Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

ROWLAND HEIGHTS - A gunshot victim reportedly wound up at a Chevron gas station just after 6 p.m. October 25.

Deputies at the scene preliminarily stated that the victim, a man, was shot in the chest. The shooting reportedly occurred in the area of Fullerton Road and Palacios Drive, according to a Los Angeles County Sheriff’s crime broadcast.

Deputies and firefighters are still at the gas station, 19004 Colima Rd. The victim was transported to a trauma center. His condition was not publicly available.

An SGV CityWatch reader who was at the gas station believes that the victim was a passenger in the vehicle.

LOS ANGELES – One suspect was arrested August 12 and another is sought in a shocking daytime robbery in which a $60,000 Rolex watch was violently taken from a man and woman.

Two armed suspects clad in hooded sweatshirts approached a man and woman loading groceries into a vehicle outside a 99 Ranch Market, 1015 Nogales St., just after Noon July 9. The suspects demanded the $60,000 Rolex watch from the man, but before the man and woman could comply the suspects pistol-whipped both victims, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.

The watch was forcibly removed and the suspects fled in a white Dodge Challenger.

Sheriff’s Major Crimes Bureau investigators, assisted by the department’s Special Enforcement Bureau, served a multi-location search warrant four days ago in Los Angeles and Lancaster. 

Demoryie Watts, 21, was identified and arrested in the 45000 block of Spearmen Avenue in Lancaster. Investigators found the Challenger believed to be used in the robbery, as well as a handgun. Other evidence was taken from the residence, but the Rolex watch has yet to be recovered, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.

“We believe suspect Watts is also involved in several other crimes along with his suspect partner who is still outstanding,” according to Cpt. Steven Ruiz of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Major Crimes Bureau.

Ruiz declined to reveal the second suspect’s name.

Watts was booked on suspicion of robbery, being a felon in possession of a firearm and violation of parole. He was also on parole for a prior carjacking arrest.

“The question that’s going to be in everyone’s mind: what is our district attorney going to do in this case,” pondered Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva. “Our concern is will this be prosecuted as a simple robbery with the lowest sentence possible, or will the gun enhancement and other enhancements that could be applied also be used in this case for a proper sentence that puts this person incapacitated and out of business harming our community.”

Watts is scheduled for an appearance in Pomona Superior Court August 16.

Anyone who can identify additional suspects is urged to call Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Sgt. Mileski at 562-946-7010. Provide information anonymously by calling LA Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (84770, through the P3Tips mobile app, or lacrimestoppers.org.

LOS ANGELES – Investigators will discuss efforts seeking additional suspects involved in the shocking daytime robbery in which a $60,000 Rolex was violently taken from a man and woman.

Two suspects approached a man and woman who were loading groceries into their vehicle outside a 99 Ranch Market, 1015 Nogales St., just after Noon July 9. The suspects demanded the $60,000 Rolex watch from the man. The suspects pistol-whipped both victims.

Sheriff’s Major Crimes Bureau investigators, assisted by the department’s Special Enforcement Bureau, served a multi-location search warrant August 12 in Los Angeles and Lancaster. 

One suspect, currently only identified as “Demoryie” was arrested in the 45000 block of Spearmen Avenue in Lancaster.

A press conference is scheduled for 11 a.m. August 15 to discuss details of the case the search for more suspects.

Anyone who can identify additional suspects is urged to call Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Sgt. Mileski at 562-946-7010. Provide information anonymously by calling LA Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (84770, through the P3Tips mobile app, or lacrimestoppers.org.

ROWLAND HEIGHTS – Three vehicles burned and caused minor damage to an apartment building early Wednesday morning, the Los Angeles County Fire Department said.

The fire burned in the 2000 block of Batson Avenue. Firefighters were dispatched at 4:48 a.m. After the fire was knocked down, building and safety inspectors from the Los Angeles County Department of Public Works were called to examine the apartment.

Los Angeles County Sheriff’s deputies aided in evacuating residents from the apartment complex. There were no injuries reported and residents have been allowed back, according to Sgt. Estrada of the Sheriff’s Walnut/Diamond Bar Station.

Estrada did not immediately know if some or all of the building’s residents were allowed back.

The cause is under investigation.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

ROWLAND HEIGHTS - An assault with a deadly weapon suspect was arrested Saturday after he and his victim were hospitalized for knife wounds suffered during a domestic fight, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department said.

The attack occurred in the 1800 block of Batson Avenue around 5:50 a.m. June 12. At the time of the interview Saturday evening, the victim was not providing many details regarding the assault, but the evidence deputies had at that time suggested that it was domestic related, according to Sgt. Tinoco of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Walnut/Diamond Bar station.

“The stabbing victim is a male, the suspect is an ex-boyfriend,” Tinoco told SGV CityWatch.

After the assault, the suspect fled the location and was found nearby and detained.

Both suspect and victim were hospitalized, treated and released, Tinoco told SGV CityWatch.

Tinoco declined to provide the suspect’s name, but the Hispanic man faced assault with a deadly weapon charges.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

ROWLAND HEIGHTS - The California Highway Patrol now states a victim inside a vehicle was wounded by a gunman on the 60 freeway early Sunday morning.

Two people were heading east on the 60 freeway near Fairway Avenue when one of two males in a blue or purple Dodge sedan fired at least three gunshots, according to the California Highway Patrol in a written statement.

The shooting occurred around 12:45 a.m.

The wounded man and one other occupant exited onto Lemon Avenue and entered a strip mall at 20627 Golden Springs Dr.

Initially, the California Highway Patrol Traffic Management Center told SGV CityWatch in an interview just before 7 a.m. that no gunshot victims had yet been found, but a caller said her husband had been shot on the freeway.

However, a log of Los Angeles County Fire Department dispatches indicated firefighters responded to a medical emergency call at Lemon and Golden Springs at 12:52 a.m. in Diamond Bar.

It is not publicly clear if the California Highway Patrol was told much later of a victim connected to the freeway shooting.

The victim was taken to Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center, the CHP said.

At 6:46 a.m., the CHP shut down all eastbound lanes of the 60 freeway at Nogales Street, including the Nogales on ramp for an investigation. All lanes were reopened just before 8 a.m.

Anyone with information on this shooting is urged to call Investigator C. Rodriguez Of the CHP Baldwin Park Office at 626-338-1164.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

ROWLAND HEIGHTS - All eastbound lanes of the 60 freeway at South Nogales Street remain closed for an investigation tied to a reported freeway shooting from earlier Sunday morning, a California Highway Patrol officer said.

The full eastbound closure is possibly related to a search for evidence after a vehicle-to-vehicle shooting was reported around 12:51 a.m. May 2, according to Officer Moises Marroquín of the California Highway Patrol Traffic Management Center.

A one-hour Sig Alert was issued at 6:46 a.m. at South Nogales Street and also includes the Nogales on ramp and Fairway Drive.

Initially, a caller reported that her husband was shot, but no victim was found on the freeway, Marroquín told SGV CityWatch.

It is not yet publicly clear if a victim later turned up at a hospital, or if anyone was actually shot at all.

A possible suspect vehicle was described as a Dodge Charger with tinted windows.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

UPDATE, 12:45 a.m.: Authorities only described the victim as a Black man in his 30s. He was found in the middle of the street, suffering from at least one gunshot wound.

ROWLAND HEIGHTS - Homicide detectives are investigating the shooting death of a man found early Sunday in Rowland Heights.

The shooting took place in the area of Colima Road and Fullerton Rd., April 11. First responders were dispatched around 2:39 a.m., according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Information Bureau.

The man was pronounced dead at the scene.

Few details are available at this hour.

Firefighters were dispatched to a report of an unconscious person at that location. Units did not clear the scene until 3:24 a.m., according to Dispatch Supervisor Bernard Peters of the Los Angeles County Fire Department.

Anyone with information on this shooting is urged to call the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Homicide Bureau at 323-890-5500. Information can be provided anonymously by calling LA Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), through the P3Tips mobile app, or lacrimestoppers.org.

ROWLAND HEIGHTS – Two men were found dead, suffering from what was described as head trauma in a home Wednesday night.

Walnut/Diamond Bar deputies responded to a home in the 18000 block of Villa Clara Street at 7:50 p.m. February 24 and found both victims. Los Angeles County firefighter paramedics declared both victims dead, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Information Bureau.

Coroner examiners will determine cause of death.

It is unclear Thursday morning if homicide detectives have identified one or more suspects.

Anyone with information on this double homicide is urged to call the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Homicide Bureau at 323-890-5500. Information can be provided anonymously by calling LA Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), through the P3Tips mobile app, or lacrimestoppers.org.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

ROWLAND HEIGHTS - A suspect wanted on suspicion of kidnapping and assault with a deadly weapon against a peace officer was killed by deputy gunfire after injuring a deputy Sunday.

The publicly-unidentified suspect led deputies from the Walnut and Industry Sheriff’s stations on two separate pursuits Sunday. The suspect escaped capture both times by driving recklessly at high-speeds. A deputy was pinned under his own patrol vehicle after the suspect rammed it to attempt a third escape, deputies said.

Witnesses reported seeing a man and woman arguing at a strip mall in the 1100 block of Fullerton Road around 10:30 p.m. December 5. The witnesses also heard what sounded like a gunshot just before the woman was forced into the vehicle, according to Lt. Scott Hoglund of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Homicide Bureau.

Evidence of the shooting, a firearm and other property was found at the scene.

Fortunately, the 24-year-old victim was located four hours later, although she was hospitalized for abrasions to her face and lower body, Hoglund said.

Deputies located the suspect just before 1 p.m. near Los Padres Drive and Sierra Leone Avenue December 6, after learning he shed his previous vehicle for a Jeep Grand Cherokee, but he fled the scene. The suspect made his way along Harbor Boulevard towards La Habra Heights at high speed. Deputies lost sight of him, according to Los Angeles County Sheriff’s radio traffic.

Around 7:45 p.m. the same day, a deputy from the Sheriff’s Walnut Station saw the suspect in the 1900 block of Batson Avenue.

The Walnut deputy, aided by a deputy from the Sheriff’s Industry Station, gave chase until the suspect evaded them in the area of Fullerton Road and East Road in La Habra Heights.

Hours later, deputies found the suspect parked in a driveway at an apartment complex in the 1900 block of Batson Avenue around 11:47 p.m.

“Believing this might be the suspect vehicle, he pulled in front of the Jeep. As the deputy was exiting his vehicle to investigate, the suspect appeared in the Jeep’s driver seat, revved the engine and rammed the front end of the patrol vehicle. During that time, the deputy’s leg was caught underneath the vehicle pinning him and a deputy involved shooting occurred,” Hoglund said in a written statement.

The 28-year-old suspect died at the scene. The injured deputy was hospitalized for injuries considered not life-threatening.

The vehicle used in the kidnapping is reported stolen. The Jeep is believed to also be stolen, Hoglund said.