 PHOTO/Courtesy of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department. Written by AARON CASTREJON | CityWatch Editor AZUSA - A man riding a motorcycle sustained unknown injuries after colliding with a truck on San Gabriel Canyon Road near East Fork Road Saturday morning.
 PHOTO/Stock image. Written by AARON CASTREJON | CityWatch Editor ARCADIA - The U.S. Forest Service has raised the fire danger level across the Angeles National Forest to “Very High,” officials said Friday.
Annual grasses have cured, temperatures have risen and the drop in relative humidity has forced officials to increase the fire danger level as a means to spread public awareness. No new campfire restrictions are in place, however. Open wood and charcoal fires will still be permitted in approved “developed” campgrounds and picnic areas where a steel ring or stoves are provided. Propane or jellied gas stoves and grills are permitted in non-developed areas with a valid California Campfire Permit, the U.S. Forest Service said. Smoking is allowed in enclosed vehicles or developed recreation sites only. Drivers in the forest should stay on designated roads and never park on dry brush or grass, to avoid the risk of starting a fire, the U.S. Forest Service said. The use of fireworks in the Angeles National Forest is prohibited, including all other forest system lands. Violators will face a $5,000 fine, six months in jail or both, the U.S. Forest Service said. “Anyone causing a wildfire is liable for all costs of suppressing the fire,” the U.S. Forest Service said.  Written by AARON CASTREJON | CityWatch Editor LOS ANGELES - Arraignment for the three men arrested for the kidnapping, robbery and beating of a man in unincorporated Azusa was continued to August, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office said. Hercules Dimitrios Balaskas, a 19-year-old Glendora man,Francisco Amigon, a 19-year-old La Verne man,and Jacob Hunter Elmendorf, 19, also from La Verne, will have arraignment continued to August 6, said County D.A. spokeswoman Sarah Ardalani. The three men were charged May 31 with three counts of first degree murder with special circumstances, first-degree residential robbery and kidnapping. The suspects also face three special circumstances of lying in wait and murder during the kidnapping and robbery Hamori-Andrade, whose body was found dumped 30 feet over the side of Highway 39 Wednesday, May 30. Prosecutors accuse Balaskas of beating Hamori-Andrade with the metal chair.
The brutal killing began May 29 when deputies responding to a home in the 6100 block of Goodway Drive in the unincorporated area near Azusa for a disturbance call discovered a large blood trail leading from the unoccupied home to the street, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.
A motive for the killing is unknown. If convicted as charged, all four suspects face the death penalty or life in state prison without parole. The decision to seek the death penalty will be made at a later court appearance. Anyone who has seen or knowns Martin-Capiendo’s whereabouts 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).  Written by AARON CASTREJON | CityWatch Editor PASADENA - A driver wanted for excessive speed and his passenger were taken into custody minutes ago after evading CHP officers across multiple counties.
The pursuit of a black Chrysler car ended after the suspect exited the 210 freeway westbound in Pasadena and sideswiped another driver, but kept fleeing until the suspect car became disabled at Marengo Avenue and Orange Grove Boulevard, according to California Highway Patrol radio traffic. The pursuit began in the Inland Empire, possibly from the Victorville area, according to Officer Stephen Brandt of the California Highway Patrol Traffic Management Center. The driver was wanted for excessive speed and fled CHP Rancho Cucamonga units west on the Interstate 10 freeway into Pomona where the chase continued on surface streets. The driver possibly let two passengers exit and flee the vehicle at Arrow Highway and Mills Avenue in Claremont before continuing. The suspect entered the westbound 210 freeway and fled officers at 115 miles per hour at times, according to CHP radio traffic. It is unclear if the suspects committed a crime before speeding away from the CHP. A call to the CHP Inland Empire Communications Center was redirected to the 9-1-1 emergency call center.  PHOTO/Stock image. Written by AARON CASTREJON | CityWatch Editor LOS ANGELES - The relative of a man found beaten to death with a mallet was sentenced to 56 years to life in state prison for the 2015 murder.
David Xavier Bushman, 47, was sentenced Tuesday after being found guilty of first-degree murder in the killing of his uncle-in-law, 73-year-old Arthur George Palmer, according to Ricardo Santiago of the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office. Bushman apparently expected to inherit money from Palmer, who was found dead July 24, 2015. Palmer was likely beat between July 21 and 24, Santiago said. Crescenta Valley Sheriff’s deputies responded to Palmer’s home in the 3000 block of Francis Avenue July 24, 2015 after a concerned neighbor said Palmer had not been seen in three days. Bushman has a criminal past, which included convictions in 1991, 2003 and 2009 for felonies that include robbery and false imprisonment, Santiago said. The murder weapon was found next to Palmer’s body and contained Bushman’s DNA.  Written by AARON CASTREJON | CityWatch Editor LOS ANGELES - The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office has officially charged the man accused of gunning down another man in Industry.
Elias Haro Rodriguez, 25, was charged with one count of murder with the special allegation that he used a firearm, according to Greg Risling of the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office. Rodriguez reportedly donned a hard hat and a mask during the shooting of Juan Carlos Castro Flores, 50. Rodriguez fled the scene after the shooting around 9:35 a.m. The construction site, located in the 14700 block of Nelson Avenue, was very active with workers on scene, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Homicide Bureau. Rodriguez and Flores, both Perris men, apparently knew each other. Rodriguez is 25 years old, but was previously described by the Sheriff’s Information Bureau as being in his 40s. Flores died at the scene, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Arraignment was continued to July 25 in Pomona Superior Court. Rodriguez faces a possibility of life in state prison.  PHOTO/Stock image. Written by AARON CASTREJON | CityWatch Editor LOS ANGELES - Sheriff’s Homicide detectives arrested the man accused of gunning down another man inside a busy City of Industry construction site.
Elias Haro Rodriguez, a man listed in his 40s, was taken into custody Thursday in the 23000 block of Cajalco Road in Perris around 5 p.m. Rodriguez was identified and followed after he left his home, taken into custody during a traffic stop, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Information Bureau. Rodriguez was booked at the San Dimas Sheriff’s Station, and is being held in lieu of $2 million bail. Rodriguez is accused of shooting to death 50-year-old Juan Carlos Flores, who was identified by the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner. The shooting took place around 9:35 a.m. at a construction site in the 14700 block of Nelson Avenue in the City of Industry June 18. Rodriguez reportedly disguised in a hard hat and a mask, fled the scene after shooting Flores who died at the scene. Flores was shot multiple times and was specifically targeted by Rodriguez, Homicide detectives said.  Written by AARON CASTREJON | CityWatch Editor POMONA - A man accused of stabbing his ex girlfriend multiple times in front of their son pleaded no contest Monday to the crime.
Eduardo Marin, 48, pleaded no contest to four counts, including attempted murder, assault with a deadly weapon, first-degree burglary, person present, and cruelty to a child by endangering health. Marin is accused of breaking into his ex girlfriend’s West Covina home October 13, 2016 and stabbing her multiple times with their son present. A family member was injured after intervening, according to Sarah Ardalani of the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office. Marin admitted to special allegations that he personally used a dangerous and deadly weapon, a knife, during the commission of the crime. Additionally, Marin admitted committing great bodily injury on the victim under circumstances involving domestic violence, Ardalani said. Marin fled the scene, but was caught by West Covina Police. Marin is scheduled to be sentenced August 13 and faces 20 years and six months to life in prison if convicted as charged.  PHOTO/Stock image. Written by AARON CASTREJON | CityWatch Editor REGION - The California Highway Patrol is looking for the driver who crashed and fled a car found abandoned on Highway 39 above Azusa.
A passerby reported that an import-style vehicle was found unoccupied and crashed into the side of the mountain near mile marker 20.1 around 2:23 a.m., according to CHP traffic logs. The registered owner of the vehicle called the CHP around 8:45 a.m. to report his vehicle missing from his cousin’s house in the 5200 block of North Calera Avenue in Covina. The owner said he decided to take an Uber ride home from his cousin’s house around 9 p.m. Saturday after being too drunk to drive, the CHP reported. It is unclear who the suspect may be, or if the suspect has been arrested.  PHOTO/Courtesy of the FBI. Written by AARON CASTREJON | CityWatch Editor ‘Faux Badge Bandit’ Wanted in Four Bank Robberies Across SGV, Santa Clarita
LOS ANGELES - The FBI is seeking information leading to the arrest of a man who has robbed four banks since May 31. The “Faux Badge Bandit,” so named because he has carried a seven-point badge and shoulder holster during some of the robberies, has hit banks in La Verne, Pasadena, Claremont and Santa Clarita, according to Laura Eimiller of the FBI Los Angeles Field Office. A handgun has been seen in the holster and has been brandished during the robberies. The “Faux Badge Bandit” may be armed with multiple weapons, Eimiller said. Banks robbed include:
The “Faux Badge Bandit” enters the banks with a bag and issues a demand note for cash. he threatened to shoot the teller’s coworkers if they did not comply, Eimiller said. The “Faux Badge Bandit” is a white man, 6 feet tall, 230 pounds and is 40 to 50 years old. Anyone who has information on the “Faux Badge Bandit” is urged to call the FBI 24 hours a day at 310-477-6565, or cal 911. |
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