Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

LOS ANGELES - A man was arrested August 8, accused of attempting to export more than one metric ton of methamphetamine to the Land Down Under.

Jing Tang Li, a 32-year-old El Monte man is facing distribution of and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances, exportation of controlled substances and attempt and conspiracy to export controlled substances charges, according to the Justice Department.

Li was intercepted while driving near a South El Monte warehouse August 8: the location of a reported commercial burglary. Inside, law enforcement discovered packaged methamphetamine, shipping labels and scales.

In all, Li was allegedly attempting to ship 2,205 pounds of meth in cargo containers from February 2023 to December 2023 using fake company names.

“The purported commodities were falsely listed as carpets and textiles, furniture, wheel hub testing equipment, and a casting machine. The listed companies that were shipping the “products” were fake businesses. Embedded in the products was methamphetamine,” according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office in a written statement.

More than 1,000 kilograms of meth were found in the containers.

If convicted, Li would face a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in federal prison and a statutory maximum sentence of life imprisonment.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

LOS ANGELES - The California Highway Patrol announced the arrest of a 32-year-old suspect, accusing him of attempted murder after an argument led to a shooting on a Foothill Transit bus Monday evening.

Juan Mario Trejo, a West Covina resident, was located in Los Angeles less than 20 hours after the incident occurred. He was taken into custody and is being held in lieu of $1 million bail at the Inmate Reception Center in Los Angeles, according to the California Highway Patrol.

The victim struck by gunfire was taken to Los Angeles General Medical Center to be treated for injuries considered not life-threatening.

A reported argument between a suspect, another rider and the bus driver on a Foothill Transit Silver Streak bus broke out on the westbound I-10 Freeway east of Puente Avenue around 6 p.m. June 17. The suspect revealed a firearm and a physical altercation ensued. Several shots were fired, according to the CHP.

The double carriage bus on the Silver Streak line was transporting 17 other passengers when the shooting occurred, according to the CHP.

The driver stopped the bus on the I-10 freeway at Puente Avenue where the suspect exited and fled on foot.

The shooting was investigated by the California Highway Patrol Southern Division Major Crimes detectives in conjunction with the CHP Baldwin Park Office.

Trejo is scheduled for an appearance in West Covina Superior Court Thursday, June 20.

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The arrest record in this article is being redistributed by SGV CityWatch and is protected by constitutional, publishing and other legal rights. Arrest information is public record and was distributed by government sources. The person named in this article has only been arrested on suspicion of the crime(s) listed and is presumed innocent.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

LOS ANGELES - An accused rapist was identified Wednesday in the hopes that additional victims can come forward and help bring the suspect to justice.

Eduardo Sarabia, 40, was officially charged with one count of forcible rape, one count of oral copulation by force or injury, and two counts of special allegations of sex crimes with aggravated circumstances, according to Los Angeles County Superior Court data.

Investigators believe sex crimes with female victims occurred on May 12 and May 13 between 9:30 p.m. and 10 p.m.

A deputy patrolling Highway 39 at mile marker 21 above Azusa and Glendora came upon the van May 13. The deputy called for assistance after hearing a woman screaming inside of the van, which was parked on a turnout along the winding mountain road.

A suspect, whom investigators identified as Sarabia, emerged and initially complied with the deputy’s commands. At one point, the suspect ran back into the van where the woman was still screaming. The suspect then re-emerged and complied with the deputy’s commands, according to Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department radio traffic.

It took between 5 and 10 minutes until backup was able to arrive and help the deputy take the suspect into custody and clear the van of anyone inside.

Based on the allegations, investigators believe there may be additional victims. Anyone who is a possible victim of the suspect, or who may have additional information that can aid the investigation is urged to call the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Special Victims Bureau toll-free tip line at 877-710-5273, or email [email protected].

Remain anonymous by calling LA Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), through the P3Tips mobile app, or lacrimestoppers.org.

Sarabia is being held in lieu of $100,000 bail in the San Dimas Sheriff’s Station jail. He appeared in Pomona Superior Court May 15. He is scheduled for an arraignment and plea on June 27.



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The arrest record in this article is being redistributed by SGV CityWatch and is protected by constitutional, publishing and other legal rights. Arrest information is public record and was distributed by government sources. The person named in this article has only been arrested on suspicion of the crime(s) listed and is presumed innocent.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

RANCHO CUCAMONGA - The victim of an attempted carjacking fought off two aggressors January 9 and suffered a gunshot wound to one of his hands during the ordeal.

The crime went down in the 9000 block of Foothill Boulevard around 3:34 p.m. Rancho Cucamonga deputies originally responded to a report of gunfire and soon discovered it was an attempted carjacking as well.

Both suspects, identified as Lorenzo Ortiz, 41, and Raymond Joshua Bowman, 26, fled after failing to take the victim’s vehicle. Officers found and arrested both suspects as they attempted to flee the area, according to the Rancho Cucamonga Sheriff’s Station.

The 41-year-old victim Was hospitalized for his injuries.

Ortiz and Bowman were booked at the West Valley Detention Center.

Ortiz was officially charged with one count each of attempted carjacking and an allegation under California’s Three Strikes Law. He pleaded not guilty, according to San Bernardino County Superior Court records. He is being held in lieu of $140,000 bail.

Bowman was officially charged with one count, each of attempted carjacking, an enhancement of using a firearm and enhancement of discharging a firearm, according to San Bernardino County Superior Court records. He is being held in lieu of $190,000 bail.

Both suspects have since made an initial appearance in court and are scheduled for a preliminary hearing January 17.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
Citywatch Editor

LOS ANGELES - Investigators announced the arrest of two men accused of robbing a woman of her purse and severely beating her at a Costco.

The robbery occurred at 17500 Castleton Street November 26 around 6:30 p.m. The victim fought back and attempted to take back her purse. She was repeatedly punched in the face. She was dragged by the suspects’ vehicle during the getaway, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.

“As a result of the suspects’ actions, the victim suffered facial and head trauma resulting in serious, life-threatening injuries. The victim was transported to the hospital for treatment,” according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department in a written statement.

A search warrant was served in Diamond Bar December 28 and David Morrison, 38, and Andrew Morrison, 34, were arrested.

Evidence from the victim was found during the search.

Both men were booked on suspicion of robbery and are being held in lieu of $500,000 bail. Both men were scheduled for an appearance in the West Covina Courthouse.

Investigators are trying to determine if the pair are involved in any other crimes in the San Gabriel Valley.

Anyone with information on these suspects, or who may have been a victim of similar crimes is urged to call the Sheriff’s Major Crimes Bureau at 562-946-7187.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

LOS ANGELES - A 22-year-old Monrovia man was charged in a two-count federal grand jury indictment, accused of coercing a two-year-old child into engaging in a sexually explicit act with him so he could record record it.

David Lisandro Prerez Figueroa was charged with production of child pornography and distribution of child pornography. Figueroa was arrested earlier in December and is scheduled to appear in U.S. District Court in Los Angeles December 28, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

A federal magistrate ordered Figueroa to be held without bond, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

A federal search warrant was executed December at Figueroa’s home where he was arrested.

British authorities investigating a target in the United Kingdom obtained chat logs from the X social media platform showing child sex abuse material and notified authorities stateside.

Figueroa allegedly distributed the child sex abuse material on July 22 through X in an account allegedly linked to him.

“If convicted of all charges, Figueroa would face a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in federal prison and a statutory maximum sentence of 50 years in federal prison,” according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office in a written statement.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

REGION - One of two suspects involved in a violent Valinda home invasion robbery was arrested December 19.

Jeremy Rahmelle Dates, 29, was arrested during an Upland traffic stop by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Burglary Robbery Task Force.

The home invasion occurred January 31, 2023 in the 16400 Block of Burtree Street in Valinda.

Dates is accused of beating his elderly victim after entering the home. The bedroom was ransacked. The victim suffered facial and head trauma, according to the Sheriff’s Department.

There was a second suspect, an unknown lookout only described as Black male.

“The investigation is ongoing in order to determine if this robbery suspect is related to other home invasion robberies that have recently occurred in the Southern California Area,” according to the Sheriff’s Department in a written statement.

Dates was transported to Sheriff’s Industry Station where he was booked and held in lieu $200,000 bail and is scheduled to appear at the West Covina Courthouse December 21.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

LOS ANGELES - Surveillance footage once again helped identify the man accused of gunning down three homeless people in Los Angeles late last month.

The suspect was already in custody, accused of murdering a San Dimas man after following him home from West Covina.

Jerrid Joseph Powell, 33, was arrested by the Los Angeles Police Department Saturday.

The three murders of homeless men occurred from November 26 to November 29. The same vehicle was seen at all three murder scenes, investigators said.

Ballistics examination determined the gun seized after Powell was arrested in Beverly Hills was used in the homeless murders, according to an LAPD written statement.

The first LA murder occurred around 3 a.m. November 26 in the 800 block of West 110th Street. The next murder occurred around 5 a.m. November 27 in the 800 block of East Seventh Street. The third happened around 2:30 p.m. November 29 at South Avenue 18 and South Pasadena Avenue.

All victims in the LA murder were sleeping either on a public sidewalk or in an alleyway.

Powell will remain in custody pending the filing of charges.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

REGION - Two suspects were recently jailed in connection with the death of a man washed up and stuffed in a barrel in Malibu and the larger of the two has a local crime connection.

Dennis Eugene Vance, 41, and Joshua Lee Simmons, 37, were arrested October 3 and charged in the death of Javonnta Marshann Murphy. Murphy’s body was found stuffed in a metal barrel that washed up at Malibu Lagoon State Beach.

Murphy died of a gunshot wound to his head.

Simmons was infamously caught on cellphone video after being beat back by employees of a jewelry store during an attempted robbery September 2 in El Monte.

Simmons was charged with murder, personal use of a firearm and criminal threats. For the El Monte incident, he was also charged with attempted robbery, criminal threats and personal use of bear spray.

Vance was charged with one count of being an accessory after the fact in Murphy’s death.

Simmons is being held in lieu of nearly $3.3 million bail ahead of a scheduled appearance in Los Angeles Municipal Court November 3.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

LOS ANGELES - Authorities announced Friday the arrest of two suspects in a highly-publicized and violent robbery in Hacienda Heights.

Russell Hardy Jr. and Cameron DeShawne Perry, both 19 years old, were located through a multi-jurisdictional investigation. Russell was arrested August 16 and is being held without bail. Perry is being held in lieu of $400,000 bail, according to Los Angeles County booking records.

Both men were officially charged each with two counts of second-degree robbery, two counts of first-degree automated teller machine robbery and one count of attempted second-degree robbery. Perry also is charged with two counts of elder or dependent adult abuse, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office.

Hardy was named as the getaway driver of a blue vehicle, Perry as the suspect who violently took the woman’s purse during the August 14 robbery in Hacienda Heights, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.

Both suspects are believed to have operated as a criminal crew the last several months and targeted Asian victims in Hacienda Heights, Rowland Heights and City of Industry, committing similar robberies.

A meeting between the Sheriff’s Major Crimes Bureau-Burglary Robbery Task Force and the Orange County Violent Crimes ATF Task Force was held to investigate the robberies when they were notified of the highly-publicized robbery.

Both suspects are believed to be involved in a robbery May 30 near 1457 Nogales St. in Rowland Heights where a purse containing $150,000 in jewelry was taken. June 9, a woman who withdrew money from a bank at 17801 Colima Rd. in Industry had her wallet stolen. June 14, a woman was in a parking lot at 1611 N. Azusa Ave. when someone approached from behind, stolen the purse and fled. July 2, a man exiting a bank at 18958 Daisetta St. in Rowland Heights fought back after being pistol-whipped, leaving the robber empty-handed, according to the DA’s office.

in all but one of the robberies a blue vehicle was seen fleeing.

Both suspects are scheduled for an appearance in the Pomona Courthouse Monday, August 21.