Written by AARON CASTREJON CityWatch Editor POMONA - The California Highway Patrol arrested a driver September 7 after he allegedly led Claremont Police and CHP officers on a chase throughout the San Gabriel Valley.
Claremont officers initially pursued Anthony Orlando Franco, 33, who was driving in a stolen vehicle. The CHP was notified of the chase as it was west on the I-10 freeway west of Indian Hill Boulevard, according to Officer Rodrigo Jimenez of the California Highway Patrol Baldwin Park Office. CHP officers took over the pursuit of a black 2017 Kia Soul on the west 210 freeway at Grand Avenue, Jimenez told SGV CityWatch. The chase took to surface streets through Glendora, Covina, Irwindale, Pomona, La Verne, Claremont, Baldwin Park and West Covina. He also allegedly fled in opposing lanes of traffic, Jimenez told SGV CityWatch. The suspect also traversed the I-10, 210, 57, 71 and 605 freeways. The pursuit briefly reentered the 210 freeway eastbound from Sunflower Avenue in Glendora. The CHP attempted to disable the Kia Soul with the Pursuit Intervention Technique, but the vehicle kept moving and exited onto southbound San Dimas Avenue in San Dimas. While westbound in the area of Walnut Avenue and Arrow Highway, the driver reportedly struck the front of a CHP officer’s patrol vehicle, Jimenez told SGV CityWatch. The CHP canceled the chase due to the driver’s reckless nature. Claremont officers located the suspect and continued the pursuit into Pomona where the suspect abandoned the Soul and fled on foot at the American Inn & Suites, 310 E. Foothill Blvd. The Kia rolled and crashed into two parked vehicles, Jimenez told SGV CityWatch. Franco was caught shortly after running and was medically cleared before being booked at the Inmate Reception Center on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon other than a firearm, assaulting a peace officer, felony evading an officer, being in possession of a stolen vehicle and driving under the influence of drugs, Jimenez told SGV CityWatch. Franco was additionally booked for warrants related to felony evading and parole violations. Written by AARON CASTREJON CityWatch Editor LOS ANGELES – Arraignment for the man accused of raping and brutally beating a woman found dead in her Covina retirement home unit 24 years ago was continued to September 1. David Adolph Bernal, 46, was charged with one count of murder with the special circumstance allegations that the crime was committed during a rape, sodomy and burglary, according to Greg Risling, Assistant Media Chief with the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office. Bernal was located and arrested at his El Monte home August 6, 2020. Investigators allege he is the suspect in the January 19, 1996 death of Mary Lindgren, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Information Bureau. Lindgren, 67, was found dead in her first-floor bedroom at Covina Villa Retirement Home. Her body was found by facility staff at 7:30 a.m. A break in the case came this July when DNA evidence submitted last year yielded a result, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Information Bureau said.
Sheriff’s Homicide detectives assisted Covina Police in the investigation. Facility staff, residents, family members, outside vendors and neighbors living near the facility were interviewed and determined to have no involvement in the murder, the Sheriff’s Information Bureau said. DNA, as well as several other pieces of evidence, was collected at the scene. A suspect profile was generated from DNA collected at the scene, but matches with state and federal criminal justice databases could not be found, the Sheriff’s Information Bureau said. As years went by, state and national crime broadcasts were sent to participating agencies. Several leads were acquired, but led nowhere, the Sheriff’s Information Bureau said. It was last year when the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office and homicide detectives with the Sheriff’s Unsolved Unit submitted suspect DNA evidence with the California State Department of Justice for a DNA search and identification process, the Sheriff’s Information Bureau said. Investigators focused their attention on the possible suspect, eventually jailing Bernal, who is being held in lieu of $2 million bail. He is scheduled for a court appearance August 7. If convicted as charged, Bernal faces life in prison without the possibility of parole, or the death penalty. A decision to seek capital punishment will be decided at a later date, Risling said. Written by AARON CASTREJON CityWatch Editor REGION - Investigators working the cold case of a brutally beaten, raped and murdered woman in Covina used a statewide DNA technology to identify and arrest a suspect.
David Adolph Bernal, 46, was located and arrested at his El Monte home August 6. Investigators allege he is the suspect in the death of Mary Lindgren, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Information Bureau. Lindgren, 67, was found dead in her first-floor bedroom at Covina Villa Retirement Home January 19, 1996. Her body was found by facility staff at 7:30 a.m. A break in the case came this July when DNA evidence submitted last year yielded a result, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Information Bureau said. Sheriff’s Homicide detectives assisted Covina Police in the investigation. Facility staff, residents, family members, outside vendors and neighbors living near the facility were interviewed and determined to have no involvement in the murder, the Sheriff’s Information Bureau said. DNA, as well as several other pieces of evidence, were collected at the scene. A suspect profile was generated from DNA collected at the scene, but matches with state and federal criminal justice databases could not be found, the Sheriff’s Information Bureau said. As years went by, state and national crime broadcasts were sent to participating agencies. Several leads were acquired, but led nowhere, the Sheriffs Information Bureau said. It was last year when the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office and homicide detectives with the Sheriff’s Unsolved Unit submitted suspect DNA evidence with the California State Department of Justice for a DNA search and identification process, the Sheriffs Information Bureau said. Investigators focused their attention on the possible suspect, eventually jailing Bernal, who is being held in lieu of $2 million bail. He is scheduled for a court appearance August 7. Written by AARON CASTREJON CityWatch Editor RANCHO CUCAMONGA - Vehicles were shot at, crashed into, one person was shot and two people were stabbed by a man who slashed at a deputy with a knife during an attack May 13.
Deputies accuse 46-year-old Sergio Rodriguez of attempted murder with a knife, attempted murder with a firearm, assault with a deadly weapon while using a knife, assault with a deadly weapon while using a firearm, carjacking and possession of a controlled substance. Nine victims were identified, the Rancho Cucamonga Sheriff’s Station said in a written statement. Rancho Cucamonga deputies responded to the area of Milliken Avenue and the 210 freeway at 1:17 a.m. Wednesday to a report of someone who shot at a vehicle, damaging one of the tires. The suspect fled in a red 1993 Honda Accord southbound on Milliken Avenue until he crashed into an occupied vehicle at Milliken and baseline Road. The suspect is accused of attempting to carjack the victim after the latter pulled over in the wake of the crash. Rodriguez allegedly stabbed the victim multiple times, the Rancho Cucamonga Sheriff’s Station said in a written statement. The suspect fled again in the Honda Accord, drove into an apartment complex where he rammed another vehicle as the driver waited for a security gate to open. The suspect walked to the damaged vehicle, opened the driver side door and stabbed the driver several times, the Rancho Cucamonga Sheriff’s Station said. The suspect fled to Milliken and Foothill Boulevard where deputies located the suspect, identified as Rodriguez, as he attempted to abandon his Honda Accord. “Deputies saw Rodriguez and attempted to detain him. He was uncooperative and slashed at a deputy with a box cutter, striking him in the abdominal and groin area. The box cutter did not penetrate the deputy’s vest but sliced his uniform shirt and pants,” according to the Rancho Cucamonga Sheriff’s Station in a written statement. Detectives soon learned that Rodriguez is connected to multiple other shooting incidents along the 210 freeway, with one victim receiving a gunshot wound to the leg. Rodriguez is being held in lieu of $4 million bail at the West Valley Detention Center. Written by AARON CASTREJON CityWatch Editor LOS ANGELES - Detectives seek more victims of a man accused of molesting three boys in the Puente Hills - Rowland Heights Little League. A boy came forward March 19 and accused Carlton Harris, 47, of molesting him over the course of a year. Harris was the vice president of the little league organization, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. The boy and his family became close with Harris. “During visits to the suspect’s home, the victim states the suspect would sexually assault him,” according to the Los Angeles County. Two other boys came forward to Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Special Victims Bureau detectives.
Harris was arrested March 30 and was formally charged April 2 by the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office with one count of lewd acts on a child under 14 years old, one count of continuous sexual abuse of a minor and five counts of lewd acts on a child 14 or 15 years old. His bail is set at $530,000.00. Harris’ next court date is unknown at this time. Anyone with information on this incident is urged to call the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Special Victims Bureau toll free tip line at 877-710-5273, or trough email at specialvictimsbureau@lasd.org. Information can be provided anonymously by calling LA Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), through the “P3 Tips” Mobile app, or online 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 – The suspect accused of stabbing an Uber driver and holding law enforcement at bay into the nighttime hours appeared in court February 20. Ricky Andrew Alvarez, 23, pleaded not guilty to one felony count each of assault with a deadly weapon (knife), assault by means of force likely to produce great bodily injury; and assault with a deadly weapon by means likely to produce great bodily injury on transportation personnel or passenger, according to Los Angeles County District Attorney Public Information Officer Ricardo Santiago. The allegation includes that Alvarez inflicted great bodily injury upon the victim. Alvarez allegedly stabbed an Uber driver multiple times February 17 just before 1 p.m. Witnesses helped Glendora Police locate Alvarez, who fled into a room at the Glendora Motel, 330 W. Route 66, where five other people associated with him were staying. The Uber driver was treated on scene by paramedics and was taken to a hospital in stable condition, according to the Glendora Police Department. The regional Foothills Special Enforcement Team, a SWAT team made of officers from nearby police departments, responded to assist in apprehending the people barricaded inside one of the hotel rooms. After hours of negotiations, the six exited the motel and where detained.
One of the six was transported to an area hospital for undisclosed reasons. Also arrested from the hotel room were Frank Zavalza, 30; Bridgette Irene Hamlin, 23; Luis Davila, 23; and Larissa Breann Cano, 21. The four others arrested were booked on suspicion of identity theft and obstructing an officer. Cano and Hamlin were additional booked for warrants, according to Glendora Police booking records. Alvarez is being held in the North County Correctional Facility in Castaic ahead of a scheduled appearance in the West Covina Courthouse March 16. Written by AARON CASTREJON CityWatch Editor UNINCORP. COVINA - Nine homes suffered various damage after being hit by what deputies described as large bore air rifle bullets. The shootings took place over a six-week period around unincorporated Covina communities and within Covina city limits. Projectiles have hit homes, front yards, backyards and objects on private property, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s San Dimas Station. “These are relatively large projectiles, not like what you might expect from a traditional BB or pellet gun. These are actual bullets fired from an air rifle as powerful as some pistols,” the San Dimas Sheriff’s Station said in a written statement. Some residents were home when the shots were fired. Incidents occurred:
Such weapons use compressed air to fire the large bore projectiles, usually lead. The sound emitted closely resembles that of a paintball gun.
Deputies have not been able to determine the origin of the gunfire. Sheriff's deputies and Covina Police are working to find the shooter responsible. “What the perpetrator may not know is, even though these air rifles are not considered firearms, he or she can and will be charged with assault with a deadly weapon or shooting at an inhabitant dwelling when arrested,” according to the San Dimas Sheriff’s Station. Anyone with information on the shootings is urged to call San Dimas Sheriff’s Station detectives at 909-450-2718. Information can be provided anonymously by calling L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), through the P3 Tips mobile app or lacrimestoppers.org Written by AARON CASTREJON CityWatch Editor REGION - The suspect accused of molesting a girl from the ages of 12 to 18 years old was sentenced to nearly 11 years in state prison Tuesday. Chin Lee Chook, 56, pleaded no contest to one felony count of oral copulation of a person under 18 and two felony counts of lewd acts upon a child under 14 years old, according to Ricardo Santiago of the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office. Chin Lee Chook, aka Desmond Chook, was immediately sentenced to 10 years and eight months in state prison. He must also register as a sex offender for life, Santiago said.
Chook molested the girl from 2012 to 2018 at a variety of places, including the Diamond Bar church where he volunteered, his Diamond Bar office and the girl’s Riverside home. Written by AARON CASTREJON CityWatch Editor POMONA - Pomona Police promptly arrested a former Upland Police officer hours after he was released by his department. Joshua Duarte, 31, was arrested January 11. He was a probationary police officer with the Upland Police Department since August 19, 2019, according to Cpt. Marcelo Blanco of the Upland Police Department in a written statement. Duarte is accused of sexual battery while off duty, Blanco said. “I can tell you that I am disturbed by the allegations. The alleged conduct is inconsistent with the expectations of an Upland Police officer and do not reflect the majority of our officers who work hard every day to maintain the trust and support of our community,” said Upland Police Chief Darren Goodman.
Duarte posted bond and is scheduled to appear in court February 3, according to Los Angeles County booking records. Specifics on the investigation by Pomona Police have not been revealed. |
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