Written by AARON CASTREJON 
CityWatch Editor 

SIERRA MADRE - A man and woman attempted to ditch the fuzz by running into the pitch blackness of the Sierra Madre foothills September 30, but both were caught quickly.

The duo are accused of armed robbery and led the Los Angeles Police Department and California Highway Patrol officers on a high-speed chase from the City of Angels across multiple freeways and surface streets into the San Gabriel Valley.

The driver sometimes pushed his vehicle in excess of 110 miles per hour east on the I-10 freeway and north to the 605 freeway where he exited onto Huntington Drive and fled east into Duarte and Azusa.

The suspect fled back west on the 210 freeway in Azusa into Arcadia and Sierra Madre where the driver escaped on foot. The female passenger was detained almost immediately. A quick search ended with the driver in cuffs.

It is unclear if authorities recovered any weapons, or suspected stolen property.

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Copyright 2026. All stories and original images published here are the exclusive property of SGV CityWatch and may not be republished in any form without the permission of this organization.

Written by AARON CASTREJON 
CityWatch Editor 

SIERRA MADRE - Arcadia Police dispatchers have begun providing nighttime dispatch services for the Sierra Madre Police Department.

Arcadia started aiding the Sierra Madre Police Department Friday evening. The move is temporary as Sierra Madre seeks to permanently fill staffing shortages. Arcadia dispatchers will answer emergency and non-emergency calls between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m.

“Very little will change from the caller’s perspective. Sierra Madre police officers will continue to patrol the community, respond to calls for service, conduct proactive enforcement and remain available throughout the night,” according to the Sierra Madre Police Department in a written statement. “Sierra Madre Fire Department personnel will also continue responding to emergency calls as usual.”

For emergency assistance, call 9-1-1. For non-emergency police assistance, continue to use the Sierra Madre Police Department’s regular non-emergency number at 626-355-1414.

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Copyright 2026. All stories and original images published here are the exclusive property of SGV CityWatch and may not be republished in any form without the permission of this organization.

Written by AARON CASTREJON 
CityWatch Editor 

SIERRA MADRE - A hiker died this past weekend while traversing Mt. Wilson Trail, the second hiker to die in less than a week.

The hiker suffered an unspecified medical emergency on Mt. Wilson Trail north of an area called Rescue Ridge. First responders were called at 9:43 a.m. May 9, according to the Sierra Madre Search and Rescue Team.

“On arriving at the scene, Team members joined friends of the hiker and passers-by who had started CPR. Members of Sierra Madre Fire Department also responded to provide medical assistance,” according to the Sierra Madre Search and Rescue Team. “Unfortunately, the 53-year-old hiker was determined to be deceased.”

Mark Smythe, 53, died from natural causes due to atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, according to the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner.

A man died May 3 after falling during a hike along the same trail, accidentally falling to his death.

Sierra Madre Police officers and Arcadia Police officers also responded to the incident.

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The Medical Examiner record in this article is being redistributed by SGV CityWatch and is protected by constitutional, publishing and other legal rights. Death records are public information and are distributed by government sources.

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Copyright 2026. All stories and original images published here are the exclusive property of SGV CityWatch and may not be republished in any form without the permission of this organization.

Written by AARON CASTREJON 
CityWatch Editor 

SIERRA MADRE - A man slipped and fell to his death on a popular hiking trail in the San Gabriel Mountains May 2.

The death occurred near the Mt. Wilson Trail. First responders were called to the trail around 2 p.m. Saturday. The trail was briefly closed during the rescue mission, according to the Sierra Madre Police Department.

The Sierra Madre Fire Department, Sierra Madre Search and Rescue and Sierra Madre Police Department all coordinated the rescue effort.

Once the victim was reached, rescuers attempted to revive him, but he was soon declared dead at the scene.

The victim, 66-year-old John McIntyre, died an accidental death from blunt force injuries, according to the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner.

At 7:22 a.m. May 3, authorities announced the trail was reopened.

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The death record in this article is being redistributed by SGV CityWatch and is protected by constitutional, publishing and other legal rights. Information about the decedent(s), including cause and manner of death, is public record and was distributed by government sources.

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Copyright 2026. All stories and original images published here are the exclusive property of SGV CityWatch and may not be republished in any form without the permission of this organization.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

SIERRA MADRE - Detectives tracked down a Los Angeles man they accuse of crashing into a pedestrian during a bike ride and fleeing the scene without helping to render aid.

John Gabriel, 49, was arrested April 6. He was booked on suspicion of felony hit-and-run. He was issued a citation and later released, according to Los Angeles County booking records.

A cyclist struck and significantly injured a pedestrian on North Baldwin Avenue near Montecito Avenue just after 10 a.m. February 3. The cyclist fled the scene.

A search warrant was executed at Gabriel’s Los Angeles home and also at his storage unit. Evidence related to the case was seized, according to the Sierra Madre Police Department.

Any witnesses to the February 3 collision or anyone with any information related to this incident is urged to speak with Sierra Madre Police Detective Nelson Ascano at 626-355-1414.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

SIERRA MADRE - A pedestrian was seriously injured by a cyclist who decided to flee the crash February 3.

The collision occurred near North Baldwin Avenue and Highland Avenue just after 10 a.m. The cyclist injured the older woman and left without helping her, or even revealing their identity, according to the Sierra Madre Police Department.

Anyone who can identify the cyclist, or provide additional details regarding this case is urged to contact Sierra Madre Police Detective Ascano at 626-355-1414 or [email protected].

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

SIERRA MADRE - A 77-year-old driver and his 70-year-old passenger escaped with minor injuries after his vehicle ran a stop sign and crashed through cement K rails and into an outdoor dining area at a restaurant Wednesday.

As of now, it is not believed that DUI played a role in the crash outside The Only Place in Town, 110 W. Sierra Madre Blvd., January 11. The vehicle came within roughly 10 feet of striking two pedestrians walking past the restaurant, according to Sgt. Charles Kamchamnan of the Sierra Madre Police Department.

First responders were sent to the crash around 5:40 p.m.

The car was being driven southbound on Auburn Avenue and ran through the stop sign at the T-intersection, according to Sgt. Kyle Bailey of the Sierra Madre Police Department.

The restaurant remained partially opened during and after the crash. Patrons dined as they watched the recovery process as crews worked to remove the twisted car left perched on top of debris.

Kamchamnan was not aware of potential causes as detectives now are investigating the crash, but he noted speed potentially played a factor in the crash.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

SIERRA MADRE - A woman reportedly took her own life inside a residence Wednesday afternoon, a police sergeant said.

Officers were dispatched to a call of an injured woman on West Grand View Avenue near Auburn Avenue at 11:15 a.m. Officers found a woman who likely shot herself, according to Sgt. Charles Kamchamnan of the Sierra Madre Police Department.

“Sierra Madre Fire Department paramedics responded, treated and transported her to a local hospital where she was later pronounced deceased,” Kamchamnan told SGV CityWatch.

There was no public safety threat at the time, Kamchamnan told SGV CityWatch.

Nearby Sierra Madre Elementary School, 141 W. Highland Ave., was made aware of the incident and notified parents via text message, according to a parent who shared the text with SGV CityWatch.

SIERRA MADRE - A Los Angeles man was arrested May 14, accused of burglarizing a home with an accomplice after attempting to burglarize at least two other homes.

Both suspects approached the homes Saturday, May 14 before 10 a.m. One of the homeowners, who lives on East Alegria Avenue, said the two men asked if the house was an AirBnB while waving a cellphone around, according to Sierra Madre Police radio traffic.

After their questioning, the suspects left in a black Mercedes-Benz lacking license plates.

“Officers later received a call of the same males attempting to jump through a bathroom window of a residence,” according to the Sierra Madre Police Department in a written statement.

Officers, with the help of Arcadia, Pasadena and Monrovia Police, set a containment search. Jordan Sells, 18, was found and booked on suspicion of burglary.

Sells posted $50,000 bond.