has issued a flood advisory effective until 8:45 p.m. Sunday.

Flooding caused by excessive rainfall May likely affect the foothills of the San Gabriel Valley into the eastern mountains of the San Gabriel Valley, according to the NWS.

“Heavy rainfall could trigger shallow debris flows in and near the Bobcat, Ranch, and Fish burn scars. Roadway flooding is expected including Highway 210, as well as rises in small streams and normally dry arroyos is expected,” the NWS said in a written statement.

A flash flood warning is also in effect for northwestern Los Angeles County until 9:15 p.m.

REGION – The U.S. Marshals Service is offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of a man who shot and wounded a police officer August 10.

Jose Ortega, 25, wounded an officer assigned to the Los Angeles Interagency Metropolitan Police Apprehension Crime Task Force in La Puente, according to the U.S. Marshal Service.

Undercover officers with L.A. IMPACT were confronted by the suspects they were surveilling and a shooting occurred. The wounded officer received injuries considered not life-threatening, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.

One suspect involved in the shooting was arrested, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.

Ortega is a Hispanic man with black hair, brown eyes, stands 6 feet 1 inches tall and weighs 290 pounds. He is considered armed and dangerous.

Anyone who knows Ortega’s whereabouts is urged to call the U.S. Marshals Service at 1-877-WANTED2 (926-8332). Remain anonymous by using the U.S. Marshals Tips app, the P3Tips mobile app, or 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

MOUNTAINS - A pilot was transported in undisclosed condition by ground ambulance after a helicopter crashed near Mt. Baldy Village Sunday morning.

The aircraft crash was reported around 8 a.m. along Mount Baldy Road near Barrett Stoddard Road according to the California Highway Patrol. There was one person inside the helicopter when it crashed. The pilot was driven to Mount Baldy Village and was transferred to a ground ambulance to be taken to the hospital, according to US Forest Service radio traffic.

The Bell helicopter is registered to Air Methods Corporation in Greenwood Village, Colorado and is part of an air medical transport fleet for Mercy Air.

Firefighters from the US Forest Service, Los Angeles County Fire Department and San Bernardino County responded to the scene. Northbound lanes of Mt. Baldy Road at Shinn Road remain closed by the CHP.

MOUNTAINS – San Gabriel Canyon will be temporarily closed Labor Day weekend due to ongoing fire operations, according to the U.S. Forest Service.

Vehicle, pedestrian, equestrian and all other recreational activity is off limits.

The Gulch Fire has burned 113 acres and is 78 percent contained as of Thursday night. There are 98 firefighters remaining on scene, according to the U.S. Forest Service.

Highway 39 remains closed from the San Gabriel River Bridge to Crystal Lake Road. East Fork Road remains closed from Highway 39 to Glendora Mountain Road, the latter is closed from the border of Glendora to East Fork Road. Glendora Ridge Road is closed from Mt. Baldy Road to Glendora Mountain Road.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.