Written by AARON CASTREJON CityWatch Editor LOS ANGELES - The man found shot dead inside a vehicle in El Monte March 6. Michael Meza, 27, was identified by the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner. Meza was discovered dead inside a vehicle parked in the 11000 block of East Lower Azusa Road just after 7:30 a.m. Friday. Meza reportedly suffered from at least one gunshot wound, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Information Bureau.
Investigators haven’t stated publicly if Meza died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, or if someone else pulled the trigger. A coroner exam has yet to be scheduled, according to public coroner records. Investigators believe the shooting occurred in the early morning hours March 6. Anyone with information on this incident is urged to call the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Homicide Bureau at 323-890-5500. Provide information anonymously by calling L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), through the P3 Tips mobile app, or at lacrimestoppers.org. Written by AARON CASTREJON CityWatch Editor REGION - A man convicted of making criminal threats, robbery and witness intimidation, among other crimes, was sentenced to prison Tuesday. John Holmes, 35, was sentenced to 37 years and 10 months in state prison. He was previously convicted on two counts of violating a domestic violence court order, three counts of child endangerment, two counts of robbery, four counts of witness intimidation, bringing narcotics into a jail and criminal threats, Pomona Police said. Holmes terrorized his victim and her children over a period of months starting back on July 21, 2019 when he assaulted his victim and fled the home, leaving three children unattended, Pomona Police said. After moving away, Holmes returned and forcefully robbed his victim of a cell phone, only to return a few hours later when he forcefully took a second phone. He returned to the area once more, but was arrested in a nearby alley.
Cocaine was discovered on Holmes’ person during the booking process, Pomona Police said, during which he threatened two Pomona jailers. “While Holmes was in-custody, he called the victim more than 100 times, threatening her not to go to court,” Pomona Police said in a written statement. Holmes also threatened the victim during the preliminary hearing process, telling her not to take the stand, Pomona Police said. Holmes was convicted on all counts against him. Written by AARON CASTREJON CityWatch Editor REGION - Two charges were filed Monday against the man authorities accuse of leading them on a reckless chase in a hearse with a dead body inside. James Juarez, 25, was charged with one count each of fleeing a pursuing peace officer’s motor vehicle while driving recklessly and driving or taking a vehicle without consent, according to Ricardo Santiago of the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office. Juarez faces a possible maximum of more than three years in state prison if convicted as charged, Santiago said. A black 2017 Lincoln Navigator was stolen outside St. Anthony Greek Orthodox Church, 778 S. Rosemead Blvd., February 26. The driver arrived to take one body into the church and left the SUV running, authorities said. The SUV was already gone when the driver exited the church. Itwas spotted near 23rd and Figueroa Streets around 7:30 a.m. in Los Angeles February 27. Juarez allegedly fled LAPD officers who attempted to stop him.
Juarez was taken into custody after fleeing Los Angeles Police officers on surface streets and to the southbound 110 freeway where he crashed at Vernon Avenue around 20 minutes later. The body was still in the rear of the SUV inside a casket, authorities said. Juarez crashed into another vehicle. The collision injured one other person and caused major front end damage to the stolen Lincoln Navigator hearse. |
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