 PHOTO/Stock image. Written by AARON CASTREJON | CityWatch Editor LOS ANGELES - Sheriff’s Homicide investigators have identified all suspects and have named the victim in the suspicious circumstances surrounding a dead body found in the Azusa Canyons.
The man found dead after being thrown 30 feet over Highway 39 is 20-year-old Glendora resident Julian Hamori-Andrade. He is not a resident of the home where large blood stains were discovered in the 6100 block of Goodway Drive May 28. Arrested were: - Hercules Balaskas, an 18-year-old white man from Glendora - Jacob Hunter Elmendorf, a 19-year-old white man from La Verne - Francisco Amigon, a 19-year-old Hispanic man from La Verne Still outstanding is 21-year-old Matthew Capiendo Luzon, a 21-year-old resident of unincorporated Azusa. A warrant for his arrest is being sought. A motive for the killing is still unknown. Balaskas, Elmendorf and Amigon were booked into San Dimas Sheriff Station on suspicion of murder. Charges with the District Attorney’s Office are pending, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Information Bureau. Deputies laid out a gory scene in which Hamori-Andrade was brutally beaten. “The victim, along with suspects Balaskas, Elmendorf, and Amigon were at the home of suspect Matthew Luzon on Goodway Drive, when the victim was brutally beaten before being dragged to a pick-up truck belonging to one of the suspects,” Homicide detectives said. “The unconscious victim was lifted into the bed of the truck and driven to Azusa Canyon. He was then brutally beaten again before being thrown over the side of a roadside drop off.” Hamori-Andrade was possibly still alive when he was beaten again and dumped over the side of the road where he eventually died. Homicide detectives commend witnesses for coming forward and identifying the truck used in the murder, having seen it parked outside the Goodway Drive home on the night of the incident. Witness accounts led deputies to the location where Hamori-Andrade was found, the Sheriff’s Information Bureau said.  PHOTO/Stock image. Written by AARON CASTREJON | CityWatch Editor LOS ANGELES - Three men in their early 20s have been arrested in connection with the death of a man who went missing from a home and whose body was found dumped in the Azusa Canyons.
The three suspects, who have yet to be identified, are described as acquaintances of the man. His body was found dumped after a tip led San Dimas Sheriff’s deputies to near mile marker 20 on San Gabriel Canyon Road where the body was found amongst thick brush, according to deputy Trina Schrader of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’ Information Bureau. One suspect remains outstanding. Because of this, no suspect names are being released and neither is the motive, Schrader said. Deputies discovered the body at 5:55 p.m. Wednesday, 30 feet over the side. Deputies searched for two hours after being tipped off about a possible body before making the discovery, Schrader said. The man, who will not be publicly named until next of kin are notified, appears to have suffered blunt force trauma. The man was assaulted at a home in the 6100 block of Goodway Drive in Citrus, an unincorporated community near Azusa May 28. He was driven to the Azusa Canyons where his body was dumped. It is unclear where the man was killed, Schrader said. Anyone with information on the killing, or outstanding suspect is urged to call the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Homicide Bureau at 323-890-5500. Information can be provided anonymously by Calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).  PHOTO/Stock image. Written by AARON CASTREJON | CityWatch Editor MOUNTAINS - San Dimas deputies are investigating a crime scene along Highway 39 at mile marker 21.91 after reportedly discovering a dead body over the side.
San Dimas deputies at the scene have called for Sheriff’s Homicide detectives, crime lab personnel and equipment to assist with the investigation. A vehicle is also at the scene, according to Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department radio traffic. The San Dimas Sheriff’s Station Watch Commander deferred all questions regarding the discovery of a body to the Sheriff’s Homicide Bureau. No one at Sheriff’s Homicide was available to answer questions. The California Highway Patrol was called to provide traffic control around the scene and, according to CHP traffic logs, were informed that deputies “are working a body over the side, possible homicide." It is unclear if this death is tied to the discovery of a blood-stained bedroom in a home in the county area near Azusa. Deputies responding to a fight call in the 6100 block of Goodway Drive May 28 discovered a large quantity of blood inside an empty home. A blood trail led to the street. Deputies at that time could not find a victim.  PHOTO/Stock image. Written by AARON CASTREJON | Citywatch Editor LOS ANGELES - The Rialto woman arrested after allegedly sending threatening letters, drugs and white powder to a Glendora Catholic school pleaded not guilty Tuesday.
Magaly Esmeralda Alvarenga, 39, pleaded not guilty to eight counts: three counts of criminal threats, three counts of false personation, and two counts of attempted false imprisonment by violence by fraud, according to Sarah Ardalani of the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office. Alvarenga first allegedly sent a letter to the all-girls St. Lucy’s Priory High School, 655 W. Sierra Madre Ave., in December 2017 in which threats of gun violence and burning down the school were made. The letter was signed with the initials of a student, Ardalani said. Alvarenga allegedly sent a letter each on May 10 and May 23, this time packed with white powder and drugs, Ardalani said. Glendora detectives were able to identify Alvarenga as a suspect and arrested her. Alvarenga is being held in lieu of $700,000 bail and is scheduled to return to West Covina Superior Courthouse June 8. If convicted as charged, Alvarenga faces a maximum of seven years in state prison.  PHOTO/Courtesy of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department. Written by AARON CASTREJON | CityWatch Editor LOS ANGELES - Six counts of attempted murder and assault with a firearm on a peace officer were filed against a man wanted in connection with gang-related shootings and possibly killings in Azusa.
Jorge Galvez, 20, had the above charges filed against him Tuesday. A judge ordered him to be held in lieu of $6.2 million bail, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office. Pomona Police SWAT officers were assisting Azusa detectives in serving a gang search warrant at a home in the 5500 block of South Lark Ellen Avenue Thursday, May 24 in the unincorporated area near Azusa. Galvez is accused of shooting at SWAT officers as they approached the home. Pomona SWAT officers returned fire, Pomona Police said. No one was hit by gunfire. Galvez surrendered without further incident. Azusa Police Detectives were serving eight search warrants at the home, in an ongoing investigation into multiple gang-related shootings. Azusa has been rocked by the shootings, which left a 14-year-old boy and 21-year-old man dead in two incidents. Another man was injured in the leg by gunfire in the same area where Galvez was arrested. The search warrants were a multiagency effort between Azusa Police, Pomona Police, Covina Police, Baldwin Park Police, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and U.S. Marshals. Galvez is scheduled to appear in court June 6.  PHOTO/Stock image. Written by AARON CASTREJON | CityWatch Editor MOUNTAINS - If you see smoke, there is fire, but the U.S. Forest Service has it under control.
A prescribed burn will be taking place until about 6 p.m. May 29 in the Johnstone Peak area of the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument. The burns will continue through May 31, according to the U.S. Forest Service.  PHOTO/Stock image. Written by AARON CASTREJON | CityWatch Editor GLENDALE - All southbound lanes on the transition from the southbound 2 freeway to the westbound 134 freeway are closed after a fatal crash Tuesday.
The collision occurred around 6 a.m. and involved possibly two motorcyclists and 10 other vehicles. The driver of a silver Volvo may have hit the rider who died, according to the California Highway Patrol. One of the riders apparently cannot be located, the CHP said.  PHOTO/Courtesy of the Los Angeles County Fire Department. Written by AARON CASTREJON | CityWatch Editor MONTEREY PARK - A $10,000 reward is being offered for information leading to a conviction of the person or persons responsible for the shooting death of a driver.
Fabian Barajas, 20, was driving in the area of the 12300 of Valley Boulevard April 3 when he was shot around 12:33 p.m. His vehicle crashed into a metal gate of a business complex and died at the scene. Homicide detectives provided a sketch of a person of interest. Anyone with information on the shooting is urged to call the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Homicide Bureau at 323-890-5500. Information can be provided anonymously by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).  PHOTO/Stock image. Written by AARON CASTREJON | CityWatch Editor VINCENT - A 20-year-old man is scheduled to appear in court May 29, accused of firing upon Pomona SWAT officers during a warrant search.
Jorge Galvez was taken into custody Thursday. Pomona SWAT officers assisted Azusa Police in serving a search warrant at a home in the 5500 block of South Lark Ellen Avenue in an ongoing destructive series of gang-related shootings. Galvez opened fire on SWAT officers preparing to enter the home. Officers returned fire. No one was injured in the exchange of bullets. Within minutes of the gunfire, SWAT officers ordered the home’s occupants to exit the residence and surrender. The occupants complied, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department said. Detectives spent the majority of the day investigating the officer-involved shooting, and processing the crime scene. The weapon used in the officer-involved shooting was found and recovered, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department said. Galvez was booked on suspicion of attempted murder. He was booked at the Industry Sheriff’s Station where he is being held in lieu of $1 million bail. Galvez will appear at Pomona Superior Court Tuesday.  PHOTO/Stock image. Written by AARON CASTREJON | CityWatch Editor REGION - A massive operation involving more than 500 law enforcement agencies helped to arrest nearly three dozen suspects involved with drug smuggling, extortion money laundering and more, authorities said.
83 people are named in two federal racketeering indictments unsealed Wednesday. Operation Dirty Thirds focused on the Mexican Mafia, which orchestrated the control of drug smuggling, narcotics sales and prisoner extortion in the Los Angeles County jail system, the Department of Justice announced. Pomona-area street gangs were also named in one of the indictments. Of those named, 35 are currently incarcerated in state prison or county jails. 16 suspects are fugitives authorities hope will be arrested in the near future, the DOJ said. Authorities allege a “criminal enterprise” led by the Mexican Mafia engaged in five large-scale activities:
The indictments allege efforts to violate Racketeer Influenced and Corruption Organizations Act laws, the DOJ said. The indictments include a large amount of other charges, including carjacking; conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine, heroin, cocaine, and marijuana; distribution of and possession with intent to distribute controlled substances; money laundering; possession of at least 15 access devices (credit card numbers); aggravated identity theft; and use, possession or discharge of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence or drug trafficking crime. The FBI’s San Gabriel Valley Safe Streets Task Force, composed of FBI agents, Sheriff’s deputies, the Pomona Police Department, Drug Enforcement Administration and California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, conducted a three-year investigation leading to today’s arrests and indictments. “Gang violence in the jails also spills over to the streets and adversely affects our communities,” said Paul Delacourt, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office. “This three-year investigation focused on players at all levels for their role in the conspiracy – from the shot-caller, to the secretary, to the dealer, to the smuggler. Today’s successful operation is a direct result of law enforcement partners working cooperatively at all levels of government.” The indictment focuses on a handful of key players who virtually operated what authorities called “an illegal government within LACJ custody facilities.” Mexican Mafia member Jose Landa-Rodriguez, 55, and two now dead LACJ inmates controlled the entire criminal enterprise within the confines of the jail system, the DOJ said, and exercised power with the help of “shot-callers” and other associates. Landa-Rodriguez allegedly sanctioned murders, a series of assaults, and the kidnapping and planned murder of the relative of a gang member who had defied him, the DOJ said. Luis Vega, 33, the second defendant in the indictment, allegedly ordered a murder and directed assaults against those who showed disrespect or failed to follow Mexican Mafia rules, the DOJ said. Key facilitator and practicing attorney Gabriel Zendejas-Chavez was among those arrested Wednesday. Zendejas-Chavez allegedly travelled between state prisons and county jails, to convey messages to Mexican Mafia members, providing names of those cooperating with law enforcement investigations. Zendejas-Chavez, from the Ontario area, is also accused of a plot to extort $100,000 from the Mongols motorcycle gang, the DOJ said. “Operation Dirty Thirds lifts the veil on only one aspect of the complicated factors behind inmate-on-inmate assaults and the dangers to our custody staff,” said Sheriff Jim McDonnell. “Many assaults have been directed, and carried out, by the Mexican Mafia and are documented in this investigation that took more than four years.” The second RICO indictment focused on another criminal enterprise run by 61-year-old Michael Lerma, also known as “Pomona Mike,” a member of the Mexican Mafia who controlled and extorted drug proceeds from Pomona street gangs as well as from incarcerated Latinos in Calipatria State Prison in Imperial County. Lerma is accused of attempting to steal a Mercedes-Benz from another LACJ inmate. When the vehicle’s caretaker refused to give it up, the caretaker was shot by one of the defendants named in today’s indictment. In a second case, a woman was kidnapped by Lerma’s organization and was held for several days in exchange for extortion money. The woman was going to be murdered when law enforcement disrupted the plot, the DOJ said. “The Pomona community certainly suffered from the criminal acts of those indicted,” said Pomona Police Chief Michael Olivieri. “I am very pleased with the success of this long-term investigation, and I am looking forward to more collaboration with our law enforcement partners in future investigations.” If convicted, most of the defendants could be sentenced to decades in federal prison, and some could face life without parole, the DOJ said. |
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