BALDWIN PARK – The Coroner identified a man who died after crashing into the center divider of the southbound 57 freeway in San Dimas early Saturday morning.

Leobardo Estrada, 24, from Baldwin Park, was identified by the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner. An exam has yet to be scheduled to determine cause of death, but a statement issued by the California Highway Patrol indicated Estrada suffered blunt force trauma to the head and chest.

Estrada crashed and died after apparently losing control of his 2018 Suzuki GSX R600 south on the 57 freeway south of Covina Boulevard around 12:36 a.m. He was at an unknown high rate of speed when he hit the divider, according to the California Highway Patrol.

Estrada veered left and sideswiped the divider. He was ejected from the motorcycle.

A Sig Alert was issued at 1:05 a.m. for the No. 1 lane of the south 57 freeway north of Covina Boulevard. The Sig Alert was cancelled at 2:57 a.m.

It is unclear if alcohol and/or drugs factored in the crash. Witnesses to the crash are urged to call California Highway Patrol Officer Mark Walter at 626-338-1164.

LOS ANGELES – The coroner named the driver who died along with two dogs after his Chevrolet Express van crashed and burned February 10 in San Dimas.

James Bryson, 58, died in the early-morning crash on the westbound 210 freeway east of Lone Hill Avenue. Bryson’s cause of death has been deferred, pending additional investigation.

The crash was reported to the California Highway Patrol around 4:20 a.m. For unknown reasons, Bryson’s 1994 Chevrolet Express van struck a trailer being hauled behind a 2012 Volvo tractor in the No. 4 lane. The van then struck a sound wall and overturned, according to the CHP in a written statement.

The Chevrolet van became fully engulfed in flames. Bryson and his dogs died at the scene.

The westbound No. 2, 3 and 4 lanes were blocked for nearly three hours during cleanup and an investigation.

It is unclear if alcohol, or drugs were factors in the crash.

Anyone with information regarding this collision is encouraged to call Officer Nathan Munoz at the CHP Baldwin Park Area Office at 626-338-1164.

SAN DIMAS – The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors recently approved a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the suspect, or suspects involved in a 2018 shooting death.

Investigators continue their search for the shooter who murdered 35-year-old Pomona man Michael Moreno. He was shot around 6:20 p.m. at Pioneer Park, 225 S. Cataract Ave., December 23, 2018. He was found dead in the 200 block of South Acacia Street.

A second shooting victim was found and hospitalized. A nearby pickup truck was struck by gunfire as well.

“Our Board approved my request for a $10,000 reward for information that will help the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department find whoever is responsible. Please head to lacrimestoppers.org to get justice for Michael and his family,” according to County Board Supervisor Kathryn Barger in a written statement.

Anyone with information on the murder of Michael Moreno is urged to call the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department 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

SAN DIMAS - The driver of a large, dark-colored pickup truck struck and wounded a bicyclist in a neighborhood January 27.

The driver did not stop after striking the bicyclist on West Fifth Street west of North Eucla Avenue at 6:30 p.m. The 37-year-old male bicyclist sustained major injuries, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.

“The driver of the truck slowed down and stopped at Eucla Avenue, then drove east bound and out of view. The driver did not stop to check on the welfare of the cyclist. It is believed the truck sustained damage to the right front headlight housing,” according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s in a written statement.

The truck is believed to be a Dodge Ram.

Residents are urged to check their surveillance video for that day and time for any recordings of the crash or suspect fleeing.

Anyone with information on this crash is urged to call Traffic Detective Christopher Bronowicki of the San Dimas Traffic Detail at 909-859-2818.

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

SAN DIMAS - One person was discovered dead after firefighters extinguished a vehicle fire in an overturned van early Thursday morning.

The No. 3 and 4 lanes of the westbound 210 freeway west of San Dimas Avenue will be closed for possibly two hours during cleanup and an investigation.

The van overturned and began catching fire around 4:22 a.m. in the slow lane. An early report indicated the van collided with a big rig, according to the California Highway Patrol.

At 4:37 a.m. the solo occupant inside the van was declared dead.

Firefighters will remain in scene for at least an hour for cleanup and to assist with body removal, according to Los Angeles County Fire Department radio traffic.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

SAN DIMAS - While most everyone else was fixated on a murder suspect barricaded in Charter Oak, authorities investigated the death of a woman struck by a Metrolink train Wednesday.

Train 326 bound for San Bernardino struck the pedestrian under the 57 freeway overpass in a non-pedestrian area around 5:50 p.m., according to Scott Johnson, Metrolink spokesman.

The tracks between the Covina Metrolink Station and Metrolink Pomona (North) were closed for hours during an investigation.

The victim, only described as being in her 30s, was taken to a nearby hospital where she was pronounced dead at 6:37 p.m., according to Sarah Ardalani of the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner.

The collision affected five other trains and 1,000 passengers, Johnson told SGV CityWatch.

The tracks were cleared at 8:28 p.m. and train service resumed, Johnson told SGV CityWatch.

SAN DIMAS – Firefighters made quick work of a small fire inside an El Pollo Loco Monday morning.

Firefighters were dispatched at 6:28 a.m. to the restaurant, 1008 W. Arrow Hwy., around 6:28 a.m. December 6, according to Dispatch Supervisor Jeremy Stafford of the Los Angeles County Fire Department.

It was not publicly clear if any damage was caused. Stafford did not know what caused the fire, or what burned before firefighters arrived.

SAN DIMAS - A man and woman are still at-large after escaping deputies who were pursuing them for taking two catalytic converters early Sunday.

The thefts were reported at 6 a.m. November 14 at a business near the intersection of Lone Hill Avenue and West Covina Boulevard. The suspects fled in a truck, according to Sgt. Gallego of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s San Dimas Station.

Within 10 minutes of the thefts taking place, a deputy located the suspects on the northbound 57 freeway at the 210 freeway interchange. A deputy attempted to pull over the truck, but the driver refused to stop, according to Sheriff’s radio traffic.

The driver fled the deputy at speeds near 100 miles per hour, forcing the San Dimas Sheriff’s Station to end the pursuit due to the dangerous driving. The truck was last seen exiting the westbound 210 freeway onto grand Avenue in Glendora and out of sight.

Gallego did not have a description for the man and woman seen taking the catalytic converters. She did not know if the converters were taken from private vehicles, or vehicles tied to the business.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

UPDATE: The Sheriff’s Department announced Wednesday that the missing man was found.

​SAN DIMAS - Sheriff’s detectives are searching for a man who has not been heard from since October 29.

Andrew Thomas McGinnis-Bruno, 29, suffers from bipolar disorder and last contacted family while staying at a San Dimas motel, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Information Bureau.

Detectives did not reveal which motel.

McGinnis-Bruno last contacted family around 7 p.m. Friday.

McGinnis-Bruno was last seen wearing black sweatpants and a spotted sweatshirt.

McGinnis-Bruno is described as 6 feet and 1 inch tall, weighs 150 pounds, has blue eyes and blonde hair. He has tattoos of the words “Marcel” and “Judy” on his inner left forearm, a skull on his inner left forearm near the elbow, and the words “Devil Dog” on his upper left arm, according to the Sheriff’s Information Bureau.

Anyone with information on McGinnis-Bruno’s whereabouts is urged to call the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Missing Persons Detail 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

SAN DIMAS - Normally quiet neighborhoods were rattled by helicopters and a crush of thirsty reporters after a bear was spotted strolling through town Wednesday.

Deputies responded to Allen Avenue and Amelia Avenue around 7:15 a.m. to a call of a bear. The animal continued to saunter through the area and eventually found its way to nearby Shull Elementary School, 825 N. Amelia Ave.

The bear, described as an adult female, walked onto campus during student drop-off. Students were ushered into classrooms and the cafeteria.

School administrators put the campus on temporary lockdown until deputies gave the all-clear when the bear turned its focus again to the surrounding neighborhoods.

The bear had a prolonged stay in a yard at Gladstone Street and Dallas Road where it remained cozy in an avocado tree until the Department of Fish and Wildlife arrived and tranquilized it.

The bear was relocated to the Angeles National Forest.